ABC's "Castle" Is Up and Catches NBC's "Revolution" in Adults 18-49

ABC was the most-watched TV network on Monday night and delivered the #2 position in Adults 18-49. Dancing with the Stars was up for the 2nd straight week in Total Viewers, while Castle gained viewers and young adults, once again pacing as the Monday's most-watched scripted series with its 2nd-most-watched telecast this season. In addition at 10pm, Castle built on its lead-in to catch NBC's The Voice-led Revolution in Adults 18-49.

Gaining viewers for the 2nd week in a row, ABC's Dancing with the Stars finished #2 from 8-10pm in Total Viewers and Adults 18-49 to The Voice, pacing within just 300k viewers of the NBC show.

Ranking #1 in the 10pm hour, Castle outdrew NBC's The Voice-driven Revolution by a best-ever 5.5 million viewers and tied the NBC drama in Adults 18-49 for 2nd time in their last 2 original matchups. In fact the ABC drama has been the most-watched TV show in its time period for its 7 consecutive first-run airings and stood as Monday's #1 scripted series for its 6th consecutive telecast. Growing week to week in Total Viewers (+15%) and Adults 18-49 (+10%), Castle drew its 2nd-largest-audience this season.

Quick Take for Monday, April 22, 2013 (Fast Affiliate Live+ Same Day Ratings)

ABC Stands as Monday's Most-Watched TV Network

"Dancing with the Stars" Grows Overall Audience for 2nd Week in a Row

ABC's "Castle" is No. 1 at 10pm in Total Viewers and Adults 18-49, Leading NBC's "Revolution" by a Best-Ever 5.5 Million Viewers

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

ABC was the most-watched TV network on Monday night and delivered the No. 2 position in Adults 18-49 (13.0 million and 2.1/6). "Dancing with the Stars" was up for the 2nd straight week in Total Viewers, while "Castle" gained viewers and young adults, once again pacing as the Monday's most-watched scripted series with its 2nd-most-watched telecast this season. In addition, at 10:00 p.m. "Castle" built on its lead-in to catch NBC's "The Voice"-led "Revolution" in Adults 18-49.

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

Gaining viewers for the 2nd week in a row, ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" finished No. 2 from 8:00-10:00 p.m. in Total Viewers (13.6 million) and Adults 18-49 (2.1/6) to "The Voice," pacing within just 300,000 viewers of the NBC show (13.6 million vs. 13.9 million).

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

Ranking No. 1 in the 10:00 p.m. hour, "Castle" outdrew NBC's "The Voice"-driven "Revolution" by a best-ever 5.5 million viewers (11.7 million vs. 6.2 million) and tied the NBC drama in Adults 18-49 (2.2/6) for the 2nd time in their last 2 original matchups. In fact the ABC drama has been the most-watched TV show in its time period for its 7 consecutive first-run airings and stood as Monday's No. 1 scripted series for its 6th consecutive telecast. Growing week to week (10.2 million and 2.0/5 on 4/15/13) in Total Viewers (+15%) and Adults 18-49 (+10%), "Castle" drew its 2nd-largest-audience this season.

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 48% currently, from 44% at the same point in 2012. 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, 4/22/13.