ABC's "SHIELD" Returns to Original to Lead Its Drama Competition in Men 18-34 and "The Goldbergs" Returns to Beat Fox's "New Girl"

Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (8-9pm - 5.1 million and 1.7/5 in AD18-49):

On its first original telecast in 4 weeks (since 2/4/14) and facing NBC's The Voice for the first time since October, ABC's Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. tied CBS' top-rated NCIS in the 8pm hour among Adults 18-34 (1.2/4) and led by 40% in Men 18-34, holding the #1 scripted series position in the hour for its 14th straight first-run telecast with young men. In addition, the new ABC drama nearly doubled the overall audience (+96% - 5.1 million vs. 2.6 million) of Fox's Glee in the slot with a 70% advantage in Adults 18-49 (1.7/5 vs. 1.0/3). S.H.I.E.L.D. improved its hour year to year for ABC by 24% in Total Viewers and by 13% in Adults 18-49, over original programming on the same night last year.

The Goldbergs (9-9:30pm - 4.2 million and 1.6/4 in AD18-49):

In the 9pm half-hour, ABC freshman The Goldbergs once again defeated Fox's New Girl (2.9 million and 1.5/4) , leading by 1.3 million viewers and by 7% in Adults 18-49. The Goldbergs boosted its half-hour for ABC over the same night last year with original programming by 31% in Total Viewers and by 33% in Adults 18-49. The show held steady with its last original 4 weeks ago in Adults 18-49.

Trophy Wife (9:30-10pm - 2.6 million and 0.8/2 in AD18-49):

In the 9:30pm half-hour, ABC's Trophy Wife matched the audience of Fox's highly-promoted Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2.6 million).

Quick Take for Tuesday, March 4, 2014 (Fast Affiliate Live + Same Day Ratings)

"S.H.I.E.L.D." is the No. 1 Scripted Show in its Hour for its 14th Straight Original In Men 18-34 and Improves its Hour Year to Year in Viewers and Young Adults

Boosting its Slot by More than 30% Over the Same Night Last Year, ABC Freshman "The Goldbergs" Continues to Outdeliver Fox's "New Girl" at 9pm

ABC's "Trophy Wife" Ties Fox's Highly-Promoted "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" in Viewers

"Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." (8:00-9:00 p.m. � 5.1 million and 1.7/5 in AD18-49):

On its first original telecast in 4 weeks (since 2/4/14) and facing NBC's "The Voice" for the first time since October, ABC's "Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." tied CBS' top-rated "NCIS" in the 8:00 p.m. hour among Adults 18-34 (1.2/4) and led by 40% in Men 18-34 (1.4/5 vs. 1.0/4), holding the No. 1 scripted series position in the hour for its 14th straight first-run telecast with young men. In addition, the new ABC drama nearly doubled the overall audience of Fox's "Glee" in the slot (+96% - 5.1 million vs. 2.6 million), while holding a 70% advantage in Adults 18-49 (1.7/5 vs. 1.0/3). "S.H.I.E.L.D." improved its hour year to year for ABC by 24% in Total Viewers and by 13% in Adults 18-49, over original programming on the same night last year (4.1 million and 1.5/4 for "Celebrity Wife Swap").

"The Goldbergs" (9:00-9:30 p.m. � 4.2 million and 1.6/4 in AD18-49):

In the 9:00 p.m. half-hour, ABC freshman "The Goldbergs" once again defeated Fox's "New Girl" (2.9 million and 1.5/4), leading by 1.3 million viewers and by 7% in Adults 18-49. "The Goldbergs" boosted its half-hour for ABC over the same night last year with original programming by 31% in Total Viewers and by 33% in Adults 18-49 (3.2 million and 1.2/3 for "The Taste"). Earning its best-yet lead-in retention (94%), the ABC comedy held steady with its last original 4 weeks ago in Adults 18-49.

"Trophy Wife" (9:30-10:00 p.m. � 2.6 million and 0.8/2 in AD18-49):

In the 9:30 p.m. half-hour, ABC's "Trophy Wife" matched the audience of Fox's highly-promoted "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" (2.6 million).

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 49% currently, from 47% at the same point in 2013. 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 for 03/04/14.