Driven by a Strong Slate of Repeat Comedies, ABC Ranks No. 1 on Wednesday

Some early info on ABC's Wednesday night, ahead of the regular press release.

With back-to-back comedy repeats throughout the night, ABC finished #1 in Adults 18-49, while also besting its broadcast rivals in A18-34 and key Women demos (W18-34/W18-49). Last night's repeat line-up produced significantly improved year-to-year returns for ABC, jumping by 28% in Total Viewers and by 42% in Adults 18-49 over the same night last year (12/30/09).

Growing week to week, ABC's repeat airing of The Middle ranked #1 at 8pm in Adults 18-49, beating out NBC's original Undercovers by 70% in the half hour. The Middle generated its 2nd-biggest-ever repeat audience on the night.

ABC's repeat freshman Better with You won the 8:30pm half hour in Adults 18-49, topping original programming on NBC (Undercovers) by 67%. In addition, Better with You defeated its broadcast rivals in the half-hour with Adults 18-34 and across all key Women demos (W18-34/W18-49/W25-54).

Surging from its lead-in (+17% in Total Viewers/+33% in Adults 18-49), ABC's replay Modern Family led the 9pm half hour in Adults 18-49. In Total Viewers, Modern Family outdelivered its year-ago performance for the 14th consecutive telecast this season and for the 12th time in 14 weeks in Adults 18-49. The 9:30pm replay of Modern Family finished as the No. 1 TV show on Wednesday in Adults 18-49, marking the 2nd straight week the repeat ABC comedy topped its network rivals. In fact, with the two replays of Modern Family, ABC claimed the night's top 2 programs in Adults 18-49.

Quick Take for Wednesday, December 29, 2010 (Fast Affiliate Live + Same Day Ratings)

Driven by a Strong Slate of Repeat Comedies, ABC Ranks No. 1 on Wednesday

ABC's Repeat "The Middle" Wins at 8pm, Generating its 2nd-Most-Watched-Ever Encore Airing on the Night

ABC's "Better with You" Beats Original Competition at 8:30pm, Leading NBC's "Undercovers" by 67% in Adults 18-49

ABC's "Modern Family" Replays Top Wednesday Night in Adults 18-49

Monday Night (8:00-11:00 p.m.)

With back-to-back comedy repeats throughout the night, ABC finished No. 1 in Adults 18-49 (1.7/5), while also besting its broadcast rivals in A18-34 (1.2/4) and key Women demos (W18-34/W18-49). Last night's repeat lineup produced significantly improved year-to-year returns for ABC, jumping by 28% in Total Viewers (5.1 million vs. 4.0 million) and by 42% in Adults 18-49 (1.7/5 vs. 1.2/4) over the same night last year (12/30/09).

"The Middle" (8:00-8:30 p.m.)

Growing week to week, ABC's repeat airing of "The Middle" ranked No. 1 at 8:00 p.m. in Adults 18-49 (1.7/5), beating out NBC's original "Undercovers" by 70% in the half hour (1.0/3).

· "The Middle" generated its 2nd-biggest-ever repeat audience on the night (6.4 million).

"Better with You" (8:30-9:00 p.m.)

ABC's repeat freshman "Better with You" won the 8:30 p.m. half hour in Adults 18-49 (1.5/4), topping original programming on NBC ("Undercovers" - 0.9/3) by 67%. In addition, "Better with You" defeated its broadcast rivals in the half-hour with Adults 18-34 and across all key Women demos (W18-34/W18-49/W25-54).

"Modern Family" (9:00-9:30 p.m.)

Surging from its lead-in (+17% in Total Viewers/+33% in Adults 18-49), ABC's replay "Modern Family" led the 9:00 p.m. half hour in Adults 18-49 (2.0/6).

· In Total Viewers (6.1 million vs. 4.5 million), "Modern Family" outdelivered its year-ago performance for the 14th consecutive telecast this season and for the 12th time in 14 weeks in Adults 18-49 (2.0/6 vs. 1.4/4).

"Modern Family" (9:30-10:00 p.m.)

The 9:30 p.m. replay of ABC's "Modern Family" finished as the No. 1 TV show on Wednesday in Adults 18-49 (2.2/6), marking the 2nd straight week a repeat of the ABC comedy topped its network rivals.

· In fact, with the two replays of "Modern Family," ABC claimed the night's top 2 programs in Adults 18-49.

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 38% currently, from 34% at the same point in 2009. 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.

Source: The Nielsen Company (Fast Affiliate, Live + Same Ratings), 12/29/10.