ABC's "Duets" Tops Series Debuts on Fox and NBC/"Rookie Blue" Hits a High in Women 18-34

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

In head-to-head competition from 8-10pm, ABC's Duets outdrew back-to-back series debuts on Fox (Take Me Out/The Choice) by 1.4 million viewers, leading its unscripted competition in all 4 half-hours.

· Gaining audience throughout its broadcast, Duets grew by 8% in viewers and by 18% in young adults from its first hour to its second hour. In fact from 9-10pm, Duets towered over the series debut of NBC's Saving Hope with Total Viewers (+74%) and Adults 18-49 (+86%).

From 10-11pm, ABC's Rookie Blue finished as the 2nd-most-watched TV series overall and ranked as the #1 series with key Women (W18-49/W25-54). In the hour, the ABC drama beat out NBC's time-period premiere of Rock Center with Brian Williams by 2.2 million viewers, by 60% in Adults 25-54 and by 86% in Adults 18-49.

· Rookie Blue matched a season high in Adults 18-34 and grew to a new season best with Women 18-34. The ABC drama equaled its highest Women 18-34 number since last July - since 7/28/11.

Quick Take for Thursday, June 7, 2012 (Fast Affiliate Live + Same Day Ratings)

From 8-10pm, ABC's "Duets" Tops Fox's Debuts by 1.4 Million Viewers and in the 9pm Hour Dominates NBC's Debut of "Saving Hope" in Viewers and Young Adults

In the 10pm Hour, ABC's "Rookie Blue" Towers Over the Time-Slot Premiere Of NBC's "Rock Center with Brian Williams" in Total Viewers and Key Adults

"Rookie Blue" Hits a Season High in Women 18-34, its Best Number Since Last July

"Duets" (8:00-10:00 p.m.)

In head-to-head competition from 8:00-10:00 p.m., ABC's "Duets" (5.2 million) outdrew back-to-back series debuts on Fox ("Take Me Out"/"The Choice" = 3.8 million) by 1.4 million viewers, leading its unscripted competition in all 4 half-hours.

· Gaining audience throughout its broadcast, "Duets" grew by 8% in viewers (5.0 million to 5.4 million) and by 18% in young adults (1.1/4 to 1.3/4) from its first hour to its second hour. In fact from 9:00-10:00 p.m., the ABC singing competition towered over the series debut of NBC's "Saving Hope" with Total Viewers (+74% - 5.4 million vs. 3.1 million) and Adults 18-49 (+86% - 1.3/4 vs. 0.7/2).

"Rookie Blue" (10:00-11:00 p.m.)

From 10:00-11:00 p.m., ABC's "Rookie Blue" finished as the 2nd-most-watched TV series overall and ranked as the No. 1 series with key Women (W18-49/W25-54). In the hour, the ABC drama beat out NBC's time-period premiere of "Rock Center with Brian Williams" by 2.2 million viewers (5.4 million vs. 3.2 million), by 60% in Adults 25-54 (1.6/4 vs. 1.0/3) and by 86% in Adults 18-49 (1.3/4 vs. 0.7/2).

· "Rookie Blue" matched a season high in Adults 18-34 and grew to a new season best with Women 18-34. The ABC drama equaled its highest Women 18-34 number since last July - since 7/28/11.

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), 06/07/12.