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ABC is Most-Watched Network for 6th Time in Last 7 Weeks

By: Apr. 09, 2013
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During the week of April 1, 2013, ABC (6.7 million) was the 2nd-most-watched network to CBS, outdrawing NBC (5.2 million) and FOX (5.2 million) by 1.5 million viewers each.

Rankings: ABC delivered 7 of the Top 20 TV shows for the week in Adults 18-49, including 2 of the Top 4 comedies with "Modern Family" and "How to Live with Your Parents" and the No. 1 drama with "Grey's Anatomy": "Modern Family" - No. 7, "How to Live with Your Parents" - No. 11, "Grey's Anatomy" - No. 13, "Scandal" - No. 16, "DWTS: The Results Show" - No. 18, while "DWTS" and "Castle" tied at No. 20. ABC's "DWTS: The Results Show" was TV's most-watched unscripted series, outdrawing both installments of Fox's "Idol" and NBC's "The Voice." ABC's "20/20" was the week's No. 1 newsmagazine in Adults 18-49 (at a 7-month high) and Adults 25-54.

Monday

With "Dancing" and the 100th episode of "Castle," ABC was Monday's most-watched network (6th time in 7 weeks), topping runner-up NBC with "The Voice" and "Revolution" by 2.2 million viewers (13.2 million vs. 11.0 million). The Net (2.2/6) ran a competitive No. 2 on the night in Adults 18-49, beating Fox's 8:00 - 10:00 p.m. drama lineup (2.1/6, +5% over "Bones"/"The Following"). For the 3rd straight Monday, ABC's "DWTS" was the most-watched TV show and "Castle" was the night's most-watched scripted program.

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

Building from its first hour to its second hour in viewers and young adults, ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" once again ranked as the most-watched show in its 2-hour slot, outdrawing NBC's "The Voice" for the 2nd week in a row in head-to-head competition (13.9 million vs. 13.3 million).

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

On its 100th episode, ABC's "Castle" was the most-watched TV show in 10 o'clock hour (6th straight telecast) and won with Adults 25-54, beating NBC's Revolution by a best-ever 5.4 million viewers (11.8 million vs. 6.4 million) while leading for the first time in Adults 25-54 (with a +19% advantage - 3.2/8 vs. 2.7/6). In addition, the ABC drama tied "Revolution" for No. 1 in Adults 18-49 (2.2/6) for its most competitive finish yet with the NBC drama.

· Up week to week in Viewers (+11%) and key Adults (AD25-54 +10%/AD18-49 +5%), "Castle" posted new season highs in Total Viewers and Adults 25-54.

· Growing over the same point last season (+3%), Castle is delivering the series' most-watched season ever.

Tuesday

ABC ran in a near tie with CBS as the most-watched network on Tuesday night (9.5 million vs. 9.7 million), earning second place in Adults 18-49 (1.7/5-tied with Fox). ABC ranked No. 1 from 9:00-11:00 p.m. on both measures.

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

Building in viewers (+5%) and young adults (+15%) from start to finish in the 8:00 p.m. hour against NBC's "The Voice," ABC freshman "Splash" outdrew Fox's time-period established "Hell's Kitchen" by 16% in Total Viewers (5.7 million vs. 4.9 million).

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

Tuesday's most-watched TV show overall, ABC's "DWTS: The Results Show" moved up to No. 1 in the 9:00 p.m. hour in Adults 18-49 (2.3/6) and Total Viewers (14.0 million). In the hour, ABC's dancing results show beat out NBC's "The Voice"-led 1-hour season finale of "The New Normal" by 44% among Adults 18-49 (2.3/6 vs. 1.6/4). Country music star Wynonna Judd was the second celebrity to leave the competition this season.

· Up over the prior week's season premiere in Total Viewers (+4%), "Dancing" posted its most-watched non-finale for a "Results Show" telecast since April 24, 2012. In addition, "DWTS: The Results Show" increased over the comparable Week 2 of Season 15 in Total Viewers (+17%) and Adults 18-49 (+10%).

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

For the 2nd week in a row in Adults 18-49, ABC's "Body of Proof" (1.4/4) led originals of CBS' "Golden Boy" (+8% = 1.3/4) and NBC's "Smash" (+56% = 0.9/2) in the 10 o'clock hour. "Body of Proof" ranked No. 1 in The Hour with both Total Viewers (8.6 million) and Adults 25-54 (2.1/5).

· Retaining 90% of last week's season high in viewers, "Body of Proof" earned its 2nd-biggest overall audience this season.

Wednesday

Gaining in each half-hour week to week in Adults 18-49 and up 26% overall for the night, ABC (2.4/7) delivered its top-rated Wednesday since mid-January - since 1/23/13. Wednesday's No. 1 TV show, ABC's "Modern Family" outdelivered Fox's "American Idol" on the night by a best-ever 35% in Adults 18-49 (+1.1 rating point advantage - 4.2/11 vs. 3.1/9), now beating or tying "Idol" on each of its last 3 originals. Debuting with strong lead-in retention out of "Modern" (best in over 2 years for any regular telecast - since 2/9/11) and with a 5-month time-period high, ABC's "How to Live with Your Parents (For the Rest of Your Life)" opened just 2-tenths behind "Idol" in Adults 18-49 on the evening, while tying with Women 18-34.

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

At 8:00 p.m., ABC's "The Middle" was up 11% in Adults 18-49 (2.0/6) over the prior week to post its best number since February - since 2/27/13.

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

Boosting the 8:30 p.m. half-hour week to week in Adults 18-49 (+20%), "Suburgatory" (1.8/5) moved into the slot with a 6-week high for ABC - since 2/20/13.

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

Building sharply on its Adult 18-49 lead-in at 9:00 p.m. (+133%), ABC's "Modern Family" (4.2/11) won its half-hour by 27% over "American Idol" (3.3/9) and beat its nearest scripted competition in the slot by 56% (CBS' "Criminal Minds" - 2.7/7).

· Spiking over the prior week in Adults 18-49 (+31%), "Modern Family" delivered its strongest number since January 23, 2013.

"How to Live with Your Parents (For the Rest of Your Life)" (9:31 -10:00 p.m.)

The No. 1 scripted show in the 9:30 pm half-hour, ABC's series debut of "How to Live with Your Parents" (2.9/8) improved its slot by 53% in Adults 18-49 week to week, posting the Net's largest audience (8.4 million) in the slot since October and highest young adult rating since early November - since 11/7/12 and 10/10/12, respectively.

· In Total Viewers and Adults 18-49, "How to Live with Your Parents" opened as TV's biggest regular comedy series premiere of the official 2012-13 season, going back to NBC's pre-season "The Voice"-led debut of "Go On" in early September (on 9/11/12).

"Nashville" (10:00-11:00 p.m.)

During the 10 o'clock hour, ABC's "Nashville" beat NBC's "Chicago Fire" in Adults 18-49 (1.7/5 vs. 1.6/5), growing week to week by 13% with its best rating in nearly 2 months - since 2/13/13.

· Based on Live + 3 Day ratings for last week's telecast (3/27/13), "Nashville's" Adult 18-49 rating shot up 60% (going from a 1.5 in L+SD to a 2.4 rating after just 3 days of playback), making it the biggest percentage gainer for any broadcast show on that night.

Thursday

With "Wife Swap," "Grey's" and "Scandal," ABC ranked No. 1 on Thursday night among key Women: W18-34 (2.8/9) and W18-49 (3.4/9). In fact it was the Net's 3rd straight week to hold the top position on the night on both measures. In addition, ABC finished No. 1 among Adults 18-49 during both the 9:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. hours.

"Wife Swap" (8:00-9:00 p.m.)

During the 8 o'clock hour, ABC's "Wife Swap" outdrew NBC's time-period established comedies ("Community"/"Parks and Recreation") by 1.4 million viewers (4.0 million vs. 2.6 million).

"Grey's Anatomy" (9:00-10:02 p.m.)

Building on its Adult 18-49 lead-in by 115% at 9:00 p.m., ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" (2.8/8) moved up to No. 1 in The Hour to rank as the top-rated drama on Thursday for its 3rd straight telecast. In The Hour among Adults 18-49, "Grey's" outdelivered Fox's "Idol"-led comedies by 65% ("New Girl"/"The Mindy Project" = 1.7/5) and NBC's comedies by 100% ("The Office"/"Go On" time period premiere = 1.4/4). The ABC medical drama dominated its hour with Adults 18-34 and across all key Women (W18-34/W18-49/W25-54).

· "Grey's" was up over its year-ago telecast (4/5/12) in both Total Viewers (+5% - 8.6 million vs. 8.2 million) and Adults 18-34 (+10% - 2.3/8 vs. 2.1/7).

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

Opposite original drama competition (including a series debut), ABC's "Scandal" shot to the top of the 10 o'clock hour in Adults 18-49 (2.7/8), beating CBS' "Elementary" by 24% (2.1/6) and NBC's premiere of "Hannibal" by 63% (1.6/5). In fact in Adults 18-49, "Scandal" has now finished as the No. 1 series in its time slot on each of its last 12 original telecasts.

· "Scandal" was the No. 1 most social program during primetime on Thursday, spiking 40% week to week (218,000 tweets vs. 155,000 tweets) and leading No. 2 "American Idol" by 12% (193,000 tweets).

Friday

With increasing numbers for "Happy Endings," "Shark Tank" and "20/20," ABC won Friday in Adults 18-49 (1.7/6), leading CBS by 31% (1.3/5), NBC by 89% (0.9/5) and FOX by 183% (0.6/2). ABC matched its best young adult performance on the night in 5 months - since 11/9/12. ABC's "Shark Tank" (best number since November) and "20/20" (best number since its premiere in September) finished as the Top 2 TV shows on Friday with young adults. Season to date, ABC is Friday's No. 1 network in Adults 18-49, gaining 13% year to year with its top delivery on the night in 4 years - since the 2008-09 season.

"Happy Endings" (8:00-9:01 p.m.)

At 8:00 p.m., ABC's "Happy Endings" was up over its week-ago premiere by 22% in Adults 18-49 (1.1/4 vs. 0.9/3), and at 8:30 p.m. the second episode was up 43% from its premiere in the half-hour (1.0/4 vs. 0.7/3). Both the 8:00 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. episodes ranked as the No. 1 show in their respective time slots on the major nets with Adults 18-34. Based on the first 3 days of TV playback (Live+3), last week's back-to-back episodes of "Happy Endings" increased by 44% and 57% in Adults 18-49, respectively, over their first-reported Live + Same Day numbers.

"Shark Tank" (9:01-10:01 p.m.)

Friday's No. 1 show in Adults 18-49 (2.1/7), ABC's "Shark Tank" shot up to dominate the 9 o'clock hour over original dramas, beating NBC's "Grimm" by 40% (1.5/5), CBS' time-period premiere of "Vegas" by 133% (0.9/3) and Fox's "Touch" by 250% (0.6/2). The ABC unscripted show was Friday's highest rated TV series in Adults 18-49 for the 4th time in its last 5 original telecasts. Spiking 17% week to week in Adults 18-49, "Shark Tank" earned its highest rating since November 9, 2012, equaling the series' best rating ever for a regular telecast.

"20/20" (10:01-11:00 p.m.)

In the 10 o'clock hour, ABC's "20/20" ranked a definitive No. 1 in Adults 18-49 (1.8/6), outdelivering CBS' "Blue Bloods" by 20% (1.5/5) and more than doubling the number for NBC's "Rock Center with BrIan Williams" (+157% = 0.7/2). "20/20" also beat its NBC newsmagazine competition by 2.4 million viewers (5.7 million vs. 3.3 million) and by 120% in Adults 25-54 (2.2/6 vs. 1.0/3). "20/20" has defeated "Rock Center" in all 9 head-to-head matchups in both key Adult demos. "20/20" reported on people who are reportedly melting down, acting up and otherwise losing it. Growing 29% week to week in Adults 18-49, ABC's "20/20" delivered a best-since-premiere rating, marking a near 7-month high going back to September 14, 2012.

Saturday

"A Special Edition of 20/20" (9:00-11:00 p.m.)

From 9:00-10:00 p.m., ABC's "A Special Edition of 20/20 with Katie Couric: General Hospital - the Real Soap Dish" ranked as the No. 2 non-sports program on the major nets, beating the Saturday time period premiere of NBC's "Smash" by 1.0 million viewers (2.9 million vs. 1.9 million) and by 40% in Adults 18-49 (0.7/2 vs. 0.5/2).

Source: The Nielsen Company (National, Live+ Same Day Program Ratings), week of 04/01/13.



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