Quick Take for Tuesday, November 29, 2005 (Fast Affiliate Ratings)

Facing Stiff Competition After Being Pre-empted the Prior Week, ABCs Commander In Chief Returns with 1 Million More Viewers and its Best Men Numbers in 5 Weeks

Barbara Walters Presents the 10 Most Fascinating People of 2005 Delivers ABCs Biggest Audience in the Hour in 9 Nearly Months

Commander In Chief (9:00-10:00 p.m.)

Building its lead-in and gaining audience throughout its broadcast, ABCs Commander In Chief was up despite facing NBCs high-rated season finale of The Biggest Loser 2. Although the freshman ABC drama was pre-empted the prior Tuesday for the 2005 American Music Awards, Commander in Chief returned with 1 million more viewers than its most recent telecast (13.6 million vs. 12.6 million). In addition, the show delivered its best numbers across the men demographics in 5 weeks (M18-34 2.0/6, M18-49 3.2/8 and M25-54 4.2/9) -- best since 10/25/05. The ABC political family drama marked the series third-highest-ever rating among Teens 12-17 (1.4/4).

Despite competing against the second hour of NBCs Biggest Loser 2 season finale, which had opportunity to gather viewers from 8:00-10:00 p.m., ABCs Commander In Chief generated strong tune-in during the 9 oclock hour. The ABC drama surged from its comedy lead-in (Rodney) by 5.7 million viewers (13.6 million vs. 7.9 million) and by 25% in Adults 18-49 (3.5/8 vs. 2.8/7). From beginning to end, Commander In Chief grew is audience among Total Viewers (13.2 million to 13.9 million) and among Adults 18-49 (3.4/8 to 3.5/8).

Barbara Walters Presents the 10 Most Fascinating People of 2005 (10:00-11:00 p.m.)

Taking a solid second place in its hour to time period veteran NBCs Law & Order: SVU, ABCs Barbara Walters Presents the 10 Most Fascinating People of 2005 drew an average audience of 12.9 million viewers and earned a 4.1 rating, 10 share among Adults 18-49.

Barbara Walters Presents delivered solid improvement for ABC in the hour, up by nearly 2 million viewers (12.9 million vs. 11.0 million) and by 17% in Adults 18-49 (4.1/10 vs. 3.5/9), compared to the Nets average in the time period this season. In fact Barbara Walters Presents the 10 Most Fascinating People of 2005 generated ABCs biggest audience in the time period in nearly 9 months since 3/1/05.

Source: NTI (Fast Affiliate Ratings) 11/29/05.