Primetime Ratings Report For the week of May 14, 2007
ABC is TV's Most-Watched Network During the Final Week of the Season and, Excluding the Week of the Oscars, Draws its Largest Audience Since November
Net Takes a Strong Second to Fox in the May Sweep in Adults 18-49,
ABC's Best Competitive Position During the Month in 7 Years
ABC Airs 8 of the Top 20 TV Shows in Adults 18-49, the Most for Any Net
ABC Delivers its Longest Monday Total Viewer Winning Streak in
More than 7 Years and its Best with Young Women Since at Least 1991
With its Top Viewer and Young Adult Numbers in 7 Weeks, ABC's "Dancing with
the Stars" Dominates its Time Slot and Ranks as Monday's Most-Watched TV Show
For the 2nd Week in a Row, ABC's "The Bachelor" Hits Season Highs
And Qualifies as Monday's No. 1 TV Program Among Women 18-34
Tuesday's "DWTS the Results Show" Turns in a Season Best Performance in
Total Viewers and Adults 18-49, ABC's Top Results in the Hour Since November
"Lost" Grows Week to Week in Viewers and Across Each of the
Key Adult Demographics, Matching its Largest Audience in 9 Weeks
Winning its 4th Consecutive Thursday of the 2007 May Sweep in Adults 18-49,
ABC Leads Thursday During the Sweep for the First Time in More Than 15 Years
Growing Week to Week, ABC's First Season Finale of "Ugly Betty" Wins its Hour Across Key Women; No. 1 in Women 18-34 on All 22 of its Regular Original Telecasts
Thursday's No. 1 TV Show for �06-07 TV Season in Adults 18-49, ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" is the Top Show of the Night in Viewers and Young Adults in its Finale
"National Bingo Night" Draws ABC's Largest Audience in the Friday Slot in 14 Weeks
ABC Wins All 4 Sundays During the 2007 May Sweep in Adults 18-49,
Ranking No. 1 on the Evening for the 8th Straight Week in Key Sales Demo
With its Best Numbers in 10 Weeks, ABC's Season Finale of "Home Edition" Outdraws Fox's 1-Hour "The Simpsons" Season Finale by 2.7 Million Viewers
Sunday's No. 1 TV Show for the 7th Week in a Row, in its Season Finale
ABC's "Desperate Housewives" Generates its Biggest Audience in 6 Months
Dominating its Competition During its Freshman Season Finale in Viewers and
Adults 18-49, ABC's "Brothers & Sisters" Delivers its Biggest Audience Since January
WEEK No. 35:
During the final complete week of the 2006-07 TV Season, ABC qualified as the most-watched TV network (10.8 million). Excluding the week of the Oscars, the Net produced its largest audience since November � since w/o 11/13/06. Among Adults 18-49, ABC (3.6/11) took a strong second place to Fox (3.9/12), beating third-place CBS by 29% (2.8/8) and fourth-place NBC by 50% (2.4/7). In fact it was ABC's 6th straight week to take second place to "Idol"-led Fox among young adults.
� 2007 May Sweep Highlights: Through 25 nights of the 2007 May Sweep, ABC is up by 1.0 million viewers (10.3 million vs. 9.3 million) and by 3% in Adults 18-49 (3.6/11 vs. 3.5/10), the only net to grow on either Nielsen measure. ABC is delivering its most-watched May Sweep in 6 years � largest audience since May 2001. The Net ranks a strong No. 2 to Fox for the month in Adults18-49, the Net's best competitive position during May in 7 years � since May 2000. On average during May, ABC is the No. 1 network among Adults 18-49 on 4 nights of the week (Mon/Thursday/Sat/Sun), ranks No. 1 on a total of 14 nights and wins 43% of the half-hours on its primetime schedule -- the most of any network on all 3 comparisons. ABC is the only network to grow during May in the Monday-Friday 10:30pm half-hour as a lead-in to affiliates' late-local newscast, increasing by +19% in Adults 25-54 (4.4 vs. 3.7). Conversely, CBS (-25%) and NBC (-27%) are both down sharply in the final half-hour of prime during May.
� For the 5th consecutive week, ABC grew its overall audience from the comparable week last year (10.8 million vs. 10.5 million - w/o 5/13/06). In fact ABC was the only network to improve from the year-ago week, as CBS, NBC and Fox were all down.
Weekly Rankings: ABC aired 8 of the week's Top 20 TV programs in Adults 18-49, placing 4 in the Top 10, the most for any network: "Grey's Anatomy" � No. 4, "Desperate Housewives" � No. 5, "Dancing with the Stars-MON" � No. 7, "Lost" � No. 10, "Dancing with the Stars Results-TU" � No. 12, while "Brothers & Sisters" and "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" tied at No. 13 and "The Bachelor: Officer and a Gentleman" � No. 18. ABC claimed 4 of the week's Top 8 most-watched television programs, also the most for any net: "Grey's Anatomy" � No. 3, "Dancing with the Stars-MON" � No. 6, "Desperate Housewives" � No. 7 and "DWTS Results Show-TU" � No. 8. The season finale of "Grey's Anatomy" stood the week's most-watched scripted show and the No. 1 TV program overall with Women 18-34, outperforming both installments of "American Idol" with young women. ABC News' "20/20" stood as TV's No. 1 newsmagazine for the week in Adults 25-54 and Adults 18-49.
Monday
ABC took first place on the third Monday of the 2007 May Sweep in Total Viewers (15.2 million) and Adults 18-49 (4.7/13). The Network tallied its 9th straight Monday as the most-watched television network, while ranking No. 1 on the evening in Adults 18-49 for the 8th time in the past 9 weeks � 6 weeks straight in the key sales demo.
� Extending its winning run on the night, ABC is delivering its longest Monday Total Viewer winning streak in well over 7 years � since a streak during the 1999-00 season, from 10/18/99-1/09/00. The Net is seeing its longest winning streak on the evening since at least 1991 with Women 18-34 (10 weeks consecutive) and Women 18-49 (9 weeks consecutive) � predating the start of Nielsen's electronic database.
� In viewers and young adults, ABC turned in its top-rated Monday in 7 weeks � since 3/26/07.
"Dancing with the Stars" (8:00-9:31 p.m.)
Winning its time period by wide margins in Total Viewers (19.6 million) and Adults 18-49 (5.3/15), ABC's "DWTS" continued to qualify as Monday's most-watched TV program. In addition to ranking as the night's most-watched program, ABC's broad skewing dance competition also ranked as the
No. 1 TV show of the night in Women 18-49 (7.7/20) and Kids 2-11 (2.4/9). It is tied as the No. 1 program of the evening in Adults 18-49 with NBC's "Heroes" and CBS' "C.S.I.: Miami."
� "DWTS" marked its best Total Viewer and Adult 18-49 numbers in 7 weeks � since 3/26/07.
"The Bachelor: Officer and a Gentleman" (9:31-11:00 p.m.)
Facing stiff time period competition from CBS' "King of Queens" and "C.S.I.: Miami," as well as NBC's "Heroes" into "Law & Order: CI," ABC's "The Bachelor: Officer and a Gentleman" built on its lead to win its time period and stand as Monday's No. 1 TV show among its core audience of Women 18-34 (5.6/15). During its final hour from 10:00-11:00 p.m., ABC's "The Bachelor: Officer and a Gentleman" topped NBC's "Law & Order: CI" by 3.1 million viewers (10.3 million vs. 7.2 million) and by 43% in Adults 18-49 (4.0/11 vs. 2.8/8).
� "The Bachelor: Officer and a Gentleman" achieved season-highs in Total Viewers (10.6 million) and Adults 18-49 (4.0/10), representing the top-rated telecast for the ABC franchise since the season finale of "The Bachelor: Paris" on 2/27/06.
Tuesday
ABC finished second on the night in both Total Viewers (12.6 million) and Adults 18-49 (3.2/9), the Net's highest Tuesday night numbers since November � since 11/14/06 and 11/28/06, respectively.
� ABC's was up by 4.9 million viewers and by 45% in Adults 18-49 compared to the same night last year (7.7 million & 2.2/6 on 5/16/06).
"Dancing with the Stars" (8:00-9:00 p.m.)
A condensed encore of "Dancing with the Stars" posted ABC's best numbers in the 8 o'clock hour in both Total Viewers (9.1 million) and Adults 18-49 (2.1/6) in 7 weeks � since 4/10/07.
"Dancing with the Stars the Results Show - TU" (9:00-10:01 p.m.)
Building on its lead-in by 9.3 million viewers and by 129% among young adults against Fox's "Idol"-fueled "House" during the 9 o'clock hour, ABC's "Dancing with the Stars the Results Show" finished a competitive second in its time period with a season best performance in Total Viewers (18.1 million) and Adults 18-49 (4.8/12). ABC's dancing results program outperformed CBS' special telecast of the "42nd Annual Academy of Country Music Awards" in the hour by 9.1 million viewers and by 71% in Adults 18-49 (CBS = 9.3 million viewers & 2.8/7 in AD18-49). TV and Broadway star Ian Ziering was eliminated on Tuesday, leaving the competition with its final three couples heading into this week's
2-hour season finale.
� "DWTS the Results Show" logged ABC's largest audience and highest Adult 18-49 rating in the hour in nearly 6 months � since 11/14/06 and 11/21/06, respectively.
Boston Legal" (10:01-11:00 p.m.)
ABC's "Boston Legal" was up over the prior week by 3% in Total Viewers (10.3 million vs. 10.0 million) and by 8% among Adults 18-49 (2.7/7 vs. 2.5/7), delivering its strongest performance in 5 weeks � since 4/10/07.
Wednesday
"Lost" (10:00-11:00 p.m.)
Jumping from its lead-in by 8.4 million viewers (12.3 million vs. 3.9 million) and by 189% in young adults (5.2/14 vs. 1.8/4), "Lost" dominated the 10 o'clock hour, beating season finales on CBS ("C.S.I.: NY") and NBC ("Medium") across the key adult demographics. In the time slot, ABC's "Lost" outdelivered second-place CBS, with the season closer of "C.S.I.: NY," by 76% in Adults 18-34 (4.4/13 vs. 2.5/7), by 30% in Adults 18-49 (5.2/14 vs. 4.0/10) and by 21% in Adults 25-54 (5.8/14 vs. 4.8/12).
� "Lost" was up week to week among Total Viewers (12.3 million vs. 12.1 million) and across each of the key adult demographics: AD18-34 (4.4/13 vs. 4.3/13), AD18-49 (5.2/14 vs. 5.0/13) and AD25-54 (5.8/14 vs. 5.6/14). Leading up to this week's 2-hour season finale, the show matched its largest audience in 9 weeks � since 3/14/07.
� The ABC drama has topped Wednesday's 10 o'clock hour in the key Adult 18-49 sales demographic on all 15 telecasts since entering its new time slot. In addition, it ranks as No. 1 scripted program on Wednesday this season and has been the top-rated scripted series of the night among Adults 18-49 for 6 consecutive weeks.
� Despite its late time period and declining overall television usage levels, "Lost" grew by nearly 1 million viewers (11.9 million to 12.8 million) and by 8% among young adults (5.0/13 to 5.4/15) from its first half-hour to its second half-hour.
� The penultimate episode this season for "Lost" improved its hour for ABC over the same night last year by 4.7 million viewers and 73% in Adults 18-49 (7.6 million & 3.0/8 on 5/17/06).
Thursday
ABC capped off the final Thursday of the 2006-07 TV season and the '07 May Sweep with a commanding victory in the key Adult 18-49 sales demographic, outdelivering its nearest competition on the evening by 31% (5.9/16 vs. 4.5/12 - CBS). The Network also ranked No. 1 on Thursday among Adults 25-54 (6.6/17), Adults 18-34 (5.3/17) and among Teens 12-17 (2.6/9). The Network was up from the same night last year (5/18/06) by 9.4 million viewers (15.2 million vs. 5.8 million and by 181% in Adults 18-49 (5.9/16 vs. 2.1/6).
� Leading all 4 Thursdays of the 2007 May Sweep, ABC marked its first Adult 18-49 victory on the night during a May Sweep in over 15 years � predating the start of Nielsen's electronic database in September 1991. The Network posted its highest Adult 18-49 average (5.8/16) on any Thursday during a May Sweep period in 13 years � since May 1994.
� During the 2006-07 TV season, ABC emerged as the No. 1 network on Thursday for the first time in decades, showing substantial gains on the evening. The Net ranked No. 1 on Thursday night during the television season among Adults 18-49, leading the night for the first time in 3 decades. In fact ABC's Thursday qualified as the third-highest-rated night of TV for any network this season in the key young adult sales demographic, behind only Fox's "Idol"-driven Tuesday and Wednesday nights, respectively. On average, ABC exhibited tremendous growth on lucrative Thursday night, with across-the-board gains and triple-digit increases among Adults 18-34: Total Viewers (+56%), Adults 25-54 (+71%), Adults 18-49 (+86%), Adults 18-34 (+134%), Teens 12-17 (+58%) and Kids 2-11 (+17%).
"Ugly Betty" (8:00-9:00 p.m.)
In its first season finale, ABC's "Ugly Betty" finished a strong second in its hour among Total Viewers (10.5 million) and Adults 18-49 (3.6/11), while ranking No. 1 across each of the women demographics: W18-34 (4.8/15), W18-49 (5.4/15) and W25-54 (6.2/17). Winning its hour by 17% over its nearest competition among Women 18-34 (4.8/15 vs. 4.1/13 � NBC's "The Office" season finale), "Betty" delivered the No. 1 position in its time slot with young women on all 22 of its regularly scheduled original telecasts during its freshman season.
� In its season closer, "Ugly Betty" saw its audience jump from the prior week by 9% in Total Viewers and by 20% in Adults 18-49 (9.6 million & 3.0/10 on 5/10/07). In its season ender, the freshman show matched its highest Adult 18-49 rating in 3 months � since 2/15/07.
"Grey's Anatomy" (9:00-10:15 p.m.)
Thursday's No. 1 TV show for the '06-07 season in Adults 18-49, ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" was also the top show on the season's final Thursday in both Total Viewers and Adults 18-49. The season finale of "Grey's Anatomy" topped the No. 2 show of the evening, CBS' season finale of "C.S.I." (9:00-10:01 p.m.), by 2.2 million viewers (22.6 million vs. 20.4 million) and by 47% in Adults 18-49 (9.1/23 vs. 6.2/16).
� "Grey's" attracted its largest audience since March and equaled its top Adult 18-49 rating since February � since 3/15/07 and 2/22/07, respectively.
� The ABC medical drama defeated the CBS crime drama in the key Adult 18-49 sales demographic on all 19 of their original match-ups during the season.
"Lost: The Answers" (10:15-11:00 p.m.)
ABC's special clip-show, "Lost: The Answers," received solid exposure prior to the show's 2-hour season finale this coming Wednesday on 5/23/07 (9.1 million viewers & 3.7/10 in Adults 18-49). The special beat its competition in the 10 o'clock hour, including the season finale of NBC's "ER," among Adults 18-34 (3.1/10).
Friday
"America's Funniest Home Videos" (8:00-9:00 p.m.)
Part 2 of the season finale for "America's Funniest Home Videos" won its time period in Total Viewers (6.6 million) and Adults 18-49 (1.8/7). Including its performance in its regular Sunday 7 o'clock hour, "AFHV" ranked No. 1 in its time slot among Adults 18-49 on each of its final 6 telecasts of the season.
"National Bingo Night" (9:00-10:00 p.m.)
ABC's series debut of "National Bingo Night" earned second place in its hour among Adults 25-54 (2.2/7) and Teens 12-17 (1.3/6), and finished within 1 audience share of first-place CBS in its time period among Adults 18-49 (1.8/6 vs. 2.1/7). The show built on its "Home Videos" lead-in with Adults 18-34 (1.3/5 vs. 1.2/5) and Adults 25-54 (2.2/7 vs. 2.1/8), while holding all of its lead in Adults 18-49.
� "National Bingo Night" produced ABC's largest audience (6.2 million) in the time period in 14 weeks � since 2/9/07.
� Leading up to the show's premiere, approximately 20 million Bingo Cards were printed by the public for at-home play via ABC.com.
"20/20" (10:00-11:00 p.m.)
Competing against season finales of CBS' "Numbers" and NBC's "Law & Order," ABC News' "20/20" took second place in the 10 o'clock hour among Adults 18-34 (1.8/7-tie) and ranked No. 1 among Men 18-34 (1.4/6-tie).
Sunday
ABC took top honors on the final Sunday of the '06-07 TV Season, leading its nearest competition by 4.9 million viewers (12.8 million vs. 7.9 million � CBS) and by 31% in Adults 18-49 (4.7/13 vs. 3.6/10 � Fox). In fact ABC won all 4 Sundays of the 2007 May Sweep in the key Adult 18-49 sales demographic, ranking No. 1 on the evening for the 8th week in a row.
� In Total Viewers and Adults 18-49, the Net posted its top-rated Sunday in 11 weeks � since 3/4/07.
� For the 7th straight week, ABC's "Desperate Housewives" is Sunday's No. 1 TV show in Total Viewers and Adults 18-49. ABC claimed the Top 3 TV shows of the night in Adults 18-49 with "Housewives," "Home Edition" and "Brothers & Sisters."
"Extreme Makeover: Home Edition-7PM" (7:00-8:00 p.m.)
The first part of the season finale for "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" bested its closest competition during the 7 o'clock hour by 25% among Adults 18-49 (2.5/9 vs. 2.0/7 � Fox). ABC ranked No. 1 in the time period with young adults for the 6th week in a row.
"Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" (8:00-9:00 p.m.)
ABC's season finale of "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" surged from its lead-in to outdraw the 1-hour season finale of Fox's "The Simpsons" by 2.5 million viewers (12.6 million vs. 9.9 million) during the 8 o'clock hour. ABC and Fox tied for No. 1 in Adults 18-49 (4.5/13) The broad appealing ABC unscripted show also ranked No. 1 in its time period in Adults 25-54 (4.9/13) and across the women demographics (W18-34 � 4.9/15, W18-49 � 6.1/17 & W25-54 � 6.6/17).
� "Home Edition" attracted its biggest audience and top Adult 18-49 number in 10 weeks � since 3/11/07.
"Desperate Housewives" (9:00-10:02 p.m.)
Sunday's No. 1 TV show for the 7th straight week, ABC's "Desperate Housewives" towered over the 9 o'clock hour in its season finale. "Housewives" outperformed second-place Fox in the time period by 10.4 million viewers (18.8 million vs. 8.4 million) and by 76% in Adults 18-49 (7.2/17 vs. 4.1/10).
� "Desperate Housewives" generated its largest audience in 6 months and its top Adult 18-49 rating in 11 weeks � since 11/26/06 and 3/4/07, respectively.
"Brothers & Sisters" (10:02-11:00 p.m.)
On its freshman season finale, ABC's "Brothers & Sisters" dominated the 10 o'clock hour in viewers and young adults. "Brothers & Sisters" outdrew second-place NBC by 4.8 million viewers (12.3 million vs. 7.5 million) and beat the combined delivery of CBS and NBC in the slot by 5% among Adults 18-49 (4.5/12 vs. 4.3/11).
� "Brothers & Sisters" marked the series' best Total Viewer number in over 5 months and its strongest Adult 18-49 number in 11 weeks � since 1/14/07 and 3/4/07, respectively.
Source: Nielsen Media Research, NTI (Live + Same Day or Most Current), week of 5/14/07, or as dated.
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