ABC Airs 6 of the Week’s Top 20 Scripted Series in Adults 18-49

During the week of October 8, 2012, ABC tied for No. 1 in the non-sports Adult 18-49 averages (3-way tie between ABC, CBS and NBC at a 2.1 rating), despite the Thursday pre-emption of "Grey's Anatomy" and "Scandal" for the Vice Presidential debate.

ABC grew its overall audience week to week (+4%), while retaining 100% of its young adult number.

Season Premiere Week Live + 7 Day Ratings: Based on the first round of Nielsen's Live + 7 Day ratings for the new season, ABC's primetime Adult 18-49 delivery jumped 32% (+0.7 rating) over the initially reported Live + Same Day averages, up from a 21% increase on premiere week last year. In the final numbers, the Net claimed premiere week's No. 1 scripted series/comedy with "Modern Family," the No. 1 drama with "Grey's Anatomy" and the No. 1 new comedy with "The Neighbors." ABC's "Modern Family" stood as the biggest absolute gainer among all series, surging by 2.3 rating points to a 7.8 rating. In fact, ABC was the only net to see each of its scripted series grow to a 3.0 Adult 18-49 rating or higher.

Rankings: ABC claimed 6 of the Top 20 scripted series for the week in Adults 18-49, including the Top 2 comedy telecasts, with back-to-back episodes of "Modern Family" on Wednesday: "Modern Family-SP" – No. 2, "Modern Family" – No. 3, "Once Upon a Time" – No. 9, "Nashville" – No. 13, "Revenge" – No. 16 and "The Middle" – No. 19. ABC's "Nashville" stood as the 2nd-highest-rated freshman series in Adults 18-49, behind only "Revolution," and as the No. 1 new show across all key Women (W18-34/W18-49/W25-54). Overall with "Dancing with the Stars" and "DWTS: The Results," ABC delivered TV's Top 2 most-watched unscripted series.

Monday
With "Dancing" and "Castle," ABC (12.6 million) led the pack on Monday for the 3rd week running this season, beating runner-up NBC by 1.3 million viewers (11.3 million – "The Voice"/"Revolution"), CBS by 4.5 million viewers (8.1 million – "HIMYM"/"Partners"/"2 Broke Girls"/"Mike & Molly"/"Hawaii Five-0") and Fox by 7.3 million viewers (5.3 million – "Bones"/"The Mob Doctor").  In addition, ABC continued to pace well ahead of Fox's Monday night in Adults 18-49, increasing its lead to a best-of-season 47% (2.2/5 vs. 154/4).

The Net was up over the prior Monday in viewers (+8%) and young adults (+10%).

"Dancing with the Stars: All-Stars" (8:00-10:01 p.m.)
Building its audience from hour to hour opposite stiff competition, ABC's "Dancing with the Stars: All-Stars" finished as Monday's most-watched series and outdrew NBC's "The Voice" in head-to-head competition in its 2-hour time period by 5% (13.6 million vs. 12.9 million).   In addition, the ABC unscripted series beat out Fox's dramas in the slot by 47% in Adults 18-49 (2.2/6 vs. 1.5/4).

"Dancing" grew its overall audience week to week by 1.2 million viewers.

"Castle" (10:01-11:00 p.m.)
Monday's most-watched scripted TV show for the 3rd straight week, ABC's "Castle" (10.6 million) led the 10 o'clock hour by wide margins, topping CBS' "Hawaii Five-0" by 2.2 million viewers (8.4 million) and NBC's "Revolution" by a best-yet 2.6 million viewers (8.0 million).  Additionally, the ABC drama finished as the No. 2 series in the hour with Adults 18-49 and Adults 25-54, posting its closest finish to date against NBC's "Revolution" on both Nielsen measures.

Hitting season highs in viewers and young adults, "Castle" shot up week to week by 16% in Adults 18-49.

Tuesday
With an encore "Dancing" special, "DWTS: All-Stars -- The Results Show" and "Private Practice," ABC ran as the 2nd-most-watched TV network on Tuesday (9.2 million) for the 3rd straight week this season to CBS ("NCIS"/"NCIS: LA"/"Vegas"). ABC topped NBC by 1.5 million viewers ("The Voice"/"Go On"/"The New Normal"/"Parenthood" = 7.7 million) and continued to more than double Fox's 2-hour comedy block on the night (+136% ahead of "Raising Hope"/"Ben and Kate"/"New Girl"/"The Mindy Project" = 3.9 million).

"DWTS: All-Stars -- The Results Show" (9:00-10:00 p.m.)
Vaulting over its lead-in at 9:00 p.m. in viewers (+60%) and young adults (+69%) against strong competition, ABC's "DWTS: All-Stars – The Results Show" took 2nd place in its hour with Total Viewers (13.3 million), Adults 25-54 (3.1/7) and key Women (W18-49/W25-54). In fact, from 9:30-10:00 p.m. in Adults 18-49, "DWTS" (2.2/6) defeated Fox's "The Mindy Project" by 16% (1.9/5) and NBC's "The New Normal" by 10% (2.0/5). In a double-elimination show, Drew Lachey and Helio Castroneves were the next celebrity dancers to leave the competition this season.

Tuesday's most-watched unscripted show for the 3rd week in a row, ABC's "DWTS: All-Stars – The Results" Show outdrew NBC's "The Voice" on the night by 1.1 million viewers (13.3 million vs. 12.2 million).

Building its overall audience (+11%) for the 2nd straight week to hit a season high, ABC's "The Results" jumped week to week by 1.3 million viewers. The program also posted season-high ratings with Adults 18-49 (2.2/6), Adults 25-54 and key Women (W18-49/W25-54).

"Private Practice" (10:00-11:00 p.m.)
During the 10 o'clock hour, ABC's "Private Practice" outdelivered NBC's "Parenthood" for the 3rd week running, leading the NBC drama by 1.0 million viewers (6.0 million vs. 5.0 million).

ABC's "Private Practice" grew week to week in Adults 18-34 (+10%), while holding 100% of its Adult 18-49 audience (1.6/4).

Based on early DVR playback for the new season, "Private Practice" is seeing big spikes from its Live + Same Day numbers to Live + 3 Day numbers, shooting up by 1.8 million viewers and by 50% in Adults 18-49 on its most recent telecast.

Wednesday
ABC claimed the Top 2 TV shows on Wednesday night in Total Viewers and Adults 18-49 with back-to-back episodes of "Modern Family." The Net finished a strong second on the evening with young adults (3.3/9).

Boosted by the strong open for "Nashville," ABC posted its highest Adult 18-49 rating on any night this season, while delivering its best Wednesday results in 9 months with viewers and young adults – since 1/4/12.

"The Middle" (8:00-8:30 p.m.)
At 8:00 p.m. opposite Fox's "The X Factor" and CBS' "Survivor: Philippines," ABC's "The Middle" more than doubled its NBC comedy competition ("Animal Practice") with viewers (+108% - 7.9 million vs. 3.8 million) and Adults 18-49 (+118% - 2.4/8 vs. 1.1/3). In addition the ABC comedy nearly tied "Survivor" among Adults 18-49 in the half-hour, while beating out the CBS show by even wider margins week to week in both Adults 18-34 (+25%) and Women 18-34 (+64%).

"The Middle" grew week to week in Total Viewers (+3%) and Adults 18-49 (+9%).

"The Neighbors" (8:30-9:00 p.m.)
At 8:30 p.m., ABC's "The Neighbors" continued to dominate its freshman comedy competition, increasing its winning advantages week to week over NBC's "Guys with Kids" to 2.2 million viewers (6.4 million vs. 4.2 million) and to 43% in Adults 18-49 (2.0/6 vs. 1.4/4).

"The Neighbors" grew over of its week-earlier time period premiere in Adults 18-49 (+5%), Men 18-49 (+7%), Men 18-34 (+11%) and Teens 12-17 (+33%).

"Modern Family" (9:00-9:31 p.m.)
Shooting to the top of its 9:00 p.m. slot in viewers and young adults after the prior week's pre-emption for the Presidential debate, ABC's "Modern Family" beat out the third half-hour of runner-up Fox's "The X Factor" by 30% in Adults 18-49 (4.8/13 vs. 3.7/10).

"Modern Family" (9:31-10:01 p.m.)
The No. 1 TV show of the night, ABC's second airing of "Modern Family" led its nearest competition in the half-hour by 8% in viewers (12.3 million vs. 11.4 million – CBS' "Criminal Minds") and by 36% in Adults 18-49 (4.9/13 vs. 3.6/9 – Fox's final half-hour of "The X Factor").

"Nashville" (10:01-11:00 p.m.)
Opposite CBS' veteran "CSI" and NBC's debut of "Chicago Fire" in the 10 o'clock hour, ABC's debut of "Nashville" opened at No. 1 in Adults 18-49.   Head to head against its drama debut competition in the hour, ABC's "Nashville" towered over NBC's "Chicago Fire" in viewers (+35% - 8.9 million vs. 6.6 million) and young adults (+47% - 2.8/8 vs. 1.9/5).    In addition, the new ABC drama dominated its time period with Adults 18-34 and across all key Women demos (W18-34/W18-49/W25-54).

"Nashville" drew ABC's largest series audience in the time period in 1 year and its top Adult 18-49 number since the beginning of last November – since 9/21/11 and 11/2/11.

"Nashville" qualifies as ABC's biggest drama debut in 1 year among Adults 18-49 - since "Once Upon a Time" on 10/23/11.

"Nashville" was up year to year for ABC in the time period, topping "Revenge" on the year-ago night (on 10/12/11) in viewers (+13%) and young adults (+4%). Please note, "Nashville" exhibitEd Stronger Adult 18-49 lead-in retention than the debut telecast of "Revenge" with Adults 18-49 (on 9/21/11). 

Thursday
Please Note:  From 9:00-11:00 p.m., ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" and "Scandal" were pre-empted for the Vice Presidential debate.

"Last Resort" (8:00-9:00 p.m.)
In the 8 o'clock hour opposite Fox's "The X Factor" and CBS' top-rated comedies ("The Big Bang Theory"/"Two and a Half Men"), ABC freshman "Last Resort" once again beat out NBC's established comedies by wide margins, outdelivering the combo of "30 Rock" and "Up All Night" by 3.8 million viewers (6.9 million vs. 3.1 million) and by 33% in Adults 18-49 (1.6/5 vs. 1.2/3). 

The biggest percentage gainer via DVR playback for any 8:00 p.m. show, last week's broadcast of "Last Resort" saw its Adult 18-49 number jump 42% (up from a 36% increase for its debut telecast) to a 2.7 rating, from the Live + Same Day to the Live + 3 Day numbers.  The new drama also surged by an additional 1.9 million viewers in its first 3 days of playback, rising to 9.9 million viewers.

The new ABC drama continued to generate double-digit time period improvement year to year (up for its 3rd straight telecast), growing its hour by 17% in Total Viewers and by 23% in Adults 18-49 over the same night last year with original drama programming.   In addition despite going up against Major League Baseball Playoffs, "Last Resort" delivered huge year-to-year increases across all key Men demos: M18-34 +120%, M18-49 +100% and M25-54 +91%.

Friday
With "Shark Tank," "What Would You Do?" and "20/20," ABC once again stood as the No. 1 broadcaster on Friday night in Adults 18-49 (1.5/5), leading by double digits over NBC (+15%), CBS (+15%) and Fox (+67%).

"Shark Tank" finished as Friday's No. 1 TV series for the 2nd straight week across all key Adult demos (AD18-34/AD18-49/AD25-54).

"Shark Tank" (8:00-9:01 p.m.)
At 8:00 p.m., ABC's "Shark Tank" shot to the top of its hour among Adults 18-49 (1.8/6), leading the pack for the 5th consecutive week.

ABC's "Shark Tank" delivered its most-watched telecast ever (6.5 million) and tied its highest-ever Adult 18-49 rating for a regular telecast.

"What Would You Do?" (9:01-10:00 p.m.)
From 9:00-10:00 p.m., ABC's "What Would You Do?" tied NBC's "Grimm" as the No. 1 show with Adults 18-34 (1.0/4) on the major nets, while beating CBS' time period premiere of "CSI: NY" by 11% (0.9/3) and Fox's "Fringe" by 43% (0.7/3).

The ABC newsmagazine grew its overall audience by 5% week to week (4.6 million vs. 4.4 million).

"20/20" (10:00-11:00 p.m.)
During the 10 o'clock hour, ABC's "20/20" ranked as the No. 1 series in Adults 18-49 (1.4/4), beating NBC's competing newsmagazine ("Dateline") by 8% (1.3/4). The ABC newsmagazine also topped NBC's "Dateline" by 6% in the key Adult 25-54 news demo (1.9/5 vs. 1.8/5).

Surging week to week in viewers (+15%), Adults 18-49 (+17%) and Adults 25-54 (+19%), "20/20" equaled its best Adult ratings since its season premiere -- since 9/14/12. Anchored by Elizabeth Vargas, ABC's "20/20" featured reports on people going to extremes.

ABC's "20/20" grew over its year-ago telecast for the 5th straight week in Adults 18-49 (+17%) and Adults 25-54 (+12%).

Saturday
Featuring the "NASCAR Sprint Cup Series," ABC finished as the No. 1 broadcaster on Saturday night in Total Viewers (5.1 million) and Adults 18-49 (1.3/4), outdrawing Fox with college football coverage by 2.7 million viewers and nearly doubling its young adult delivery (2.4 million and 0.7/2).

Sunday
Up against NBC's big "Sunday Night Football" contest (Green Bay Packers-Houston Texans) and an NFL-overrun boosted Fox with MLB Playoffs (National League Championship Game 1), ABC continued to grow its Sunday numbers year over year in Total Viewers (+3% - 7.1 million vs. 6.9 million) and Adults 18-49 (+10% - 2.2/5 vs. 2.0/5), up for the 3rd straight week this season. ABC beat out CBS' lineup on the night by 5% in Adults 18-49 (2.2/5 vs. 2.1/5).

"Once Upon a Time" (8:00-9:00 p.m.)
More than doubling its Adult 18-49 lead-in (+114%) and building from start to finish, ABC's "Once Upon a Time" stood as Sunday's No. 1 scripted broadcast show for the 3rd week in a row. From 8:00-9:00 p.m. among Adults 18-49, "Once Upon a Time" (3.0/8) beat out CBS' "Amazing Race" by 15% (2.6/7) and topped Fox's post-season baseball by 25% (2.4/6).  

Based on L+7 ratings for the new season, "Once Upon a Time" saw its numbers spike by 3.1 million viewers and by 1.4 Adult 18-49 rating points over its initially-reported Live + Same Day ratings. 

"Once Upon a Time" greatly improved its time period for ABC over the year-ago night, surging by 2.3 million viewers (9.4 million vs. 7.1 million) and by 58% in Adults 18-49 (3.0/8 vs. 1.9/5).

"Revenge" (9:00-10:01 p.m.)
Exhibiting strong lead-in retention (87%) in the 9 o'clock hour, ABC's "Revenge" dominated "The Good Wife," leading the CBS drama by 53% (2.6/6 vs. 1.7/4) in Adults 18-49.  In addition, the ABC sophomore drama took second to "Sunday Night Football" among its broadcast competition in its slot across all key Adults (AD18-34/AD18-49/AD25-54) and Women (W18-34/W18-49/W25-54).

A big gainer in DVR playback, "Revenge" built from its L+SD to L+7 numbers in premiere week by 2.8 million viewers and by 1.1 Adult 18-49 rating points. 

ABC's "Revenge" held 100% of its week-earlier Adult 18-49 audience, while growing in Adults 25-54 (+7%) and Men 18-49 (+13%). 

"666 Park Avenue" (10:01-11:00 p.m.)
During the 10 o'clock hour, ABC's "666 Park Avenue" qualified as the No. 1 non-sports broadcast series in its time slot for the 3rd week in a row with Women 18-34.  The new ABC drama earned 90% or better week-to-week retention with Total Viewers (96% - 4.8 million vs. 5.0 million), Adults 18-34 (92% - 1.2/3 vs. 1.3/4) and Adults 25-54 (95% - 1.9/4 vs. 2.0/5). 

Ranking among the biggest freshman series in premiere week DVR playback, "666 Park Avenue" saw its Live + 7 Day Adult 18-49 rating jump by 52% (+1.1 rating) and added on another 2.6 million viewers over its Live + Same Day numbers.

WEEK NO. 3: ADULTS 18-49 TOTAL VIEWERS
No.1 NBC 2.9 No.1 CBS 9,670,000
No.2 CBS 2.1 No.2 NBC 8,140,000
No.2 FOX 2.1 No.3 ABC 7,950,000
No.4 ABC 2.0 No.4 FOX 6,070,000
No.5 CW 0.8 No.5 CW 1,950,000

Source: The Nielsen Company (National, Live+ Same Day Program Ratings), week of 10/08/12.

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