ABC's "Revenge" Wins its Hour for the 2nd Week in a Row

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

Despite airing repeat comedies during the first 3 half-hours of the evening, ABC beat out NBC's all-original schedule on Wednesday by strong double-digit percentage in both Total Viewers (+17%) and Adults 18-49 (+50%).

At 8pm, ABC's repeat The Middle grew week to week by 7% in viewers, outdrawing its last 4 repeat telecasts.

Building on its lead-in at 8:30pm among young adults (+8%), ABC's repeat Suburgatory nearly doubled NBC's original Best Friends Forever in the half hour in Total Viewers (+67%) and Adults 18-49 (+75%).

· The ABC freshman comedy was up sharply over its last repeat airing in Total Viewers (+25%) and Adults 18-49 (+17%).

At 9pm, ABC's encore Modern Family shot up from its lead-in (+57%) to finish as Wednesday's #1 scripted show in Adults 18-49.

· ABC's Modern Family improved over its year-ago replay by 10% in Adults 18-49. In addition, the ABC comedy topped its most recent encore by 18% in viewers and by 22% in young adults.

Posting strong retention of its Modern Family lead-in during the 9:30pm half-hour with Adults 18-34 (100%) and Adults 18-49 (91%), ABC's Don't Trust the B--- in Apartment 23 ranked #2 to the conclusion of Idol for the 2nd consecutive week on both young adult measures.

During the 10 o'clock hour, ABC's Revenge finished #1 for the 2nd week in a row among Total Viewers, Adults 18-49 and Adults 25-54. The ABC drama once again beat out NBC's first-run Law & Order: SVU in Total Viewers (+6%), Adults 18-49 (+25%) and Adults 25-54 (+24%).

Quick Take for Wednesday, April 25, 2012 (Fast Affiliate Live + Same Day Ratings)

ABC's Mix of Repeats and Originals Defeat NBC's All-Original Wednesday Lineup

ABC's Repeat "Suburgatory" Nearly Doubles NBC's First-Run "Best Friends Forever"

Up Year to Year and Topping its Most Recent Encore, ABC's "Modern Family" Repeat Finishes as Wednesday's No. 1 Scripted TV Show Among Adults 18-49

Showing Strong Lead-in Retention, ABC's "Don't Trust the B--- in Apartment 23" Ranks No. 2 to the Conclusion of "Idol" for the 2nd Week in a Row in Young Adults

For the 2nd Week Running, ABC's "Revenge" Wins Wednesday's 10 O'clock Hour

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

Despite airing repeat comedies during the first 3 half-hours of the evening, ABC beat out NBC's all-original schedule on Wednesday by strong double-digit percentage in both Total Viewers (+17% - 5.6 million vs. 4.8 million) and Adults 18-49 (+50% - 1.8/5 vs. 1.2/4).

"The Middle" (8:00-8:30 p.m.)

At 8:00 p.m., ABC's repeat "The Middle" grew week to week by 7% in viewers (5.0 million vs. 4.6 million), outdrawing its last 4 repeat telecasts.

"Suburgatory" (8:30-9:00 p.m.)

Building on its lead-in at 8:30 p.m. among young adults (+8%), ABC's repeat "Suburgatory" nearly doubled NBC's original "Best Friends Forever" in the half hour in Total Viewers (+67% - 4.5 million vs. 2.7 million) and Adults 18-49 (+75% - 1.4/4 vs. 0.8/2).

· The ABC freshman comedy was up sharply over its last repeat airing (3.6 million and 1.2/4 on 4/4/12) in Total Viewers (+25%) and Adults 18-49 (+17%).

"Modern Family" (9:00-9:30 p.m.)

At 9:00 p.m., ABC's encore "Modern Family" shot up from its lead-in (+57%) to finish as Wednesday's No. 1 scripted TV show in Adults 18-49 (2.2/6).

· ABC's "Modern Family" improved over its year-ago replay by 10% in Adults 18-49. In addition, the ABC comedy topped its most recent encore (on 4/4/12) by 18% in viewers (5.8 million vs. 4.9 million) and by 22% in young adults (2.2/6 vs. 1.8/5).

"Don't Trust the B--- in Apartment 23" (9:30-10:00 p.m.)

Posting strong retention of its "Modern Family" lead-in during the 9:30 p.m. half-hour with Adults 18-34 (100% - 1.6/5 vs. 1.6/5) and Adults 18-49 (91% - 2.0/5 vs. 2.2/6), ABC's "Don't Trust the B--- in Apartment 23" ranked No. 2 to the conclusion of "American Idol" for the 2nd consecutive week on both young adult measures.

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

During the 10 o'clock hour, ABC's "Revenge" finished No. 1 for the 2nd week in a row among Total Viewers, Adults 18-49 and Adults 25-54. The ABC drama once again beat out NBC's "Law & Order: SVU" with Total Viewers (+6% - 6.8 million vs. 6.4 million), Adults 18-49 (+25% - 2.0/6 vs. 1.6/4) and Adults 25-54 (+24% - 2.6/6 vs. 2.1/5).

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 44% currently, from 41% 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), 04/25/12.