Series Finale of ABC's CASTLE Delivers Season Highs in Total Viewers & Key Demo

ABC Monday Prime (8:00-11:00 p.m. - 10.3 million and 1.6/5 in AD18-49): For the 7th straight week, ABC was the most watched TV network on Monday (10.3 million), finishing No. 1 in each half-hour. The Net ran a strong second in Adults 18-49 (1.6/5), coming within 2-tenths of NBC (1.8/6). "Dancing" ranked as Monday's No. 1 TV program in Total Viewers and the No. 2 series of the evening in Adults 18-49, behind only NBC's "The Voice." ABC's series finale of "Castle" was Monday's most watched drama for the 2nd week in a row and tied for the drama lead in Adults 18-49.

"Dancing with the Stars" (8:00-10:00 p.m. - 11.5 million and 1.7/6 in AD18-49): From 8:00-10:00 p.m., ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" was Monday's most watched TV series for the 9th week running, topping NBC's "The Voice" by 2.1 million viewers (11.5 million vs. 9.4 million). The "Dancing" semi-finals earned second in its 2-hour time period in Adults 18-49 with a 13% lead over CBS' comedies (1.7/6 vs. 1.5/5). In addition, the ABC unscripted tied "The Voice" in Adults 18-34 for the series lead in the time period. "Dancing" was up week to week in Total Viewers (+2%) and even with Adults 18-49.

"Castle" (10:00-11:00 p.m. - 7.8 million and 1.3/4 in AD18-49): During the 10:00 p.m. hour, ABC's "Castle" finale was the most watched TV series, outdrawing NBC's "Blindspot" on each of their final 8 head-to-head telecasts (by a best-ever +44% - 7.8 million vs. 5.4 million). In addition, "Castle" tied "Blindspot" for No. 1 in Adults 18-49 (1.3/4). "Castle" grew for the 2nd consecutive week in Total Viewers (+16%) and Adults 18-49 (+18%) to close out at season highs on both measures.

Projections Rationale:
Lifts vs. L+SD are based on the 2015-16 season for premiere telecast or an average 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 48% 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 measure to gauge the size of the TV audience.

Source: The Nielsen Company, Fast Affiliate Live + Same Day Ratings, 5/16/16.

Photo credit: ABC/ Adam Taylor*

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