ABC Airs 5 of the Week's Top 20 TV Shows in Adults 18-49

ABC Airs 5 of the Week's Top 20 TV Shows in Adults 18-49, With "DWTS," "Lost," "Grey's," "Modern Family" and "Castle".

In Viewers, "DWTS" Posts Most-Competitive Weekly Finish for Any Regular Non-"Super Bowl"-led Series Telecast Against "Idol" in Nearly 5 Years

ABC's Premiere Monday Lineup of "DWTS" and "Castle" Dominates, Producing the Net's Largest Monday Audience Since January 2001

ABC's 10th Season Opener for "Dancing with the Stars" Marks its Most-Watched Premiere Ever and the Net's Largest Audience in the Time Slot in Almost 10 Years

"DWTS" Wins Each of its Half-Hours to Outpace its Closest Competition In the Time Period by 13.0 Million Viewers and by 49% Among Adults 18-49

Achieving Series Highs, "Castle" Wins the 10 O'clock Hour in Viewers and Young Adults, Defeating for the First Time Ever an Original of CBS' Veteran "CSI: Miami"

Tuesday's No. 1 Scripted TV Show in Adults 18-49 for 8 Straight Weeks, ABC's "Lost" Grows its Numbers Week to Week in Both Viewers and Young Adults

The No. 1 TV Series on Wednesday at 8:30pm in Viewers and Young Adults, ABC Freshman "The Middle" Marks its Strongest Results Since Early February

Jumping from its Lead-in Against Fox's "American Idol," "Modern Family" is Wednesday's No. 1 Scripted TV Show for its 6th Straight Original Airing

Growing for its 2nd Straight Original Telecast with Viewers and Young Adults, "Cougar Town" is the No. 1 Scripted TV Show in its Slot with Adults 18-49

ABC's "Ugly Betty" Achieves a Season-High Rating Among Adults 18-49

Posting its Best Results Since Mid-February, ABC is Thursday's Top Non-Sports Net

Thursday's No. 1 Series in Viewers and Adults 18-49, "Grey's Anatomy" Grows its Overall Audience from its Most Recent Original Telecast

Pulling in its Highest Numbers in 6 Weeks, ABC's "Private Practice" is the No. 1 Non-Sports Show in the 10pm Hour with Total Viewers and Adults 18-49

"Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution" Opens as Friday's No. 1 TV Series, Marking ABC's Top Adult 18-49 Result in the Hour with Regular Programming in Well Over 3 Years

ABC News' "20/20" Earns its 2nd-Highest Adult 18-49 Rating Since November

WEEK No. 27:

During the week of March 22, 2010, ABC delivered 5 Top 20 TV programs in Adults 18-49, including 2 of the Top 10 shows and the week's highest-rated non-"Idol" telecast with the 10th season premiere of "Dancing with the Stars": "Dancing with the Stars" - No. 3, "Lost" - No. 8, "Grey's Anatomy" and "Modern Family" tied at No. 12 and "Castle" - No. 18. Finishing in a virtual-tie with Fox's "American Idol-Tuesday" as the week's most-watched TV show (pacing within 26k viewers), ABC's record-setting 10th season opener of "Dancing with the Stars" posted the most-competitive weekly finish for any regular series telecast against "Idol" in nearly 5 years, for any regular non-Super-Bowl-led program - since w/o 5/16/05.

? In Total Viewers (8.2 million) and Adults 18-49 (2.5/7-tie), ABC marked its strongest non-"Oscar" week in nearly 3 months - since w/o 1/4/10.

A note about increasing DVR penetration and year-to-year rating comparisons: Year-to-year rating comparisons based on the Live + Same Day data stream are distorted by the level of DVR penetration in the Nielsen sample, which has jumped up to 36% currently, from 30% at the same point in 2009. More viewers are watching shows on their own timetables, which may not be reflected in the overnight next day numbers. The only truly valid year-to-year comparison would be one based on the Live + 7 Day metric, once those stats are released by Nielsen.

Monday

With the 10th season premiere of "Dancing with the Stars" (most-watched ever) leading into "Castle" (series highs), ABC delivered a dominant Monday night victory, winning all 6 half-hours of primetime and beating its nearest competition on the evening (CBS) by 9.2 million viewers (20.3 million vs. 11.1 million) and by 38% in Adults 18-49 (5.4/15 vs. 3.9/11).

? The Network drew its biggest Monday night audience since January 2001 - since 1/1/01 with the Rose Bowl. In fact ABC produced the most-watched non-sports Monday for any network since May 2005 - since 5/16/05, the night of CBS' series finale of "Everybody Loves Raymond."

"Dancing with the Stars" (8:00-10:02 p.m.)

Against nearly all original competition during its 10th season premiere (including CBS' Monday comedy block/NBC's "Chuck" and "Trauma"/Fox's "24"), ABC's broad appealing "Dancing with the Stars" drew an average audience of 24.2 million viewers and a 6.4/17 in Adults 18-49 to win its time period and finish as Monday's No. 1 TV program on both Nielsen measures. Growing steadily throughout its broadcast, "DWTS" won each of its half-hours in viewers and young adults, outdrawing second-place CBS in the 2-hour time period by 13.0 million viewers and by 49% in Adults 18-49 (CBS = 11.2 million and 4.3/11).

? "DWTS" was up nicely over its year-ago season opener (22.8 million and 6.1/15 on 3/9/09), while leaping over its most-recent season premiere in Fall '09 by 6.4 million and 56% in Adults 18-49 (17.8 million and 4.1/10 on 9/21/09). In fact it registered as "Dancing's" most-watched season opener ever and matched its highest-ever premiere in Adults 18-49.

? The "DWTS" Season 10 premiere represents ABC's most-watched regular entertainment telecast since November 2007 (11/27/07). And excluding only the 2001 Rose Bowl, "Dancing" produced ABC's biggest audience in the time slot in nearly 10 years, while generating its highest Adult 18-49 number in more than 3 years - since 5/1/00 and 3/19/07, respectively.

"Castle" (10:02-11:00 p.m.)

ABC's "Castle" finished No. 1 in the 10 o'clock hour over original drama competition in Total Viewers (12.2 million) and Adults 18-49 (3.3/9), beating a first-run episode of CBS' veteran "CSI: Miami" (10.8 million and 3.2/9) for the first time ever, and more than doubling the overall audience of NBC's "Law & Order" (6.0 million and 1.8/5), as well as beating the NBC veteran by 83% in Adults 18-49.

? Surging over its performance on the year-ago night (9.1 million and 2.5/7 on 3/23/09) in Total Viewers (+26%) and Adults 18-49 (+32%), "Castle" achieved the series' highest numbers ever.

"Castle" delivered ABC's biggest audience in the time period with a scripted series telecast since 2001 and its top Adult 18-49 number since 2006 - since 3/12/01 and 3/27/06, respectively.

Tuesday

"Lost" (9:00-10:06 p.m.)

Against stiff original competition at 9:00 p.m. on Fox (second hour of a 2-hour "American Idol") and NBC (second hour of a 2-hour "Biggest Loser"), ABC's "Lost" surged over its lead-in by 5.1 million viewers (9.3 million vs. 4.2 million) and by 167% in young adults (4.0/10 vs. 1.5/4) and increased its audience throughout its broadcast. Dominating its non-"Idol" competition in the 9 o'clock hour among Adults 18-49, ABC's "Lost" (4.0/10) outperformed NBC's "Biggest Loser" by 18% (3.4/9) and "NCIS: LA" replay by 100% (2.0/5).

? "Lost" finished as Tuesday's No. 1 scripted TV show for the 8th consecutive week in Adults 18-49, Adults 18-34 and among key Men (M18-34/M18-49).

? "Lost" was up week to week in both Total Viewers (9.3 million vs. 8.9 million) and Adults 18-49 (4.0/10 vs. 3.9/10).

"V: The Arrival" (10:06-11:00 p.m.)

One week before its premiere in the time period, ABC's recap special "V: The Arrival" drew 4.4 million viewers and finished No. 2 in the hour among Adults 18-49 (1.6/5). "V" returns to ABC's schedule, moving into Tuesday's 10 o'clock hour, on March 30th.

Wednesday

In Total Viewers (6.3 million) and Adults 18-49 (2.3/7), ABC turned in its strongest Wednesday in 6 weeks - since 2/10/10.

"Modern Family-WED 8PM" (8:00-8:30 p.m.)

Opposite CBS' special airing of "Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains" at 8:00 p.m., ABC's replay "Modern Family" registered as the No. 1 scripted show in the half-hour among Adults 18-49 (1.8/6), beating NBC's original "Mercy" 38% (1.3/4) and tying Fox's original "Human Target" (1.8/6).

"The Middle" (8:30-9:00 p.m.)

Surging from its lead-in at 8:30 p.m., ABC's "The Middle" stood as the No. 1 regular program in its time slot with viewers (7.2 million) and young adults (2.5/7). In Adults 18-49, "The Middle" outdelivered NBC's "Mercy" by 79% (1.4/4) and Fox's "Human Target" by 14% (2.2/6). In fact among young Adults, the ABC freshman comedy has been the highest-rated scripted show in its half-hour on 7 of its last 8 original telecasts.

? In Total Viewers and Adults 18-49, "The Middle" pulled its highest numbers in 6 weeks - since 2/10/10.

"Modern Family" (9:00-9:30 p.m.)

Opposite Fox's "American Idol" at 9:00 p.m., ABC's "Modern Family" built on its lead-in by 48% to finish as the No. 1 scripted show in its time slot for its 5th week in a row among Adults 18-49 (3.7/10).

? "Modern Family" qualified as Wednesday's No. 1 scripted TV show in young Adults (AD18-34/AD18-49) for its 6th straight original broadcast.

? "Modern Family" drew its biggest audience (9.2 million) in 6 weeks - since 2/10/10.

"Cougar Town" (9:30-10:01 p.m.)

Airing against a surging "American Idol," ABC freshman "Cougar Town" stood as the No. 1 scripted show at 9:30 p.m. among Adults 18-49 (2.6/7).

? Posting its 2nd consecutive original telecast of growth, "Cougar Town" marked its best performance in 6 weeks with Total Viewers (6.3 million) and Adults 18-49 (2.6/7) - since 2/10/10.

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

Surging 45% week to week (1.6/5 vs. 1.1/3), ABC's "Ugly Betty" matched a season-high rating in the key Adult 18-49 sales demo.

Thursday

Opposite CBS' NCAA Sweet 16 Basketball coverage, ABC earned second place on Thursday among Total Viewers (8.8 million) and Adults 18-49 (2.8/8). The Net ranked a dominant No. 1 on the night across all key Women demos: W18-34 (3.5/11), W18-49 (4.0/11) and W25-54 (4.7/12).

? In viewers and young adults, ABC marked its strongest Thursday since early February - since 2/11/10.

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

For the 2nd week in a row, ABC's "FlashForward" ranked as the No. 1 non-sports program in the 8 o'clock hour with Adults 25-54 (2.2/6-tie) and topped NBC's original comedies ("Community"/"Parks and Recreation") by a wide margin in Total Viewers (+1.4 million - 6.2 million vs. 4.8 million). Building audience throughout its broadcast, "FlashForward" gained 12% in Adults 18-49 (1.7/6 to 1.9/6) from its first to second half-hour.

? Delivering strong retention of its week-ago return to the time period, "FlashForward" held 96% of its Total Viewers week to week (6.2 million vs. 6.5 million) and 95% of its Adult 18-49 audience (1.8/6 vs. 1.9/6).

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

Building sharply on its lead-in, ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" finished as Thursday's No. 1 series telecast in Total Viewers (11.6 million) and Adults 18-49 (3.7/10). It was also the night's most-watched program overall, topping "CBS NCAA Basketball Championship TH2" (11.3 million). It was "Grey's" 16th time in 17 original broadcasts this season to qualify as Thursday's No. 1 scripted series with young adults.

? "Grey's Anatomy" was up from its most recent original airing by 6% among Total Viewers (10.9 million on 3/11/10).

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

ABC's "Private Practice" ranked as the No. 1 non-sports program in 10 o'clock hour among Total Viewers (8.7 million) and Adults 18-49 (2.9/8). In addition, it was the 17th consecutive original telecast this season for "Private Practice" to register as the No. 1 scripted show in its slot in Adults 18-34, Women 18-34 and Women 18-49.

? Growing for its 2nd straight original telecast, "Private Practice" was up from its most recent original airing by 1.0 million viewers and by 4% in Adults 18-49 (7.7 million and 2.8/8 on 3/11/10). On both Nielsen counts, the ABC sophomore drama posted its strongest performance in 6 weeks - since 2/11/10.

Friday

Up against CBS' NCAA Semi-Final Basketball coverage, ABC qualified as the No. 1 non-sports network on Friday among Adults 18-49 (2.0/7).

? The Net posted its strongest non-sports Friday among Adults 18-49 in 1 year - since 3/27/09.

"Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution - 3/26" (8:00-9:00 p.m.)

A rebroadcast of ABC's "Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution" stood as the No. 1 non-sports telecast in the 8 o'clock hour among Adults 18-49, topping NBC's original telecast of "Who Do You Think You Are?" (1.6/6 vs. 1.5/5).

"Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution" (9:00-10:00 p.m.)

Jumping over its lead-in (a repeat of the Sunday preview episode) at 9:00 p.m. in Total Viewers (+2.1 million) and Adults 18-49 (+63%) and building throughout its telecast opposite CBS' NCAA Basketball Tournament, the premiere of "Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution" stood as the dominant No. 1 series in the hour, beating NBC's Dateline by 1.0 million viewers (7.5 million vs. 6.5 million) and Fox's Kitchen Nightmares by 53% (2.6/8 vs. 1.7/5). On its premiere airing, "Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution" emerged as Friday's definitive No. 1 TV series telecast in viewers and young adults. It was also the night's No. 1 show overall, ahead of the Basketball Tournament, across all key Women demos (W18-34/W18-49/W25-54). In fact with Adults 18-49, the new show registered as TV's highest-rated Friday night entertainment series telecast in more than 1 year - since 3/6/09.

? "Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution" produced ABC's highest Adult 18-49 series result in the Friday 9:00-10:00 p.m. time period in well over 3 years - since 12/29/06.

? Among Adults 18-49 it was ABC's top-rated Friday night premiere (returning or new) in more than 4 years - since 2/24/06. In addition, "Food Revolution" registered as the highest-rated Adult 18-49 premiere for any network on the night (returning or new) since September 2007 - since 9/28/07.

? Impressively, "Food Revolution" even finished ahead of its Sunday preview, coming out of "Desperate Housewives," by 1.4 million viewers and by 18% in Adults 18-49 (6.1 million and 2.2/6 on Sunday 3/21 in the 10:00 p.m. hour).

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

At 10:00 p.m., ABC News' "20/20" stood as the No. 1 non-sports show in Adults 18-49 (1.9/6) and Adults 25-54 (2.3/6), outdelivering the second hour of NBC's 2-hour "Dateline" by 19% and 10%, respectively ("Dateline" = 1.6/5 and 2.1/6). "20/20" featured segments on a man who allegedly jumped out of a plane to fake his own death and another segment on a former Tarzan actor from South Florida who has shared his home of over 40 years with big cats.

? "20/20" on Friday posted its strongest Adult 18-49 number in nearly 3 months, standing as the ABC newsmagazine's 2nd-highest rating on the night since November - since 1/8/10 and 11/13/09, respectively.

Source: The Nielsen Company (National Live+Same Day Program Ratings), week of 3/22/10, unless stated otherwise.

 

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