ABC Wins Monday with Season Highs for "The Bachelorette" and 7-Week Highs for "Mistresses"

With increasing numbers from The Bachelorette and Mistresses, ABC won Monday in Total Viewers and Adults 18-49 over CBS. Hitting summer highs on the night, the Net marked its strongest summer Monday in more than 1-year in viewers and young adults - since 6/11/12 and 7/9/12, respectively.

From 8-10pm, The Bachelorette (part 1 of a 2-part season finale) dominated its 2-hour time period, defeating NBC's unscripted combo (American Ninja Warrior/Get Out Alive with Bear Grylls) by a best-yet 3.4 million viewers and by 77% in Adults 18-49. Spiking week to week in Total Viewers (+20%) and Adults 18-49 (+21%), The Bachelorette achieved season-highs on both counts.

Up for the 2nd week in a row with viewers (+3%) and young adults (+8%), ABC's Mistresses hit 7-week highs to post series' 2nd-highest numbers - since 6/10/13. In addition for the 2nd consecutive week, the ABC drama set a new series high with Adults 18-34. During the 10 o'clock hour, ABC's Mistresses more than doubled the audience of NBC's Siberia and nearly doubled in Adults 18-49 (+86%). On average season to date, Mistresses is boosting its time period for ABC by strong double-digit percentages in Total Viewers (+29%) and Adults 18-49 (+42%).

Quick Take for Monday, July 29, 2013 (Fast Affiliate Live +Same Day Ratings)

ABC Wins Monday with its Best Summer Numbers on the Night in Over 1 Year

Hitting Season Highs, "The Bachelorette" Dominates its 2-Hour Time Period

Greatly Improving its Slot, "Mistresses" Hits 7-Week Highs with its 2nd-Best Results

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

With increasing numbers from "The Bachelorette" and "Mistresses," ABC won Monday in Total Viewers (6.6 million) and Adults 18-49 (2.0/6) over CBS.

· Hitting summer highs on the night, the Net marked its strongest summer Monday in more than 1 year in viewers and young adults - since 6/11/12 and 7/9/12, respectively.

"The Bachelorette" (8:00-10:00 p.m.)

From 8:00-10:00 p.m., "The Bachelorette" (part 1 of a 2-part season finale) dominated its 2-hour time period, defeating NBC's unscripted combo ("American Ninja Warrior"/"Get Out Alive with Bear Grylls") by a best-yet 3.4 million viewers (7.8 million vs. 4.4 million) and by 77% in Adults 18-49 (2.3/7 vs. 1.3/4).

· Spiking week to week in Total Viewers (+20%) and Adults 18-49 (+21%), "The Bachelorette" achieved season-highs on both counts.

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

Up for the 2nd week in a row with viewers (+3%) and young adults (+8%), ABC's "Mistresses" hit 7-week highs to post the series' 2nd-highest numbers - since 6/10/13. In addition for the 2nd consecutive week, the ABC drama set a new series high with Adults 18-34 (1.1/3). During the 10 o'clock hour, ABC's "Mistresses" more than doubled the audience of NBC's "Siberia" (4.1 million vs. 2.0 million) and nearly doubled it in Adults 18-49 (+86% - 1.3/4 vs. 0.7/2).

· On average season to date, "Mistresses" is boosting its time period for ABC by strong double-digit percentages in Total Viewers (+29% - 4.9 million vs. 3.8 million) and Adults 18-49 (+42% - 1.7/5 vs. 1.2/3).

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 45% 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, 7/29/13.