ABC's "Scandal" Marks Most-Watched Telecast Ever and Spikes Over Last Season's Finale

In its second season finale, ABC's red-hot Scandal delivered the series most-watched telecast ever (up for the 3rd week in a row) and tied a series high in Adults 18-49 for the 2nd week running. The show also achieved new all-time highs across all key Women (W18-34/W18-49/W25-54). Scandal dominated the 10 o'clock hour, beating the second hour of CBS' 2-hour Elementary finale by 68% in Adults 18-49 to finish as the #1 TV series in its slot on each of its last 16 first-run broadcasts. Scandal spiked over its year-ago first season finale in Total Viewers (+25%) and Adults 18-49 (+39%). Scandal built on its Grey's Adult 18-49 lead-in for the 3rd time in 4 weeks.

Scandal Social Stats: Scandal once again topped Thursday night as the most social series with 571,353 tweets, which is its highest number this season. This is up +83% from the prior week, and Scandal has now delivered over 4.3 million tweets this season making it ABC's most social program. As it has continually done this season, Scandal outperformed the American Idol Finale by +56% (366,061 tweets)

Quick Take for Thursday, May 16, 2013 (Fast Affiliate Live + Same Day Ratings)

Despite Facing the "Idol" Finale, ABC's "Grey's" is Up from Last Week's Preliminary Adult 18-49 Rating and is the No. 1 Scripted Show in its Slot for 7 Straight Originals

ABC's "Scandal" Sophomore Finale Spikes Year to Year, Marking the Series' Most-Watched Telecast Ever and Soaring to New Highs in Social Activity

"Grey's Anatomy" (9:00-10:00 p.m.)

Tripling its Adult 18-49 lead-in (+200%) at 9:00 p.m. opposite the second hour of Fox's "Idol" finale, ABC's season finale of "Grey's Anatomy" (3.0/8) was the No. 1 scripted show in its hour for its 7th consecutive first-run airing, beating NBC's series finale of "The Office" (+3% - 2.9/8) and the opening hour of CBS' 2-hour season finale of "Elementary" (+43% - 2.1/6). The ABC medical drama won the hour with Women 18-34, beating "Idol" by 6%.

· Despite facing the "Idol" closer, "Grey's" was up over last week's Fast Affiliate Rating by 3% in Adults 18-49.

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

Building on its "Grey's" Adult 18-49 lead-in for the 3rd time in 4 weeks, ABC's sophomore season finale of "Scandal" (3.2/9) dominated the 10 o'clock hour, beating the second hour of CBS' "Elementary" finale by 68% (1.9/5) to finish as the No. 1 TV series in its slot on each of its last 16 first-run broadcasts. In addition, "Scandal's" finale delivered higher ratings than "Idol's" finale on the night in Adults 18-34 & key Women (W18-34/W18-49). It was Thursday's No. 1 TV show in Women 18-34.

· "Scandal" (9.1 million) delivered the series' most-watched telecast ever (up for the 3rd week in a row) and tied a series high in Adults 18-49 for the 2nd week running. The show also achieved new all-time highs across all key Women (W18-34/W18-49/W25-54).

· "Scandal" spiked over its year-ago freshman season finale (7.3 million and 2.3/7 on 5/17/12) in Total Viewers (+25%) and Adults 18-49 (+39%).

"Scandal" Social Activity: "Scandal" once again topped Thursday night as the most social series with 571,353 tweets, its highest number ever. Jumping 83% from the prior week, "Scandal" delivered over 4.3 million tweets this season, making it ABC's most social program. As it has continually done this season, "Scandal" outperformed the "American Idol" finale by 56% in number of tweets (366,061).

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, 05/16/13. Socialguide 05/16/13, Total Tweets for each episode +/- 3hrs during telecast.