Primetime Ratings Report
For the week of November 16, 2009
(Based on National Live + Same Day Program Ratings)
ABC Finishes No. 1 for the 2nd Week in a Row in Adults 18-49, Airing the
No. 1 Non-Sports Show, the No. 1 Scripted Show and the No. 1 New Show
ABC Claims 3 of the Top 4 Award Show Telecasts for 2009 in Adults 18-49,
As the "Oscars," "AMAs" and "CMA Awards" Each Post Year-to-Year Gains
Generating its Most-Watched Monday in Over 6 Months, ABC
Finishes No. 1 on the Night in Viewers for the 5th Time in 6 Weeks
Drawing its Biggest Audience This Season, "DWTS" Registers as
Monday's Most-Watched TV Series Telecast for the 9th Week in a Row
Continuing to Dominate NBC's "Leno" in the 10pm Hour, ABC's "Castle"
Hits Season Highs with its Most-Watched Broadcast in More than 8 Months
Opposite Stiff Competition, "V" Delivers Strong Year-to-Year Improvement for ABC
ABC's "DWTS the Results" is the Top Draw in its Tuesday 9pm Slot for the
2nd Straight Week, Beating CBS' "NCIS: Los Angeles" by 1.1 Million Viewers
All of ABC's Wednesday Comedies Grow from Their Most Recent Telecasts
"The Middle" is No. 1 in its Slot in Adults 18-49, Posting Best-Since-Debut Numbers
ABC's "Modern Family" Finishes as Wednesday's No. 1 TV Show in Adults 18-49
Wednesday at 10pm, "In the Spotlight with Robin Roberts" Beats "NBC's "Leno," and Excluding the Prior Week's "CMAs," Pulls ABC's Best Results in the Slot in 8 Weeks
Freshman "FlashForward" Beats NBC's Comedies in its Hour by Sizable Margins
Towering Over the 9 O'clock Hour in Adults 18-49, "Grey's Anatomy"
Registers as Thursday's No. 1 Television Series for the 9th Week in a Row
Improving its Hour Year to Year by Wide Margins in Viewers and Young Adults, "Private Practice" is the No.1 Series in its Slot in Adults 18-34 for 8 Weeks Running
"Shrek the Third" Generates ABC's Top Adult 18-49 Number in its Friday Slot
Since Early February and its Largest Audience Since the Beginning of March
ABC News' "20/20" Wins the 10 O'clock Hour in Viewers and Key Adults,
Drawing the Newsmagazine's 2nd-Biggest Audience in the Last 8 Months
Marking its 4th Straight Year of Young Adult Growth, ABC's "AMAs" Generates
Its Biggest Audience Since 2002 and its Highest Adult 18-49 Number Since 2004
WEEK No. 9:
During the week of November 16, 2009, ABC finished No. 1 for the 2nd week in a row among Adults 18-49 (3.0/9).
� 2009 November Sweep Standings (25 of 28 nights): Based on all programming in Nielsen's Most Current averages ABC ranks No. 2 in November among Adults 18-49 (3.1/9) to a World Series-inflated Fox. In the non-sports averages, ABC (3.4/9) is pacing a definitive No. 1 for the '09 November Sweep, outdelivering No. 2 CBS by 17% (2.9/8), No. 3 Fox by 42% (2.4/6) and No. 4 NBC by 70% (2.0/6).
ABC 2009 Award Show Ranks: ABC wrapped up a highly successful year with its Award Show broadcasts, claiming 3 of the Top 4 in the key Adult 18-49 sales demo, including the 2009 "Oscars" (No. 1), "American Music Awards" (No. 3) and "CMA Awards" (No. 4). All 3 of ABC's Award Shows were up year to year in both Total Viewers and Adults 18-49, as the "CMA Awards" also produced its biggest overall audience in 4 years (since 2005) and the "AMAs" marked its most-watched broadcast in 7 years (since 2002).
Rankings: ABC aired 4 of the week's Top 15 television programs in Adults 18-49, including the week's No. 1 non-sports programs, the No. 1 scripted show and the No. 1 freshman series: "American Music Awards" � No. 2 (No. 1 non-sports show), "Grey's Anatomy" � No. 3 (No. 1 scripted show), "Dancing with the Stars" � No. 9 and "Modern Family" � No. 14 (No. 1 freshman series). The Network placed
4 of Top 10 most-watched television programs overall during the week: "Dancing with the Stars" � No. 2, "DWTS the Results" � No. 4, "American Music Awards" � No. 9 and "Grey's Anatomy" � No. 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 33% currently, from 28% at the same point in 2008. 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.
Monday
For the 5th time in the last 6 weeks, ABC finished as Monday's most-watched network (16.2 million), outdrawing CBS by 4.7 million viewers (11.5 million), Fox by 6.2 million viewers (10.0 million) and NBC by 11.3 million viewers (4.9 million).
� Building for the 2nd straight week and surging week-to-week by 1.1 million viewers (16.2 million vs. 15.1 million) and by 10% in Adults 18-49 (3.4/9 vs. 3.1/8), ABC tallied a season-high with Total Viewers and posted a best-since premiere young adult number. In fact the Net generated its most-watched Monday in more than 6 months � since 5/4/09.
"Dancing with the Stars" (8:00-10:02 p.m.)
Garnering a season-high, ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" registered as Monday's No. 1 telecast in Total Viewers (18.8 million), standing as TV's most-watched series program on Monday for the 9th week running this season. The ABC dance competition built its audience from its first hour to its second hour in both Total Viewers (18.2 million to 19.5 million) and Adults 18-49 (3.7/10 to 4.1/10). In fact among Adults 18-49 in the 9 o'clock hour, "Dancing with the Stars" towered over original dramas on Fox (+52% - 2.7/7 with "Lie to Me") and NBC (+128% - 1.8/4 with "Trauma").
� "DWTS" won its 2-hour time period for the 8th consecutive week among Women 18-49 (5.5/13) and Women 25-54 (7.4/16).
� "Dancing" produced its most-watched telecast this season (18.8 million) and posted a best-since-premiere number among Adults 18-49 (3.9/10).
"Castle" (10:02-11:00 p.m.)
Hitting season-highs in viewers and young adults, ABC's "Castle" overshadowed NBC's "Jay Leno" in the 10 o'clock hour in Total Viewers (best-ever margin of +6.0 million viewers � 10.5 million vs. 4.5 million) and Adults 18-49 (+79% - 2.5/7 vs. 1.4/4). In fact "Castle" generated its biggest audience in over 8 months (since 3/16/09) and the series' 3rd-most-watched telecast ever.
� One of TV's biggest gainers in the 10 o'clock hour this season, ABC's "Castle" is generating substantial increases over its first-reported numbers through DVR playback, picking up an average 1.7 million viewers and an additional 6-tenths of an Adult 18-49 rating point (+26%) from the initially reported Live + Same Day Numbers to the Live + 7 Day DVR finals.
� On average, "Castle" is greatly improving the time period year to year for ABC, growing its hour over the same nights last year with "Boston Legal" in both Total Viewers (+1.7 million � 10.8 million vs. 9.1 million) and Adults 18-49 (+17% - 2.8/7 vs. 2.4/6).
Tuesday
ABC earned second place on Tuesday to CBS in Total Viewers (11.0 million), outdrawing NBC by 2.7 million (8.3 million) and Fox by 5.0 million (6.0 million).
"V" (8:00-9:01 p.m.)
ABC freshman "V" attracted 9.3 million viewers and a 3.1 rating, 9 share in Adults 18-49, leading the first hour of time-slot regular Fox's "So You Think You Can Dance" by 2.8 million viewers and by 24% in Adults 18-49 (6.5 million & 2.5/7).
� For the 3rd consecutive week, the ABC drama ranked No. 1 in the 8 o'clock hour among Men 18-34 (2.7/9), while taking second among Men 18-49 (3.2/10) and Men 25-54 (3.9/10). In addition, "V" ranked as the No. 1 program on Tuesday among Men 18-34 for the 3rd week running.
� Versus the year-ago November Sweep night, "V" improved the hour for ABC by 29% in Adults 18-49 (2.4/6 on 11/18/08).
"Dancing with the Stars the Results" (9:01-10:01 p.m.)
Ranking No. 1 in its time period in Total Viewers for the 2nd week in a row, Tuesday's most-watched unscripted TV show, ABC's "Dancing with the Stars the Results" outperformed CBS' "NCIS: Los Angeles" by 1.1 million viewers (16.0 million vs. 14.9 million). "DWTS the Results" topped the second hour of NBC's "Biggest Loser" (9.5 million) during the 9 o'clock hour by best-ever 6.5 million viewers. In addition, the ABC dance competition dominated Fox's dance program in the hour, beating the second hour of "So You Think You Can Dance" by 10.6 million viewers (16.0 million vs. 5.4 million) and by 39% in Adults 18-49 (3.2/9 vs. 2.3/6).
"the forgotten" (10:01-11:00 p.m.)
Taking second to CBS' "The Good Wife" in the 10 o'clock hour, ABC's "the forgotten" defeated NBC's "Jay Leno" by 1.5 million viewers (7.5 million vs. 6.0 million).
� "the forgotten" is generating substantial increases over its first-reported numbers through DVR playback, picking up an average 1.0 million viewers and an additional 3-tenths of an Adult 18-49 rating point (+14%) from the initially reported Live + Same Day Numbers to the Live + 7 Day DVR finals.
Wednesday
ABC took second place on Wednesday night in Total Viewers (7.3 million) and Adults 18-34 (2.1/7), while ranking as the No. 1 broadcaster with Men 18-34 (1.7/6).
� After its Wednesday lineup was preempted the prior week for the "CMAs," ABC was up from its two-weeks-ago delivery by 1.3 million viewers (7.3 million vs. 6.0 million) and by 23% in Adults 18-49 (2.6/7 vs. 2.1/6). In fact excluding the prior week's "CMA" telecast, ABC posted its best Wednesday results since September � since 9/30/09.
� The Network was also up sharply from its performance on the year-ago November Sweep Wednesday, growing by 24% in Total Viewers and by 30% in Adults 18-49 (5.9 million and 2.0/5 on 11/19/08).
"Modern Family" (8:00-8:30 p.m.)
At 8:00 p.m., a repeat of "Modern Family" was up 46% from an original "Hank" two weeks ago in Adults 18-49 (1.9/6 vs. 1.3/4), registering ABC's best series number in the half-hour in 7 weeks and its 2nd-highest series number this season � since 9/30/09.
"The Middle" (8:30-9:00 p.m.)
Building on its lead-in at 8:30 p.m., ABC's "The Middle" placed No. 1 in its slot among Adults 18-49 (2.4/7-tie), beating NBC's "Mercy" by 20% (2.0/6) and Fox's "So You Think You Can Dance" by 9% (2.2/6).
� Up by 26% over its most recent telecast in Adults 18-49 (1.9/5 on 11/4/09), "The Middle" posted its second-highest-ever rating � best since its series debut on 9/30/09. The ABC freshman also produced its most-watched telecast (7.1 million) since its series debut.
"Modern Family" (9:00-9:30 p.m.)
Finishing No. 1 at 9:00 p.m. in Adults 18-49 (3.7/10), ABC's "Modern Family" also registered as Wednesday's No. 1 TV show in the key young adult sales demo (tied w/ "Criminal Minds").
� "Modern Family" built by 6% on its most recent telecast in Adults 18-49 (3.5/9 on 11/4/09), matching its highest number in its last 6 airings � since 9/30/09.
� "Modern Family" is exhibiting big increases over its first-reported numbers through DVR playback, jumping by 1.3 million viewers and by an additional 7-tenths of an Adult 18-49 rating point from the initially reported Live + Same Day Numbers to the Live + 7 Day DVR finals.
"Cougar Town" (9:30-10:01 p.m.)
At 9:30pm, ABC's Cougar Town took second place in its half-hour to Fox's "Glee" among Adults 18-34 (2.7/8) and finished No. 1 with Men 18-34 (2.2/7).
� "Cougar Town" surged 14% from its most recent airing in Adults 18-49 (3.2/8 vs. 2.8/7 on 11/4/09) and posted a best-since-debut rating with Men 18-34 (tie).
� Like its lead-in, "Cougar Town" is producing sizeable gains over its first-reported numbers through DVR playback, increasing by 1.1 million viewers and by an additional 5-tenths of an Adult 18-49 rating point from the initially reported Live + Same Day Numbers to the Live + 7 Day DVR finals.
"In the Spotlight with Robin Roberts: Janet Jackson" (10:00-11:00 p.m.)
Taking a strong second to CBS' time-period veteran "CSI: NY" at 10pm, ABC's "In the Spotlight with Robin Roberts: Janet Jackson" topped NBC's "Jay Leno" by 1.8 million viewers (6.6 million vs. 4.8 million) and by 64% in Adults 18-49 (2.3/7 vs. 1.4/4).
� Excluding the prior week's "CMA Awards" telecast, "In the Spotlight with Robin Roberts" drew ABC's biggest audience in the hour and tied its best Adult 18-49 number since season-premiere Wednesday � 8 weeks ago on 9/23/09.
Thursday
ABC placed a strong second to CBS on Thursday in Total Viewers (10.4 million) and Adults 18-49 (3.5/10), while finishing a dominant No. 1 on the night in Adults 18-34 (3.2/10) and among key Women demographics: W18-34 (4.7/14) and W18-49 (5.0/13).
"FlashForward" (8:00-9:00 p.m.)
ABC freshman "FlashForward" outperformed NBC's comedies ("Community"/"Parks and Recreation") in the 8 o'clock hour by 3.3 million viewers (8.0 million vs. 4.7 million) and by 20% in Adults 18-49 (2.4/7 vs. 2.0/6).
� The top gainer overall for any new series this season in DVR playback, "FlashForward" surges over the first-reported numbers by 1.9 million viewers and by 8-tenths of an Adult 18-49 rating point (+24%) from the Live + Same Day Numbers to the Live + 7 Day DVR finals.
"Grey's Anatomy" (9:00-10:01 p.m.)
ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" (5.1/13) qualified as Thursday's No. 1 TV show in Adults 18-49, the top-rated series on the night for the 9th week in a row. Dominating the 9 o'clock hour, "Grey's" defeated CBS' "CSI" by 46% (3.5/9), NBC's comedy combo "The Office"/"30 Rock" by 55% (3.3/8) and Fox's "Fringe" by 155% (2.0/5). "Grey's" was also once again Thursday's highest-rated show in Adults 18-34 (4.7/14).
� TV's most-popular show in DVR playback, "Grey's Anatomy" jumps over the first-reported numbers by 2.9 million viewers and by an additional 1.4 Adult 18-49 rating points (+24%) from the Live + Same Day Numbers to the Live + 7 Day DVR finals.
"Private Practice" (10:01-11:00 p.m.)
ABC's "Private Practice" won the 10 o'clock hour among Adults 18-34 (2.8/9), standing as the No. 1 series in the final hour of Thursday evening for 8 weeks running.
� Versus the year-ago night (11/20/08), "Private Practice" improved ABC's delivery in the 10 o'clock hour by 1.1 million viewers (8.9 million vs. 7.8 million) and by 24% in Adults 18-49 (3.1/9 vs. 2.5/7 � original "Life on Mars").
� Like its lead-in, "Private Practice" sees impressive DVR gains from the first-reported numbers, shooting up by 1.8 million viewers and by 0.9 Adult 18-49 rating points (+23%) from the Live + Same Day Numbers to the Live + 7 Day DVR finals.
Friday
ABC finished No. 1 on Friday among young Adults: Adults 18-49 (1.9/6-tie) and Adults 18-34 (1.5/6).
� Hitting season-highs, ABC drew is biggest Friday night audience (6.9 million) in 9 months and its highest Adult 18-49 number (1.9/6) in nearly 8 months � since 2/13/09 and 3/27/09, respectively.
"ABC Friday Movie of the Week: Shrek the Third " (8:00-10:00 p.m.)
The "ABC Friday Movie of the Week: Shrek the Third" finished in a virtual tie for first place with CBS' original dramas in its 2-hour time period among Adults 18-49 (1.9/6 vs. 2.0/6), while placing a definitive No. 1 with Adults 18-34 (1.7/7). With the movie, ABC was also the top-rated broadcaster from 8:00-10:00 p.m. with Teens 12-17 (1.1/4) and Kids 2-11 (2.7/9).
� "Shrek the Third" generated ABC's best numbers in the 2-hour time period since early March in Total Viewers (6.4 million) and since the beginning of February in Adults 18-49 (1.9/6) � since 3/6/09 and 2/6/09, respectively. The theatrical turned in ABC's strongest performance in the time slot with Teens 12-17 and Kids 2-11 in almost 1 year � since 12/5/08.
"20/20" (10:00-11:00 p.m.)
ABC News' "20/20," featuring the continuation of Barbara Walters' headline-making interview with former Vice Presidential candidate and Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, won the 10 o'clock hour in Total Viewers (7.9 million), Adults 18-49 (1.8/6) and Adults 25-54 (2.4/7). It was the 4th week in a row for the ABC news magazine to finish No. 1 in the hour among Adults 18-49.
� "20/20" produced its 2nd-biggest audience in the last 8 months (since 3/27/09), behind only the two-weeks-ago telecast of the newsmagazine featuring Diane Sawyer's exclusive interview with Rihanna.
Saturday
With coverage of "Saturday Night Football," featuring Oregon at AZ/Kansas at Texas, ABC finished No. 1 on the Saturday evening among Adults 18-49 (1.6/5-tie).
Sunday
"2009 American Music Awards" (8:00-11:00 p.m.)
Opposite stiff competition on the evening, including NBC's big "Sunday Night Football" contest (Eagles-Bears) and an NFL prime overrun-boosted CBS (Jets-Patriots), the "2009 American Music Awards" made ABC the No. 1 non-sports network from 8:00-11:00 p.m. in Total Viewers (14.2 million) and Adults 18-49 (5.5/14). "AMAs" dominated its 3-hour time period, over football, in other key demographics, including Women 18-34 (5.9/16), Women 18-49 (6.9/17), Women 25-54 (7.7/17) and Teens 12-17 (3.3/12).
� Marking its 3rd straight year of Total Viewer gains and 4th straight with young adults, the "American Music Awards" surged year to year by 2.0 million viewers (14.2 million vs. 12.2 million) and by 8% in Adults 18-49 (5.5/13 vs. 5.1/12). In fact the "American Music Awards" attracted its largest audience since 2002 and its highest Adult 18-49 number since 2004.
� ABC's "2009 AMAs" stand as TV's 3rd-highest-rated awards show this year in Adults 18-49, behind only the "Oscars" and "Grammys," outperforming CBS' "2009 Emmy Awards" by 31% in the key young adult sales demo (5.5/14 vs. 4.2/11 on 9/20/09).
Source: Nielsen Media Research (National Live+Same Day Program Ratings), week of 11/16/09, unless stated otherwise.
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