Opposite the Grammy Awards, ABC Finishes as the 2nd-Most-Watched Net on Sunday

Some early points on ABC's Sunday, ahead of the regular press release.

Opposite CBS' with its coverage of the highly-rated 53rd Annual Grammy awards, ABC finished as the 2nd-most-watched network on Sunday evening, outpacing third-place NBC by 2.6 million viewers and fourth-place Fox by 2.8 million viewers.

During the 7 o'clock hour, ABC's America's Funniest Home Videos took second place in viewers and young adults, while ranking as the #1 broadcast program with Kids 2-11. AFV marked its 2nd-most-watched telecast since the beginning of January - since 1/2/11.

Up against the opening hour of the Grammy Awards at 8pm, ABC's Extreme Makeover Home Edition took second place in the hour, topping Fox's original comedies (The Simpsons/Bob's Burgers) by 12% in Total Viewers.

Outdrawing its non-Grammy competition in the 9 o'clock hour by wide margins, ABC's Desperate Housewives qualified as Sunday's most-watched scripted television show for the 13th time in 14 original airings this season.

In the 10pm hour, ABC's Brothers and Sisters earned second place to the Grammy Awards in Total Viewers and Adults 18-49.

Quick Take for Sunday, February 13, 2011 (Fast Affiliate Live + Same Day Ratings)

Against the "Grammy Awards," ABC Stands as the 2nd-Most-Watched Net on Sunday

ABC's "AFHV" Draws its 2nd Biggest Audience Since the Beginning of January

ABC's "Home Edition" Outdraws Fox's Comedies by 31% in the 8 O'clock Hour

ABC's "Housewives" Qualifies as the Sunday's Most-Watched Scripted TV Show

ABC's "Brothers & Sisters" Finishes No. 2 to the "Grammys" in the 10pm Hour

Sunday Night (7:00-11:00 p.m.)

Opposite CBS' coverage of the high-rated "53rd Annual Grammy Awards," ABC (7.4 million) finished as the 2nd-most-watched network on Sunday evening, outpacing third-place NBC by 2.6 million viewers (4.8 million) and fourth-place Fox by 2.8 million viewers (4.6 million).

"America's Funniest Home Videos" (7:00-8:00 p.m.)

During the 7 o'clock hour, "America's Funniest Home Videos" took second place in viewers (7.8 million) and young adults (1.8/6), and was the No. 1 broadcast program with Kids 2-11 (1.6/6).

· "AFHV" marked its 2nd-most-watched telecast since the beginning of January - since 1/2/11.

"Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" (8:00-9:00 p.m.)

Up against the opening hour of the "Grammy Awards" at 8:00 p.m., ABC's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" took second place in the hour, topping Fox's original comedies ("The Simpsons"/"Bob's Burgers") by 31% in Total Viewers (6.4 million vs. 4.9 million).

"Desperate Housewives" (9:00-10:00 p.m.)

Outdrawing its non-"Grammy" competition in the 9 o'clock hour by wide margins, ABC's "Desperate Housewives" (9.1 million) qualified as Sunday's most-watched scripted television show for the 13th time in 14 original airings this season.

"Brothers & Sisters" (10:00-11:00 p.m.)

In the 10:00 p.m. hour, ABC's "Brothers & Sisters" earned second place to the "Grammy Awards" in Total Viewers (6.4 million) and Adults 18-49 (1.8/5).

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 39% currently, from 35% at the same point in 2010. 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 Day Ratings), 2/13/11.