ABC's "Jimmy Kimmel Live" Draws its Biggest Audience in Almost 2 Months

Some early points on Jimmy Kimmel Live's weekly numbers, ahead of the regular press release

During the week of March 21, 2011, ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live saw week-to-week increases for the 2nd straight week in both Total Viewers and Adults 18-49, attracting the late-night program's largest overall audience in nearly 2 months (since w/o 1/31/11). JKL was up over the same week last year by double-digit percentages in both viewers and young adults, building over the year-ago week for the 4th time in the last 5 weeks in both measures. In fact, JKL posted the largest yearly increase of any late-night broadcast program in the key young adult demo.

· Excluding the NBA Finals-led broadcasts in June, JKL's Thursday telecast (3/24/11) posted the ABC late-night program's 2nd-highest Adult 18-49 number on any night in 10 months - since 5/25/10. In fact, JKL's Thursday airing delivered the show's largest audience and best Adult 18-49 number on the night in almost 15 months - since 1/7/10. On that evening, JKL drew 29% more overall viewers than NBC's Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and topped the NBC late-night program by 28% in Adults 18-49.

· For the week of March 21, JKL bettered NBC's Late Night with Jimmy Fallon in Total Viewers.

During 1st Quarter 2011, ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live saw increases over the year-ago 1st quarter by 4% in Total Viewers, by 2% in Adults 18-34 and by 5% in Adults 18-49, standing as the only late-night broadcast program to see growth over the year-ago quarter in all three measures. JKL grew its overall audience over the year-ago quarter for the 4th time in as many quarters and for the 3rd time in the last 4 quarters in both Adults 18-34 and Adults 18-49.

Building its numbers for the 2nd straight quarter, JKL was up over the previous quarter in both Adults 18-34 and Adults 18-49 to deliver its strongest performance in 3 quarters - since 2Q10.

· During the quarter, ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live bettered CBS' The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson by 2% in Adults 18-34 and by 4% in Adults 18-49, topping Ferguson in Adults 18-49 for the 4th straight quarter. In addition, JKL outdrew Ferguson in Adults 18-34 during the course of 1Q11 in 11 of the 13 weeks.

Ratings Report for ABC News' "Nightline" For the Week of March 21, 2011 and for the 1st Quarter 2011

1st QUARTER OF 2011: "NIGHTLINE" IS #1 IN TOTAL VIEWERS, ADULTS 18-49 AND ADULTS 25-54 FOR 1Q11

"NIGHTLINE" OUTPERFORMS BOTH COMPETITORS IN TOTAL VIEWERS AND ADULTS 25-54 FOR THE 2ND QUARTER IN A ROW

"NIGHTLINE"IS #1 AMONG ADULTS 18-49 FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER DURING ANY QUARTER

FOR THE WEEK: "NIGHTLINE" IS #1 AMONG TOTAL VIEWERS, ADULTS 18-49 AND ADULTS 25-54 FOR THE 5TH STRAIGHT WEEK

"NIGHTLINE" IS #1 AMONG TOTAL VIEWERS FOR 17TH TIME THIS SEASON, THE MOST NUMBER OF WEEKS AT #1 DURING THE COURSE OF ANY SEASON IN 16 YEARS

"NIGHTLINE" IS #1 SEASON TO DATE AMONG ADULTS 25-54 AND TOTAL VIEWERS FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 1993

During the 1st Quarter 2011, ABC's "Nightline" ranked No. 1 in all key target demos: Total Viewers (3.98 million), Adults 25-54 (1.65 million) and Adults 18-49 (1.27 million), beating NBC's "The Tonight Show" and CBS' "Late Show with David Letterman," according to Nielsen Media Research. 1Q11 stands as the first time ever for "Nightline" to rank No. 1 in Adults 18-49 during any quarter. In addition, 1Q11 represents the second quarter in a row for "Nightline" to rank No. 1, beating its late-night rivals, in both Total Viewers and Adults 25-54. Furthermore, 1Q11 stands as the first time that "Nightline" ranked No. 1 during the course of a 1st Quarter in Adults 25-54.

Compared to the year-ago quarter (1Q10), "Nightline" was up by +8% in Total Viewers and by +5% in Adults 25-54, drawing its most-watched 1st Quarter in 8 years - since 1Q03.

Looking at all quarters, "Nightline" was up by +1% in Total Viewers and by +2% in Adults 25-54 versus 4Q10. The ABC late night program attracted its most-watched overall quarter audience in 5 quarters and highest Adult 25-54 performance in 8 quarters - since 4Q09 and 1Q09, respectively.

"Nightline" topped NBC's "The Tonight Show" by +100,000 Total Viewers, by +50,000 Adult 25-54 viewers and by +10,000 Adult 18-49 viewers during 1Q11, marking its first 1st Quarter win over the NBC late-night program across all three demos in 16 years - since 1Q95. Furthermore, "Nightline" defeated "The Tonight Show" among Adults 18-49 for the first time during any quarter in over 15 years - since 2Q95.

"Nightline" turned in its largest lead over CBS' "The Late Show" during a 1st Quarter in Total Viewers (+390,000) and Adults 18-49 (+120,000) in 12 years (since 1Q99) and biggest advantage in Adults 25-54 (+100,000) in 8 years (since 1Q03).

During the week of March 21, 2011, ABC's "Nightline" ranked No. 1 among Total Viewers (4.34 million), Adults 25-54 (1.78 million) and Adults 18-49 (1.36 million), according to Nielsen Media Research. In fact, "Nightline" ranked No. 1 in all key target demos for the 5th week in a row. Also, "Nightline" finished No. 1 in Total Viewers for the 17th time during the season. This qualifies as the most number of weeks at No. 1 in Total Viewers during the course of any season, beating both "The Tonight Show" and "The Late Show," in 16 years - since the 1994-95 season.

For the 2nd straight week, "Nightline" improved on the same week last year across all key target demos: Total Viewers (+17%), Adults 25-54 (+11%) and Adults 18-49 (+3%). Further, the ABC late-night program grew its overall audience year over year for the 6th consecutive week.

Season to date, "Nightline" ranks first in late-night among Total Viewers and Adults 25-54. This is the first time that "Nightline" has been in first place at this point in the season since at least the 1993-94 season, when "Letterman" began on CBS. In addition, "Nightline" is up by +3% in Total Viewers and by +3% in Adults 25-54 compared to the same point last year. Season to date "Nightline" is drawing its largest overall audience in 8 years - since the 2002-03 season.

"Nightline" outperformed CBS' "Late Show with David Letterman" by it 2nd-largest margin of the season in Total Viewers (+960,000).

Note: Due to CBS' coverage of NCAA Basketball, "The Late Show" was delayed and coded as specials on Thu (3/24/11) and Fri (3/25/11); ratings are excluded from the averages.

ABC News' "Nightline" is anchored by Cynthia McFadden, Terry Moran and Bill Weir. John Donvan and Vicki Mabrey are correspondents. Jeanmarie Condon is the Executive Producer. The program airs weeknights at

11:35 p.m., ET on the ABC Television Network.

(1st Quarter 2011) TOTAL VIEWERS A25-54(000)/ Rtg A18-49(000)/ Rtg

ABC "Nightline" 3,980,000 1,650,000/ 1.3 1,270,000/ 1.0

CBS "Late Show" 3,590,000 1,550,000/ 1.2 1,150,000/ 0.9

NBC "Tonight Show" 3,880,000 1,600,000/ 1.3 1,260,000/ 1.0

(Week of March 21, 2011) TOTAL VIEWERS A25-54(000)/ Rtg A18-49(000)/ Rtg

ABC "Nightline" 4,340,000 1,780,000/ 1.4 1,360,000/ 1.0

CBS "Late Show" 3,380,000 1,590,000/ 1.2 1,230,000/ 0.9

NBC "Tonight Show" 4,000,000 1,630,000/ 1.3 1,310,000/ 1.0

Source: The Nielsen Company, NTI Total Viewers, Adults 25-54 & Adults 18-49 Live+SD weeks of 3/21/11, 3/14/11 & 3/22/10. Live+7 (where available) & Live+SD for Season-to-date 10-11 vs. 09-10 (9/2/10-3/25/11 vs. 9/21/09-3/26/10). 1Q11: 12/27/10 - 3/27/11. 4Q10: 9/20 - 12/26/10. 1Q10: 12/28/09 - 3/28/10.

Fringe Ratings Report: ABC Late-Night Programming Week of March 21, 2011 and 1st Quarter 2011

As the Only Broadcaster to Build Over the Year-Ago Week in Viewers and Young Adults, ABC Draws its Best Numbers in Late-Night in 7 Weeks

ABC Delivers its 2nd-Most-Watched Quarter in Late-Night in 5 Quarters

ABC's "Nightline" is No. 1 in Total Viewers and Key Adults for 1Q11

"Nightline" Outperforms Both Competitors in Total Viewers and Adults 25-54 for the 2nd Quarter in a Row

"Nightline" is No. 1 Among Total Viewers, Adults 18-49 and Adults 25-54 for the 5th Straight Week

ABC's "Jimmy Kimmel Live" Draws its Biggest Weekly Audience in 2 Months

"JKL's" Thursday Telecast Delivers the Show's 2nd-Best Adults 18-49 Performance on Any Night Since May, Beating NBC's "Fallon" by 28% Among Adults 18-49

"JKL" is Up Over 1Q10 in Viewers and Young Adults, Standing as the Only Late-Night Broadcast Program to Post Year-to-Year Gains

"JKL" Tops CBS' "Ferguson" in Adults 18-49 in 1Q11, Outperforming the CBS Program for the 4th Quarter in a Row

ABC Late-Night (Monday - Friday)

During the week of March 21, 2011, ABC drew its largest audience (2.45 million) and posted its highest Adult 18-49 number (897,000) in late-night in 7 weeks - since w/o 1/31/11. Growing its numbers in late-night for the 2nd week in a row, ABC posted week-to-week gains of 5% in Total Viewers (2.45 million vs. 2.35 million) and 8% in Adults 18-49 (897,000 vs. 827,000).

Additionally, ABC was up by 14% over the same week last year (w/o 3/22/10) in viewers (2.45 million vs. 2.14 million) and by 7% in Adults 18-49 (897,000 vs. 840,000), scoring its 2nd straight week of year-to-year increases in both measures. Additionally, ABC was up for the 7th time in the last 8 weeks in viewers. ABC also stood as the only broadcast network in late-night to build over the year-ago week in both viewers and young adults.

· For the week, ABC tied NBC for No. 1 in Total Viewers (2.45 million vs. 2.45 million).

During the 1st Quarter 2011, ABC saw increases over the year-ago quarter in both Total Viewers (+5% - 2.33 million vs. 2.21 million) and Adults 18-49 (+2% - 866,000 vs. 847,000), standing as the only broadcast network to post year-to-year increases in late-night in young adults (NBC was down -17%, CBS was down -13%). Building over the prior quarter for the 2nd quarter in a row, ABC was also the only broadcast network in late-night to see growth over 4Q10 in Adults 18-49 (866,000 vs. 861,000). In fact, "JKL" delivered its 2nd-strongest performance for any quarter in 5 quarters in both Total Viewers and Adults 18-49 - since 4Q09.

"Nightline" (Monday - Friday)

During the 1st Quarter 2011, ABC's "Nightline" ranked No. 1 in all key target demos: Total Viewers (3.98 million), Adults 25-54 (1.65 million) and Adults 18-49 (1.27 million), beating NBC's "The Tonight Show" and CBS' "Late Show with David Letterman," according to Nielsen Media Research. 1Q11 stands as the first time ever that "Nightline" has ranked No. 1 in Adults 18-49 during any quarter. In addition, 1Q11 represents the second quarter in a row that "Nightline" has ranked No. 1, beating its late-night rivals in both Total Viewers and Adults 25-54. Furthermore, 1Q11 marks the first time that "Nightline" has ranked No. 1 during the course of a 1st Quarter in Adults 25-54.

· Compared to the year-ago quarter (1Q10), "Nightline" was up by +8% in Total Viewers and by +5% in Adults 25-54, drawing its most-watched 1st Quarter in 8 years - since 1Q03.

· Looking at all quarters, "Nightline" was up by +1% in Total Viewers and by +2% in Adults 25-54 versus 4Q10. The ABC late night program attracted its most-watched overall quarter audience in 5 quarters and highest Adult 25-54 performance in 8 quarters - since 4Q09 and 1Q09, respectively.

· "Nightline" topped NBC's "The Tonight Show" by +100,000 Total Viewers, by +50,000 Adult 25-54 viewers and by +10,000 Adult 18-49 viewers during 1Q11, marking its first 1st Quarter win over the NBC late-night program across all three demos in 16 years - since 1Q95. Furthermore, "Nightline" defeated "The Tonight Show" among Adults 18-49 for the first time during any quarter in over 15 years - since 2Q95.

· "Nightline" turned in its largest lead over CBS' "The Late Show" during a 1st Quarter in Total Viewers (+390,000) and Adults 18-49 (+120,000) in 12 years (since 1Q99), and the biggest advantage in Adults 25-54 (+100,000) in 8 years (since 1Q03).

During the week of March 21, 2011, ABC's "Nightline" ranked No. 1 among Total Viewers (4.34 million), Adults 25-54 (1.78 million) and Adults 18-49 (1.36 million), according to Nielsen Media Research. In fact, "Nightline" ranked No. 1 in all key target demos for the 5th week in a row. Also, "Nightline" finished No. 1 in Total Viewers for the 17th time during the season. This qualifies as the most number of weeks at No. 1 in Total Viewers during the course of any season, beating both "The Tonight Show" and "The Late Show," in 16 years - since the 1994-95 season.

· For the 2nd straight week, "Nightline" improved on the same week last year across all key target demos: Total Viewers (+17%), Adults 25-54 (+11%) and Adults 18-49 (+3%). Further, the ABC late-night program grew its overall audience year over year for the 6th consecutive week.

· Season to date, "Nightline" ranks first in late-night among Total Viewers and Adults 25-54. This is the first time that "Nightline" has been in first place at this point in the season since at least the 1993-94 season, when "Letterman" began on CBS. In addition, "Nightline" is up by +3% in Total Viewers and by +3% in Adults 25-54 compared to the same point last year. Season to date "Nightline" is drawing its largest overall audience in 8 years - since the 2002-03 season.

· "Nightline" outperformed CBS' "Late Show with David Letterman" by it 2nd-largest margin of the season in Total Viewers (+960,000).

"Jimmy Kimmel Live" (Monday - Friday)

During the week of March 21, 2011, ABC's "Jimmy Kimmel Live" saw week-to-week increases for the 2nd straight week in both Total Viewers (+7% - 1.83 million vs. 1.71 million) and Adults 18-49 (+10% - 746,000 vs. 676,000), attracting the late-night program's largest overall audience in nearly 2 months (since w/o 1/31/11). "JKL" was up over the same week last year by double-digit percentages in both viewers (+20% - 1.83 million vs. 1.52 million) and young adults (+15% - 746,000 vs. 649,000), building over the year-ago week for the 4th time in the last 5 weeks in both measures. In fact, "JKL" posted the largest yearly increase of any late-night broadcast program in both viewers and young adults.

· Excluding the NBA Finals-led broadcasts in June, "JKL's" Thursday telecast (3/24/11), featuring guests Penelope Cruz, Paul Iacono and singer Oh Land, posted the ABC late-night program's 2nd-highest Adult 18-49 number (977,000) on any night in late-night in 10 months - since 5/25/10. In addition, excluding post-sporting event airings, "JKL's" Thursday airing delivered the show's largest audience (2.18 million) and best Adult 18-49 number on the night in over 2 1/2 years - since 9/25/08 and 10/1/09, respectively.

· For the week of March 21, "JKL" outdrew NBC's "Fallon" in Total Viewers (+2% - 1.83 million vs. 1.80 million).

During the 1st Quarter 2011, ABC's "Jimmy Kimmel Live" saw increases over the year-ago quarter by 4% in Total Viewers (1.69 million vs. 1.63 million), by 2% in Adults 18-34 (247,000 vs. 242,000) and by 5% in Adults 18-49 (711,000 vs. 678,000), standing as the only late-night broadcast program to see growth over the year-ago quarter in all three measures. "JKL" grew its overall audience over the year-ago quarter for the 4th time in as many quarters and for the 3rd time in the last 4 quarters in both Adults 18-34 and Adults 18-49.

Building its numbers for the 2nd straight quarter, "JKL" was up over the previous quarter in both Adults 18-34 (250,000 vs. 241,000) and Adults 18-49 (707,000 vs. 701,000) delivering its strongest performance in 3 quarters - since 2Q10.

· During the quarter, ABC's "Jimmy Kimmel Live" bettered CBS' "The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson" by 2% in Adults 18-34 (247,000 vs. 242,000) and by 4% in Adults 18-49 (711,000 vs. 684,000), topping "Ferguson" in Adults 18-49 for the 4th straight quarter. In addition, "JKL" outdrew "Ferguson" in Adults 18-34 in 11 of the 13 weeks of 1Q11.

Late-Night Rank (Week of March 21, 2011):

TOTAL VIEWERS A18-49(000)

ABC 2,450,000 897,000

CBS 2,430,000 968,000

NBC 2,450,000 955,000

Late-Night Rank (1st Quarter 2011):

TOTAL VIEWERS A18-49(000)

ABC 2,330,000 866,000

CBS 2,600,000 898,000

NBC 2,390,000 910,000

Source: The Nielsen Company, Live + Same Day National Program Ratings - 1Q11 = 12/27/10 - 3/27/11 vs. 1st Quarter 2010 = 12/28/09 -- 3/28/10 (Most Current). Comparisons based on 000s. ABC Late-Night = "Nightline" and "JKL"; CBS Late-Night = "Letterman" and "Ferguson"; NBC Late-Night = "Tonight Show," "Fallon" and "Carson Daly."