ABC Stands as Most-Watched Net on Monday

Some early info on ABC Monday, ahead of the regular press release.

ABC's Monday line-up of The Bachelorette and Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition drew 7.1 million viewers and a 2.2 rating, 6 share in Adults 18-49. Topping Fox by 1.4 million viewers, ABC ranked No. 1 in Total Viewers for the 2nd week in a row, standing as the most-watched network on the night in 17 of the last 18 weeks.

At 8pm, ABC's The Bachelorette won its time period for its 8th straight regular telecast in Total Viewers, while taking 2nd in Adults 18-49. The ABC program outdrew Fox's unscripted line-up (season premiere of Hell's Kitchen and MasterChef) by 2.0 million viewers.

The Bachelorette ranked as Monday's #1 TV show in Total Viewers, qualifying as Monday's most-watched show overall for its 7th consecutive regular telecast.

ABC's Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition posted week-to-week increases in both Total Viewers (+7%) and Adults 18-49 (+5%), topping its broadcast rivals in the hour in both Nielsen measures. Additionally, the freshman ABC unscripted series won its hour for the 7th first-run broadcast in a row across all key Women demographics (W18-34/W18-49/W25-54).

ABC's EM: Weight Loss Edition once again improved its hour year to year. On average, the new unscripted series is boosting the hour for ABC by 13% in Total Viewers, by 10% in Adults 18-49 and by 13% in Adults 18-34 over the comparable nights last year with originals of True Beauty.

Quick Take for Monday, July 18, 2011 (Fast Affiliate Live + Same Day Ratings)

ABC is No. 1 on Monday in Total Viewers for the 2nd Straight Week

ABC's "The Bachelorette" Leads from 8-10pm in Total Viewers, Standing as Monday's Most-Watched Program for its 7th Original Telecast in a Row

With Week-to-Week Gains in Viewers and Young Adults, ABC's "Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition" is No. 1 at 10pm in Adults 18-49 Versus its Broadcast Rivals

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

ABC's Monday lineup of "The Bachelorette" and "Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition" drew 7.1 million viewers and a 2.2 rating, 6 share in Adults 18-49. Topping Fox (5.7 million) by 1.4 million viewers, ABC ranked No. 1 in Total Viewers for the 2nd week in a row, standing as the most-watched network on the night in 17 of the last 18 weeks.

"The Bachelorette" (8:00-10:00 p.m.)

At 8:00 p.m., ABC's "The Bachelorette" won its time period for its 8th straight regular telecast in Total Viewers (7.7 million), while taking 2nd in Adults 18-49 (2.2/7). The ABC program outdrew Fox's unscripted lineup (5.7 million - season premiere of "Hell's Kitchen" and "MasterChef") by 2.0 million viewers.

· "The Bachelorette" ranked as Monday's No. 1 TV show in Total Viewers, qualifying as Monday's most-watched show overall for its 7th consecutive regular telecast.

"Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition" (10:00-11:00 p.m.)

ABC's "Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition" posted week-to-week increases in both Total Viewers (+7%) and Adults 18-49 (+5%), topping its broadcast rivals in the hour in both Nielsen measures. Additionally, the freshman ABC unscripted series won its hour for the 7th first-run broadcast in a row across all key Women demographics (W18-34/W18-49/W25-54).

· ABC's "EM: Weight Loss Edition" once again improved its hour year to year. On average, the new unscripted series is boosting the hour for ABC by 13% in Total Viewers, by 10% in Adults 18-49 and by 13% in Adults 18-34 over the comparable nights last year with originals of "True Beauty."

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 37% 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), 7/18/11.