ABC Wins Ratings In Viewers And Key Demographics

ABC qualified as the No. 1 network for the 2nd week in a row among Total Viewers (8.0 million) and across all key adult demographics: AD18-34 (2.7/10), AD18-49 (2.9/9) and AD25-54 (3.1/9). Taking first place in Adults 18-49 for the 3rd time in 4 weeks, ABC (2.9/9) outdelivered second-place Fox by 45% (2.0/6), third-place NBC by 81% (1.6/5) and fourth-place CBS by 107% (1.4/4).

· For the 4th consecutive frame, ABC's numbers were up over the same week last year (w/o 6/8/09), building year to year by 8% in Total Viewers (8.0 million vs. 7.4 million) and by 7% in Adults 18-49 (2.9/9 vs. 2.7/9).

· Among Total Viewers and Adults 18-49, ABC scored its biggest summer week (Memorial Day-Labor Day) in 6 years - since w/o 6/7/04.

Rankings: ABC claimed 4 of the week's Top 10 primetime TV programs in Adults 18-49, including the Top 3 with continuing coverage of the 2010 NBA Finals: "NBA Finals on ABC - GM5" - No. 1, "NBA Finals on ABC - GM3" - No. 2, "NBA Finals on ABC - GM4" - No. 3 and "The Bachelorette" - No. 10. The NBA Finals games also finished as the Top 3 most-watched TV shows overall for the week, with Game 5, Game 4 and Game 3, respectively. In fact Sunday's Celtics-Lakers Game 5 stood as TV's most-watched summer telecast in 5 years (Memorial Day-Labor Day) - since 6/23/05.

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 31% 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 Bachelorette" and "True Beauty," ABC won Monday night among Adults 18-49 (2.3/7), pacing 10% ahead of its nearest competition (2.1/6 - CBS) and beating out NBC's summer premieres (1.8/5 - 2-hour "Last Comic Standing"/debut of "Persons Unknown") by 28% and Fox's summer premieres (1.6/5 - "Lie to Me"/"The Good Guys") by 44%. For the 2nd straight week, the Net ranked No. 1 across all key Women demographics: W18-34/W18-49/W25-54.

· ABC was up over the year-ago Monday (6/8/09) among Total Viewers (6.9 million 6.4 million) for the 2nd week in a row.

"The Bachelorette" (8:00-10:02 p.m.)

ABC's "The Bachelorette" ranked No. 1 in its 2-hour time period for the 2nd week in a row in both Total Viewers (7.9 million) and Adults 18-49 (2.6/8). The ABC unscripted series also won its 2-hour slot for the 3rd consecutive week among its core audience of Women 18-34 (3.5/11). In addition, "The Bachelorette" stood as Monday's No. 1 TV program among Adults 18-34 (2.3/8), and for the 2nd week running, the top program across all key Women (W18-34/W18-49/W25-54).

· In Total Viewers and Adults 18-49, ABC's "The Bachelorette" posted year-to-year gains for the 3rd week running. In addition, "The Bachelorette" was up week to week by 4% in both Total Viewers and Adults 18-49 (7.6 million and 2.5/7 in Adults 18-49 on 5/31/10).

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

During the 10 o'clock hour, ABC's "True Beauty" topped the series debut of NBC's "Persons Unknown" by 9% in Total Viewers (4.8 million vs. 4.4 million) and by 29% in Adults 18-49 (1.8/5 vs. 1.4/4).

Tuesday

Airing Game 3 of the 2010 NBA Finals (Celtics-Lakers), ABC won Tuesday night in Total Viewers (10.8 million) and across all key Adult demos: AD18-34 (4.5/15), AD18-49 (4.4/13) and AD25-54 (4.4/12). ABC outdelivered its nearest competition during primetime by 1.6 million viewers (10.8 million vs. 9.2 million - CBS) and by 13% in Adults 18-49 (4.4/13 vs. 3.9/11 - Fox), snapping Fox's 21-week young adult winning streak on the night. It was ABC's 3rd straight primetime win with coverage of the 2010 NBA Finals.

· Among viewers and young adults, ABC's marked its strongest summer Tuesday performance in almost 2 years - since 6/17/08, with its broadcast of the series-clinching Game 6 of the 2008 NBA Championship series (Celtics-Lakers).

· The Network posted its second-strongest-ever primetime results with a Game 3 of the NBA Finals in Total Viewers and Adults 18-49. ABC began carriage of the NBA Finals starting in 2003.

"Jimmy Kimmel Live Game Night 3" (Various Time Periods)

For the 3rd straight telecast, "JKL Game Night" increased its overall audience year to year. On average, ABC's 2010 "JKL Game Night" specials are up by 9% in Total Viewers (3.7 million vs. 3.3 million), over the first three telecasts last year, drawing its biggest audience in its 3 years on the air.

"NBA Finals on ABC - GM 3" (9:04 - 11:55 p.m., ET)

The "NBA Finals on ABC - GM 3" topped stiff competition during primetime, including Fox's season finale of "Glee" and NBC's "America's Got Talent," to finish as Tuesday's No. 1 TV program in Total Viewers (16.0 million) and across each of the key adult demographics: A18-34 (7.0/22), A18-49 (6.7/19) and A25-54 (6.6/18). It was the 3rd broadcast in a row for the 2010 NBA Finals to qualify as the evening's highest-rated television program in viewers and key adults. The LA Lakers beat the Boston Celtics by a score of 91-84, to lead the best-of-seven series 2-1.

· In viewers and young adults, it was the biggest Game 3 for the NBA championship series in 6 years and the second-highest-ever on ABC - since Game 3 of the 2004 series on 6/10/04. In addition, it was the highest-rated-ever Game 3 on ABC among Men 18-34, Men 18-49 and Teens 12-17.

Thursday

With coverage of the 2010 NBA Finals Game 4 (Celtics-Lakers), ABC took full control of Thursday night for the 2nd week in a row, beating its nearest competitors during prime by 3.0 million viewers (11.3 million vs. 8.3 million - CBS) and by 110% in Adults 18-49 (4.4/15 vs. 2.1/7 - Fox). In fact it was the Network's 4th consecutive primetime victory with coverage of the 2010 NBA Finals.

· In Total Viewers and Adults 18-49, ABC marked its top summer Thursday in nearly 5 years - since 9/8/05.

"Jimmy Kimmel Live Game Night 4" (Various Time Periods)

For the 4th broadcast in a row, "JKL Game Night" increased its overall audience year to year. On average, ABC's 2010 "JKL Game Night" specials are up by 9% in Total Viewers (3.7 million vs. 3.4 million) and by 9% in Adults 18-49 (1.2/5 vs. 1.1/4) over the first four telecasts last year, delivering its best numbers in its 3 years on the air.

"NBA Finals on ABC - GM 4" (9:03 - 11:50 p.m., ET)

The "NBA Finals on ABC - GM 4" outdelivered its primetime competitors to stand as Thursday's

No. 1 TV program in Total Viewers (16.4 million) and across each of the key Adult demos: A18-34 (6.4/22), A18-49 (6.6/21) and A25-54 (6.9/18). It was the 4th consecutive broadcast for the 2010 NBA Finals to finish as the No. 1 TV show of the night in viewers and key adults. The Boston Celtics defeated the LA Lakers by a score of 96-89, tying the best-of-seven series at 2-2.

· Game 4 registered as the biggest draw yet for the 2010 NBA Finals and as the most-watched overall for any NBA championship game in 2 years - since the series clinching Game 6 of the 2008 Celtics-Lakers Series (6/17/08). In addition, the NBA Game registered as the most-watched non-Olympic summer telecast on any network since the same date 2 years ago.

· In viewers and young adults, it was the best Game 4 for the NBA championship series in 6 years and the second-highest-ever on ABC - since Game 4 of the 2004 series on 6/13/04.

Sunday

With continuing coverage of the 2010 NBA Finals (Celtics-Lakers Game 5), ABC towered over its competition for the 2nd straight Sunday. ABC outpaced its nearest competition during primetime by 7.2 million viewers (14.7 million vs. 7.5 million - CBS w/"64th Annual Tony Awards") and by 273% in Adults 18-49 (5.6/17 vs. 1.5/5 - Fox). In Adults 18-49, ABC outperformed The Combined delivery of CBS, NBC and Fox by 51% on the evening (5.6/17 vs. 3.7/11). It was ABC's 5th consecutive primetime win with coverage of the 2010 NBA Finals.

· ABC scored its most-watched summer Sunday in 10 years and top-rated among Adults 18-49 in 14 years - since 6/11/00 and 6/2/96, respectively.

"Jimmy Kimmel Live Game Night 5" (Various Time Periods)

For the 5th consecutive telecast, "JKL Game Night" increased its overall audience year to year. On average, ABC's 2010 "JKL Game Night" specials are up by 9% in Total Viewers (3.5 million vs. 3.2 million) over its 5 airings last year, delivering its best numbers in its 3 years on the air.

· The "Game Night" specials continue to produce broad exposure for "Jimmy Kimmel Live," doubling its results in viewers (+106% - 3.5 million vs. 1.7 million) and young adults (+120% - 1.1/4 vs. 0.5/3) over its late-night 2009-10 averages.

"NBA Finals on ABC - GM 5" (8:04 - 11:00 p.m., ET)

The "NBA Finals on ABC - GM 5" outpaced its primetime competitors to register as Sunday's No. 1 TV program in Total Viewers (18.7 million) and across each of the key Adult demos: A18-34 (7.0/23), A18-49 (7.2/20 rating) and A25-54 (7.6/19 rating). It was the 5th consecutive airing for the 2010 NBA Finals to qualify as the No. 1 TV show of the night in viewers and key adults. The Boston Celtics defeated the LA Lakers by a score of 92-86, to lead the best-of-seven series 3-2.

· Game 5 stood as the strongest yet for the 2010 NBA Finals in Total Viewers and Adults 18-49. In fact it stood as the most-watched overall for any NBA Finals game in 5 years - since the series-clinching Game 7 of the 2005 Pistons-Spurs Series on 6/23/05. Furthermore, it was the largest overall audience for a non-series-clinching NBA championship contest since 2004 - since Game 4 of the 2004 Lakers-Pistons Series on 6/13/04. It was also represented TV's most-watched summer (Memorial Day-Labor Day) telecast since 2005 (6/23/05).

· In viewers and young adults, it was the best Game 5 for the NBA Finals in 6 years and the second-highest-ever on ABC - since the series-clinching Game 5 of the 2004 Pistons-Lakers series on 6/15/04.

· Based on 5-game averages, the 2010 NBA Finals continues to pull the highest numbers in 6 years (since 2004), its 2nd-strongest-ever on ABC in both Total Viewers (16.2 million) and Adults 18-49 (6.5/19). Versus the 5-game 2009 Lakers-Magic series, The Finals on ABC is growing year to year by 1.9 million viewers and by 10% in Adults 18-49 (14.3 million and 5.9/17).

Source: The Nielsen Company (National Live+Same Day Program Ratings), week of 6/7/10, unless stated otherwise.

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