Primetime Ratings Report For the week of October 29, 2007 (Based on National Live + Same Day Program Ratings)
ABC Defeats an NFL Overrun-Boosted CBS to Win the Week in Adults 18-49, Ranking as the No. 1 Network for the 4th Time in the 6 Weeks This Season
ABC Airs 7 of the Week's Top 20 TV Shows in Adults 18-49, the Most
For Any Net, Including the Top 2 Series with "Grey's" and "Housewives"
ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" is Monday's Top Draw for the Sixth Straight Week, Delivering TV's Second-Most-Watched Telecast of the 2007-08 TV Season and
Marking ABC's Largest Non-Sports Audience in the Time Slot in Over 7 Years
Television's Most-Watched Sitcom, ABC's "Samantha Who?" is Up
Week to Week in Viewers and Delivers a Series High Among Adults 18-34
ABC's "The Bachelor" Scores Season Highs in Total Viewers and Adults 18-49
ABC's Annual Telecast of "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" Wins Tuesday
At 8pm in Adults 18-49, Drawing the Peanuts Classic's Largest Audience in 4 Years
Tuesday's Most-Watched TV Show, ABC's "DWTS the Results Show" Outdraws Fox's "House" for the First Time This Season, with Season Highs in Viewers, Teens and Kids
ABC's "Boston Legal" Tallies its Biggest Tuesday Audience in More than 1-1/2 Years
"Pushing Daisies" Dominates Wednesday's 8pm Hour in Viewers and Adults 18-49,
Qualifying as the Top-Rated Series in its Slot with Key Adults on All 5 of its Airings
For Six Weeks Straight, "Private Practice" is Wednesday's Top Series in Adults 18-49
Taking Second in its Slot to CBS' Veteran "C.S.I.: NY," ABC's "Dirty Sexy Money" Bests NBC's Competing 10pm Freshman Drama, "Life," by its Biggest Margins Yet
Growing its Adult 18-49 Audience for the Second Week in a Row, "Ugly Betty"
Wins in Adults 18-34 and Women 18-34 with its Top Numbers Since Season Premiere
Thursday's No. 1 TV Show in Adults 18-49 for the Sixth Consecutive Week, "Grey's Anatomy" Posts its Best Viewers and Young Adult Numbers Since its Season Opener
Friday's Most-Watched Television Show, ABC's "Women's Murder Club"
Leads Friday at 9pm in Total Viewers for the Fourth Consecutive Week
"Desperate Housewives" is Sunday's Top TV Series for the Sixth Straight Week
WEEK No. 6:
For the 4th time in the 6 weeks so far this season, ABC qualified as the No. 1 network during primetime among Adults 18-49. ABC (3.6/10) beat out second-place CBS (3.5/10) for the week in the key sales demo, despite the boost that the Eye Net received in its weekly averages from an ultra-high-rated NFL overrun into Sunday's prime (New England-Indianapolis). NBC (3.0/8) and Fox (2.7/7) finished a distant third and fourth for the week in the key sales demo, respectively. ABC also ranked No. 1 for the week in Adults 18-34 (2.8/8 � tied w/NBC). For the 6th consecutive week this season, ABC was the definitive No. 1 network across all key women demographics, beating out its nearest competitors by considerable margins: W18-34 +41% (3.8/11 vs. 2.7/8 � Fox and CBS tied), W18-49 +23% (4.8/13 vs. 3.9/10 � CBS) and W25-54 +12% (5.6/14 vs. 5.0/12 � CBS).
� ABC attracted its largest audience (11.3 million) in 5 weeks � best since season premiere week (w/o 9/24/07).
Rankings: ABC claimed 7 of the week's Top 20 programs among Adults 18-49, more than any other network, including the Top 2 TV series with "Grey's Anatomy" and "Desperate Housewives": "Grey's Anatomy" � No. 1, "Desperate Housewives" � No. 2, "Dancing with the Stars-MON" � No. 8, "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" � No. 15, "Brothers & Sisters" � No. 16, "Samantha Who?," � No. 18 and "Dancing with the Stars the Results-TU" � No. 20. The Network claimed 4 of the Top 6 most-watched television series, including the Top 2 with "Dancing with the Stars" and "Grey's Anatomy": "Dancing with the Stars-MON" � No. 1, "Grey's Anatomy" � No. 2, "Dancing with the Stars the Results-TU" � No. 5 and "Desperate Housewives" � No. 6. On Sunday ABC's "Brothers & Sisters" ranked as the No. 1 TV program during the 10 o'clock hour for the week among Adults 18-49 � tied with CBS' Monday telecast of "C.S.I.: Miami." ABC newcomer "Samantha Who?" emerged as TV's most-watched sitcom, drawing more viewers than CBS' "Two and a Half Men."
A note about increasing DVR penetration and year to year rating comparisons: Year-to-year rating trends based on the Live + Same Day data stream may be somewhat distorted by the level of DVR penetration in the Nielsen sample, which has more than doubled from approximately 9% during the same point in 2006 up to nearly 21% currently. More viewers are watching shows on their own timetables, which may not be reflected in the overnight next day numbers. Therefore, 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.
Monday
With the Net's Monday night lineup featuring "Dancing with the Stars," "Samantha Who?" and "The Bachelor," ABC was the most-watched TV network on the night for the sixth week in a row, towering over second-place CBS by 4.8 million viewers (16.5 million vs. 11.7 million). Trailing only ESPN during prime with another high-rated "Monday Night Football" contest (Green Bay-Denver), ABC took second on the night in Adults 18-49 (4.7/12).
"Dancing with the Stars" (8:00-9:32 p.m.)
ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" stood as Monday night's No. 1 program in Total Viewers (21.4 million), representing a season-high performance in viewers for the second straight week and ranking as the most-watched show of the night for the sixth week running. In addition, the broad skewing unscripted dance competition also stood as the No. 1 TV program of the evening in Women 18-49 (7.6/18), Adults 25-54 (6.6/15) and Women 25-54 (9.6/21).
� Drawing 21.4 million viewers, "Dancing with the Stars" stands as the second-most-watched telecast in prime for the 2007-08 TV season (behind only the season premiere of CBS' "C.S.I."). Additionally, the ABC telecast drew the Net's highest Total Viewer count in the time period in over 7 years � since 5/1/00, non-sports.
"Samantha Who?" (9:32-10:02 p.m.)
The season's No. 1 new comedy, ABC's "Samantha Who?" was up week to week in Total Viewers (14.2 million vs. 13.7 million) and hit a series high in Adults 18-34 (3.5/8). The new show again held 100% of its Adult 18-49 audience week to week (4.5/10). The comedy led its half-hour among Total Viewers and across each of the key Women demographics: Women 18-34 (5.2/12), Women 18-49 (6.7/15) and Women 25-54 (7.8/17).
� "Samantha Who?" built on its lead-in among Adults 18-34 (3.5/8 vs. 3.4/9) and Women 18-34 (5.2/12 vs. 4.9/13), ranking as the No. 1 TV program of the night in the latter measure.
"The Bachelor" (10:02-11:00 p.m.)
Placing second in its hour to CBS veteran "C.S.I.: Miami," ABC's "The Bachelor" defeated NBC's "Journeyman" in the hour by 4.0 million viewers (9.8 million vs. 5.8 million) and by 64% in Adults 18-49 (3.6/9 vs. 2.2/6). The ABC unscripted series ranked No. 1 in its time slot among Women 18-34 (4.5/11).
� "The Bachelor" scored season-high numbers in both viewers and young adults with the Net's best performance in the hour in 5 months � since 5/21/07.
Tuesday
ABC stood as the most-watched television network on Tuesday evening (14.0 million), while taking second across the key adult demos: AD18-34 (2.3/7), AD18-49 (3.7/10) and AD25-54 (4.6/12).
� In Total Viewers and Adults 18-49, ABC posted its best Tuesday in 5 weeks � since season premiere Tuesday on 9/25/07.
"It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" (8:00-9:00 p.m.)
ABC's special annual telecast of "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" won its time period among Adults 18-49, besting the second-place nets by 15% in the hour (3.8/11 vs. 3.3/9 � CBS and Fox tied). The animated Halloween special also held the No. 1 position in the hour among Women 18-49 (4.7/13), Women 18-34 (3.5/10-tie), Teens 12-17 (2.5/8) and Kids 2-11 (6.1/21). The Peanuts holiday classic first aired 41 years ago on October 27, 1966. In fact the show delivered the highest-rated telecast with Kids 2-11 for any program on the broadcast networks so far this season.
� "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" was up over its performance last year at this time (Friday, 10/27/06) by 3.6 million viewers (11.4 million vs. 7.8 million) and by 46% among Adults 18-49 (3.8/11 vs. 2.6/9). It was the largest audience for the Peanuts Halloween special in 4 years � since 10/28/03.
"Dancing with the Stars the Results Show" (9:00-10:02 p.m.)
For the first time this season, ABC's "Dancing with the Stars the Results Show" outdrew "House," topping the Fox drama by 1.6 million viewers to win the 9 o'clock hour (18.9 million vs. 17.3 million) and emerge as Tuesday's most-watched TV show. The ABC dancing results show delivered a solid second in the hour in Adults 18-49 (4.3/10) to Fox, beating out third-place NBC's "Biggest Loser" by 39% (3.1/7) and fourth-place CBS' "The Unit" by 59% (2.7/7). Actress and recording artist Sabrina Bryan was the sixth celebrity dancer to be eliminated from the competition this season.
� ABC's "DWTS the Results Show" increased its overall audience for the fourth straight week, achieving a season high with Total Viewers (18.9 million), Teens 12-17 (2.1/7) and Kids 2-11 (3.1/13).
"Boston Legal" (10:02-11:00 p.m.)
ABC's "Boston Legal" stood as the most-watched show in the 10 o'clock hour, outdistancing its nearest competitor by 2.8 million viewers (11.4 million vs. 8.6 million � "L&O: SVU" replay). The ABC legal drama also ranked No. 1 in the time period among Adults 25-54 (4.1/10) and Adults 18-49 (3.0/8). "Boston Legal" beat CBS' third-place "Cane" by a best-ever 3.3 million viewers and by 50% in Adults 18-49 ("Cane" = 8.1 million and 2.0/5).
� "Boston Legal" delivered the series' biggest audience on the night in more than 1-1/2 years � 3/7/06.
Wednesday
For the fifth time in the six weeks this season, ABC ranked as the No. 1 network on Wednesday among Adults 18-49 (3.1/9-tie). ABC was also the highest-rated network on Halloween evening in Adults 18-34 (2.6/8) and across the key women demographics: W18-34 (3.8/12), W18-49 (4.2/12) and W25-54 (5.2/13).
Please note: Due to the nature of Halloween, as many viewers were preoccupied with festivities surrounding the holiday, overall TV usage declined substantially week to week. Versus the prior Wednesday, overall Household television usage dropped -7% (HUT = 58.6 vs. 63.2) and Adult 18-49 usage dropped by -11% (AD18-49 PUT = 34.7 vs. 38.8). Among Women 18-34, week to week TV usage declined an even sharper -15% (31.0 vs. 36.6).
"Pushing Daisies" (8:00-9:00 p.m.)
"Pushing Daisies" dominated the 8 o'clock hour, beating out its nearest competitors by 1.9 million viewers (8.6 million vs. 6.7 million � CBS' "Kid Nation") and by 35% in Adults 18-49 (2.7/8 vs. 2.0/6 � CBS' "Kid Nation" and NBC's "Phenomenon" tied). In fact ABC's "Daisies" has been No. 1 television series in the 8 o'clock hour for five straight weeks (on each of its telecasts) across each of the adult demographics (AD18-34/AD18-49/AD25-54).
"Private Practice" (9:00-10:02 p.m.)
ABC's "Private Practice" stood as Wednesday's No. 1 TV series with young adults for the sixth week in a row. Among Adults 18-49 during the 9 o'clock hour, ABC's "Private Practice" (3.8/10) defeated CBS' "Criminal Minds" by 6% (3.6/10) and NBC's second half of a 2-hour "Phenomenon" by 46% (2.6/7). In addition to standing as the highest-rated TV series of the night in Adults 18-49, "Private Practice" was also Wednesday's No. 1 TV program with Adults18-34, leading its nearest time slot competition by 48% (3.4/10 vs. 2.3/7 � NBC).
"Dirty Sexy Money" (10:02-11:00 p.m.)
Taking second to CBS' veteran "C.S.I.: NY," ABC's "Dirty Sexy Money" defeated its freshman drama competition during the 10 o'clock hour, NBC's "Life," by a best-ever 2.5 million viewers (8.2 million vs. 5.7 million) and by 47% in Adults 18-49 (2.8/8 vs. 1.9/5). The new ABC series won its time period in Adults 18-34 (2.3/7) and Women 18-34 (3.2/10), qualifying as the No. 2 TV program of the evening on both counts, behind only "Private Practice."
� "Dirty Sexy Money" was up from the prior week among Men 18-49 (1.9/5 vs. 1.8/5) and Men 25-54 (2.3/6 vs. 2.2/6), with its best number in 3 weeks on the latter measure � since 10/10/07.
Thursday
ABC won the opening night of the 2007 November Sweep among Adults 18-49 (5.1/13), its 4th time in the past 5 weeks to deliver the No. 1 position on the night. For the sixth week in a row, the Net took first place Thursday evening in Adults 18-34 (5.2/14) and across all key women demographics: W18-34 (7.6/19), W18-49 (7.3/17) and W25-54 (7.5/17).
� ABC delivered its top Total Viewer (12.6 million) and Adult 18-49 (5.1/13) numbers on Thursday in 3 weeks � since 10/11/07. The Net was up from the opening night of the '06 November Sweep in Adults 18-34 (5.2/14 vs. 5.0/14) and Women 18-34 (7.6/19 vs. 7.2/19).
"Ugly Betty" (8:00-9:00 p.m.)
Taking second to CBS' "Survivor: China" from 8:00-9:00 p.m., ABC's "Ugly Betty" beat its comedy competition in the hour ("My Name is Earl") by 2.6 million viewers (9.9 million vs. 7.3 million) and by 6% in Adults 18-49 (3.4/9 vs. 3.2/9). "Betty" ranked No. 1 in its time slot by wide margins over second-place "Survivor: China" in Adults 18-34 (+13% - 3.5/10 vs. 3.1/9) and Women 18-34 (+51% - 5.3/14 vs. 3.5/9). In fact the ABC sophomore series won its time period for the sixth straight week with Women 18-34, ranking as Thursday's No. 2 TV show among its core audience of young women (behind only "Grey's Anatomy").
� For the second week in a row, ABC's "Ugly Betty" increased its Adult 18-49 delivery (3.4/9 vs. 3.3/9). The show posted its best ratings since its season premiere in Adults 18-34 and Women 18-34.
"Grey's Anatomy" (9:00-10:07 p.m.)
ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" ranked No. 1 during the 9 o'clock hour and stood as Thursday's top television program in Total Viewers (19.3 million) and across each of the key adult demographics: Adults 18-34 (8.4/21), Adults 18-49 (8.1/19) and Adults 25-54 (8.4/19). In fact it was the first time this season that "Grey's" has topped an original "C.S.I." in Total Viewers. The ABC medical drama beat out the CBS crime drama by a best-of-season 42% in Adults 18-49 (8.1/19 vs. 5.7/14). It's the sixth consecutive week that "Grey's Anatomy" has been Thursday's No. 1 program in the key young adult sales demographic.
� For the second straight Thursday, ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" saw week-to-week gains in both Total Viewers (19.3 million vs. 18.2 million) and Adults 18-49 (8.1/19 vs. 7.4/18), turning in its top numbers since its season premiere on 9/27/07.
"Big Shots" (10:07-11:00 p.m.)
In the final hour of the night against veteran dramas on CBS ("Without a Trace") and NBC ("ER"), ABC's freshman "Big Shots" ranked No. 2 among Adults 18-34 (3.0/9) and Women 18-34 (3.9/11), ahead of CBS.
� "Big Shots" was up from the prior week among Adults 18-49 (3.1/8 vs. 3.0/8).
Friday
"Women's Murder Club" (9:00-10:02 p.m.)
Continuing to surge from its lead-in among viewers and young adults, ABC's "Women's Murder Club" stood as Friday's most-watched TV show and led the 9 o'clock hour for the fourth straight week, outdrawing CBS' second-place "Moonlight" by 2.0 million viewers (9.6 million vs. 7.6 million). The new ABC drama finished 11% ahead of NBC's competing sophomore drama, "Friday Night Lights," among Adults 18-49 (2.0/6 vs. 1.8/5).
� "Women's Murder Club" was up from the prior week by 8% in Total Viewers (9.6 million vs. 8.9 million) and by 5% among Adults 18-49 (2.0/6 vs. 1.9/6).
Sunday
Competing on the evening against CBS with its ultra-high-rated NFL overrun into prime (dubbed the "mid-season Super Bowl" -- New England vs. Indianapolis) and NBC with "Sunday Night Football" (Dallas vs. Philadelphia), ABC won Sunday night for the 6th week in a row across the key women demographics: W18-34 (4.7/13), W18-49 (6.2/15) and W25-54 (7.0/16).
"Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" (8:00-9:00 p.m.)
During the 8 o'clock hour, ABC's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" placed first during its hour among Women 18-49 (6.0/14) and Women 25-54 (6.6/14).
"Desperate Housewives" (9:00-10:01 p.m.)
Sunday's No. 1 TV series for the sixth straight week in viewers and young adults, ABC's "Desperate Housewives" was the most-watched show in the 9 o'clock hour, outdrawing second-place NBC (18.6 million vs. 18.0 million).
� "Desperate Housewives" drew it largest audience in three weeks � since 10/14/07.
"Brothers & Sisters" (10:01-11:00 p.m.)
ABC's "Brothers & Sisters" defeated its drama competition in the final hour of Sunday's prime, CBS' combination of "Cold Case"/"Shark," by 59% in Adults 18-49 (4.6/13 vs. 2.9/8). The ABC sophomore drama won the hour across each of the key women demographics: W18-34 (5.0/15), W18-49 (6.6/17) and W25-54 (7.5/18).
A note about increasing DVR penetration and year to year rating comparisons: Year-to-year rating trends based on the Live + Same Day data stream may be somewhat distorted by the level of DVR penetration in the Nielsen sample, which has more than doubled from nearly 9% during the same point in 2006 to more than 20% currently. More viewers are watching shows on their own timetables, which may not be reflected in the overnight next day numbers. Therefore, 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: Nielsen Media Research (National Live+Same Day Program Ratings), week of 10/29/07, unless stated otherwise.
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