ABC's "Grey's" is Thursday's #1 Drama in Adults 18-49 for the 3rd Week Running

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

Opposite the opening hour of Fox's The X Factor and CBS' comedies (The Big Bang Theory/How to be a Gentleman) from 8-9pm, ABC freshman Charlie's Angels outdrew NBC's established comedies (Community/Parks and Recreation) for the 3rd week in a row, leading by 2.1 million viewers. Charlie's Angels grew its audience from its first half-hour to its second half-hour in viewers (+7%) and young adults (+27%). Despite facing increased competition from X Factor this year, Charlie's Angels pulled in 44% more viewers to the hour for ABC over the year-ago night.

More than doubling its lead-in (+150%) against the second hour of The X Factor, ABC's Grey's Anatomy stood as Thursday's #1 drama in Adults 18-49 for the 3rd week running this season. Leading its scripted competition in the 9 o'clock hour by strong margins among young adults, Grey's defeated NBC's comedies (The Office/Whitney) by 11% and CBS' Person of Interest by 20%.

During the 10 o'clock hour, ABC's Private Practice paced well ahead of its NBC drama competition (Prime Suspect) with Total Viewers (+27%) and Adults 18-49 (+47%). In addition for the 2nd time in as many weeks, Private Practice qualified as the #1 drama in the hour with Adults 18-34 and across all key Women demos (W18-34/W18-49/W25-54).

Quick Take for Thursday, October 6, 2011 (Fast Affiliate Live + Same Day Ratings)

Continuing to Attract a Larger Audience to the Hour Year Over Year for ABC, "Charlie's Angels" Tops NBC's Comedies in the 8pm Hour by 2.1 Million Viewers

For the 3rd Week in a Row, "Grey's" is Thursday's No. 1 Drama in Adults 18-49

"Private Practice" is the No. 1 Drama at 10pm in Adults 18-34 and Key Women

"Charlie's Angels" (8:00-9:00 p.m.)

Opposite the opening hour of Fox's "The X Factor" and CBS' comedies ("The Big Bang Theory"/"How to be a Gentleman") from 8:00-9:00 p.m., ABC freshman "Charlie's Angels" outdrew NBC's established comedies ("Community"/"Parks and Recreation") for the 3rd week in a row, leading by 2.1 million viewers (5.9 million vs. 3.8 million). The new drama grew its audience from its first half-hour to its second half-hour in viewers (+7% - 5.7 million to 6.1 million) and young adults (+27% - 1.1/3 to 1.4/4).

· Despite facing increased competition from "X Factor" this year, "Charlie's Angels" pulled in 40% more viewers to the hour for ABC over the year-ago night (4.2 million on 10/7/10).

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

More than doubling its lead-in (+150% - 3.0/8 vs. 1.2/4) against the second hour of "The X Factor," ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" stood as Thursday's No. 1 drama in Adults 18-49 for the 3rd week running this season. Leading its scripted competition in the 9 o'clock hour by strong margins among young adults, "Grey's" (3.0/8) defeated NBC's comedies ("The Office"/"Whitney") by 11% (2.7/7) and CBS' "Person of Interest" by 20% (2.5/6).

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

During the 10 o'clock hour, ABC's "Private Practice" paced well ahead of its NBC drama competition ("Prime Suspect") with Total Viewers (+27% - 6.2 million vs. 4.9 million) and Adults 18-49 (+47% - 2.2/6 vs. 1.5/4). In addition, for the 2nd time in as many weeks, "Private Practice" was the No. 1 drama in the hour with Adults 18-34 and across all key Women demos (W18-34/W18-49/W25-54).

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 42% currently, from 38% 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), 10/06/11.