ABC Marks Its Most Dominant Weekly Victory in 15 Years
By: Caryn Robbins Feb. 24, 2015
Winning 4 of 7 nights, ABC doubled its nearest competition during the week (w/o 2/16/05) in Adults 18-49 (+100% - 3.0/9 vs. 1.5/5 = FOX and CBS tied). In fact it was the Net's most dominant in-season weekly victory in over 15 years - since w/o 1/24/00 with the Super Bowl. In addition to leading Sunday with the "Oscars," the Net won Monday, Thursday and Friday nights each for the 4th week in a row. ABC was also the most-watched network by 20% over runner-up CBS (10.6 million vs. 8.8 million).
ABC won its 4th Monday in a row among Adults 18-49, ranking No. 1 in all 6 half-hours of prime and leading runner-up FOX by 22% (2.2/6 vs. 1.8/5). In addition, "The Bachelor" ranked as Monday's No. 1 TV show for the 4th straight week in Adults 18-49. ABC was also Monday's most-watched TV network overall (8.8 million). "The Bachelor" (8:00-10:01 p.m. - 9.0 million and 2.6/7 in AD18-49):
Leading from 8:00-10:01 p.m., ABC's "The Bachelor" dominated the season finale of NBC's "Celebrity Apprentice" by season-best margins in the 2-hour time period with Total Viewers (+48% - 9.0 million vs. 6.1 million) and Adults 18-49 (+53% - 2.6/7 vs. 1.7/5). "The Bachelor" was up for the 5th straight week in Total Viewers (+3%) to post its most-watched telecast this season. In addition, coming off the prior week's season high in Adults 18-49, the show turned around to deliver its 2nd-highest rating this season. "The Bachelor" was up from its year-ago telecast for the 2nd week running (7.7 million and 2.2/6 on 2/17/14) in both Total Viewers (+17%) and Adults 18-49 (+18%).
ABC's "Castle" won the 10 o'clock hour, beating NBC's season finale of "State of Affairs" by 89% in Total Viewers (8.5 million vs. 4.5 million) and 60% in Adults 18-49 (1.6/5 vs. 1.0/3). Surging 15% in Total Viewers and holding steady in Adults 18-49, "Castle" drew its biggest audience and matched its best young adult performance in 12 weeks - since 11/24/14. Tuesday
"Fresh Off the Boat" (8:00-8:30 p.m. - 6.2 million and 1.9/6 in AD18-49):
At 8:00 p.m., ABC's "Fresh Off the Boat" was up 12% from its week-ago premiere in the time period among Adults 18-49 (1.9/6 vs. 1.7/6). The new comedy also increased its overall audience week to week (+3% - 6.2 million vs. 6.0 million). Despite its early time period without network lead-in support, "Fresh Off the Boat" was Tuesday's No. 1 comedy for the 2nd week in a row with much higher numbers than the 6 original sit-coms on the night from NBC (4) and FOX (2): "Parks & Rec-8:00 p.m." (2.9 million and 1.2/4), "Parks & Rec-8:30 p.m." (2.5 million and 1.1/3), "Marry Me" (2.1 million and 0.8/2), "About a Boy" (2.4 million and 0.7/2), "New Girl" (3.1 million and 1.4/4) and "The Mindy Project" (2.5 million and 1.1/3). "Repeat After Me" (8:30-9:00 p.m. - 4.4 million and 1.4/4 in AD18-49):
At 8:30 p.m., ABC's debut of "Repeat After Me" beat its comedy competition in the half-hour by strong margins, besting NBC's "Parks & Recreation" by 1.9 million viewers (4.4 million vs. 2.5 million) and by 27% in Adults 18-49 (1.4/4 vs. 1.1/3). "Marvel's Agent Carter" (9:00-10:00 p.m. - 4.2 million and 1.4/4 in AD18-49):
At 9:00 p.m., ABC's "Marvel's Agent Carter" held steady week to week among Adults 18-49 (1.4/4-tie), earning second in the hour over original comedies on NBC ("Marry Me"/"About a Boy" = 0.7/2) and FOX ("New Girl"/"The Mindy Project" = 1.3/4). The new ABC drama also took second place in the hour with Total Viewers (4.2 million). In the most recent Live + 7 Day data issued yesterday (w/o 1/26/15), "Marvel's Agent Carter" posted a series best in TV playback with Adults 18-49, shooting up +77% over its Live + Same Day rating (to deliver a 2.3 rating). "Countdown to the Oscars" (10:00-11:00 p.m. - 3.1 million and 0.8/2 in AD18-49):
At 10:00 p.m., ABC's "Countdown to the Oscars: 15 Movies that Changed American Cinema" improved its hour from the year-ago night with original programming by 33% in Adults 18-49 (0.8/2 vs. 0.6/2 for "Killer Women" on 2/18/14). Wednesday
ABC continued to run a strong second on Wednesday in Adults 18-49 (2.0/6) to FOX with originals of "Idol" and "Empire," dominating original drama lineups on NBC by 43% (1.4/4) and CBS by 67% (1.2/4). On average season to date, ABC's 8:00-10:00 p.m. Wednesday comedy block is up year to year in viewers (+8%) and young adults (+10%) to its biggest-ever audience and a 3-year high in Adults 18-49. ABC's 2-hour comedy block on the night started with the 2009-10 season. "The Middle" (8:00-8:30 p.m. - 7.7 million and 2.2/7 in AD18-49):
At 8:00 p.m. opposite "Idol," "The Middle" gained 5% week to week and was the dominant scripted show in its slot in Adults 18-49 (2.2/7), leading CBS' series finale of "The Mentalist" by 69% (1.3/4) and NBC's "The Mysteries of Laura" by 100% (1.1/4). "The Goldbergs" (8:30-9:00 p.m. - 6.8 million and 2.2/7 in AD18-49):
At 8:30 p.m., "The Goldbergs" (2.2/7) was steady week to week in Adults 18-49, and like its lead-in dominated its scripted competition in the half-hour on CBS (+69% - 1.3/4) and NBC (+100% - 1.1/3). On average season to date in Total Viewers and Adults 18-49, "The Goldbergs" is improving its time period by impressive margins (+24%/+42%) and is also up by double digits over its own delivery at this point in its freshman season on Tuesday at 9:00 p.m. (+24%/+13%). "Modern Family" (9:00-9:31 p.m. - 8.8 million and 3.1/9 in AD18-49):
At 9:00 p.m. opposite "Empire," ABC's "Modern Family" spiked over its lead-in by 41% in Adults 18-49 (3.1/9), more than doubling NBC's "L&O: SVU" (+107% - 1.5/4) and CBS' "The Mentalist" (+158% - 1.2/4). "Modern Family" is up season to date in Total Viewers (+2%). "black-ish" (9:31-10:00 p.m. - 6.4 million and 2.2/6 in AD18-49):
Despite facing increased competition in the 9:30 p.m. half-hour from "Empire," ABC's "black-ish" was up for the 2nd week in Adults 18-49 (+5% - 2.2/6) to earn its top rating in over 2 months - since 12/10/14. The freshman ABC comedy took second in the slot among young adults. "black-ish" spiked sharply in the half-hour from the year-ago night with an original "Super Fun Night" (2.7 million and 0.9/3 on 2/19/14), and on average season to date, the new comedy is growing its time period for ABC by 48% in Total Viewers and by 35% in Adults 18-49. "Nashville" (10:00-11:00 p.m. - 4.7 million and 1.3/4 in AD18-49):
At 10:00 p.m., ABC's "Nashville" defeated CBS' "Stalker" in the hour by 8% among Adults 18-49 (1.3/4 vs. 1.2/4). The ABC drama was on par with its week-ago delivery in Adults 18-49 (1.3/4 vs. 1.4/4). Thursday
ABC won all 4 Thursdays of the February Sweep in Adults 18-49 (2.9/9) for the first time in 8 years - since 2007. The Net also led all 4 Thursdays of the 2014 November Sweep. Despite increased competition from CBS' debut/finale lineup, the Net was up week to week with young adults (2.9/9 vs. 2.7/9), as "Grey's Anatomy" (+9%), "Scandal" (+6%) and "How to Get Away with Murder" (+7%) each posted gains. ABC's "Scandal," "How to Get Away with Murder" and "Grey's" once again finished as Thursday's Top 3 dramas in Adults 18-49. Head to head at 8:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m., ABC's "Grey's" and "Scandal" increased their winning advantages week to week over NBC's "The Slap" (+213% vs. +109% last week) and "The Blacklist" (+94% vs. +82% last week), while "HTGAWM" beat its combined 10:00 p.m. drama competition for the 4th week in a row (+21%). "Scandal" was the night's No. 2 TV show, behind only CBS' "The Big Bang Theory." "Grey's Anatomy" (8:00-9:00 p.m. - 8.1 million and 2.5/8 in AD18-49):
At 8:00 p.m. opposite "The Big Bang Theory" and "The Odd Couple" series debut, ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" beat Fox's "American Idol" in Adults 18-49 (+19% - 2.5/8 vs. 2.1/7). Also in the hour, "Grey's" more than doubled NBC's "The Slap" in viewers (+103% - 8.1 million vs. 4.0 million) and more than tripled it in young adults (+213% - 2.5/8 vs. 0.8/3). "Grey's" grew week to week in Total Viewers (+4%) and Adults 18-49 (+9%) to deliver its best numbers since its mid-season return (on 1/29/15). In addition, despite its earlier time period this year, the ABC drama was up over its comparable mid-season telecast last year by 4% in Adults 18-49 (2.4/7 on 3/20/14). "Scandal" (9:00-10:00 p.m. - 9.6 million and 3.3/10 in AD18-49):
At 9:00 p.m., ABC's "Scandal" (3.3/10) won its hour among Adults 18-49, over CBS' series finale of "Two and a Half Men" (3.2/9), NBC's "The Blacklist" (1.7/5) and Fox's "Backstrom" (0.9/3). "Scandal" also outdrew NBC's "The Blacklist" in the hour by 1.9 million viewers (9.6 million vs. 7.7 million), up from a 1.1 million viewer advantage the prior week. "Scandal" built week to week in viewers (+3%) and young adults (+6%) for its strongest performance since its mid-season return. And for the 4th consecutive week, "Scandal" grew over its comparable mid-season telecast last year (9.1 million and 2.9/9 on 3/20/14) in Total Viewers (+5%) and Adults 18-49 (+14%). "How to Get Away with Murder" (10:00-11:00 p.m. - 8.9 million and 2.9/9 in AD18-49):
From 10:00-11:00 p.m., ABC's "How to Get Away with Murder" (2.9/9) dominated its hour in Adults 18-49, besting its CBS (+93% - "Elementary" = 1.5/5) and NBC (+222% - "Allegiance" = 0.9/3) drama competition. The freshman drama was also the most-watched TV show overall in the slot for its 8th consecutive original airing (8.9 million). Hitting its top results since its mid-season return (on 1/20/15), "Murder" was up week to week in Total Viewers (+6%) and Adults 18-49 (+7%).
Friday
ABC won each Friday of the February Sweep in Adults 18-49 (1.6/6) for the first time in 20 years (since 1995), holding the top position on the night for the 7th week running. "Shark Tank" was Friday's dominant No. 1 TV show in Adults 18-49 (2.2/7), ranking as the night's top-rated series for its 17th straight original broadcast this season. Growing week to week in Total Viewers (+9% - 8.4 million vs. 7.7 million) and Adults 18-49 (+22% - 2.2/7 vs. 1.8/6), "Shark Tank" drew the series' 2nd-largest-ever audience and equaled a season high with young adults. ABC's "20/20" ranked as the No. 2 TV show of the night in Adults 18-49 (1.6/5-tie) and Adults 25-54 (2.3/7), behind only "Shark Tank." The ABC newsmagazine jumped more than 30% week to week in Total Viewers (+31% - 7.1 million vs. 5.4 million), Adults 18-49 (+33% - 1.6/5 vs. 1.2/4) and Adults 25-54 (+35% - 2.3/7 vs. 1.7/5) to deliver season highs in viewers and the key news demo (tie), as well as a 13-week high in young adults - since 11/21/14. In fact, "20/20" marked its most-watched telecast overall in nearly 10 months - since 5/2/14. "Last Man Standing" (8:00-8:31 p.m. - 6.6 million and 1.3/5 in AD18-49)
At 8:00 p.m., returning after the prior week's preemption, ABC's "Last Man Standing" ranked No. 1 in its half-hour for its 5th straight first-run airing in Adults 18-49 (1.3/5-tie). "Cristela" (8:31-9:00 p.m. - 5.1 million and 0.9/3 in AD18-49)
At 8:30 p.m. against CBS' season finale of "Undercover Boss," ABC's "Cristela" returned to more than double the audience of Fox's "World's Funniest Fails" (5.1 million vs. 2.5 million) in the half-hour and lead by 13% in Adults 18-49 (0.9/3 vs. 0.8/3). "Shark Tank" (9:00-10:01 p.m. - 8.4 million and 2.2/7 in AD18-49)
Spiking 144% over its lead-in among Adults 18-49 at 9:00 p.m. and building from start to finish, ABC's "Shark Tank" won its hour by 57% over its nearest regular competition (2.2/7 vs. 1.4/5 - CBS' "Hawaii Five-0"). "20/20" (10:01-11pm - 7.1 million and 1.6/5 in AD18-49)
During the 10:00 p.m. hour, ABC's "20/20" ranked No. 1 in Adults 25-54 (2.3/7) and Adults 18-49 (1.6/5-tie), beating CBS' original "Blue Bloods" (2.2/6 and 1.5/5) on both counts. Sunday
With coverage of the "87th Annual Academy Awards," ABC overshadowed Sunday's prime, leading its combined broadcast competition (CBS, NBC and Fox) by 204% in Total Viewers (30.4 million vs. 10.0 million) and by 291% in Adults 18-49 (8.6/23 vs. 2.2/6). "Oscar's Red Carpet Live" (7:00 - 8:30 p.m.)
Building by 10.9 million viewers from its first half-hour to its final half-hour (12.9 million to 23.8 million), ABC's "Oscar's Red Carpet Live" pulled in 23.8 million viewers from 8:00-8:30 p.m. leading into the ceremony. "The Oscars" (8:30-11:48 p.m.)
ABC's 2015 broadcast of "The Oscars" drew an average audience of 37.3 million Total Viewers and earned an 11.0/29 among Adults 18-49. The 2015 "Oscars" ranked as TV's top entertainment telecast overall in 1 year - since last year's telecast on 03/02/14. TV's biggest awards show, ABC's "The Oscars" towered over other key awards shows this year, outdrawing the 2015 "Golden Globe Awards" by 18.0 million viewers and 90% in Adults 18-49 (19.3 million/5.8 rating in AD18-49 on 1/11/15) and the 2015 "Grammy Awards" by 12.5 million viewers and 33% in Adults 18-49 (24.8 million/8.3 rating in AD18-49 on 2/8/15). ABC's 2015 "Oscars" telecast reached an estimated 63.0 million unique television viewers across the U.S. - unduplicated Viewers 2+ watching 6-minutes or more during the broadcast. Digital
Oscar.com experienced increased traffic compared to last year (despite this year's "Oscars" season being 1 week shorter than last year), with visits up 8% (18.3 million vs. 17.0 million) versus a year-ago. From nominations week through "Oscar" Sunday, video views on the site posted solid growth, up 28% (8.0 million vs. 6.2 million), with video views/visits up 20% versus a year ago. On "Oscar" Sunday alone, Oscar.com garnered over 7.1 million visits (+14%) with video views posting solid gains, up 46% (3.4 million vs. 2.3 million) versus the prior year. Social Activity (SocialGuide)
According to Nielsen SocialGuide, a total of 13.0 million people saw 5.9 million tweets about ABC's "Oscars" on Sunday 2/22/15. These tweets were sent by 1.4 million people and generated 801.3 million Twitter TV impressions. The most-tweeted about minute occurred at 11:21 p.m. ET (60,044 Tweets during the minute) as viewers applauded Lady Gaga's "Sound of Music" tribute and Julie Andrews' appearance. WEEK NO. 22: ADULTS 18-49 TOTAL VIEWERS
No.1 ABC 3.0 No.1 ABC 10,640,000
No.2 CBS 1.5 No.2 CBS 8,770,000
No.2 FOX 1.5 No.3 NBC 4,840,000
No.3 NBC 1.2 No.4 FOX 4,550,000
No.5 CW 0.7 No.5 CW 1,790,000
Source: The Nielsen Company, National, Live+ Same Day Program Ratings for week of 02/16/15.
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