ABC's The 2016 ESPYS Scores Its 2nd-Best Numbers in Viewers and Adults 18-49

ABC Wednesday Prime (8:00-11:00 p.m. - 5.5 million and 1.6/6 in AD18-49): With its telecast of "The 2016 ESPYS," ABC was second on Wednesday in Total Viewers (5.5 million) and Adults 18-49 (1.6/6). The Net ranked No. 1 on the night in Adults 18-34 and key Men (M18-34/M18-49).

Coming off last year's high-rated inaugural telecast on ABC (which honored Caitlyn Jenner with the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage), "The 2016 ESPYS" posted its 2nd-best numbers in Total Viewers (5.5 million) and Adults 18-49 (1.6/6-tie).

Peaking in the 10 o'clock hour, "The 2016 ESPY Awards" grew by 29% among Adults 18-49 from its first hour to its final hour (1.4/6 to 1.8/7) and moved up to No. 1 in the hour, beating NBC's "Night Shift" by 38% (1.3/5) and CBS' "American Gothic" by 260% (0.5/2).

With 674,051 tweets, "The 2016 ESPY Awards" was Wednesday's most social program.

The top 5 highest-rated markets in Households: Knoxville (7.9/12), Kansas City (7.0/12), Cleveland (6.9/12), Atlanta (6.4/11) and Charlotte (6.1/10).

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 7/13/16.

Photo credit: ABC/Image Group LA*

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