ABC Generates its Biggest Monday in 11 Weeks in Total Viewers and Adults 18-49.
Building its Overall Audience for the 4th Week in a Row, ABC’s “The Bachelor” Hits a Season High in Total Viewers.
“The Bachelor” Leads its Time Period in Adults 18-34 and Across All Key Women
Up Over its Most Recent Original Airing, ABC’s “Castle” Beats NBC’s “Harry’s Law” In Viewers and Young Adults, Equaling its Top Adults 18-49 Number in 3 Months.
Monday Night (8:00-11:00 p.m.)
Despite going up against CBS’ original schedule and Fox’s Super Bowl-promoted lineup (“House” into the series debut of “The Chicago Code”), ABC generated its biggest Monday in 11 weeks among Total Viewers (9.6 million) and Adults 18-49 (2.9/8) – since 11/22/10. The Net finished No. 1 on the night across all key Women demographics (W18-34/W18-49/W25-54).
“The Bachelor” (8:00-10:00 p.m.)
Opposite stiff competition from 8:00 – 10:00 p.m., ABC’s “The Bachelor” grew its overall audience for the 4th straight week, hitting a new season high among Total Viewers (9.7 million).
“The Bachelor” ranked No. 1 in its time period among Adults 18-34 (2.8/8) and across all key Women (W18-34/W18-49/W25-54), standing as Monday’s No. 1 regular TV series with Women 18-34 for the 6th straight week.
“Castle” (10:00-11:00 p.m.)
During the 10 o’clock hour against original drama competition on CBS (“Hawaii Five-0”) and NBC (“Harry’s Law”), ABC’s “Castle” ran No. 1 across all key Women demographics (W18-34/W18-49/W25-54). The ABC drama was also tops with Teens 12-17. In addition, “Castle” drew a larger overall audience than “Harry’s Law” (9.3 million vs. 9.1 million) and defeated the NBC drama by a resounding 47% in Adults 18-49 (2.5/7 vs. 1.7/5).
“Castle” built on its most recent original (9.1 million & 2.4/7 on 1/24/11) in viewers (+2%) and young adults (+4%), equaling its top Adult 18-49 number in over 3 months – since 11/1/10.
A note about increasing DVR penetration and year-to-year rating comparisons: Year-to-year rating comparisons based on the Live + Same Day data stream are distorted by the level of DVR penetration in the Nielsen sample, which has jumped up to 39% currently, from 35% at the same point in 2010. More viewers are watching shows on their own timetables, which may not be reflected in the overnight next day numbers. The only truly valid year-to-year comparison would be one based on the Live + 7 Day metric, once those stats are released by Nielsen.
(Source: ABC – The Nielsen Company (Fast Affiliate, Live + Same Day Ratings), 2/7/11)
