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Primetime Ratings Report
For the week of March 9, 2009
(Based on National Live + Same Day Program Ratings)
Posting Big Gains Over the Same Week Last Year, ABC Claims 3 of the
Week's Top 5 TV Shows in Adults 18-49, Including the Top 2 Scripted Shows
Net Generates its Most-Watched Non-Oscar Week in Over 3 Months
ABC's Premiere Monday Lineup of "DWTS" and "Castle" Dominates,
Producing the Net's Largest Audience on the Night in Close to 3 Years
ABC's 8th Season Opener for "Dancing with the Stars" Marks its Most-Watched Premiere Ever and the Net's Largest Audience in the Time Slot Since May 2000
Monday's No. 1 TV Show, "DWTS" Wins Each of its Half-Hours from 8-10pm and
Leads its Nearest Competition by 10.9 Million Viewers and by 45% in Adults 18-49
"Castle" Opens Strong, Improving its Monday Time Slot for ABC and Generating
The Network's Most-Watched 10pm Drama Telecast on the Night in 9 Years
Growing Sharply Week to Week in Viewers and Young Adults, "Ugly Betty"
Beats its NBC Comedy Competition in Thursday's 8pm Hour by Wide Margins
Thursday's No. 1 TV Show Among Young Adults, ABC's "Grey's Anatomy"
Beats CBS' "C.S.I." at 9pm by 19% in Adults 18-49 and by 92% in Adults 18-34
"Private Practice" is a Strong No. 2 to a Guest Cast-Boosted "ER" in Adults 18-49
And Wins its Time Period by 11% Over the NBC Veteran Drama in Adults 18-34
No. 1 in Friday's 10pm Hour in Adults 18-49 for the 3rd Time in 5 Weeks, ABC
News' "20/20" Tops NBC's "Dateline" in the Slot for the 11 Straight Telecast
Dominating Sunday's Prime with Week-to-Week and Year-to-Year Gains,
ABC is No. 1 on the Evening for the 5th Week in a Row in Adults 18-49
Sunday's No. 1 TV Program, "Housewives" Towers Over the 9 O'clock Hour in Viewers and Young Adults and Produces the Series' Biggest Audience in 3 Months
Winning its Slot in Adults 18-49 for the 3rd Consecutive Week in Adults 18-49, "Brothers & Sisters" Logs its Top Results for a 10pm Telecast Since Early December
WEEK No. 25:
ABC earned second place to Fox during the week of March 9, 2009 among Adults 18-34 (2.0/6), leading CBS by 11% (1.8/6) and NBC by 18% (1.7/5). In fact, the Net has placed either first or second with Adults 18-34 for 6 consecutive weeks.
� ABC's primetime results jumped over the same week last year (w/o 3/10/08), rising by 2.2 million viewers (8.3 million vs. 6.1 million) and by 19% in Adults 18-49 (2.5/7 vs. 2.1/6). In fact among Adults 18-49, ABC has grown its numbers or held even on 8 of 10 weeks since the start of 2009. In addition, the Network turned in its most-watched non-Oscar week in more than 3 months � since w/o 12/1/08.
Rankings: ABC claimed 3 of the Top 5 highest-rated TV programs for the week in Adults 18-49, including the Top 2 scripted shows with "Desperate Housewives" and "Grey's Anatomy": "Dancing with the Stars" � No. 3, "Desperate Housewives" � No. 4 (No. 1 scripted) and "Grey's Anatomy" � No. 5 (No. 2 scripted). In addition, the Net aired 3 of the Top 10 most-watched programs overall during the week: "Dancing with the Stars" � No. 3, "Desperate Housewives" � No. 5 and "Grey's Anatomy" � No. 9. ABC delivered 5 of the Top 10 shows of the week with Women 18-34: "Grey's" � No. 3, "DWTS" � No. 4, "Housewives" � No. 5, "Private Practice" � No. 7 and "Brothers & Sisters" � No. 9.
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 30% currently, from 23% at the same point in 2008. 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.
Monday
With the eighth season premiere of "Dancing with the Stars" leading into the series debut of "Castle," ABC stood as the No. 1 TV network on Monday for the 2nd week in a row in Total Viewers (18.9 million) and Adults 18-49 (5.1/13), drawing its largest audience on the night in close to 3 years � since 5/15/06. The Network outperformed second-place Fox on the night by 7.0 million viewers and by 21% in Adults 18-49 (11.9 million & 4.2/11).
"Dancing with the Stars" (8:00-10:02 p.m.)
Despite airing opposite stiff all-original competition in its eighth season premiere, including CBS' 8:00-10:00 p.m. comedy block, NBC's "Heroes" and "Chuck" and Fox's "House" and "24," ABC's broad appealing "Dancing with the Stars" drew an average audience of 22.8 million viewers and a 6.1 rating, 15 share in Adults 18-49 to emerge as Monday's No. 1 TV program in viewers and young adults. In fact, "Dancing with the Stars" won each of its half-hours and soared to the top of its time period, outdrawing second-place Fox by 10.9 million viewers and by 45% in Adults 18-49 (11.9 million & 4.2/11).
� "DWTS" was up over its year-ago season opener by 1.6 million viewers and by 9% in Adults 18-49 (21.2 million & 5.6/15 on 3/17/08). In fact, "Dancing" turned in its most-watched season open ever and second-highest ever in Adults 18-49.
� Excluding only the 2001 Rose Bowl, "Dancing with the Stars" produced ABC's biggest audience in the time slot in nearly 9 years � since 5/1/00. Furthermore, excluding the "Academy Awards," the 8th season premiere represented ABC's most-watched telecast in over 1 year � since 11/27/07.
"Castle" (10:02-11:00 p.m.)
ABC's series premiere of "Castle" drew 10.8 million viewers and a 3.0 rating, 8 share in Adults 18-49, placing second in the 10 o'clock hour to CBS' veteran "C.S.I.: Miami." The ABC drama outdelivered NBC's "Medium" (7.1 million & 2.5/6) by 3.7 million viewers and by 20% in Adults 18-49.
� Compared to the Net's average in the hour this season with series programming, "Castle" improved the time period for ABC by 2.1 million viewers and by 7% in Adults 18-49 (8.7 million and 2.8/7). In addition, the new ABC program produced ABC's largest audience for any 10 o'clock drama telecast on the night in 9 years � since 3/12/01 with "Gideon's Crossing."
Thursday
As its Thursday schedule returned to original for the first time since mid-February (2/19/09), ABC earned a strong second place on the night in Total Viewers (9.8 million) and Adults 18-49 (3.5/9). ABC dominated the night in Adults 18-34, beating its nearest competitor by 19% (3.2/10 vs. 2.7/8 � NBC), and also delivered the No. 1 network position across each of the key Women demos: W18-34 (4.9/13), W18-49 (5.1/13) and W25-54 (5.7/13-tie).
� ABC improved its Thursday numbers over the year-ago night by 1.6 million viewers and by 17% in Adults 18-49 (8.2 million and 3.0/9 on 3/13/08).
"Ugly Betty" (8:00-9:00 p.m.)
ABC's "Ugly Betty" outdrew its NBC comedy competition in the 8 o'clock hour ("My Name is Earl"/"Kath & Kim"), which included the season finale of "Kath & Kim," by 2.9 million viewers (7.1 million vs. 4.2 million) and by 24% in Adults 18-49 (2.1/6 vs. 1.7/5).
� Jumping from the prior week's original telecast (6.3 million & 1.7/5) by nearly 1 million viewers and by 24% in Adults 18-49, "Ugly Betty" posted its best numbers in 3 weeks � since 2/19/09.
"Grey's Anatomy" (9:00-10:02 p.m.)
Thursday's No. 1 TV program with young adults, ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" defeated CBS' "C.S.I." in the 9 o'clock hour by 19% in Adults 18-49 (5.0/12 vs. 4.2/10) and by 92% in Adults 18-34 (4.8/13 vs. 2.5/7). It was "Grey's" 11th time in its last 12 original airings to rank as Thursday's No. 1 entertainment telecast with Adults 18-49, and the 11th time in as many airings among Adults 18-34.
"Private Practice" (10:02-11:00 p.m.)
Opposite an above average "ER," featuring the return of a number of high-profile original cast members, ABC's "Private Practice" took a strong second place in the 10 o'clock hour among Adults 18-49, defeating CBS' "Eleventh Hour" by 22% (3.3/9 vs. 2.7/7). "Private Practice" won the hour among Adults 18-34, topping "ER" by 11% (3.0/9 vs. 2.7/8) and marking the ABC sophomore drama's 8th consecutive original telecast as the No. 1 entertainment show in the time slot. Trailing only "Grey's Anatomy," "Private Practice" stood as Thursday's No. 2 TV show in Women 18-34 (4.6/13).
� Versus the Net's performance in the hour on the same night last year (3/13/08) with an original "Eli Stone," "Private Practice" improved the time period for ABC by 1.7 million viewers (8.6 million vs. 6.9 million) and by 43% in Adults 18-49 (3.3/9 vs. 2.3/6).
Friday
"20/20" (10:00-11:00 p.m.)
ABC News' "20/20" attracted 6.5 million viewers and a 1.9 rating, 6 share in Adults 18-49, ranking No. 1 (tied) in the 10 o'clock hour in the key young adult sales demo for the 3rd time in the last 5 weeks.
� For the 11th straight week, "20/20" topped its newsmagazine competition in the hour, NBC's "Dateline," in both Total Viewers (6.5 million vs. 5.2 million) and Adults 18-49 (1.9/6 vs. 1.5/4).
Sunday
Qualifying as Sunday's No. 1 network in Adults 18-49 for the 5th week a row, ABC (3.5/9) beat its network competition on the night by wide margins, defeating No. 2 CBS by 30% (2.7/7), No. 3 Fox by 52% (2.3/6) and No. 4 NBC by 94% (1.8/5) with its high-profile and well-promoted series debut of "Kings."
� All 4 of ABC's Sunday series were up over the previous Sunday among young adults. The Net also posted solid increases over the same Sunday last year (3/16/08), growing by 1.5 million viewers (10.5 million vs. 9.0 million) and 9% in Adults 18-49 (3.5/9 vs. 3.2/9).
� "Desperate Housewives" stood as Sunday's No. 1 TV show in both Total Viewers and Adults 18-49. "Housewives" logged its 16th time in 17 original telecasts this season to stand as the evening's top entertainment series with viewers and young adults.
"America's Funniest Home Videos" (7:00-8:00 p.m.)
ABC's "America's Funniest Home Videos" earned second place during the 7 o'clock hour in Total Viewers (7.6 million) and Adults 18-49 (2.1/7), while taking the No. 1 position in the hour for the 2nd week in a row among Adults 18-34 (1.6/6).
"Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" (8:00-9:00 p.m.)
Building on its lead-in at 8:00 p.m., ABC's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" finished in a virtual tie for No. 1 in its hour among Adults 18-49 (3.0/8 vs. 3.1/8 for "Amazing Race"). Surging 22% from start to finish with young adults, the ABC unscripted series outpaced CBS' "Amazing Race XIV" by 3% in the 8:30pm half hour (3.3/9 vs. 3.2/8). "Home Edition" took top honors in its slot with Women 18-49 (3.7/10) for its 4th consecutive airing.
"Desperate Housewives" (9:00-10:01 p.m.)
Sunday's No. 1 TV program, ABC's "Desperate Housewives" dominated the 9 o'clock hour, topping its closest competition by 1.6 million viewers (14.6 million vs. 13.0 million � CBS' "Cold Case") and by 55% in Adults 18-49 (5.1/12 vs. 3.3/8 � Fox's "Family Guy"/"American Dad"). "Housewives" nearly tripled the second hour of NBC's highly-promoted 2-hour series debut of "Kings (5.7 million & 1.7/4).
� "Housewives" produced its biggest audience since the beginning of December and its top young adult number since early January � since 12/7/08 and 1/11/09, respectively.
"Brothers & Sisters" (10:01-11:00 p.m.)
Continuing to deliver some of the best-ever lead-in retention (2nd week in a row) of an original "Desperate Housewives," ABC's "Brothers & Sisters" won its time period for the 3rd straight week among Adults 18-49. During the 10 o'clock hour, ABC's "Brothers & Sisters" (3.6/9) defeated NBC's "Celebrity Apprentice" by 29% (2.8/7) and CBS' "The Unit" by 33% (2.7/7).
� Exhibiting continued momentum after its 2-hour broadcast at the beginning of March (on 3/1/09), "Brothers & Sisters" was up week to week and generated its best 10 o'clock airing in the past 3 months among Total Viewers (10.4 million) and Adults 18-49 (3.6/9) � since 12/7/08.
Source: Nielsen Media Research (National Live+Same Day Program Ratings), week of 3/9/09, unless stated otherwise.
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