ABC's 'Great American Baking Show' Season Finale Closes With the Series' Most Watched Telecast Ever

From 8:00-9:00 p.m., ABC's season finale of "The Great American Baking Show" built for its 3rd straight original telecast in Total Viewers (+2% - 5.1 million vs. 5.0 million) and held even in Adults 18-49 (1.0/4), marking the show's most watched telecast ever and equaling a season best in young adults.

"Taking the Stage" (9:00-11:00 p.m. - 5.3 million and 0.9/3 in AD18-49):

From 9:00-11:00 p.m., ABC's "Taking the Stage: African American Music and Stories That Changed America," a 2-hour special celebrating the unveiling of the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture with music, dance and the spoken word, drew an average audience of 5.3 million viewers and a 0.9 rating, 3 share among Adults 18-49. The ABC special was the most social broadcast program on Thursday night (97,872 Total Interactions on Twitter/Facebook combined).

• The ABC special gained audience from its first to second hour in Total Viewers (+16% - 4.9 million to 5.7 million) and Adults 18-49 (+11% - 0.9/3 to 1.0/4), standing as the most watched TV program with 5.7 million viewers from 10:00-11:00 p.m. over originals of NBC's "The Blacklist" (5.3 million) and CBS' "Pure Genius" (5.2 million). "Taking the Stage" also ranked No. 1 in Adults 18-49 at 10:00 p.m., tying NBC's "The Blacklist" (1.0/4) and beating CBS' "Pure Genius" (0.9/3).

Projections Rationale:

Lifts vs. L+SD are based on 2015-16 season averages for originals (excluding the premiere).

Returning shows: Profile based on same show (either premiere or averages for originals).

New Series: Based on similar series.

A note about DVR penetration: DVR penetration in the Nielsen sample is currently at 49% in U.S. TV Homes. More viewers are watching shows on their own timetables, which are increasingly not reflected in the overnight Live + Same Day numbers. As a result, the Live + 7 Day ratings are the most accurate Nielsen measure to gauge the size of the TV audience.

Source: The Nielsen Company, Fast Affiliate Live + Same Day Ratings for 1/12/17.