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Primetime Ratings Report
For the week of March 23, 2009
(Based on National Live + Same Day Program Ratings)
ABC Airs 6 of the Week's Top 20 TV Shows in Adults 18-49, Including
2 of the Top 4 and the No. 1 Scripted Program with "Grey's Anatomy"
Up Over the Same Week Last Year in Viewers and Young Adults,
ABC Generates Across-the-Board Year-to-Year Increases in 2009
ABC's is No. 1 on Monday Viewers and Adults 18-49 for the 4th Week Running
And Marks its Longest Monday Women 18-34 Winning Streak Since at Least 1991
ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" is Monday's No. 1 TV Show
In Viewers and Young Adults for the 3rd Consecutive Week
"Dancing with the Stars Results" Jumps Over its Week-Ago Season Opener,
Surging Week to Week by 3.4 Million Viewers and by 39% in Adults 18-49
For the 2nd Consecutive Week, ABC News' "Primetime: What Would You Do?"
Hits a Season-High in Viewers, with the Series' Second Largest-Ever Audience
Continuing to See Year-to-Year Improvement on the Night, ABC is Up
Over the Year-Ago Wednesday on 7 of the Past 8 Weeks in Adults 18-49
"Better Off Ted" Posts Solid Retention of its Lead-in and Week-Ago Series Debut
For its 9th Consecutive Original Airing This Season, ABC's "Lost"
Registers as Wednesday's No. 1 Scripted TV Program with Adults 18-49
Improving its Thursday Time Slot for ABC Opposite "Idol," the Series Debut of
"In the Motherhood" Upsets NBC's Veteran Comedy "My Name is Earl" at 8pm
Thursday's No. 1 Scripted TV Show, "Grey's Anatomy" Grows its Audience
For the 2nd Straight Week, Generating its Most-Watched Telecast in 6 Months
Up Week to Week with its Highest Non-Crossover Numbers This Season, ABC's
"Private Practice" Beats the Penultimate Episode of NBC's "ER" in Adults 18-49
Friday's "Wife Swap" and "Supernanny" Mark Best-Ever Numbers in their Slots
Friday at 10pm, ABC News' "20/20" Turns in its Top Numbers in 7 Weeks,
The Newsmagazine's Second-Biggest Audience in the Hour Since November
Posting its 3rd Straight Week of Total Viewer and Young Adult Increases,
"Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" Logs its Top Adult Numbers in 2 Months
WEEK No. 27:
ABC held No. 2 to Fox during the week of March 23, 2009 across each of the key Women demographics: W18-34 (3.1/9), W18-49 (3.8/10), W25-54 (4.5/11).
� Growing its overall audience for the 4th week in a row, ABC once again generated its most-watched (9.4 million) non-Oscar week since November � since w/o 11/24/08. The Net equaled its highest-rated non-Oscar week with Adults 18-49 (2.8/7) since mid-January � since w/o 1/19/09.
� Continuing to demonstrate mid-season momentum, ABC was up from the year-ago week by 7% in Total Viewers and by 8% in Adults 18-49 (8.8 million and 2.6/7 on w/o 3/24/08). In fact the Network is up across the board in 2009 over the same point a year ago: Total Viewers +8% (8.6 million vs. 8.0 million), AD18-34 +19% (2.5/7 vs. 2.1/6), AD18-49 +7% (2.9/8 vs. 2.7/7) and AD25-54 +10% (3.4/8 vs. 3.1/8).
Rankings: ABC delivered 6 of the week's Top 20 highest-rated TV programs in Adults 18-49, including 2 of the Top 4 and the No. 1 scripted show with "Grey's Anatomy": "Grey's Anatomy" � No. 3 (No. 1 scripted), "Dancing with the Stars" � No. 4, "Lost" � No. 8, "DWTS Results" � No. 13, "Private Practice" and "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" tied at No. 17. In fact "Grey's" registered as TV's No. 1 scripted show for the 2nd straight week in Adults 18-49, while ABC claimed the top-rated scripted series for the 6th time in the past 8 weeks. In addition, the Net claimed 3 of the Top 7 most-watched TV shows overall for the week: "Dancing with the Stars" � No. 3, "DWTS Results" � No. 6 and "Grey's Anatomy" � No. 7. The Net broadcast 5 of the Top 10 shows in Women 18-34 for the 3rd week in a row: "Grey's" � No. 3, "DWTS" � No. 5, "Private Practice" � No. 6 and "DWTS Results" and "Lost" tied at 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 over 30% currently, from 23% 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
ABC stood as the No. 1 Network on Monday for the 4th week in a row in Total Viewers (16.7 million) and Adults 18-49 (4.2/11). The Network outperformed second-place CBS on the night by 6.3 million viewers and by 24% in Adults 18-49 (10.4 million & 3.4/9). In addition, ABC won the night for the 7th consecutive week across all key Women demographics (W18-34 � 4.5/11, W18-49 � 5.9/14 and W25-54 � 7.2/16); including a 12 week stretch among Women 18-34.
� Extending its winning run on the night, the Net is seeing its longest winning streak on the evening since at least 1991 with Women 18-34 � predating the start of Nielsen's electronic database. In addition, it is the longest Monday winning streak among Women 18-34 for any net in over 5 years � since NBC from w/o 9/22/03 to w/o 12/15/03.
"Dancing with the Stars" (8:00-10:02 p.m.)
ABC's broad appealing "Dancing with the Stars" attracted 20.3 million viewers and a 5.0 rating, 13 share in Adults 18-49, qualifying as Monday's No. 1 TV program in viewers and young adults for the 3rd consecutive week. In fact, "Dancing with the Stars" won each of its half-hours and soared to the top of its time period, beating the second-place networks by 11.2 million viewers (Fox � 9.1 million) and by 61% in Adults 18-49 (CBS � 3.1/8).
"Castle" (10:02-11:00 p.m.)
ABC's "Castle" took a strong second in the 10 o'clock hour to CBS' C.S.I.: Miami," beating NBC's veteran drama, "Medium," by 2.5 million viewers (9.1 million vs. 6.6 million) and by 14% Adults 18-49 (2.5/7 vs. 2.2/6).
Excluding only Inauguration Night on 1/20/09, ABC marked its strongest Tuesday in 4 months in Total Viewers (12.2 million) and Adults 18-49 (3.3/8) � since 11/25/08.
"Dancing with the Stars Results" (9:00-10:02 p.m.)
Jumping from its week-earlier season premiere by wide margins in viewers and young adults, ABC's "Dancing with the Stars Results" was the second-most-watched show its highly-competitive 9 o'clock time period to CBS' "NCIS," outdrawing NBC's time-slot regular, "Biggest Loser," by 6.9 million viewers (16.1 million vs. 9.2 million). "DWTS Results" also earned second in the hour with Adults 18-49 (3.9/10-tie) and Adults 18-34, beating "NCIS" by 17% in the latter measure (2.8/8 vs. 2.4/7). Actress Denise Richards was the second celebrity dancer eliminated from the competition this season.
� The wide-appealing ABC unscripted series stood as Tuesday's No. 1 TV show with Women 18-49 (5.4/14) and Women 25-54 (6.9/15), as well as the night's No. 2 program in Adults 18-34 (2.8/8) and Women 18-34 (3.9/10). In addition it was the evening's No. 1 broadcast program with Teens 12-17 (1.8/6) and Kids 2-11 (1.8/7), beating out its network rivals by solid margins.
� "DWTS Results" surged over its week-ago season opener by 3.4 million viewers (16.1 million vs. 12.7 million) and by 39% in Adults 18-49 (3.9/10 vs. 2.8/7).
� The dancing results program produced a season high for ABC with regular programming in the time slot among Women 18-34 (3.9/10).
"Primetime: What Would You Do?" (10:02-11:00 p.m.)
During the 10 o'clock hour against the final hour of NBC's "Biggest Loser" and CBS' "The Mentalist," ABC News' "Primetime: What Would You Do?" achieved a season high in Total Viewers (8.0 million) for the 2nd straight week. In fact it was the series' second-largest-ever audience in its two seasons. The ABC news program hit its highest Adult 25-54 rating (3.1/7) since January (1/13/09), representing the show's second-highest number this season.
Wednesday
ABC finished No. 2 to Fox (with a 2-hour "Idol) Wednesday night in Adults 18-34 (2.3/7) and key Men: M18-34 (2.2/7) and M18-49 (2.5/7). Among Adults 18-34, ABC (2.3/7) bested third-place CBS by 28% (1.8/5) and fourth-place NBC by 109% (1.1/3).
� Continuing to deliver year-to-year increases on the night, ABC's Wednesday results were up from the same night last year (3/26/08) by 10% in Total Viewers (6.5 million vs. 5.9 million) and by 35% in Adults 18-49 (2.7/7 vs. 2.0/5). The Net has generated gains over the year-ago Wednesday on 7 of the last 8 weeks in the key young adult sales demo.
"Scrubs" (8:00-8:30 p.m.)
Opposite "American Idol" at 8:00 p.m., ABC's "Scrubs" held pace with CBS' "Survivor" special in Adults 18-49 (2.1/6 vs. 2.2/6) and beat its CBS competitor by 82% in Adults 18-34 (1.9/6 vs. 1.1/4).
"Better Off Ted" (8:30-9:00 p.m.)
Despite facing "Idol" and "Survivor" on its second airing, ABC's "Better Off Ted" continued to exhibit strong retention of its "Scrubs" lead-in with viewers (87%) and young adults (86%). Like its lead-in, "Better Off Ted" beat out "Survivor" in Adults 18-34, outpacing the CBS special by 42% (1.7/5 vs. 1.2/4). Versus its freshman competition in the half-hour, "Ted" defeated NBC's "Chopping Block" by 2.2 million viewers (4.6 million vs. 2.4 million) and by 100% in Adults 18-49 (1.8/5 vs. 0.9/2).
� Although it aired against increased competition on the series' second telecast, "Better Off Ted" exhibited solid retention of its week-earlier series debut in Total Viewers (84%) and Adults 18-49 (86%).
"Lost" (9:00-10:02 p.m.)
Surging from its lead-in opposite the second hour of Fox's 2-hour "American Idol," "Lost" took full control its drama competition in the time period among Adults 18-49. During the 9 o'clock hour, ABC's "Lost" (4.1/10) beat out CBS' "Criminal Minds" by 21% (3.4/8) and NBC's "Life" by 193% (1.4/3).
� ABC's "Lost" marked its 9th consecutive original airing as Wednesday's No. 1 scripted TV program in Adults 18-49. The ABC drama was also the night's top-rated scripted series in the other two Adult demographics: Adults 18-34 (3.7/10) and Adults 25-54 (4.5/10-tie).
"Life on Mars" (10:02-11:00 p.m.)
Posting its 2nd consecutive week of gains, "Life on Mars" grew over the prior week by 10% in Total Viewers (5.5 million vs. 5.0 million) and by 11% in Adult 18-49 (2.0/6 vs. 1.8/5).
Thursday
ABC placed No. 2 to an "Idol"-led Fox on Thursday night in Total Viewers (11.0 million) and Adults 18-49 (3.8/10), outpacing CBS' NCAA Basketball Tournament coverage (Regional Semi-Finals) on both counts.
� Although facing increased competition on the night from Fox's special Thursday edition of "American Idol," ABC grew week to week by +4% in Total Viewers and by +9% in Adults 18-49 (10.6 million and 3.5/10 on 3/19/09). In fact the Net grew its overall Thursday audience for the 2nd consecutive week, delivering its best Thursday in 5 week in viewers and young adults � since 2/19/09.
� The Net's numbers shot up over the same night last year by 5.1 million viewers and by 100% in Adults 18-49 (5.9 million and 1.9/5 on 3/27/08).
"In the Motherhood" (8:00-8:30 p.m.)
ABC's series debut of "In the Motherhood" upset "My Name is Earl" at 8:00 p.m., defeating NBC's veteran comedy by Total Viewers (+14% - 6.7 million vs. 5.9 million) and Adults 18-49 (+10% - 2.2/6 vs. 2.0/6). The new ABC comedy's biggest advantage over "Earl" came among Women 18-34, where it nearly doubled its NBC comedy competitor with a 93% winning margin (2.7/8 vs. 1.4/4).
� Despite facing "Idol" in the time period this year, with the opener of "Motherhood" ABC was up in the half-hour over the year-ago night (with original programming) by 14% in Total Viewers (6.7 million vs. 5.9 million) and by 10% in Adults 18-49 (2.2/6 vs. 2.0/6). In fact among Adults 18-49, "Motherhood" generated ABC's highest rating in the time slot in 9 weeks � since 1/22/09.
"Samantha Who?" (8:30-9:00 p.m.)
Despite facing "Idol" and "March Madness" on its premiere in the half-hour, ABC's "Samantha Who?" proved itself a compatible companion for "In the Motherhood" with impressive retention of its lead-in among Total Viewers (99% - 6.6 million) and Adults 18-49 (100% - 2.2/6). In fact "Samantha" built on "Motherhood" at 8:30pm to finish as the No. 1 scripted TV program in the half hour in Women 18-49 (3.1/7) and Women 25-54 (3.7/8).
"Grey's Anatomy" (9:00-10:02 p.m.)
Thursday's No. 1 scripted TV program in Total Viewers (16.1 million) and Adults 18-49 (5.6/13), ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" dominated the 9 o'clock hour, beating Fox's "Idol"-driven "Hell's Kitchen." "Grey's" tallied its 13th time in its last 14 original telecasts to stand as Thursday's No. 1 regular entertainment show with Adults 18-49, and the 14th time in as many original airings with Adults 18-34.
� Surging week to week by 1.5 million viewers and by 12% in Adults 18-49, "Grey's" turned in its most-watched telecast in 6 months (since its season opener), representing the series' top non-premiere/non-finale performance in nearly 1 year � since 9/25/08 and 4/24/08, respectively.
"Private Practice" (10:02-11:00 p.m.)
The top-rated non-sports program in the 10 o'clock hour, ABC's "Private Practice" beat the penultimate telecast of NBC's "ER" in their final original match up among Adults 18-49 (3.6/10 vs. 3.5/9). In fact the ABC sophomore drama has topped "ER" in Adults 18-49 on 8 of 9 head-to-head original telecasts in the time period. "Private Practice" finished as the No. 1 entertainment program in the hour in Adults 18-49 for the 5th time in its last 6 originals, while standing as the top entertainment broadcast with Adults 18-34 on all 10 original airings in slot.
� Growing its overall audience for the 2nd straight week and increasing week to week in young adults, "Private Practice" turned in its highest non-crossover numbers this season.
Friday
Opposite CBS' coverage of the NCAA Basketball Tournament, ABC placed second on Friday in Total Viewers (6.7 million) and Adults 18-49 (2.0/6) with its strongest performance on the night in 6 weeks - since 2/13/09. ABC won the night among Women 18-49 (2.7/8) and Women 25-54 (3.3/9).
"Wife Swap" (8:00-9:00 p.m.)
ABC's "Wife Swap" turned in its strongest performance ever in its Friday 8:00 p.m. time-slot in both Total Viewers (5.4 million) and Adults 18-49 (1.7/6 - tied).
"Supernanny" (9:00-10:00 p.m.)
Building on its lead-in, ABC's "Supernanny" also took second in its time period in viewers (6.5 million), attracting its largest audience ever in its Friday 9:00 p.m. time period. The unscripted ABC series (6.5 million & 2.1/6 in Adults 18-49) outperformed Fox's "Dollhouse" (3.9 million & 1.4/4) and NBC's "Friday Night Lights" (4.0 million & 1.3/4) by wide margins.
"20/20" (10:00-11:00 p.m.)
ABC News' "20/20" registered its best numbers in the hour in Total Viewers (8.2 million), Adults 18-49 (2.2/7-tied) and Adults 25-54 (2.8/7) in 7 weeks - since 2/13/09. In fact, the ABC newsmagazine drew is second-largest audience in the hour since November - since 11/21/08.
� "20/20" won the 10 o'clock hour and stood as Friday's No. 1 TV program with Women 18-49 (3.0/9) and Women 25-54 (3.8/10).
� "20/20" beat its newsmagazine competition in the hour, NBC's "Dateline," for the 13th straight week in Total Viewers (8.2 million vs. 5.5 million) and for the 12th time in 13 weeks in Adults 18-49 (2.2/7 vs. 1.6/5).
Sunday
As "Desperate Housewives" went into repeat, up against all original programming on CBS and its boost from an 18-minute NCAA Basketball Tournament overrun at the beginning of the night, ABC earned second place on Sunday in Total Viewers (9.0 million) and Adults 18-49 (2.9/8), beating out NBC and Fox by solid margins on both counts. The Network finished No. 1 on Sunday for the 7th consecutive week across each of the key Women demographics: W18-34 (3.0/9), W18-49 (3.6/9), W25-54 (4.1/10-tie).
"America's Funniest Home Videos" (7:00-8:00 p.m.)
Opposite CBS' "March Madness" overrun leading into "60 Minutes," ABC's "America's Funniest Home Videos" earned second place during the 7 o'clock hour among Adults 18-34 (1.7/6), while delivering the No. 1 position with Women 18-34 (2.1/7).
� "AFV's" numbers surged week to week by 1.2 million viewers (8.3 million vs. 7.1 million) and by 21% in Adults 18-49 (2.3/7 vs. 1.9/6).
"Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" (8:00-10:00 p.m.)
Building on its lead-in and gaining audience throughout 8:00-10:00 p.m. telecast, ABC's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" ranked No. 1 in its 2-hour time period among Adults 18-49 (3.6/9), beating out runner-up Fox's animated comedy block. The ABC unscripted series also took first place with key Women, delivering the No. 1 position in its time slot among Women 18-49 for 6 consecutive weeks and among Women 18-34 on 5 of 6 weeks.
� Growing its viewer and young adult numbers for the 3rd consecutive week, ABC's "Home Edition" registered its highest ratings in 2 months across each of the key Adult demos (AD18-34/AD18-49/AD25-54) � since 1/25/09.
"Desperate Housewives" (10:00-11:00 p.m.)
Up against original competition during the 10 o'clock hour, ABC's repeat "Desperate Housewives" took second place, beating CBS' original dramas ("Cold Case"/"The Unit") among Adults 18-34 (1.6/5) and key Women: W18-34 (2.4/6) and W18-49 (2.7/7).
Source: Nielsen Media Research (National Live+Same Day Program Ratings), week of 3/23/09, unless stated otherwise.
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