ABC's MATCH GAME Opens 50% Above Its May Finale to Its Best Results Since February

With its comedies returning for their first telecasts of the new year and the season premiere of MATCH GAME, ABC ranked No. 2 on Wednesday in Adults 18-49 (1.2/5-tie) to FOX with its premiere/debut lineup ("The X-Files"/"9-1-1"). Despite the increased competition on the night, each of ABC's comedies returned even or steady after 3 weeks off with young adults: "The Goldbergs" (1.5/6 vs. 1.6/7), "Speechless" (1.1/4 vs. 1.2/5), "Modern Family" (1.7/6 vs. 1.7/7) and "American Housewife" (1.3/5 vs. 1.3/5). At 9:00 p.m., ABC's "Modern Family" ranked No. 1 in its half-hour with Adults 18-49, tying Fox's debut of "9-1-1."

At 10:00 p.m., ABC's season premiere of "Match Game" shot up over its last telecast in May (on 5/14/17) by 38% in Total Viewers (3.6 million vs. 2.6 million) and by 50% in Adults 18-49 (0.9/4 vs. 0.6/2), topping its last 6 originals for its best numbers since February - since 2/22/17. "Match Game" tied CBS' "Criminal Minds" for No. 2 in the hour with Adults 18-49.

Projections Rationale: Lifts vs. L+SD are based on 2017-18 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.

Source: The Nielsen Company, Fast Affiliate Live + Same Day Ratings for 1/3/18.

Photo credit: ABC/Jeff Neira

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