For the 2nd Straight Monday ABC Leads the Pack in Viewers

Early info ahead of the regular press release.

For the 2nd week in a row, ABC led the pack on Monday with DWTS: All-Stars and Castle, drawing 5% more viewers than NBC (The Voice/Revolution), 49% more viewers than CBS (HIMYM/Partners/2 Broke Girls/Mike & Molly/Hawaii Five-0) and 123% more viewers than Fox (Bones/The Mob Doctor) In addition, ABC outdelivered Fox's Monday prime in Adults 18-49 for the 2nd straight week, leading by 25%.

Building its audience from its first hour to its second hour against strong competition, Dancing with the Stars: All-Stars ran in a virtual-tie for the lead in its time slot. In addition, the ABC unscripted series beat out Fox's dramas in the 2-hour time period by 25% in Adults 18-49.

Standing as Monday's most-watched drama for the 2nd week running, ABC's Castle led the 10 o'clock hour by increasing margins week to week, topping NBC's Revolution by 1.9 million viewers and CBS' Hawaii Five-0 by 2.6 million viewers. Additionally, the ABC drama finished as the #2 series in the hour with both Adults 25-54 and Adults 18-49.

Quick Take for Monday, October 1, 2012 (Fast Affiliate Live+ Same Day Ratings)

ABC is the Top Broadcaster in Total Viewers for the 2nd Straight Week

"DWTS: All-Stars" Runs in a Virtual-Tie for the Lead in its Time Period

Monday's Most-Watched Drama, ABC's "Castle" Increases its Winning Margins Week to Week over NBC's "Revolution" and CBS' "Hawaii Five-0"

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

For the 2nd week in a row, ABC (11.6 million) led the pack on Monday with "DWTS: All-Stars" and "Castle," drawing 5% more viewers than NBC (11.0 million - "The Voice"/"Revolution"), 49% more viewers than CBS (7.8 million - "HIMYM"/"Partners"/"2 Broke Girls"/"Mike & Molly"/"Hawaii Five-0") and 123% more viewers than Fox (5.2 million - "Bones"/"The Mob Doctor") In addition, ABC outdelivered Fox's Monday prime in Adults 18-49 for the 2nd straight week, leading by 25% (2.0/5 vs. 1.6/4).

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

Building its audience from its first hour to its second hour against strong competition, "Dancing with the Stars: All-Stars" (12.2 million) ran in a virtual-tie for the lead in its time slot. In addition, the ABC unscripted series beat out Fox's dramas in the 2-hour time period by 25% in Adults 18-49 (2.0/5 vs. 1.6/4).

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

Standing as Monday's most-watched drama for the 2nd week running, ABC's "Castle" (10.3 million) led the 10 o'clock hour by increasing margins week to week, topping NBC's "Revolution" by 1.9 million viewers (8.4 million) and CBS' Hawaii Five-0 by 2.6 million viewers (7.7 million). Additionally, the ABC drama finished as the No. 2 series in the hour with both Adults 25-54 (2.6/6) and Adults 18-49 (1.9/5-tied).

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 46% currently, from 42% 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), 10/1/12.