ABC's “S.H.I.E.L.D.” Is No. 1 Scripted Show in Its Slot Among Key Demo

During the week of November 10, 2014, ABC took second to an NFL-fueled NBC based on all programming in Adults 18-49 (2.0/6) while once again winning the week in Nielsen's non-sports averages (1.9/6). The Network aired 7 of the Top 20 broadcast TV shows in Adults 18-49, including the Top 2 dramas ("Scandal" and "HTGAWM") and the No. 1 freshman comedy ("black-ish"): "Scandal" and "Modern Family" tied for No. 6, "Saturday Night Football" - No. 9, "How to Get Away with Murder" - No. 12, "black-ish" - No. 14, while "Once Upon a Time" and "Grey's" tied at No. 17. "Dancing" stood as TV's most-watched unscripted series for the 4th week running, leading both editions of NBC's "The Voice."

For the 2nd week in a row, the Network was up from the same week last year in Total Viewers (+15%) and Adults 18-49 (+25%). And on average season to date (Most Current - 8 complete weeks), ABC is growing over the same point last year in viewers (+6% - 9.1 million vs. 8.6 million) and young adults (+4% - 2.5/8 vs. 2.4/7), qualifying as the only broadcaster up this season in Adults 18-49. CBS (-4%), NBC (-6%) and FOX (-12%) are each down this season in the key demo.

Monday

ABC was Monday's most-watched broadcaster for the 3rd week in a row (12.1 million) and tied for No. 2 in Adults 18-49 (1.9/5 - tied w/Fox). For the 2nd-straight week, ABC's "Dancing" finished as Monday's most-watched telecast (13.3 million). The Network drew its biggest Monday audience this season and hit a 4-week high in Adults 18-49 (since 10/13/14).

"Dancing with the Stars" (8:00-10:01 p.m. - 13.3 million and 2.0/6 in AD18-49):

Head to head from 8:00-10:01 p.m., ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" attracted more viewers than NBC's "The Voice" for the 4th-consecutive week (by a season-best 1.8 million - 13.3 million vs. 11.5 million). Gaining 11% from its first to second hour, "Dancing" defeated Fox's "Sleepy Hollow" in Adults 18-49 from 9:00-10:00 p.m. for the 8th-week running (by a best-yet +40% - 2.1/6 vs. 1.5/4).

"DWTS" was up for the 2nd week in Total Viewers (13.3 million vs. 13.1 million) to its top number since its season premiere 8 weeks ago - since 9/15/14. In addition, "Dancing" improved from its year-ago telecast (12.6 million and 1.7/5 on 11/11/13) in Total Viewers (+6%) and Adults 18-49 (+18%).

"Castle" (10:01-11:00 p.m. - 9.5 million and 1.6/5 in AD18-49):

In the 10:00 p.m. hour, ABC's "Castle" ran in a virtual tie with NBC's fall finale of "Blacklist" in Total Viewers (9.5 million vs. 9.8 million) while topping CBS' "NCIS: LA" in both Total Viewers (9.5 million vs. 8.2 million) and Adults 18-49 (1.6/5 vs. 1.5/5).

The ABC drama was up from its most recent telecast two weeks ago in viewers (+9%) to deliver a best-since-premiere Total Viewer count - since 9/29/14.

Tuesday

"Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." (9:00-10:00 p.m. - 4.3 million and 1.5/4 in AD18-49):

Spiking over its lead-in (+54%/+67%) on its return after the prior week's preemption, opposite the second hour of NBC's 2-hour "The Voice," ABC's "Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." was on par with its most recent numbers in Total Viewers (4.3 million vs. 4.5 million) and Adults 18-49 (1.5/4 vs. 1.7/5). From 9:00-10:00 p.m., "S.H.I.E.L.D." beat Fox's comedies by 25% in Adults 18-49 ("New Girl"/"The Mindy Project" = 1.2/3) and finished as the No. 1 scripted series in its hour among Men 18-34 (4th straight telecast) and Men 18-49.

L7 Playback Lift: In the most recent week of L+7 data (w/o 10/21/14), "S.H.I.E.L.D." shot up 81% in Adults 18-49 over its L+SD number (+1.3 rating points - from a 1.6 rating to a 2.9 rating) to deliver the series' biggest-ever percentage playback lift.

"Forever" (10:00-11:00 p.m. - 4.2 million and 1.0/3 in AD18-49):

At 10:00 p.m., ABC's "Forever" held steady with its most recent telecast two weeks ago in Adults 18-49 (1.0/3 vs. 1.1/3). The freshman ABC drama boosted its hour year to year by 50% in Total Viewers and by 25% in Adults 18-49 from the year-ago special ("Scandal for Real" = 2.8 million and 0.8/2 on 11/12/13).

Wednesday

Returning to its regular Wednesday lineup after the prior week's CMA Awards preemption, ABC took 2nd in Adults 18-49 (2.1/6) to "The Voice"-driven NBC with its 8:00-9:00 p.m. special to LEAD OFF its night while beating CBS by 5% (2.0/6) and FOX by 75% (1.2/4). ABC's "Modern Family" (3.2/9) and "black-ish" (2.5/7 -tied with "The Voice") ranked as the Top 2 TV shows of the night in Adults 18-49. In fact, "Modern Family" was Wednesday's top-rated TV series for its 7th-straight telecast this season.

Season to date, ABC's Wednesday comedy block is up year to year in viewers (+11%) and young adults (+12%), leading the 2-hour time period by 16% in Adults 18-49 over its nearest competition (CBS).

"The Middle" (8:00-8:30 p.m. - 8.1 million and 1.9/6 in AD18-49):

At 8:00 p.m., ABC's "The Middle" was the No. 1 scripted show in Adults 18-49 and was up over its most recent delivery two weeks ago (1.9/6 vs. 1.8/6). The ABC comedy ranked No. 1 in the half-hour in Teens 12-17, beating NBC's "The Voice" by 88% (1.5/7 vs. 0.8/4).

Surging by more than 1 million viewers from most recent airing (8.1 million vs. 7.0 million), "The Middle" hit a new season-high with its most-watched telecast since February - since 2/5/14.

"The Goldbergs" (8:30-9:00 p.m. - 7.5 million and 2.1/6 in AD18-49):

At 8:30 p.m., ABC's "The Goldbergs" built on its Adult 18-49 lead-in for 6th-straight telecast this season (+11%) to rank as the No. 1 scripted show in its slot. The ABC comedy continued to greatly improve its half-hour year to year with young adults (+17% over "Back In The Game" on 11/13/13 = 1.8/5).

"The Goldbergs" topped its year-ago Tuesday airing, coming out of "S.H.I.E.L.D." (on 11/12/13), for its 5th-consecutive telecast in Total Viewers (+47% - 7.5 million vs. 5.1 million) and Adults 18-49 (+24% - 2.1/6 vs. 1.7/5). In fact, the show drew its 2nd-largest audience ever, behind only its series premiere on 9/24/13.

"Modern Family" (9:00-9:31 p.m. - 9.8 million and 3.2/9 in AD18-49):

At 9:00 p.m., ABC's "Modern Family" jumped 52% from its Adult 18-49 lead-in to defeat its nearest competition by 33% (3.2/9 vs. 2.4/7 - NBC's "L&O: SVU").

"black-ish" (9:31-10:00 p.m. - 7.8 million and 2.5/7 in AD18-49):

In the 9:30 p.m. half-hour, ABC's "black-ish" ranked as the No. 1 series in its slot for its 5th-straight telecast with Adults 18-49 (2.5/7). "black-ish" boosted its half-hour year to year for ABC by 2.0 million viewers and by 25% in Adults 18-49 ("Super Fun Night" on 11/13/13 = 5.8 million and 2.0/6).

"Nashville" (10:00-11:00 p.m. - 5.7 million and 1.4/5 rating in AD18-49):

During the 10 o'clock hour, ABC's "Nashville" delivered a new season high in Total Viewers (5.7 million) with its largest audience since last December - since 12/4/13. "Nashville" caught CBS' "Stalker" in THE HOUR for the first time among Adults 18-49 (1.4/5) while beating the CBS drama in Adults 18-34 and across all key Women (W18-34/W18-49/W25-54).

Thursday

ABC won its 3rd-straight November Sweep Thursday in Adults 18-49, outdistancing CBS by a season-best 33% (2.8/9 vs. 2.1/6). The Network nearly tripled the young adult deliveries for NBC (+180% - 1.0/3) and FOX (+180% - 1.0/3). ABC was up for the 2nd week in viewers (+2%) and young adults (+4%).

ABC's "Scandal" (3.2/9), "Murder" (2.9/9) and "Grey's" (2.4/7) continued their run as Thursday's Top 3 dramas in Adults 18-49 (over CBS' "Elementary," NBC's "Parenthood" and Fox's "Bones" and "Gracepoint"). In addition, "Scandal" and "HTGAWM" paced behind only CBS' "The Big Bang Theory" as the top-rated series of the night.

The Net improved sharply from the year-ago November Sweep Thursday (7.1 million and 2.1/6 on 11/14/13), jumping 30% in viewers and 33% in young adults. And season to date, ABC's Thursday is growing by double digits from the same point last year in Total Viewers (+29%) and Adults
18-49 (+21%) for its top numbers on the night in 5 years - since the comparable weeks of the 2009-10 season. ABC's "HTGAWM" and "Scandal" stand as the season's Top 2 broadcast dramas in the key young adult sales demo, respectively.

"Grey's Anatomy" (8:00-9:00 p.m. - 8.4 million and 2.4/7 in AD18-49):

At 8:00 p.m., opposite "Big Bang," ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" gained viewers week to week (+4%) and held steady in Adults 18-49. "Grey's" outdrew its drama competition in THE HOUR (Fox's "Bones") by 2.9 million viewers (8.4 million vs. 5.5 million) and doubled it in Adults 18-49 (+100% - 2.4/7 vs. 1.2/4).

"Scandal" (9:00-10:00 p.m. - 10.1 million and 3.2/10 in AD18-49):

At 9:00 p.m., ABC's "Scandal" jumped up to take full control of its hour in Adults 18-49 (3.2/10), outdelivering CBS' comedies by a best-yet 88% ("Two and a Half Men"/"The McCarthys" = 1.7/5) while quadrupling both NBC's comedies ("Bad Judge"/"A to Z" = 0.8/2) and Fox's "Gracepoint" (0.8/2). It also won its slot in Total Viewers (10.1 million).

The ABC drama grew week to week in Total Viewers (+3%) and Adults 18-49 (+10%) to earn
6-week highs - since 10/2/14. It also built on its own year-ago telecast at 10:00 p.m. (9.0 million and 2.9/9 on 11/14/13) by double digits in viewers (+12%) and young adults (+10%).

"How to Get Away with Murder" (10:00-11:00 p.m. - 9.2 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) beat its combined drama competition for the 3rd-consecutive week in Adults 18-49, topping CBS' "Elementary" by 190% (1.0/3) and NBC's "Parenthood" by 190% (1.0/3). The new ABC drama was the most-watched TV show overall in the slot for the 3rd week running (9.2 million).

"Murder" remained even week to week in Total Viewers and was up in Adults 18-49 (+4%) to hit a 3-week high - since 10/23/14. In addition, it topped "Scandal" in THE HOUR on the year-ago night in viewers and equaled it in Adults 18-49.

Friday

ABC won Friday in Adults 18-49 by 17% over its nearest competitor (1.4/5 vs. 1.2/4 - NBC). It was the Net's 3rd-straight November Sweep Friday to lead the pack in young adults. ABC was also the night's most-watched network overall (6.5 million).

ABC's "Shark Tank" (100th episode) was Friday's No. 1 TV show in Adults 18-49 (1.8/6), delivering the top series rank on the evening for the 8th-straight week this season.

The Network was up over the same Friday last November in viewers and young adults (6.0 million and 1.3/5 on 11/15/13). Season to date, ABC's Friday is growing by double digits in Total Viewers (+12%) and Adults 18-49 (+12%), marking a 7-year high on the night with young adults - since the comparable weeks of 2007-08.

"Last Man Standing" (8:00-8:31 p.m. - 7.0 million and 1.5/5 in AD18-49)

At 8:00 p.m. "Last Man Standing" was No. 1 in Adults 18-49 (1.5/5) to rank as the night's top-rated scripted show. "Last Man Standing" was up for the 2nd week in Adults 18-49 (+15%) to a new season high. In fact, the ABC comedy drew its biggest audience and highest Adult 18-49 number since last January - since 1/10/14 and 1/31/14, respectively.

"Cristela" (8:31-9:00 p.m. - 5.1 million and 1.1/4 in AD18-49)

At 8:30 p.m., "Cristela" was up 10% to a 4-week high in Adults 18-49 (1.1/4) and spiked 38% over the year-ago "The Neighbors" in the half-hour (0.8/3 on 11/15/13).

"Shark Tank" (9:00-10:01 p.m. - 7.6 million and 1.8/6 in AD18-49)

Surging over its lead-in at 9pm (+64%), ABC's 100th episode of "Shark Tank" led its hour by 50% in Adults 18-49 over its closest broadcast competition (1.8/6 vs. 1.2/4 - NBC's "Grimm"). "Shark Tank" jumped by 1.1 million viewers over its year-ago telecast (6.5 million and 1.7/5 on 11/15/13) and by 6% in Adults 18-49.

"20/20" (10:01-11:00 p.m. - 5.6 million and 1.2/4 in AD18-49)

At 10:00 p.m., ABC's "20/20" won its hour in Total Viewers (5.6 million), Adults 25-54 (1.7/5) and Adults 18-49 (1.2/4). Dominating with Adults 18-49 in the hour, "20/20" beat NBC's "Constantine" by 50% (0.8/3) and tripled CBS' "Hollywood Film Awards" coverage (0.4/1).

Saturday

ABC grew week to week by double digits in Total Viewers (+11%) and Adults 18-49 (+30%) to 4-week highs on the night - since 10/18/14. The Net won Saturday night in both Total Viewers (8.0 million) and Adults 18-49 (2.6/9).

Airing from 8:07-11:44 p.m., ABC's "Saturday Night Football" was the No. 1 program of the evening in Total Viewers (8.7 million) and Adults 18-49 (3.0/10).

Growing for the 2nd-straight week in Viewers (+28%) and young adults (+50%), ABC's Saturday night game delivered its 2nd-best performance this year.

Sunday

Up against a strong SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL CONTEST (Patriots-Colts) on NBC and another high-rated NFL overrun on FOX (Packers-Eagles), ABC dominated its Sunday non-sports competition on CBS by 43% in Adults 18-49 (2.0/5 vs. 1.4/4).

Growing week to week in viewers (+7%) and young adults (+25%), ABC scored 7-week highs for a best-since-premiere performance - since 9/28/14. In addition, the Net grew by double digits from the same night last November (5.6 million and 1.4/4 on 11/17/13) in Total Viewers (+14%) and Adults 18-49 (+43%).

"America's Funniest Home Videos" (7:00-8:00 p.m. - 6.8 million 1.6/4 in AD18-49):

During the 7 o'clock hour against Fox's NFL overrun, ABC's "America's Funniest Home Videos" was up for its 3rd-consecutive telecast to new season highs in viewers (6.8 million) and Adults 18-49 (1.6/4).

"AFHV" was up from the year-ago night in Total Viewers (+6%) and Adults 18-49 (+14%).

"Once Upon A Time" (8:00-10:01 p.m. - 6.8 million and 2.4/6 in AD18-49):

From 8:00-10:00 p.m. against NBC's Sunday Night Football, ABC's "Once Upon A Time" (2.4/6) beat Fox's NFL-fueled comedies in Adults 18-49 (+4% -- "The Simpsons"/"Brooklyn 9-9"/"Family Guy"/"Bob's Burgers" = 2.3/6) and towered over CBS' dramas "Madam Secretary"/"The Good Wife" (+71% - 1.4/4). The show marked ABC's best young adult rating in the 2-hour slot in 6 weeks - since 10/5/14.

"Once Upon A Time" grew from its year-ago telecast (+26%) for the 8th-consecutive week in Adults 18-49 (1.9/5 on 11/17/13), and season to date, the ABC drama is trending 13% ahead of the same point last year.

"Revenge" (10:01-11:00 p.m. - 5.2 million and 1.5/4 in AD18-49):

During the 10 o'clock hour, ABC's "Revenge" built for the 3rd-straight week in Adults 18-49 (+15% - 1.5/4 vs. 1.3/4), hitting a new season high for the series' top rating in nearly 8 months - since 3/23/14.

"Revenge" continued to produce impressive time period improvement for ABC from the year-ago night (3.4 million and 0.9/2 on 11/17/13) in viewers (+53%) and young adults (+67%).

WEEK NO. 08: ADULTS 18-49 TOTAL VIEWERS

No.1 NBC 2.5 No.1 NBC 9,150,000

No.2 ABC 2.0 No.2 CBS 8,640,000

No.3 FOX 1.6 No.3 ABC 7,580,000

No.4 CBS 1.5 No.4 FOX 4,490,000

No.5 CW 0.7 No.5 CW 1,810,000

Source: The Nielsen Company, National, Live+ Same Day Program Ratings for week of 11/10/14.

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