ABC's "DWTS" is Monday's Most-Watched Show and "Castle" is the Top Scripted Program

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

Driven by another strong turnout for DWTS and Castle, ABC stood as Monday's most-watched TV net for the 5th week running, outdrawing NBC by 6.1 million viewers, CBS by 6.6 million viewers and more than doubling the audience of Fox (+133%). In addition among Adults 18-49, ABC defeated Fox's original drama lineup (Bones/House) by 30% and nearly tied CBS on the night.

· ABC grew week to week in viewers (+12%) and young adults (+8%), while increasing its overall audience by 6% from the year-ago evening.

Once again finishing as Monday's most-watched TV program, ABC's Dancing with the Stars soared to the top its 2-hour time slot for the 5th straight week, beating out runner-up NBC's The Voice in head-to-head competition by 6.4 million viewers. The ABC unscripted series dominated Fox's combo of Bones and House in Adults 18-49 by 40%. In addition, the broad-appealing dancing competition ranked #1 in the slot with Women 25-54, while taking second with Women 18-49 and making ABC the #2 broadcaster with Teens 12-17 and Kids 2-11.

ABC's Castle won the 10 o'clock hour by impressive margins in Total Viewers and key Adults (AD18-49/AD25-54) to stand as Monday's most-watched scripted show overall. In the hour, ABC's Castle beat out NBC's first-run Smash by 5.4 million viewers, by a best-yet 39% in Adults 25-54 and by a best-yet 16% in Adults 18-49. In fact, Castle also qualified was Monday's #1 drama with viewers and key Adults (AD18-49/AD25-54), outdelivering Fox's Bones and House, as well as NBC's Smash.

· ABC's Castle was up over its last original telecast two weeks ago among Adults 18-49 (+5%).

Quick Take for Monday, April 16, 2012 (Fast Affiliate Live+ Same Day Ratings)

ABC is Monday's Most-Watched Net for the 5th Week in a Row

Monday's No. 1 Program in Total Viewers, ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" Leads its 2-Hour Time Slot for the 5th Consecutive Week

ABC's "Castle" Wins at 10pm in Total Viewers and Key Adults, Leading NBC's "Smash" by Best-Yet Margins in Adults 18-49 and Adults 25-54

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

Driven by another strong turnout for "DWTS" and "Castle," ABC (14.7 million) stood as Monday's most-watched TV net for the 5th week running, outdrawing NBC by 6.1 million viewers (8.6 million), CBS by 6.6 million viewers (8.1 million) and more than doubling the audience of Fox (+133% - 6.3 million). In addition among Adults 18-49, ABC (2.6/7) defeated Fox's original drama lineup (2.0/5 - "Bones"/"House") by 30% and nearly tied CBS (2.7/7) on the night.

· ABC grew week to week in viewers (+12%) and young adults (+8%), while increasing its overall audience by 6% from the year-ago evening (13.9 million on 4/18/11).

"Dancing with the Stars" (8:00-10:00 p.m.)

Once again finishing as Monday's most-watched TV program, ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" soared to the top its 2-hour time slot for the 5th straight week, beating out runner-up NBC's "The Voice" in head-to-head competition by 6.4 million viewers (16.3 million vs. 9.9 million). The ABC unscripted series dominated Fox's combo of "Bones" and "House" in Adults 18-49 by 40% (2.8/7 vs. 2.0/5). In addition, the broad-appealing dancing competition ranked No. 1 in the slot with Women 25-54 (5.8/13), while taking second with Women 18-49 (3.9/10) and making ABC the No. 2 broadcaster with Teens 12-17 (1.4/5) and Kids 2-11 (1.4/5).

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

ABC's "Castle" won the 10 o'clock hour by impressive margins in Total Viewers and key Adults (AD18-49/AD25-54) to stand as Monday's most-watched scripted show overall. In the hour, ABC's "Castle" beat out NBC's first-run "Smash" by 5.5 million viewers (11.5 million vs. 6.0 million), by a best-yet 39% in Adults 25-54 (3.2/8 vs. 2.3/5) and by a best-yet 16% in Adults 18-49 (2.2/6 vs. 1.9/5). "Castle" also qualified was Monday's No. 1 drama with viewers and key Adults (AD18-49/AD25-54), outdelivering Fox's "Bones" and "House," as well as NBC's "Smash."

· ABC's "Castle" was up over its last original telecast two weeks ago among Adults 18-49 (+5% - 2.1/5 on 4/2/12).

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 40% 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), 4/16/12.