ABC's 'Dancing' is Most-Watched Show for 2nd Straight Week

Continuing to build its numbers during the week of May 2, 2011, ABC delivered a strong second-place finish in both Total Viewers (9.1 million) and Adults 18-49 (2.5/7). In fact ABC paced No. 2 to Fox in Adults 18-49 for the 4th consecutive week, beating CBS by 14% (2.2/6) and NBC by 25% (2.0/6).

· Building for the 2nd week in a row with viewers (+5% - 9.1 million vs. 8.7 million) and young adults (+14% - 2.5/7 vs. 2.2/6), the Net produced its best week since March - since w/o 3/28/11. And excluding the week of the Oscars, ABC attracted its 2nd-biggest audience and equaled its top Adult 18-49 number since mid-November - since w/o 11/15/10.

· Exhibiting consistent year-over-year momentum heading into the home stretch of the season, ABC increased its overall audience for the 6th week running, up by nearly 1.0 million viewers over the year-ago week (9.1 million vs. 8.2 million on w/o 5/3/10). ABC was up the most year to year among the broadcasters.

Rankings: ABC claimed 7 of the week's Top 20 television shows among Adults 18-49 (the most for any network), placing 4 of the Top 10 and TV's No. 1 scripted series: "Dancing with the Stars" - No. 4, "Modern Family" - No. 5 (No. 1 scripted show), "Grey's Anatomy" - No. 8, "NBA Playoffs on ABC" - No. 10, "DWTS Results Show" - No. 18, while "Castle" and "Desperate Housewives" tied at No. 20. For the 2nd week in a row, ABC's "DWTS" finished as the most-watched TV show overall, outdrawing both editions of Fox's "American Idol." Regularly challenging "Idol" as the top show, ABC's "DWTS" has run as the week's No. 1 or No. 2 series overall on 5 of 7 telecasts during Season 12.

Monday

With "Dancing with the Stars" and "Castle," ABC towered over the first Monday of the May Sweep, more than doubling runner-up CBS in Total Viewers (18.4 million vs. 8.0 million) and leading by 67% in Adults 18-49 (4.0/10 vs. 2.4/6). In fact the Net beat its rivals in all 6 half-hours of the night in viewers and young adults. ABC was Monday's most-watched TV net for the 8th week running and won the evening in Adults 18-49 for the 7th time in 8 weeks. In addition, it was ABC's 5th straight year to finish as the most-watched network on the opening Monday night of the May Sweep - starting in May 2007.

· Up for the 2nd straight week, ABC's Monday numbers jumped by double-digit percentages over the prior week in both Total Viewers (+18% - 18.4 million vs. 15.6 million) and Adults 18-49 (+21% - 4.0/10 vs. 3.3/9).

· ABC was also up sharply from the same night last year, gaining 3.3 million viewers and 21% with young adults (15.1 million and 3.3/9 on 5/3/10).

"Dancing with the Stars" (8:00-10:01 p.m.)

ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" won each of its half-hours in viewers and young adults to earn first place in its time slot for the 7th week running. ABC's "DWTS" once again registered as Monday's No. 1 TV show in Total Viewers (21.4 million - 7th week in a row) and Adults 18-49 (4.5/12 - 6th time in 7 weeks).

· "DWTS" rose over the same night last year by 9% in Total Viewers and by 10% in Adults 18-49 (19.6 million & 4.1/12 on 5/3/10).

· On average, Season 12 of "DWTS" is up over the same point in Season 11 by 1.2 million viewers (22.4 million vs. 21.2 million) and by 6% in Adults 18-49 (5.0/13 vs. 4.7/11). In fact "DWTS" is producing the franchise's most-watched season ever.

"Castle" (10:01-11:00 p.m.)

ABC's "Castle" ranked as the No. 1 series in the 10 o'clock hour, beating CBS' original "Hawaii Five-0" in Total Viewers (+2.3 million viewers - 12.1 million vs. 9.8 million) and Adults 18-49 (+16% - 2.9/7 vs. 2.5/6) in their 3rd consecutive head-to-head original telecasts. In addition, on both measures, "Castle" was the No. 1 TV series in its time period for 5th time in its last 6 original telecasts. In addition, "Castle" more than doubled the numbers of NBC's original "Law & Order: Los Angeles" (4.9 million and 1.4/4) in viewers (+147%) and young adults (+107%). For its 5th consecutive original broadcast, ABC's "Castle" stood as Monday's most-watched scripted series.

· Versus the year-ago night, the ABC drama was up by 1.4 million viewers and 16% in Adults 18-49 (10.7 million and 2.5/7).

· On average, ABC's "Castle" is enjoying its strongest season ever, building on its performance at the same point last year in both Total Viewers (+6% - 11.1 million vs. 10.5 million) and Adults 18-49 (+4% - 2.9/8 vs. 2.8/7).

Tuesday

ABC (11.9 million) finished as the 2nd-most-watched network on Tuesday to CBS, outdrawing NBC by 1.0 million viewers (10.9 million) and Fox by 5.6 million viewers (6.3 million).

· Up over the year-ago night by 2.8 million viewers (9.1 million on 5/4/10), ABC increased its Tuesday audience year to year for the 7th week running.

"Dancing with the Stars: The Encore" (8:00-9:00 p.m.)

Taking second in the 8 o'clock hour to CBS' first-run "NCIS," ABC's recap special "DWTS: The Encore" (9.4 million) drew more overall viewers than originals of Fox's "Glee" (8.9 million) and NBC's "The Biggest Loser: Couples" (7.5 million).

"DWTS Results Show" (9:00-10:01 p.m.)

Up against stiff all-original competition in the 9 o'clock hour, ABC's "DWTS Results Show" (16.1 million) qualified as the most-watched TV show in its time slot for the 6th consecutive week, topping CBS' "NCIS: LA" by 13% (14.2 million), NBC's "The Voice" by 31% (12.3 million) and Fox's comedies ("Raising Hope"/"Traffic Light") by 313% (3.9 million). And despite CBS' and Fox's lead-in advantages coming into the hour from first-run programming among Adults 18-49, "DWTS Results Show" (3.0/8) outdelivered both "NCIS: LA" (2.9/7) and the "Glee"-led comedies (1.5/4). In addition, ABC's dancing results program stood as Tuesday's 2nd-most-watched TV show, trailing only CBS' top-rated "NCIS." Reality television star Kendra Wilkinson was the sixth celebrity dancer to be eliminated from the dance competition this season.

· "DWTS Results Show" once again posted substantial year-over-year growth, leaping by 34% in Total Viewers (16.1 million vs. 12.0 million) and by 25% in Adults 18-49 (3.0/8 vs. 2.4/7) over the same night last year. On average, ABC's "DWTS Results Show" is up over the same point a year ago in viewers (+27% - 17.4 million vs. 13.7 million) and young adults (+25% - 3.5/9 vs. 2.8/8).

"Body of Proof" (10:01-11:00 p.m.)

Up against the final hour of NBC's 2-hour "The Voice" in the 10 o'clock hour, ABC's "Body of Proof" continued to draw more viewers to the time period for ABC year to year, boosting its slot by 4.8 million viewers over the year-ago night with original drama programming (10.2 million vs. 5.4 million for "V").

· TV's most-watched new series this season, "Body of Proof" is improving the hour for ABC by 5.8 million viewers (11.6 million vs. 5.8 million) and by 4% in Adults 18-49 (2.4/6 vs. 2.3/6), over the comparable nights last year. In fact "Body of Proof" stands as ABC's most-watched series in the hour in 10 years - since the 8th season of "NYPD Blue" in January 2001.

Wednesday

ABC ranked No. 2 against its rivals on Wednesday to an "Idol"-led Fox among Adults 18-34 (1.9/6), leading CBS by 19% (1.6/5) and NBC by 58% (1.2/4).

· Building its numbers over the same night last May Sweep (5/5/10) with viewers (5.9 million vs. 5.8 million) and young adults (2.1/6 vs. 2.0/6), ABC grew its overall Wednesday audience year over year for the 17th time in the last 20 weeks.

"The Middle" (8:00-8:30 p.m.)

Opposite the first half-hour of Fox's "American Idol" and CBS' "Survivor: Redemption Island" at 8:00 p.m., ABC's "The Middle" doubled the numbers of NBC's "Minute to Win It" among Total Viewers (+122% - 7.1 million vs. 3.2 million) and Adults 18-49 (+100% - 2.0/6 vs. 1.0/3). Additionally in the half-hour, "The Middle" beat out "Survivor" by 11% with Women 18-34 (2.0/7 vs. 1.8/6), leading the CBS unscripted series for its 2nd straight original telecast.

· Season to date, ABC's "The Middle" is TV's 2nd-biggest year-to-year gainer (behind only "Modern Family") among returning broadcast series, jumping by 23% in Total Viewers (8.1 million vs. 6.6 million) over its performance in the 8:30 p.m. half-hour at the same point last season.

· "The Middle" built over its most-recent original telecast two weeks ago (6.8 million and 1.9/6 on 4/20/11) in viewers (+4%) and young adults (+5%). The show posted its best results since the beginning of March (3/2/11).

"Better with You" (8:30-9:00 p.m.)

At 8:30 p.m., ABC freshman "Better with You" beat out the second half-hour of NBC's "Minute to Win It" by 1.8 million viewers (5.4 vs. 3.6 million) and by 45% in Adults 18-49 (1.6/5 vs. 1.1/3).

· Growing week to week by 17% in Total Viewers and by 7% in Adults 18-49, ABC's "Better with You" marked its most-watched telecast on the night in 9 weeks - since 3/2/11.

"Modern Family" (9:00-9:31 p.m.)

Jumping from its lead-in against the third half-hour of "Idol" at 9:00 p.m., ABC's "Modern Family" was the dominant scripted program in its slot among Adults 18-49, beating runner-up CBS' "Criminal Minds" by 34% (3.9/10 vs. 2.9/8).

· TV's No. 1 comedy this season, ABC's "Modern Family" registered as Wednesday's No. 1 scripted television show for its 21st consecutive original telecast this season in the key young adult sales demographic.

· Building over its last first-run telecast two weeks ago, "Modern Family" equaled its highest young adult numbers (AD18-34/AD18-49) in 7 weeks - since 3/23/11.

· Season to date, ABC's "Modern Family" is the fastest-growing TV show on the broadcast nets, up over the same point last year by 26% in Total Viewers (11.7 million vs. 9.3 million) and by 24% in Adults 18-49 (4.7/12 vs. 3.8/10).

"Cougar Town" (9:31-10:00 p.m.)

Gaining week to week in the 9:30 p.m. half-hour, ABC's "Cougar Town" beat out Fox's "Idol"-fueled "Breaking In" by 6% among Adults 18-34 (1.9/6 vs. 1.8/5) to rank as the No. 2 TV series in its half-hour. It was also the No. 2 series in its time slot with Women 18-34.

· "Cougar Town's" numbers built week to week by 5% in Adults 18-49 and by 19% in Adults 18-34. In addition, the ABC sophomore comedy posted its best ratings on the night in 3 months with key Women (W18-34/W18-49) - since 2/2/11.

"Happy Endings" (10:00-11:00 p.m.)

From 10:00-11:00 p.m., ABC's back-to-back airings of "Happy Endings" drastically improved Wednesday's 10 o'clock hour year to year for ABC in Adults 18-49 (+25%) and Adults 18-34 (+88%), besting original drama programming on the same night last year ("Happy Town" = 1.2/4 and 0.8/3).

Thursday

Opposite an "Idol"-led Fox, ABC finished in a virtual tie for No. 2 with CBS among Adults 18-49 (2.4/7 vs. 2.6/7 - tied in audience share). In addition, the Net ran a strong second on the evening to Fox across all key Women demographics (W18-34/W18-49/W25-54).

· The Net equaled its top Adult 18-49 number on the night since March - since 3/31/11.

"Wipeout" (8:00-9:00 p.m.)

In the 8 o'clock hour opposite "American Idol" and CBS' original comedies ("The Big Bang Theory"/"Rules of Engagement"), ABC's "Wipeout" beat out NBC's comedies ("Community"/"The Office"-R) in viewers (4.8 million vs. 3.1 million) and young adults (1.4/5 vs. 1.3/4). The wide-appealing ABC unscripted series stood as the No. 2 broadcast show to "Idol" with Kids 2-11.

· Despite facing "American Idol" in the hour this year, "Wipeout" was up over original drama programming on the same night last year ("FlashForward" on 5/6/10 = 1.3/4) by 8% among Adults 18-49. On average this season, "Wipeout" is delivering substantial year-to-year growth for ABC against "Idol," improving the time period by 18% in Total Viewers (7.8 million vs. 6.6 million), by 25% in Adults 18-49 (2.5/7 vs. 2.0/6) and by 480% in Kids 2-11 (2.9/10 vs. 0.5/2).

"Grey's Anatomy" (9:00-10:01 p.m.)

TV's No. 1 drama this season in the key Adult 18-49 sales demo, ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" (3.5/10) won Thursday's 9 o'clock hour, topping Fox's "Idol"-fueled "Bones" by 9% (3.2/8), NBC's comedies ("The Office"/"Parks and Recreation") by 13% (3.1/8) and CBS' "CSI" by 52% (2.3/6).

· "Grey's" registered as Thursday's No. 1 scripted show among Adults 18-49 (tie), Adults 25-54 and across all key Women categories.

"Private Practice" (10:01-11:00 p.m.)

ABC's "Private Practice" earned second in the 10 o'clock hour in viewers (6.9 million) and young adults (2.3/6), while ranking No. 1 across all key Women demos (W18-34/W18-49/W25-54). In fact it was the ABC drama's 19th straight original airing to stand as the No. 1 scripted TV show in the hour with key Women (W18-34/W18-49).

· "Private Practice" built over the prior week in both Total Viewers (+3%) and Adults 18-49 (+5%).

Friday

On the second Friday of the May Sweep, ABC finished No. 1 among the broadcast networks in Adults 18-49 (1.4/5-tie).

"Shark Tank" (8:00-9:00 p.m.)

ABC's "Shark Tank" ran No. 2 against its regular competition in the 8 o'clock hour among Adults 18-49, beating CBS' season premiere of "Flashpoint" by 9% (1.2/5 vs. 1.1/4).

"20/20" (10:00-11:00 p.m.)

ABC's "20/20" ranked as the No. 1 regular show the 10 o'clock hour in the key Adult 25-54 (2.4/6) news demo, as well as leading with key Men (M18-49/M25-54). In addition, the ABC newsmagazine stood as the No. 1 regular program of the evening on all 3 Nielsen measures. "20/20" featured a behind-the-scenes report on the death of Osama bin Laden.

· "20/20" posted its highest Adult 25-54 and Adult 18-49 ratings on the night in 5 months - since 12/3/10.

Saturday

With primetime coverage of the 2011 NBA Playoffs (Miami-Boston) standing as the night's No. 1 TV program (8.2 million and 3.4/12), ABC towered over Saturday evening, beating second-place Fox with coverage of the NASCAR Sprint Cup by 1.0 million viewers (7.8 million vs. 6.8 million) and by 68% in Adults 18-49 (3.2/11 vs. 1.9/7).

· With the "NBA Playoffs on ABC," the Net marked its strongest Saturday in almost 1-1/2 years among Adults 18-49 - since 12/5/09.

Sunday

Up against CBS with three hours of season finale programming on the night, ABC finished No. 2 on Sunday in Total Viewers (7.9 million) and Adults 18-49 (2.2/6), while ranking No. 1 with key Women (W18-34/W18-49).

"America's Funniest Home Videos" (7:00-8:00 p.m.)

Opposite an above average installment of CBS' "60 Minutes" featuring a well-publicized interview with President Obama, ABC's "America's Funniest Home Videos" earned second place in the 7:00 p.m. hour with viewers (6.4 million) and young adults (1.7/6).

"Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" (8:00-9:00 p.m.)

Building over its lead-in at 8:00 p.m. against the opening hour of CBS' 2-hour "Amazing Race XVIII" season finale, ABC's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" ran as the 2nd-most-watched TV show overall in its time slot, outdrawing the first hour of NBC's 3-hour "Celebrity Apprentice" by 1.9 million viewers (8.0 million vs. 6.1 million) and by 5% in Adults 18-49 (2.1/6 vs. 2.0/6). The broad-appealing ABC unscripted series was the No. 1 broadcast show in the hour with Kids 2-11.

· "Home Edition" posted year-over-year gains in Total Viewers, rising over the same night last year by 4% (8.0 million vs. 7.7 million).

"Desperate Housewives" (9:00-10:01 p.m.)

ABC's "Desperate Housewives" moved up to No. 1 in the 9 o'clock hour among Total Viewers (10.0 million) and Adults 18-49 (2.9/7), beating out the second hours of both CBS' "Amazing Race" (8.9 million and 2.6/7) and NBC's "Celebrity Apprentice" (7.2 million and 2.5/6), as well as Fox's original animated comedies ("Family Guy"/"Cleveland Show" = 5.6 million and 2.7/7). In addition, "Housewives" stood as Sunday's most-watched scripted program for the 2nd week running.

· Despite facing stiff competition, "Housewives" grew its numbers week to week in viewers (+6% - 10.0 million vs. 9.4 million) and young adults (+4% - 2.9/7 vs. 2.8/7).

"Brothers & Sisters" (10:01-11:00 p.m.)

The season finale of ABC's "Brothers & Sisters" ran in a near-tie with CBS' season finale of "CSI: Miami" in the 10 o'clock hour with Adults 18-49 (1.9/5 vs. 2.0/5), and beat out the CBS drama across all key Women (W18-34/W18-49/W25-54).

· Surging week to week by double-digit percentages in viewers (+26% - 7.2 million vs. 5.7 million) and young adults (+19% - 1.9/5 vs. 1.6/4), ABC's "Brothers & Sisters" generated its strongest performance in 2 months - since 3/6/11.

Source: The Nielsen Company (National, Live+ Same Day Program Ratings), week of 5/2/11, unless stated otherwise.