"THE VAMPIRE DIARIES" LIGHTS UP THURSDAY LIKE A HOUSE ON FIRE, BEATING ABC AND NBC ORIGINALS

February 22, 2013 (Burbank, CA) -- Last night's emotional new episode of THE VAMPIRE DIARIES saw big gains week-to-week in total viewers and all key demos, and finished #3 for the 8 p.m. hour in adults 18-49 (1.3/4) and adults 18-34 (1.4/5 - tie), beating both ABC's Zero Hour and NBC's comedies, according to Live + Same Day fast affiliate ratings from Nielsen Media Research.

Week-to-week, THE VAMPIRE DIARIES was up 40% in adults 18-34, 47% in women 18-34 (2.2/7), 30% in adults 18-49 and 25% in total viewers (2.89 million).

At 9 p.m., BEAUTY AND THE BEAST also grew week-to-week, rising 11% in total viewers (1.56M) and 50% in both adults 18-34 and women 18-34.

In Live + 7 Day ratings this season, THE VAMPIRE DIARIES has averaged a 41% increase in total viewers compared to Live+SD, a 48% increase in adults 18-34 and a 52% jump in women 18-34. BEAUTY AND THE BEAST sees a 32% gain in total viewers with DVR viewing, a 39% lift in adults 18-34 and a 43% bump in women 18-34.