ABC's "Grey's" is Thursday's #1 Scripted Show/"Private Practice" Builds

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

Opposite an Idol-led Fox, ABC finished in a virtual-tie for #2 with CBS among Adults 18-49 (pacing within 1-tenth of a rating point and tied in audience share). In addition, the Net ran a strong second on the evening to Fox across all key Women demographics (W18-34/W18-49/W25-54).

· The Net equaled its top Adult 18-49 number on the night since March - since 3/31/11.

In the 8 o'clock hour opposite Idol and CBS' original comedies (The Big Bang Theory/Rules of Engagement), ABC's Wipeout beat out NBC's comedies (Community/The Office) in viewers and young adults. The wide-appealing ABC unscripted series stood as the #2 broadcast to Idol with Kids 2-11.

· Despite facing American Idol in the hour this year, Wipeout was up over original drama programming on the same night last year (FlashForward on 5/6/10) by 8% among Adults 18-49. On average this season, Wipeout is delivering substantial year-to-year growth for ABC against Idol, improving the time period by 18% in Total Viewers, by 25% in Adults 18-49 and by 480% in Kids 2-11.

TV's #1 drama this season in the key Adult 18-49 sales demo, ABC's Grey's Anatomy won Thursday's 9 o'clock hour, topping Fox's Idol-fueled Bones by 6%, NBC's comedies (The Office/Parks and Recreation) by 17% and CBS' CSI by 59%.

· Grey's registered as Thursday's #1 scripted series among Adults 18-49 (tie), Adults 25-54 and across all key Women categories.

ABC's Private Practice earned second in the 10 o'clock hour in viewers and young adults, while ranking #1 across all key Women demos (W18-34/W18-49/W25-54). In fact it was the ABC drama's 19th straight original airing to stand as the #1 scripted TV show in the hour with key Women (W18-34/W18-49).

· Private Practice built over the prior week in both Total Viewers (+3%) and Adults 18-49 (+5%).

Quick Take for Thursday, May 5, 2011 (Fast Affiliate Live + Same Day Ratings)

ABC Equals its Strongest Thursday Since March Among Adults 18-49

"Wipeout" Continues to Improve its Time Period for ABC Against "Idol"

TV's No. 1 Drama This Season in the Key Adult 18-49 Sales Demo, ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" Wins the 9pm Hour to Rank as Thursday's Top Scripted Show

Building Week to Week in Adults 18-49, ABC's "Private Practice" Finishes No. 1 in the 10 O'clock Hour Across All Key Women Demos

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

Opposite an "Idol"-led Fox, ABC finished in a virtual tie for No. 2 with CBS among Adults 18-49 (2.4/7 vs. 2.5/7 - pacing within 1-tenth of a rating point and tied in audience share). In addition, the Net ran a strong second on the evening to Fox across all key Women demographics (W18-34/W18-49/W25-54).

· The Net equaled its top Adult 18-49 number on the night since March � since 3/31/11.

"Wipeout" (8:00-9:00 p.m.)

In the 8 o'clock hour opposite "American Idol" and CBS' original comedies ("The Big Bang Theory"/"Rules of Engagement"), ABC's "Wipeout" beat out NBC's comedies ("Community"/"The Office"-R) in viewers (4.8 million vs. 3.1 million) and young adults (1.4/5 vs. 1.3/4). The wide-appealing ABC unscripted series stood as the No. 2 broadcast show to "Idol" with Kids 2-11.

· Despite facing "American Idol" in the hour this year, "Wipeout" was up over original drama programming on the same night last year ("FlashForward" on 5/6/10 = 1.3/4) by 8% among Adults 18-49. On average this season, "Wipeout" is delivering substantial year-to-year growth for ABC against "Idol," improving the time period by 18% in Total Viewers (7.8 million vs. 6.6 million), by 25% in Adults 18-49 (2.5/7 vs. 2.0/6) and by 480% in Kids 2-11 (2.9/10 vs. 0.5/2).

"Grey's Anatomy" (9:00-10:00 p.m.)

TV's No. 1 drama this season in the key Adult 18-49 sales demo, ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" (3.5/10) won Thursday's 9 o'clock hour, topping Fox's "Idol"-fueled "Bones" by 6% (3.3/8), NBC's comedies ("The Office"/"Parks and Recreation") by 17% (3.0/8) and CBS' "CSI" by 59% (2.2/6).

· "Grey's" registered as Thursday's No. 1 scripted show among Adults 18-49 (tie), Adults 25-54 and across all key Women categories.

"Private Practice" (10:00-11:00 p.m.)

ABC's "Private Practice" earned second in the 10 o'clock hour in viewers (6.9 million) and young adults (2.3/6), while ranking No. 1 across all key Women demos (W18-34/W18-49/W25-54). In fact it was the ABC drama's 19th straight original airing to stand as the No. 1 scripted TV show in the hour with key Women (W18-34/W18-49).

· "Private Practice" built over the prior week in both Total Viewers (+3%) and Adults 18-49 (+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 41% currently, from 36% 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), 5/5/11.