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Primetime Ratings Report
For the week of May 11, 2009
(Based on National Live + Same Day Program Ratings)
ABC Finishes No. 2 for the Week in Viewers and Young Adults, Beating
Fox in Total Viewers for the 1st Time Since the January Return of "Idol"
Growing its Numbers for the 4th Consecutive Week, ABC Matches its
Strongest Non-Oscar Week Since November in Viewers and Adults 18-49
ABC Airs 4 of the Week's Top 10 Shows in Viewers and Adults 18-49,
Including TV's No. 1 Scripted Program on Both Counts with "Grey's"
ABC Stands as Monday's Most-Watched TV Net for the 11th Straight Week,
Recording its Longest Winning Streak on the Evening in Nearly 10 Years
Opposite All-Original Monday Programming on CBS, NBC and Fox,
"DWTS" Wins its Slot in Viewers and Adults 18-49 for the 5th Week in a Row
Topping its NBC Drama Competition for the 2nd Straight Week in Viewers
And Adults 18-49, the Season Finale of ABC's "Castle" Beats NBC's "Medium"
ABC Posts its Top Wednesday in Nearly 4 Months in Viewers and Young Adults,
Growing Year to Year on the Evening in Adults 18-49 for 13 Weeks in a Row
Marking the Series' Strongest Number in 10 Weeks, on its Season Finale
"Lost" Stands as Wednesday's No. 1 Scripted TV Series in Adults 18-49
For its 15th Consecutive Regular Original Telecast During this Season
ABC Wins its 4th Consecutive Thursday Night of the 2009 May Sweep in
Adults 18-49, Finishing No. 1 on Every Thursday in May for 3 Years Straight
Thursday's No. 1 TV Show in Both Total Viewers and Adults 18-49, "Grey's" Beats
CBS' Season Finales from 9-11pm by 2.7 Million Viewers and by 84% in Adults 18-49
On its Season Finale, "Grey's Anatomy" Marks its Most-Watched Telecast Since
Its September Premiere and Equals its Top Adult 18-49 Number Since November
ABC Wins the Final 5 Sundays of the 2008-09 TV Season in Adults 18-49,
While Placing No. 1 on Every May Sweep Sunday for 5 Consecutive Years
Finishing a Strong No. 2 in Sunday's 8pm Hour to CBS' "Survivor" Finale, ABC's
"Home Edition" Finale Posts the Series' Best Numbers in the Time Slot in 7 Weeks
Winning its 2-Hour Time Period Over CBS' "Survivor" Finale, ABC's "Housewives" Finale Attracts ABC's Biggest Non-Oscar Audience in the Time Slot Since September
WEEK No. 34:
During the final complete Nielsen week of the 2008-09 TV Season (w/o 5/11/09), ABC finished No. 2 to Fox in Adults 18-49 (2.9/9-tie) and Adults 18-34 (2.3/8), earning second place in the latter demo for the 5th straight week. The Net also took second place for the week in Total Viewers, topping Fox (9.4 million vs. 9.0 million) for the first time since "American Idol" returned to its schedule in January. ABC stood as the No. 1 network across each of the key Women demographics: W18-34 (3.1/10-tie), W18-49 (3.8/11) and W25-54 (4.5/11). ABC qualified as Monday's most-watched TV network for the 11th week running, registering its longest winning streak on the night in nearly 10 years. Additionally, the Network ranked No. 1 in Adults 18-49 on Thursday for the 4th week in a row and on Sunday for the 5th week in a row.
� Growing its Total Viewer and Adult 18-49 numbers for the 4th consecutive week, ABC matched its strongest non-Oscar week since November on both Nielsen measures � since w/o 11/24/08 and 11/17/08, respectively.
Rankings: ABC claimed 4 of the Top 10 TV shows for the week in Adults 18-49, including the Top 2 scripted series with "Grey's Anatomy" and "Desperate Housewives": "Grey's Anatomy" � No. 3 (No. 1 scripted), "Desperate Housewives" � No. 4 (No. 2 scripted), "Lost" � No. 8 and "Dancing with the Stars" � No. 9. It was "Grey's" 3rd straight week to register as TV's highest-rated scripted show in the key young adult sales demo. The Network also delivered 4 of the Top 10 most-watched television shows overall, with "Grey's Anatomy" standing as TV's No. 1 scripted program: "DWTS" � No. 3, "Grey's" � No. 4 (No. 1 scripted), "DWTS Results" � No. 8 and "Housewives" � No. 9. ABC News' "20/20" finished as TV's No. 1 newsmagazine for the week in Adults 18-49.
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 stood as Monday's most-watched network (15.8 million) for the 11th week in a row. In extending its winning run on the night, ABC is seeing its longest winning streak on the night in nearly 10 years � since a stretch from 10/18/99 � 1/03/00. In addition, this is the longest Monday winning streak in Total Viewers for any net in 4 years � since CBS from 3/14/05 to 8/15/05.
"Dancing with the Stars" (8:00-10:02 p.m.)
Despite airing opposite stiff all-original competition, including CBS' comedy block, Fox's dramas of the "House" season finale and "24" and NBC's "Deal or No Deal" and "Medium," the season's penultimate episode of ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" led its time period in Total Viewers (18.6 million) and Adults 18-49 (4.2/11) for the 5th consecutive week. In the key young adult demo, ABC defeated Fox and CBS (3.9/11-tied) by 8% and NBC (1.5/5) by 180%. For the 10th time in 10 weeks, "DWTS" qualified as Monday's No. 1 program in viewers, as well as in Women 18-49 (6.1/16) and Women 25-54 (7.6/18).
"Castle" (10:02-11:00 p.m.)
The freshman season finale of ABC's "Castle" placed second at 10:00 p.m. to CBS' veteran drama, "CSI: Miami," beating NBC's "Medium" in the hour by 2.7 million viewers (10.0 million vs. 7.3 million) and by 4% in Adults 18-49 (2.4/7 vs. 2.3/6).
Tuesday
"Dancing with the Stars Results Show" (9:00-10:02 p.m.)
Ranking as the second-most-watched TV show in the hour, ABC's "Dancing with the Stars Results Show" (14.1 million) beat the second hour of NBC's "Biggest Loser: Couples" season finale by 1.3 million viewers (12.8 million) and Fox's "Idol"-boosted "Fringe" by 4.8 million viewers (9.3 million). Rodeo athlete Ty Murray was the tenth celebrity dancer eliminated from the competition this season.
Wednesday
ABC finished a strong No. 2 to Fox (with the season's penultimate Wednesday installment of "Idol") on Wednesday night in Adults 18-49 (3.7/10), outdelivering CBS by 28% (2.9/8) and NBC by 147% (1.5/4). With the "Lost" season closer, ABC delivered the No. 1 position on the night among Men 18-34 (3.2/10).
� Surging 54% from the year-ago night in Adults 18-49 (3.7/10 vs. 2.4/6 on 5/14/08), ABC marked its 13th straight Wednesday delivering a year-to-year increase in the key young adult sales demo.
� ABC generated its strongest Wednesday in Total Viewers (8.4 million) and Adults 18-49 (3.7/10) in nearly 4 months � since 1/21/09.
"Lost: A Journey in Time" (8:00-9:00 p.m.)
ABC's "Lost: A Journey in Time" clip show held second in the 8:00 p.m. hour among Adults 18-49 (2.5/8), besting CBS' original comedies ("Rules of Engagement"/"Old Christine") by 32% (1.9/6) and NBC's original "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" by 127% (1.1/3). The clip show ranked No. 1 in the hour with Men 18-34 (1.8/7).
"Lost" (9:00-11:00 p.m.)
On its fifth-season finale, ABC's "Lost" paced a strong second to "American Idol" during the 9 o'clock hour among Adults 18-49, beating out its original CBS drama competition by 29% (4.4/11 vs. 3.4/8 � "Criminal Minds"). Moving up to a dominant No. 1 from 10:00-11:00 p.m., "Lost" (4.3/12) defeated second-place CBS' original "CSI: NY" by 34% (3.2/8) and NBC's original "Law & Order" by 95% (2.2/6).
� "Lost" registered as Wednesday's No. 1 scripted TV show for its 15th consecutive regular original telecast in the key Adult 18-49 sales demographic.
� Despite competing against the penultimate episode of "Idol," "Lost" marked the series' biggest audience in 6 weeks (9.4 million) and its highest Adult 18-49 rating (4.4/11) in 10 weeks � since 4/1/09 and 3/4/09, respectively. In addition, Lost generated ABC's 3rd-highest Adult 18-49 rating in the Wednesday 9:00-11:00 p.m. time period this season.
Thursday
Beating out season-finale programming on the other nets, ABC won its 4th consecutive Thursday of the 2009 May Sweep in Adults 18-49, outdelivering its nearest competitor by 35% (4.6/13 vs. 3.4/10 � CBS). In fact in the key young adult sales demo, ABC has now finished No. 1 on every May Sweep Thursday for the past 3 years � starting in May 2007 for 12 consecutive Thursdays. ABC made it a clean sweep on the final Thursday of the 2008-09 TV season, placing No. 1 in Total Viewers (tie) and across all key Adult demos (AD18-34/AD18-49/AD25-54).
� Growing its overall audience for the 6th consecutive Thursday, ABC generated its largest audience (13.3 million) and achieved its second-highest Adult 18-49 rating (4.6/13) since season-premiere Thursday on 9/25/08.
"Ugly Betty" (8:00-9:00 p.m.)
On its penultimate episode for the season, "Ugly Betty" outdrew its NBC comedy competition in the 8 o'clock hour (season finales of "My Name is Earl" and "Parks and Recreation") by 2.2 million viewers (6.8 million vs. 4.6 million). Please Note: "Betty" concludes its season in a 2-hour finale next Thursday (5/21/09) from 8:00-10:00 p.m.
"Grey's Anatomy" (9:00-11:00 p.m.)
On its 5th-season finale, ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" retained its status as Thursday's No. 1 TV show in both Total Viewers (16.5 million) and Adults 18-49 (5.9/16). The ABC medical-drama's season ender dominated its 2-hour time period, outpacing second-place CBS' season finales of "CSI" and "CSI: NY" by 2.7 million viewers and by 84% in Adults 18-49 (CBS = 13.8 million and 3.2/9). In fact "Grey's" marked its 17th time in its past 18 original telecasts to stand as Thursday's No. 1 regular entertainment series in Adults 18-49, closing out its season with a winning streak of 11 straight original broadcasts.
� Building its numbers for the 3rd week in a row, "Grey's" turned in its most-watched telecast since its September season opener and posted its highest Adult 18-49 number in 3 months � since 9/25/08 and 2/19/09, respectively. In fact the show matched its top-rated telecast in the key young adult sales demo since the November Sweep � since 11/20/08.
� Compared to the same night last year when it also faced season finale programming on the other networks, "Grey's" increased its overall audience by nearly 1 million viewers (16.5 million vs. 15.6 million on 5/15/08). Please Note: The actual season finale for "Grey's" last year aired outside of the TV season on 5/22/08, against repeat programming on CBS and summer programming on NBC and Fox.
Friday
"America's Funniest Home Videos" (8:00-10:00 p.m.)
The 2-hour season finale of ABC's "America's Funniest Home Videos" attracted 5.8 million viewers and a 1.6 rating, 6 share in Adults 18-49, drawing the Net's largest audience and matching its best young adult performance in the time period in 7 weeks - since 3/27/09.
"20/20" (10:00-11:00 p.m.)
ABC News' "20/20" beat its newsmagazine competition on the night, NBC's "Dateline" (8:00-9:00 p.m.), by 8% in Total Viewers (5.7 million vs. 5.3 million) and by 23% in Adults 18-49 (1.6/6 vs. 1.3/5).
Sunday
Opposite season finale programming on the night from CBS with three hours of "Survivor" finale coverage and Fox with its animated comedy finales, ABC finished No. 1 on each of the final 5 Sundays of the '08-09 TV Season among Adults 18-49 (3.6/10). In fact by winning each Sunday of the 2009 May Sweep, ABC marked its 5th consecutive May to rank No. 1 on every Sunday of the sweep period � 20 consecutive May Sundays from 2005-2009.
� In Total Viewers (10.8 million) and Adults 18-49 (3.6/10), ABC generated its strongest Sunday in 11 weeks � since 3/1/09.
� For the 5th consecutive Sunday, ABC's "Desperate Housewives" qualified as the No. 1 TV show in both Total Viewers and Adults 18-49. "Housewives" marked its 22nd time in 23 original broadcasts this season to stand as Sunday's No. 1 entertainment series with viewers and young adults.
"Extreme Makeover: Home Edition-7P" (7:00-8:00 p.m.)
ABC's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition-7P" won Sunday's 7 o'clock hour Adults 18-49 (1.9/6), beating out its nearest competitor by 27% (1.5/5 � CBS "60 Minutes"). In fact it was the 5th consecutive week for ABC to lead the opening hour on Sunday in the key young adult sales demo.
"Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" (8:00-9:00 p.m.)
Against season finales on CBS ("Survivor") and Fox ("The Simpsons"/"King of the Hill") in the 8 o'clock hour, ABC's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" surged from its lead-in by 3.3 million viewers (9.3 million vs. 6.0 million) and by 63% in Adults 18-49 (3.1/8 vs. 1.9/6) to place a strong No. 2 in the hour, ahead of the Fox animated comedy finales. "Home Edition" finished No. 1 in its time slot with Women 18-34 (2.8/9) for the 6th time in its past 7 original telecasts.
� "Home Edition" produced its best viewer and young adult numbers in the hour in nearly 2 months � since 3/29/09.
"Desperate Housewives" (9:00-11:00 p.m.)
Sunday's No. 1 TV show, ABC's "Desperate Housewives" won its 2-hour time period, beating out CBS' "Survivor" finale coverage by 1.1 million viewers (14.0 million vs. 12.9 million) and by 7% in Adults 18-49 (4.7/12 vs. 4.4/11).
� Growing week to week by 1.7 million viewers and by 15% in Adults 18-49 (5/10/09 = 12.3 million and 4.1/11), "Housewives" attracted the series biggest audience in 2 months and hit its best Adult 18-49 number in 4 weeks � since 3/22/09 and 4/19/09, respectively.
� Excluding only Oscar Sunday, the 5th-season finale of "Desperate Housewives" generated ABC's biggest audience in the time period since season-premiere Sunday in September and its highest Adult 18-49 number in more than 5 months � since 9/28/08 and 12/7/08, respectively.
Source: Nielsen Media Research (National Live+Same Day Program Ratings), week of 5/11/09, unless stated otherwise.
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