Quick Take for Tuesday, October 28, 2008 (Fast Affiliate Live + Same Day Ratings)

ABC Turns in its Highest Numbers in Viewers and Adults 18-49 on the Night Since Premiere Tuesday, Excluding the Night of the Second Presidential Debate

ABC's Annual Airing of "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" Stands as Broadcast TV's Highest-Rated Scripted Telecast Among Kids 2-11 in Nearly 1 Year

"Dancing with the Stars Results" Ranks No. 1 in the 9 o'clock in Total Viewers and Adults 18-49, Hitting Season Highs in Both Measures for the Second Straight Week

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

Growing over the previous week in viewers and young adults for the second week in a row, ABC delivered its largest audience (11.7 million) and highest Adults 18-49 rating (3.1/8) since season premiere Tuesday � since 9/23/08, excluding the night of the second Presidential Debate.

"It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" (8:00-9:00 p.m.)

ABC's special annual telecast of "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" attracted 10.4 million viewers and a 3.4 rating, 9 share in Adults 18-49, taking second in its time period in the key young adult sales demo. The animated Halloween special posted season high ratings in the hour for ABC among Teens 12-17 (2.6/9) and Kids 2-11 (5.4/19). In fact, the Peanuts holiday classic stood as broadcast television's highest rated scripted telecast among Kids 2-11 in nearly 1 year � since 12/4/07 with CBS' "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer."

"Dancing with the Stars Results" (9:00-10:00 p.m.)

ABC's "Dancing with the Stars Results" ranked No. 1 in the 9 o'clock hour in Total Viewers (17.0 million) and Adults 18-49 (3.8/9-tied), drawing its largest audience this season for the second straight week, while matching a season high in the key young adult sales demo. "DWTS Results" stood in a virtual tie as the most-watched program of the night with CBS' "NCIS" (17.1 million). "DWTS Results" also led its time period among Women 18-49 (5.3/12) and Women 25-54 (7.0/14) for the 5th straight telecast. "DWTS Results" beat its unscripted competition in the time period, NBC's second hour of "The Biggest Loser: Families," by 8.5 million viewers and 9% in Adults 18-49 ("Loser" = 8.5 million & 3.5/9). Actress Cloris Leachman was the sixth dancer to leave the competition 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 28% currently, from 20% at the same point in 2007. 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: Nielsen Media Research (Fast Affiliate, Live + Same Day Ratings), 10/28/08.