ABC's "The Bachelor" Hits 2nd-Best Number and "Castle" Marks a 5-Week High in Adults 18-49

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

Opposite competition including NBC's The Voice, CBS' original lineup and Fox's Daytona 500, ABC equaled its best numbers since season-premiere Monday in Adults 18-34 and Women 18-34. In addition, ABC registered as the #2 Net on the night with Women 18-34 for the 4th week in a row.

Despite facing stiff competition throughout its 2-hour broadcast, ABC's The Bachelor grew week to week in Adults 18-49 (+4%) to match its 2nd-highest number this season. In addition, the ABC unscripted series equaled season-high ratings with Adults 18-34 and Women 18-34. The Bachelor finished #2 in its time period with key Women (W18-34/W18-49).

Gaining on its lead-in by 1.1 million viewers in the 10pm hour, ABC's Castle finished on the heels of CBS' Hawaii Five-0 (pacing within 300k viewers), while outdrawing NBC's Voice-driven Smash by 2.2 million viewers. ABC's Castle was also the #2 drama in the hour with Adults 18-34, Adults 25-54 and key Women (W18-34/W25-54). Building week to week by 5%, ABC's Castle hit a 5-week high in Adults 18-49 - since 1/16/12.

Quick Take for Monday, February 27, 2012 (Fast Affiliate Live + Same Day Ratings)

ABC Sees Best Adults 18-34 and Women 18-34 Numbers Since Season Premiere Monday

ABC's "The Bachelor" Matches 2nd-Best Adults 18-49 Number of the Season, While Equaling Season-Highs in Adults 18-34 and Women 18-34

ABC's "Castle" Hits 5-Week High in Adults 18-49

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

Opposite competition including NBC's "The Voice," CBS' original lineup and Fox's "Daytona 500," ABC equaled its best numbers since season-premiere Monday in Adults 18-34 (2.0/6) and Women 18-34 (3.0/8). In addition, ABC registered as the No. 2 Net on the night with Women 18-34 for the 4th week in a row.

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

Despite facing stiff competition throughout its 2-hour broadcast, ABC's "The Bachelor" grew week to week in Adults 18-49 (+4% - 2.6/6 vs. 2.5/6) to match its 2nd-highest number this season. In addition, the ABC unscripted series equaled season-high ratings with Adults 18-34 (2.3/6) and Women 18-34 (3.5/9). "The Bachelor" finished No. 2 in its time period with key Women (W18-34/W18-49).

"Castle" (10:00-11:00 p.m.)

Gaining on its lead-in by 1.1 million viewers in the 10:00 p.m. hour, ABC's "Castle" finished on the heels of CBS' "Hawaii Five-0" (pacing within 300,000 viewers), while outdrawing NBC's "The Voice"- -driven "Smash" by 2.2 million viewers (9.1 million vs. 6.9 million) . ABC's "Castle" was also the No. 2 drama in the hour with Adults 18-34 (1.6/5) and Adults 25-54 (2.7/6). Building week to week by 5% (2.2/5 vs. 2.1/8), ABC's "Castle" hit a 5-week high in Adults 18-49 - since 1/16/12.

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), 2/27/12.