Primetime Ratings Report For the week of April 27, 2009 (Based on National Live + Same Day Program Ratings)

Up for the 2nd Straight Week, ABC Draws its Best Numbers in 5 Weeks

ABC Delivers 5 of the Week's Top 20 TV Shows in Adults 18-49, Placing 4 of the Top 8 and the No. 1 Scripted Show on Television

For the 2nd Consecutive Week, "Grey's Anatomy" is TV's No. 2 Show In Women 18-34, Topping "American Idol-Wednesday" for the Week

ABC Stands as Monday's Most-Watched Network for the 9th Week in a Row

Opposite All-Original Programming on CBS, NBC and Fox, "DWTS" Wins its Monday Time Slot in Viewers and Adult 18-49 for the 3rd Straight Week

In Monday's 10pm Hour, ABC's "Castle" Outdraws NBC's Veteran "Medium"

Growing by 33% over the Year-Ago Night in Adults 18-49, ABC is Up Over the Same Wednesday Last Year for 11 Consecutive Weeks

Marking its Strongest Performance in 4 Weeks, "Lost" Stands as Wednesday's No. 1 Scripted TV Series in Adults 18-49 for its 13th Straight Original Broadcast

"The Unusuals" Posts Week-to-Week Increases in Viewers and Adults 18-49 And Emerges as One of the Top Gainers on the Major Nets in DVR Playback

Growing Week to Week in Viewers and Young Adults, ABC Wins Its 2nd Straight Thursday of the May Sweep Among Adults 18-49

Thursday's No. 1 TV Show in Adults 18-49 for the 2nd Straight Week, "Grey's Anatomy" Widens its Advantage, Beating CBS' "CSI" by a Best-of-Season 38%

Dominating its NBC and CBS Time Period Competition with Adults 18-49, The Season Finale of "Private Practice" Marks a 5-Week High for the Series

Leading its 3rd Straight Sunday Night Among Adults 18-49, ABC Grows its Overall Audience on the Evening for the 4th Week in a Row

For the 3rd Consecutive Week, ABC's "Desperate Housewives" is Sunday's No. 1 TV Show Among Both Total Viewers and Adults 18-49

"AFV" Wins Sunday's 7pm Hour in Adults 18-49 for the 3rd Week in a Row

"Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" Draws its Big

WEEK No. 32:

During the week of April 27, 2009, ABC finished No. 2 to Fox among Adults 18-34 (1.9/6) and also placed a solid second across each of the key Women demographics: W18-34 (2.6/8), W18-49 (3.3/9) and W25-54 (4.0/10). Among Adults 18-49, ABC won Thursday for the 2nd straight week and led Sunday for the 3rd straight week.

* Increasing its Total Viewer (8.4 million) and Adult 18-49 (2.5/7) numbers for the 2nd week in a row, ABC turned in its best results in 5 weeks on both counts - since w/o 3/23/09.

Rankings: ABC aired 5 of the Top 20 TV shows for the week in Adults 18-49, placing 4 in the Top 8 and the No. 1 scripted series: "Grey's Anatomy" - No. 3 (No. 1 scripted), "Desperate Housewives" - No. 6, "Dancing with the Stars" - No. 7, "Lost" - No. 8, and "Private Practice" - No. 18. The Net claimed 3 of the Top 10 most-watched television programs overall: "DWTS" - No. 3, "DWTS Results" - No. 7 and "Grey's Anatomy" - No. 9. For the 2nd straight week, ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" stood as the No. 2 TV show with Women 18-34, topping Fox's "American Idol-Wednesday."

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 31% currently, from 24% 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

ABC's Monday drew 14.0 million viewers and a 3.2 rating, 9 share in Adults 18-49, winning the night in viewers for the 9th time in as many weeks. In addition, ABC led the night among Women 18-49 (4.6/11) and Women 25-54 (6.0/14).

"Dancing with the Stars" (8:00-9:32 p.m.)

Despite airing opposite stiff all-original competition, including CBS' comedy block, Fox's dramas "House" and "24" and the season finales of NBC's "Chuck" and "Heroes," ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" won its time period in Total Viewers (19.3 million) and Adults 18-49 (4.3/11) for the 3rd week running. For the 8th consecutive week, "DWTS" stood as Monday's No. 1 program in viewers, as well as Women 18-49 (6.2/16) and Women 25-54 (8.2/19).

"Surviving Suburbia" (9:32-10:02 p.m.)

ABC's "Surviving Suburbia" finished second in its half-hour in Women 18-49 (3.2/8) and Women 25-54 (4.2/9).

"Castle" (10:02-11:00 p.m.)

Taking second in its time period in viewers, ABC's "Castle" topped NBC's veteran drama, "Medium," by 1.5 million viewers (8.2 million vs. 6.7 million) and by 14% in Adults 18-34 (1.6/5 vs. 1.4/4).

* "Castle" built on the previous week's telecast in Total Viewers (8.4 million vs. 8.2 million) for the 2nd week in a row, while holding 100% retention among Adults 18-49 (2.1/6).

Tuesday

"Dancing with the Stars Results" (9:00-10:02 p.m.)

Ranking as the second-most-watched TV show in the hour, ABC's "Dancing with the Stars Results" (14.7 million), topped NBC's "Biggest Loser: Couples" by 5.1 million viewers (9.6 million) and Fox's "Idol-"boosted "Fringe" by 5.1 million viewers (9.6 million). Country singer Chuck Wicks was the eight celebrity dancer eliminated from the competition this season.

Wednesday

ABC finished No. 2 to an "Idol"-fueled Fox on Wednesday night in Adults 18-34 (2.5/7), Women 18-34 (2.5/7-tie) and Men 18-34 (2.5/7). Among Adults 18-34, ABC (2.5/7) bested third-place CBS by 19% (2.1/6) and fourth-place NBC by 92% (1.3/4).

* Gaining 33% from the year-ago night in Adults 18-49 (2.8/7 vs. 2.1/6 on 4/30/08), ABC marked its 11th consecutive Wednesday delivering a year-to-year increase in the key young adult sales demo.

"Lost" (9:00-10:02 p.m.)

ABC's "Lost" beat out its non-"Idol" competition in the 9 o'clock hour by wide margins among Adults 18-49 (4.1/10), outdelivering CBS' original "Criminal Minds" by 24% (3.3/8) and NBC's replay "Law & Order: SVU" by 242% (1.2/3). In fact "Lost" marked its 100th episode, standing as Wednesday's No. 1 scripted TV show for its 13th straight regular original telecast in Adults 18-49.

* Coming off the prior week's clip-show, "Lost" was up week to week by 2.3 million viewers (9.0 million vs. 6.7 million) and by 41% in Adults 18-49 (4.1/10 vs. 2.9/7). In fact among Adults 18-49, "Lost" turned in its highest-rated telecast in 4 weeks - since 4/1/09.

"The Unusuals" (10:02-11:00 p.m.)

ABC's "The Unusuals" was up week to week by 4% in Total Viewers (4.9 million vs. 4.7 million) and by 7% in Adults 18-49 (1.5/5 vs. 1.4/4).

Season-to-Date DVR Playback for "The Unusuals": Jumping by 26% and 5-tenths of an Adult 18-49 rating point (1.9 to 2.4) from its first-reported Live + Same Day numbers to the finalized Live + 7 Day averages, "The Unusuals" is currently ABC's biggest-percentage gainer through DVR playback and the 3rd-highest for any series on the major TV networks this season. The 10 o'clock ABC freshman drama also gains 1.1 million viewers (6.4 million to 7.5 million) from the overnights to the finals, through DVR playback.

Thursday

Growing week to week, ABC won its 2nd straight Thursday of the 2009 May Sweep among Adults 18-49 (3.6/10) and Adults 18-34 (3.2/10), beating its nearest competitors by 13% (CBS = 3.2/9) and 28% (NBC = 2.5/8), respectively.

* Posting its 2nd consecutive week of gains, ABC turned in its top Thursday since March among Total Viewers (10.2 million) and Adults 18-49 (3.6/10) - since 3/26/09.

"Ugly Betty" (8:00-9:00 p.m.)

Improving the hour for ABC on its return to the time period, ABC's "Ugly Betty" outdrew its NBC comedy competition in the 8 o'clock hour ("My Name is Earl"/"Parks and Recreation") by 1.6 million viewers (6.7 million vs. 5.1 million). "Betty" finished No. 1 in the slot with Women 18-34 (2.7/8).

* On its return, "Ugly Betty" generated ABC's biggest audience (6.7 million) in the time period in 6 weeks and its top Adult 18-49 number (2.0/6) in 5 weeks - since 3/19/09 and 3/26/09, respectively.

"Grey's Anatomy" (9:00-10:02 p.m.)

Thursday's No. 1 TV show in Adults 18-49 (5.1/13) for the 2nd week in a row, ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" took full control of the 9 o'clock hour, beating its competition by even bigger margins week to week. The ABC medical drama widened its winning advantage over CBS' "CSI" to a best-of-season 38% (3.7/9), beat NBC's original comedies ("The Office"/"30 Rock") by a margin of 55% (3.3/9) and topped Fox's "Hell's Kitchen" by 82% (2.8/7). In fact it was "Grey's" 15th time in its past 16 original telecasts to stand as Thursday's No. 1 regular entertainment show in Adults 18-49, including a streak of 9 straight original airings.

* Building week to week, "Grey's" drew its biggest audience (14.1 million) and top Adult 18-49 number (5.1/13) since March - since 3/26/09.

"Private Practice" (10:02-11:00 p.m.)

During the 10 o'clock hour in Adults 18-49, the season finale of ABC's "Private Practice" (3.5/10) outpaced CBS' "Criminal Minds" replay by 52% (2.3/7) and NBC's fading "Southland" by 75% (2.0/6). On its sophomore season closer, "Private Practice" finished as the No. 1 entertainment TV show in the hour in Adults 18-49 for the 7th time in its last 8 originals, while registering as the top entertainment broadcast with Adults 18-34 on all 12 original airings in its Thursday time period this season.

* Increasing over the prior week in Total Viewers (+7% - 9.7 million vs. 9.1 million) and Adults 18-49 (+6% - 3.5/10 vs. 3.3/9), "Private Practice" marked its best results in 5 weeks - since 3/26/09.

* Demonstrating strong compatibility with its "Grey's" lead-in, following its move from Wednesday to Thursday, the ABC sophomore drama substantially improved the time slot for the Net over the comparable year-ago nights: +12% in Total Viewers (9.3 million vs. 8.3 million) and +16% in Adults 18-49 (3.6/9 vs. 3.1/8). In addition versus its Wednesday performance earlier this season with original telecasts, originals of "Private Practice" on Thursday night grew by 31% in Total Viewers (11.4 million vs. 8.7 million) and by 41% in Adults 18-49 (4.5/12 vs. 3.2/8). Averages based on Nielsen's Most Current data stream.

Friday

"Wife Swap" (8:00-9:00 p.m.)

ABC's "Wife Swap" (4.1 million & 1.4/5 in Adults 18-49) took second in the 8 o'clock hour, beating back-to-back episodes of NBC's "Howie Do It" (3.0 million & 0.8/3) and Fox's "Prison Break" (3.2 million & 1.0/4).

"20/20" (9:00-11:00 p.m.)

ABC News' "20/20" placed second in the final hour of prime in both Total Viewers (6.3 million) and Adults 18-49 (1.8/6). The ABC newsmagazine finished No. 1 in its time slot among Women 18-34 (1.7/6).

* For the 5th time in 6 weeks, ABC's "20/20" outperformed NBC's "Dateline" in the hour among Total Viewers (6.3 million vs. 6.2 million), Adults 18-49 (1.8/6 vs. 1.6/5) and Adults 25-54 (2.3/6 vs. 2.1/6).

Sunday

ABC delivered another definitive Sunday victory among Adults 18-49 (3.1/9), placing No. 1 on the evening for the 3rd week in a row and besting second-place CBS by 19% (2.6/8), third-place Fox by 35% (2.3/7) and fourth-place NBC by 41% (2.2/6).

* For the 3rd straight week, ABC's "Desperate Housewives" qualified as Sunday's No. 1 TV show in both Total Viewers and Adults 18-49. "Housewives" posted its 20th time in 21 original broadcasts this season to stand as Sunday's No. 1 entertainment series with viewers and young adults.

* Growing its overall audience for the 4th week in a row, ABC generated its most-watched (10.0 million) Sunday in 6 weeks - since 3/22/09.

"America's Funniest Home Videos" (7:00-8:00 p.m.)

ABC's "America's Funniest Home Videos" won the 7 o'clock hour for the 3rd week in a row among Adults 18-49 (2.3/8), besting No. 2 CBS by 15% (2.0/7 - "60 Minutes"), No. 3 Fox by 156% (0.9/3 - "Sit Down Shut Up"/"American Dad") and No. 4 NBC by 188% (0.8/3 - "Dateline").

* "AFV" attracted its biggest audience (8.0 million) in 5 weeks - since 3/29/09.

"Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" (8:00-9:00 p.m.)

ABC's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" placed a solid No. 2 in the 8 o'clock hour with Total Viewers (9.2 million), Adults 18-34 (1.9/6-tie) and across all key Women demos (W18-34/W18-49/W25-54), drawing its biggest overall audience in the hour since March (since 3/29/05).

"Desperate Housewives" (9:00-10:01 p.m.)

Sunday's No. 1 TV show, ABC's "Desperate Housewives" soared to the top of the 9 o'clock hour, outdrawing its nearest competition by 1.0 million viewers (13.5 million vs. 12.5 million - CBS' "Cold Case") and by 42% in Adults 18-49 (4.4/11 vs. 3.1/8 - Fox's "Family Guy"/"American Dad").

"Brothers & Sisters" (10:01-11:00 p.m.)

ABC's "Brothers & Sisters" defeated its CBS drama competition in the slot ("The Unit") by 25% in Adults 18-49 (3.0/8 vs. 2.4/6). In addition, the ABC drama placed No. 1 in its time period across each of the key Women demographics (W18-34/W18-49/W25-54) for its 9th consecutive original telecast.

Source: Nielsen Media Research (National Live+Same Day Program Ratings), week of 4/27/09, unless stated otherwise.