or


[05/22/07 - 03:40 PM]
ABC Marks Its Best Adult 18-49 Competitive Position in May in 7 Years, While Generating Its Largest Audience During a May Sweep Since 2001
ABC spins the numbers for the May sweeps period and the 2006-2007 season.

[via press release from ABC]

ABC Marks its Best Adult 18-49 Competitive Position in May in 7 Years, While Generating its Largest Audience During a May Sweep Since 2001

ABC Retains Nearly All of its "Non-Sports" Audience from Last Season and Is the No. 2 Network with Adults 18-49, Excluding Sports from Averages

Net Airs 7 of the Top 20 TV Series This Season in Adults 18-49, Including 3 of the Top 5 Scripted Shows with "Grey's Anatomy," "Desperate Housewives" and "Lost"

ABC Stands as the Highest-Rated Network Among Upscale Young Adults And Claims the Top Scripted English Language Series with Hispanic Viewers

2007 May Sweep (4/26-5/20/07)

Through 25 of 28 nights during 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.

2006-07 TV Season (9/18/06-5/20/07)

On average this season, based on "all programming," ABC ranks second to Fox among Adults 18-34 (2.9/9), outdelivering NFL-boosted CBS by 12% (2.6/8 - with the "Super Bowl") and NBC by16% (2.5/8 -- with "Sunday Night Football"). ABC is the definitive No. 1 TV network this season among Women 18-49, holding a 12% advantage over the second-place networks (4.6/12 vs. 4.1/11 � Fox & CBS tied).

� "Non-Sports" Numbers: Excluding sports from the averages this season and last to account for the loss of "Monday Night Football" and its 2006 "Super Bowl" broadcast, ABC has retained 100% of its Total Viewers (10.0 million), 97% of its Adult 18-34 audience (2.9/9 vs. 3.0/9) and 95% of its Adult 18-49 audience (3.5/9 vs. 3.7/10) from the same point last season. ABC is the No. 2 network among Adults 18-49 in the "non-sports" numbers, behind only "Idol"-fueled Fox and tied with CBS.

� Ratings Momentum During the Final Weeks of the Season: ABC has seen its numbers surge in recent weeks. The Net has taken second place to Fox in Adults 18-49 on each of the past 6 weeks. The Net has increased its overall audience from the comparable week last year on each of the past 5 weekly ratings periods.

� "Grey's Anatomy" Move to Thursday Pays Off for ABC: On average this season, ABC has delivered 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 (+74%), Adults 18-49 (+89%), Adults 18-34 (+133%), Teens 12-17 (+57%) and Kids 2-11 (+17%). ABC ranks No. 1 on Thursday night in Adults 18-49. In fact ABC's Thursday is the third-highest-rated night of TV for any network this season in the key young adult sales demographic (5.3/14), behind only Fox's "Idol"-driven Tuesday (7.5/20) and Wednesday (5.8/15) nights.

� ABC Successfully Reschedules Monday After "MNF" Moves to ESPN: ABC's 1st and 2nd Quarter numbers have grown in 2007, following the move of "Monday Night Football" to sister-network ESPN. Since March �07, when "Dancing with the Stars" premiered and was then paired with "The Bachelor," ABC has moved up into the No. 1 network position on the evening in Total Viewers (15.3 million) and Adults 18-49 (4.6/12). Since that same point, the Net's Monday numbers have shot up by 5.5 million viewers and by 15% in Adults 18-49 over the same weeks last season (3/19-5/20/07 vs. 3/20-5/21/06). ABC is currently enjoying its longest Monday Total Viewer winning streak (10 consecutive weeks) in more than 7 years � since a winning run during 4th Quarter 1999, when the Net had the benefit of "MNF." Having set out to target young women on the night post-"MNF," ABC currently dominates in Women 18-34 and Women 18-49, as its current lineup is delivering its longest Monday winning streak on both measures since at least 1991 � predating Nielsen's electronic database. Season to date ABC ranks as the No. 1 network on Monday night in Women 18-34 and Women 18-49.

� Season's Highest-Rated TV Series: In Adults 18-49, ABC airs 7 of the Top 20 TV series this season, including 3 of the Top 5 scripted shows with "Grey's Anatomy," "Desperate Housewives" and "Lost": "Grey's Anatomy" � No. 4, "Desperate Housewives" � No. 5, "Lost" � No. 7, "Dancing With the Stars" � No. 10, "Dancing with the Stars-MON" � No. 13, "DWTS the Results Show" � No. 15 and "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" � No. 17. ABC claims 7 of the Top 15 most-watched series: "Dancing with the Stars" � No. 3, "Dancing with the Stars-MON" � No. 5, "Grey's Anatomy" � No. 7, "DWTS the Results Show" � No. 8, "Desperate Housewives" � No. 9, "DWTS the Results Show � TUES" � No. 11 and "Lost" � No. 15. ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" is the top-rated scripted TV series this season among Adults 18-34, Adults 25-54 and across the women demographics (W18-34/W18-49/W25-54).

� ABC is No. 1 among Upscale Young Adults: Outpacing perennial leader NBC for the second season in a row, ABC stands as the No. 1 television network among upscale young adults, moving up from fourth place just three seasons ago ('03-04). ABC is the No. 1 highest-rated network among Adults 18-49 in homes with $100K+ Annual Income (3.56 rating), leading "Idol"-fueled Fox by +7% (3.34), NBC by +17% (3.05) and CBS by +26% (2.82). In addition ABC claims 9 of the Top 20 highest-rated regular TV programs this season among high income young adults, including 3 of the Top 4 scripted shows with "Grey's," "Housewives" and "Lost": "Grey's Anatomy" (8.35 rating) � No. 3, "Desperate Housewives" (7.59) � No. 4, "Lost" (6.13) � No. 7, "Dancing with the Stars-MON" (6.11) � No. 8, "Dancing With the Stars" (5.93) � No. 9, "Brothers & Sisters" (5.04) � No. 11, "DWTS the Results Show" (5.02) � No. 12, "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" (4.56) � No. 18 and "DWTS the Results - TUES" (4.54) � No. 19. ABC airs 3 series among the top TV shows this season in terms of annual "median income" among Adults 18-49: "Lost," "Desperate Housewives" and "Brothers & Sisters" are all tied for the No. 1 position w/$68,000 annual "median income." ABC's "Brothers & Sisters" is the No. 1 new television series this season with high-income young adults, pacing 8% ahead of second-place NBC's "Heroes" (5.04 vs. 4.67).

� Top-Rated New TV Series of the Season: ABC claims 3 of the Top 7 new scripted TV series this season among Adults 18-49: "October Road" � No. 4, "Brothers & Sisters" � No. 5 and "Ugly Betty" � No. 7. Additionally, ABC's "Ugly Betty" is this season's second-highest-rated new comedy in Total Viewers and Adults 18-49.

� ABC Series a Draw with College Age Viewers: Since Nielsen started measuring "away from home college viewing" in its national sample at the end of January (beginning 1/29/07), ABC lays claim to 8 of the Top 25 series with college age Viewers 18-24, based on original airings: "Grey's Anatomy" � No. 1, "Desperate Housewives" � No. 6, "Lost" � No. 10, "October Road" � No. 11, "MEN IN TREES" � No. 17, "The Bachelor: Officer and a Gentleman" � No. 19, "Ugly Betty" � No. 20 and "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" � No. 25.

� ABC Airs Top Programs with Hispanic Viewers: ABC claims 6 of the Top 10 highest-rated English language TV series this season among Hispanic Adults 18-49, including the Top 2 scripted series: "Dancing with the Stars" � No. 3, "Grey's Anatomy" � No. 4, "Desperate Housewives" � No. 5, "DWTS the Results Show" � No. 6, "Dancing with the Stars-MON" � No. 7 and "Lost" � No. 9. ABC also airs 6 of the Top 10 most-watched English language programs among Hispanic viewers: "Dancing with the Stars"� No. 3, "DWTS the Results Show" � No. 4, "Dancing with the Stars-MON" � No. 5, "Grey's Anatomy" � No. 7, "Desperate Housewives" � No. 8 and "DWTS the Results-TU" � No. 9.

� TV's Highest-Rated 10 o'clock Shows: Since premiering in the Wednesday 10 o'clock hour, ABC's "Lost" qualifies as the No. 1 10:00 p.m. series on any network with Adults 18-49. ABC's "October Road" and "Brothers & Sisters" rank as the Top 2 new 10 o'clock shows on any net this season in Adults 18-49.

Source: Nielsen Media Research, NTI & NHTI (Most Current Data), 9/18/06-5/20/07 vs. 9/19/05-5/21/06, or as dated. May 2007 = 4/26-5/20/07 vs. 4/27-2/21/06. Upscale data based on Live Ratings and regular programming.





  [may 2007]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
  


· AMERICAN IDOL (ABC)
· BACHELOR, THE (ABC)
· BROTHERS & SISTERS (ABC)
· DANCING WITH THE STARS (ABC)
· DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES (ABC)
· EXTREME MAKEOVER: HOME EDITION (HGTV)
· GREY'S ANATOMY (ABC)
· HEROES (NBC)
· LOST (ABC)
· MEN IN TREES (ABC)
· MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL (ESPN)
· OCTOBER ROAD (ABC)
· SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL (NBC)
· UGLY BETTY (ABC)





most recent ratings | view all posts
[07/08/25 - 12:01 PM]
Netflix Top 10 Week of June 30: "Squid Game" Season 3 Leads Top 10 Globally, Climbs to No. 3 on Most Popular
Plus: "The Waterfront" maintained its Top 10 empire as the No. 1 English show in its third week with 5.6 million views.

[07/03/25 - 02:33 PM]
ABC News Same-Day Primetime Special "Verdict: The Diddy Trial" Is No. 1 in Adults 18-49 and Adults 25-54
Versus the competition in the time period, "Verdict: The Diddy Trial" outperformed NBC by +40% in Adults 18-49 (212,000 vs. 151,000) and +22% in Adults 25-54.

[07/02/25 - 06:44 PM]
Tyler Perry's "Divorced Sistas" Quickly Rises to Become BET+'s Most Watched Original Series in Platform History
Just halfway through the eight-episode season, existing subscribers and new fans of the show have boosted the drama series to the most-watched series premiere on BET+ in just three weeks.

[07/02/25 - 02:38 PM]
Hallmark Channel Earns #1 Most-Watched Network on Weekends Throughout June with "Passport to Love" Programming Event
"Passport to Love" helped elevate Hallmark Channel to be the #1 most-watched network on weekends throughout the month of June.

[07/01/25 - 12:01 PM]
Top 10 Week of June 23: "Squid Game" Season 3 Takes Over with Record-Breaking Global Debut at No. 1
"The Waterfront" was a Top 10 hit once more as the No. 1 series on the English TV list (11.6 million views).

[07/01/25 - 10:26 AM]
ESPN Formula 1 Viewership Notes After Austrian Grand Prix
ESPN's live telecast on Sunday, June 29, averaged 1.1 million viewers, a two percent gain over last year's race and the largest audience ever for the event on U.S. television.

[07/01/25 - 09:16 AM]
ESPN's "Sunday Night Baseball" Featuring the Minnesota Twins vs. Detroit Tigers Averaged 2 Million Viewers - Up 66% from Last Year's Comparable Game
The audience peaked with 2,304,000 viewers in the 9:15 p.m. ET quarter hour.

[06/27/25 - 02:29 PM]
"Live with Kelly and Mark" Gears Up for Summer Rising Week to Week in All Key Measures
Wednesday, June 11, was the most-viewed day of the week among Total Viewers (2.164 million).

[06/27/25 - 10:31 AM]
"Jimmy Kimmel Live" Tops Late-Night in Adults 18-49 for Third Week in a Row
Winning three of five nights in Kimmel's final week before summer guest hosts, Thursday, June 19, was the show's strongest night among Adults 18-49 (0.35 rating).

[06/25/25 - 11:55 AM]
Prime Video Finishes Groundbreaking First Season of Exclusive NASCAR Coverage
According to Nielsen, NASCAR on Prime posted a season average of 2.16 million viewers (AMA P2+) across five events, and attracted droves of younger viewers to its live coverage.

[06/25/25 - 07:58 AM]
ABC News Primetime Special "Karen Read: The Verdict - A Special Edition of 20/20" Ranks #1 Across All of Broadcast and Cable in Adults 18-49
Plus: "Karen Read: The Verdict" placed No. 1 based on views among all titles on Hulu on Thursday (6/19), Friday (6/20) and Saturday (6/21).

[06/24/25 - 03:03 PM]
ABC News' "Nightline" Ranks No. 1 in All Key Target Demos 18-49 vs. CBS' "After Midnight" and NBC's "Late Night with Seth Meyers" for 2nd Consecutive Week, and Claims Top Spot in Total Viewers for the 5th Straight Week
On Monday (6/16/25), "Nightline" scored its most-watched telecast (1.112 million) in 5 months.

[06/24/25 - 12:01 PM]
Netflix Top 10 Week of June 16: "Tyler Perry's Straw" Leads Top 10 for Third Week, "The Waterfront" Swims to No. 1
Plus: "Ginny & Georgia" Season 3 racked up another 8.1 million views and felt peachy keen at No. 2, while Season 2 landed at No. 8 and Season 1 at No. 10, with an additional 2.7 million views each.

[06/24/25 - 08:42 AM]
Third Most-Watched WNBA Game Ever on ESPN: Indiana Fever vs Las Vegas Aces Averaged 1.7 Million Viewers, Up 52% from Last Year's ESPN Average
Said coverage peaked at 2.2 million viewers.

[06/23/25 - 12:09 PM]
Indiana Pacers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Game 7 on ABC and ESPN+ Is Most-Watched NBA Finals Game in Six Years
The seven-game series averaged 10,266,000 viewers and delivered the seven most-watched broadcasts on all of television since the first week of May.