Primetime Ratings Report For the week of September 24, 2007 (Based on National Live + Same Day Program Ratings)
ABC is No. 1 on the Opening Week of the Season in Viewers and Adults 18-49, And Excluding the Week of the Oscars, Marks its Best Week Since November
ABC Airs 4 of the Top 5 Most-Watched TV Shows During Premiere Week,
While Claiming 8 of the Top 20 TV Programs Among Adults 18-49
"Grey's Anatomy" is the No. 1 Returning Show of the Season in Adults 18-49,
And "Private Practice" Debuts as the Most-Watched New Series of the Season
During its 3-Night Premiere Event, "Dancing with the Stars" is the Most-Watched Show on Each Night, also Ranking No. 1 in its Slot in Adults 18-49 on Each Evening
With the Season Premieres of "Dancing with the Stars" and "The Bachelor,"
ABC Leads the First Monday of the TV Season in Viewers and Young Adults
"Dancing with the Stars" and "The Bachelor" Both Increase
From Year-Ago Season Openers in Viewers and Adults 18-49
"DWTS" Pulls ABC's Top Numbers in its Tuesday Time Slot Since November �06
"Boston Legal" Opens its Season with the Series' Largest Audience Since Last October
Wednesday's Series Debut of "Private Practice" Outdraws NBC's "Bionic Woman" at 9pm, Representing the Network's Strongest Wednesday Series Premiere in 2 Years
ABC's "Dirty Sexy Money" Takes Second Wednesday at 10pm in Viewers and Ranks No. 1 in Adults 18-34 and Across Key Women, Beating CBS' Premiere of "CSI: NY"
With its Best Viewer and Young Adult Numbers Since February, "Ugly Betty"
Opens its Second Season a Strong No. 1 in its Time Slot Among Adults 18-34
Up Against Veteran Dramas Wednesday at 10pm, the Series Debut of ABC's
"Big Shots" Dominates in Adults 18-34, Leading its Nearest Competitor by 35%
"Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" is the Most-Watched Show Sunday at 8pm,
Earning the Series' Top Marks in Viewers and Young Adults Since March
With its Strongest Performance Since Last November, "Desperate Housewives" Dominates Sunday's 9 O'clock Hour Among Viewers and Young Adults
ABC's "Brothers & Sisters" Overshadows CBS' "Shark" in Sunday's 10 O'clock Hour,
And Like its Lead-in, Turns in the Series' Biggest Numbers Since November 2006
WEEK No. 1:
ABC stood as the No. 1 network during the opening week of the 2007-08 television season (w/o 9/24/07) in both Total Viewers (11.9 million) and Adults 18-49 (3.9/11 � tied w/NBC). In fact ABC edged out NBC in actual millions of Adults 18-49 (5.09 million vs. 5.05 million). It marked ABC's first Total Viewer victory on the opening week of a TV Season in 12 years � since the opening week of the 1995-96 season.
� Excluding the week of the 2007 Academy Awards telecast (w/o 2/19/07), ABC generated its strongest week since last November among Total Viewers and Adults 18-49 � since the weeks of 11/13 and 11/20/06, respectively.
Rankings: ABC aired 8 of the Top 20 TV programs of the week in Adults 18-49, including the new season's No. 1 show with "Grey's Anatomy": "Grey's Anatomy" � No. 1, "Desperate Housewives" � No. 4, "Dancing with the Stars-MON" � No. 7, "Private Practice" � No. 9, "Brothers & Sisters" � No. 11, "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" and "DWTS SP-9/25" tied at No. 12 and "Big Shots" � No. 19. The Network claimed 4 of the Top 5 most-watched TV shows of the week: "Dancing with the Stars-MON" � No. 2, "Grey's Anatomy" � No. 3, "Desperate Housewives" � No. 4 and "DWTS SP-9/25" � No. 5. ABC's "Private Practice" represents the most-watched new series of the season and holds second among Adults 18-49. ABC claimed 6 of the Top 10 shows of the week in each of the key women demographics (W18-34/W18-49/W25-54).
A note about increasing DVR penetration and year to year rating comparisons: Year to year rating trends based on the Live + Same Day data stream may be somewhat distorted by the level of DVR penetration in the Nielsen sample, which has more than doubled from 9% during premiere week 2006 up to 20% currently. More viewers are watching shows on their own timetables, which may not be reflected in the overnight next day numbers. Therefore, 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.
Monday
With the season premieres of "Dancing with the Stars" and "The Bachelor" on the night, ABC ranked as the No. 1 TV network on the opening Monday of the 2007-08 TV Season in Total Viewers (15.2 million) and Adults 18-49 (4.6/12).
� ABC was up from opening Monday of last season by 8.2 million viewers and by 44% in Adults 18-49 (7.0 million & 3.2/8 on 9/18/07). ABC was the only major network to grow its delivery year to year on either measure.
"Dancing with the Stars" (8:00-9:30 p.m.)
The most-watched TV show on Monday night, ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" ranked No. 1 in its 90-minute time period in both Total Viewers (21.3 million) and Adults 18-49 (5.8/15).
� Despite stiff premiere week competition and a doubling of DVR penetration year to year (8.54% to 19.43%), "DWTS" was up from its year-ago season premiere last September (9/12/06) in both Total Viewers (21.3 million vs. 20.2 million) and Adults 18-49 (5.8/15 vs. 5.7/15).
� "Dancing with the Stars" generated ABC's top viewer and young adult numbers in the time period in more than 6 months � since 3/19/07.
"The Bachelor" (9:30-11:00 p.m.)
Growing from its year-ago fall premiere by 1.6 million viewers and by 13% in Adults 18-49 (7.6 million & 3.1/8 on 10/2/06), ABC's season opener of "The Bachelor" drew an average audience of 9.2 million viewers and a 3.5 rating, 9 share in Adults 18-49. "The Bachelor" ranked No. 1 in its 90-minute time period among its core audience of Women 18-34 (4.6/11), while taking a solid second with Women 18-49 (5.2/12) and Women 25-54 (5.9/13).
Tuesday
ABC qualified as the most-watched television network (14.4 million) on the opening Tuesday of the '07-08 season, while holding the No. 2 position on the evening in Adults 18-49 (3.7/10).
"Dancing with the Stars" (8:00-9:30 p.m.)
On the second evening of its three-night premiere event featuring the men, ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" ranked No. 1 in its 90-minute time period in both Total Viewers (18.5 million) and Adults 18-49 (4.8/13) for the second consecutive night. Although it faced season premiere competition during its telecast, including Fox's high-rated opener of "House" in the 9 o'clock hour, "DWTS" gained audience throughout its telecast, surging by 3.2 million viewers (16.7 million to 19.9 million) and 19% in Adults 18-49 (4.3/13 to 5.1/13) from start to finish. The ABC unscripted series qualified as the most-watched TV show on Tuesday.
� "Dancing with the Stars" produced ABC's best viewer and young adult numbers in the time slot in over 10 months � since 11/7/06.
Boston Legal" (9:30-11:00 p.m.)
In its fourth season opener against stiff competition from the final half-hour of "House" and NBC's season opener of "Law & Order: SVU" at 10:00 p.m., ABC's "Boston Legal" drew 10.3 million viewers and a 2.5 rating, 7 share among Adults 18-49 in its 90-minute time period.
� "Boston Legal" attracted ABC's biggest audience to the time period in 4 months � since 5/22/07. In addition, the ABC legal drama matched the series' largest audience on the night since last October � since 10/31/06.
Wednesday
ABC won the first Wednesday of the television season in Total Viewers (13.9 million) and across each of the key adult demographics: Adults 18-34 (3.5/10), Adults 18-49 (4.3/11) and Adults 25-54 (5.2/13).
� ABC attracted its largest Wednesday night audience in more than 10 months - since 11/15/06.
� ABC claimed the Top 2 most-watched programs of the night, with "DWTS Special Results Show" � No. 1 and "Private Practice" � No. 2. In addition, "Private Practice" stood as Wednesday's No. 1 program in Adults 18-34 and across all key women demographics.
"Dancing with the Stars Special Results Show" (8:00-9:00 p.m.)
On the third evening of its 3-night premiere event, ABC's "Dancing with the Stars Special Results Show" ranked No. 1 during the 8 o'clock hour in both Total Viewers (16.8 million) and Adults 18-49 (4.1/12), winning its time periods on all 3 nights on both measures. The ABC unscripted series qualified the most-watched TV show of the evening for the third straight night. Model/Actress Josie Maran was the first celebrity dancer to be eliminated from the dance competition. Please note that "DWTS the Results Show" moves to its regular Tuesday, 9:00 p.m. time period on 10/2/07.
� "DWTS Special Results Show" produced ABC's top viewer and young adult numbers in the time slot since November '06 � since 11/15/06.
"Private Practice" (9:00-10:01 p.m.)
The debut of ABC's "Private Practice" was the most-watched show in its ultra-competitive time period, outdrawing the high profile debut of NBC's "Bionic Woman" among viewers (14.4 million vs. 13.9 million). The new ABC series also dominated its time period and ranked as the No. 1 TV show of the night among Adults 18-34 (5.0/14) and across each of the key women demos: W18-34 (7.8/20), W18-49 (7.9/18) and W25-54 (8.5/19). "Private Practice" jumped from its Adult 18-49 lead-in by 27% (5.2/13 vs. 4.1/12) to take a strong second place in the hour among Adults 18-49.
� "Private Practice" represents the Network's top-rated Wednesday series debut in 2 years � since 9/21/05 when "Invasion" debuted, coming out of the high-rated season opener of "Lost." The new series attracted ABC's biggest audience in the time period since last November and its top Women 18-34 rating in nearly 1 year � since 11/8/06 and 10/4/06, respectively.
"Dirty Sexy Money" (10:01-11:00 p.m.)
ABC's "Dirty Sexy Money" took second place during the 10 o'clock hour among viewers (10.4 million) and ranked No. 1 with Adults 18-34 (3.0/9-tied w/NBC). Like its lead-in, the show dominated the time period across each of the key women demographics (W18-34 � 4.5/12, W18-49 � 5.2/13 and W25-54 � 6.1/14), pacing well ahead of both time period veteran CBS' "CSI: NY" and the debut of NBC's "Life." In addition, "Dirty Sexy Money" finished within one-tenth of an Adult 18-49 rating point of "CSI: NY" and tied the CBS drama in audience share (3.6/10 vs. 3.7/10).
Thursday
ABC dominated the opening Thursday of the season among Adults 18-34 (5.9/17) and across all key women demographics: W18-34 (8.7/22), W18-49 (8.3/20) and W25-54 (8.8/20). The Net finished in a near-tie for first place with CBS in Adults 18-49, pacing within one-tenth of a rating point, and tied in audience share (5.8/15 vs. 5.9/15).
"Ugly Betty" (8:00-9:00 p.m.)
From 8:00-9:00 p.m. ABC's second season premiere of "Ugly Betty" opened with a solid time period victory among Adults 18-34 (3.8/12), beating NBC's season opener of "My Name is Earl" by 6% (3.6/11) and CBS' "Survivor: China" by 27% (3.0/9). "Ugly Betty" earned second in the hour to CBS' "Survivor" in Total Viewers (11.2 million) and Adults 18-49 (3.9/11).
� In Total Viewers and Adults 18-49, "Ugly Betty" marked its best performance since February � since 2/15/07.
"Grey's Anatomy" (9:00-10:02 p.m.)
Thursday's No. 1 TV program in Adults 18-49 and the highest-rated show to premiere this season, ABC's season opener of "Grey's Anatomy" beat second-place CBS' "C.S.I." by 7% in the key sales demo (8.8/21 vs. 8.2/19). "Grey's" advantage over "C.S.I." in Adults 18-34 stood at substantial 42% (9.1/23 vs. 6.4/16). "Grey's" drew an average audience of 20.9 million viewers, qualifying as the second-most-watched show for the evening, after "C.S.I."
� Attracting nearly 1/4 of the available audience in the time period, "Grey's Anatomy" garnered it highest Adult 18-34 rating (9.1/23) since February � since 2/22/07.
"Big Shots" (10:02-11:00 p.m.)
Up against veteran dramas on NBC ("ER") and CBS ("Without a Trace"), the series debut of "Big Shots" won the 10 o'clock hour in Adults 18-34, holding a 35% advantage over its nearest competition (4.6/14 vs. 3.4/10 � CBS). "Big Shots" also delivered the No. 1 position in the time period with both Men 18-34 (2.7/9) and Women 18-34 (6.6/17). The new ABC series was on the heels of CBS' "Without a Trace" for the lead among Adults 18-49 (4.5/12 vs. 4.7/13). "Big Shots" now stands as the third-highest-rated series debut this season � trailing only NBC's "Bionic Woman" and ABC's "Private Practice," respectively.
Saturday
"Saturday Night Football: USC at Washington" (8:00-11:00 p.m.)
With "Saturday Night Football," with USC at Washington, ABC won the night across each of the men demos (Men 18-34 � 2.0/8, Men 18-49 � 2.5/9 and Men 25-54 � 2.8/9) for the sixth week in a row.
Sunday
Competing against NBC's "NFL Sunday Night Football" on the night and CBS with its high-rated NFL overrun into the first hour of primetime, ABC took second place on the opening Sunday of the season in Total Viewers (14.0 million) and Adults 18-49 (5.1/13). In viewers and young adults, ABC delivered its strongest Sunday numbers in 7 months � since 2/25 and 3/4/07, respectively.
� ABC's fourth season premiere of "Desperate Housewives" stood as the definitive No. 1 TV program on the first Sunday of the season in Total Viewers and Adults 18-49. In fact ABC aired the Top 3 entertainment programs on Sunday in the key Adult 18-49 sales demographic, with "Desperate Housewives," "Brothers & Sisters" & "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," respectively.
"Extreme Makeover: Home Edition � 9/30" (7:00-8:00 p.m.)
A special 7 o'clock installment of "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" placed a solid second to CBS' football overrun in the hour among Total Viewers (9.4 million) and Adults 18-49 (2.9/9).
"Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" (8:00-9:00 p.m.)
In its regular time period premiere, "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" was the most-watched TV show during the 8 o'clock hour (14.3 million), outdrawing CBS ("60 Minutes" � 12.7 million) and NBC's NFL coverage (12.4 million). "Home Edition" dominated its non-sports competition in the time period among Adults 18-49, beating Fox's "The Simpsons"/"King of the Hill" combo by 23% (4.8/12 vs. 3.9/10).
� "Home Edition" turned in its best viewer and young adult results since March (since 3/4 and 3/11/07, respectively) and paced well ahead of its 2007 May Sweep averages (Live + Same Day � 11.4 million & 4.2/12) in both Total Viewers (+2.9 million) and Adults 18-49 (+14%).
"Desperate Housewives" (9:00-10:01 p.m.)
The fourth season premiere of ABC's "Desperate Housewives" overshadowed its competition in the 9 o'clock hour with an average audience of 19.3 million viewers and a 7.5 rating, 17 share in Adults 18-49, beating CBS' "Cold Case" and NBC's "Sunday Night Football" by wide margins in the hour.
� "Desperate Housewives" drew its largest audience and its top Adult 18-49 rating since last November (since 11/26/06) and ran ahead of where it left off last season. "Desperate Housewives" was up over its 2007 May Sweep performance in the hour by 2.0 million viewers and by 12% in Adults 18-49 (May Sweep Live + Same Day = 17.3 million viewers and 6.7/17 in Adults 18-49).
"Brothers & Sisters" (10:01-11:00 p.m.)
ABC's second season premiere of "Brothers & Sisters" overshadowed its CBS drama competition in the 10 o'clock hour, leading "Shark" by almost 1.5 million viewers (12.8 million vs. 11.3 million) and by 88% in Adults 18-49 (4.9/13 vs. 2.6/7).
� Like its lead-in, "Brothers & Sisters" saw its best performance since November in Total Viewers and Adults 18-49 � since 11/19/06. The second season opener of "Brothers & Sisters" grew from the series' performance during the '07 May Sweep by 1.3 million viewers and by 14% in Adults 18-49 (May Sweep Live + Same Day = 11.5 million viewers and 4.3/11 in Adults 18-49).
Source: Nielsen Media Research (National Live+Same Day Program Ratings), week of 9/24/07, or as dated.
|