ABC's Thursday Dramas Gain Viewers Over Last Originals

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

From 8-9pm against CBS' top-rated The Big Bang Theory and Rob, along with Fox's American Idol, ABC's Winter Wipeout beat out NBC's comedies by wide margins (30 Rock/Parks and Recreation), leading by 2.5 million viewers and by 20% in Adults 18-49. Despite the stiff time-time period competition, Wipeout's audience grew by 5% in viewers and by 19% in Adults 18-49 from its first to its second half-hour.

Surging over its lead-in by 94% to win the 9 o'clock hour in Adults 18-49, ABC's Grey's Anatomy defeated CBS' Person of Interest by 6%, Fox's Idol-driven The Finder by 46% and NBC's comedies (The Office/Up All Night) by 52%. ABC's Grey's Anatomy registered as Thursday's #1 drama in the key young adult sales demographic for its 12th straight original telecast this season.

· Grey's was up over its most recent original airing two weeks ago in Total Viewers, while holding 100% of its Adult 18-49 audience.

During the 10 o'clock hour, ABC's Private Practice more than doubled the delivery of NBC's The Firm in Total Viewers (+123%) and nearly tripled its Adult 18-49 number (+188%). In addition, ABC's Private Practice stood as the #1 drama during Thursday's 10pm hour for the 12th consecutive first-run broadcast this season in Adults 18-34 and Women 18-34. In fact, ABC's Private Practice outdelivered CBS' The Mentalist by 38% in the hour among Adults 18-34.

· ABC's Private Practice produced its most-watched telecast in 4 weeks and built 10% in Adults 18-49 over its last original airing two weeks ago.

Quick Take for Thursday, February 2, 2012 (Fast Affiliate Live + Same Day Program Ratings)

Building its Audience from 8-9pm Against CBS' Comedies and "Idol," "Wipeout" Beats NBC's "30 Rock" and "Parks and Recreation" in Viewers and Young Adults

Growing its Overall Audience from its Last Original, ABC's "Grey's" Jumps Over its Lead-in to Win the 9pm Hour and Stands as Thursday's No. 1 Drama in Adults 18-49

In the 10pm Hour, ABC's "Private Practice" Towers Over NBC's "The Firm," Drawing Its Biggest Audience in 4 Weeks and Up 10% in Adults 18-49 from its Last Original

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

From 8:00-9:00 p.m. against CBS' top-rated "The Big Bang Theory" and "Rob," along with Fox's "American Idol," ABC's "Winter Wipeout" beat out NBC's comedies by wide margins ("30 Rock"/"Parks and Recreation"), leading by 2.5 million viewers (5.9 million vs. 3.4 million) and by 20% in Adults 18-49 (1.8/5 vs. 1.5/4).

· Despite the stiff time-period competition, "Wipeout's" audience grew by 5% in viewers (5.8 million to 6.1 million) and by 19% in Adults 18-49 (1.6/5 to 1.9/5) from its first to its second half-hour.

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

Surging over its lead-in by 94% to win the 9 o'clock hour in Adults 18-49, ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" (3.5/9) defeated CBS' "Person of Interest" by 6% (3.3/9), Fox's "Idol"-driven "The Finder" by 46% (2.4/6) and NBC's comedies ("The Office"/"Up All Night") by 52% (2.3/6). ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" registered as Thursday's No. 1 drama in the key young adult sales demographic for its 12th straight original telecast this season.

· "Grey's" was up over its most recent original airing two weeks ago in Total Viewers (9.6 million vs. 9.4 million), while holding 100% of its Adult 18-49 audience.

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

During the 10 o'clock hour, ABC's "Private Practice" more than doubled the delivery of NBC's "The Firm" in Total Viewers (+123% - 6.7 million vs. 3.0 million) and nearly tripled its Adult 18-49 number (+188% - 2.3/6 vs. 0.8/2). In addition, ABC's "Private Practice" stood as the No. 1 drama during Thursday's 10:00 p.m. hour for the 12th consecutive first-run broadcast this season in Adults 18-34 and Women 18-34. In fact, ABC's "Private Practice" outdelivered CBS' "The Mentalist" by 38% in the hour among Adults 18-34 (1.8/6 vs. 1.3/4).

· ABC's "Private Practice" produced its most-watched telecast in 4 weeks (since 1/5/12) and built 10% in Adults 18-49 over its last original airing two weeks ago.

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 43% currently, from 39% at the same point in 2011. 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), 02/02/12.