Shark Tank Finale Jumps to Series Highs

On its first-season finale in the 8pm hour against stiff original competition (CBS' NCIS, NBC's Biggest Loser and Fox's AL MLB Playoff Game), ABC's Shark Tank jumped week to week by 1 million viewers and by 19% in Adults 18-49, hitting series-highs on both Nielsen measures. In Total Viewers and Adults 18-49, Shark Tank posted ABC's top series numbers in the time period in more than 9 months � since 1/6/09.

Surging week to week, ABC's Dancing with the Stars Results hit season-highs in Tuesday's 9 o'clock hour for the 2nd week in a row with Total Viewers and Adults 18-49.

During the 10 o'clock hour, ABC's the forgotten beat NBC's Jay Leno by 2.2 million viewers and by 11% in Adults 18-49. In the hour, Leno posted to another Tuesday low in viewers and young adults (matching last week in the demo).

Quick Take for Tuesday, October 20, 2009 (Fast Affiliate Live + Same Program Ratings)

ABC Delivers its Strongest Numbers on the Night In Total Viewers and Adults 18-49 Since Premiere Tuesday

Growing its Audience for the 5th Consecutive Telecast, "Shark Tank" Hits Series Highs in its First Season Finale in Total Viewers and Adults 18-49

"DWTS the Results" Delivers Season Highs at 9pm in Total Viewers and Adults 18-49

"the forgotten" Outperforms NBC's "Jay Leno" in Viewers and Young Adults

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

Growing week to week in viewers and young adults for the 2nd week in a row, ABC's Tuesday lineup delivered the Net's largest audience (9.4 million) and highest Adults 18-49 number (2.3/6) on the night since premiere Tuesday (9/22/09).

"Shark Tank" (8:00-9:00 p.m.)

On its first-season finale in the 8 o'clock hour against stiff original competition (CBS' "NCIS," NBC's "The Biggest Loser" and Fox's "AL MLB Playoff Game"), ABC's "Shark Tank" jumped week to week by 1.0 million viewers and by 19% in Adults 18-49, hitting series-highs on both Nielsen measures. In fact, "Shark Tank" saw its Total Viewer count grow for the 5th consecutive telecast. In Total Viewers (6.2 million) and Adults 18-49 (1.9/5), "Shark Tank" posted ABC's top series numbers in the time period in more than 9 months � since 1/6/09.

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

Surging week to week, ABC's "Dancing with the Stars the Results" hit season-highs in Tuesday's 9 o'clock hour for the 2nd week in a row with Total Viewers (14.2 million) and Adults 18-49 (3.2/8). "DWTS the Results" outdrew its unscripted competition in the hour, the second half of NBC's "The Biggest Loser," by 3.9 million viewers (10.3 million). Last night's telecast featured a dance tribute to Michael Jackson, as well as a performance from eight-time Grammy Award � winner Norah Jones. Olympic swimming gold medalist Natalie Coughlin was the sixth dancer to be eliminated from the competition this season.

"the forgotten" (10:00-11:00 p.m.)

During the 10 o'clock hour, ABC's "the forgotten" beat NBC's "Jay Leno" by 2.2 million viewers (7.6 million vs. 5.4 million) and by 11% in Adults 18-49 (2.0/5 vs. 1.8/5).

� On average, "the forgotten" is improving the time period year to year for ABC, growing its hour over the same nights last year in both Total Viewers (8.4 million vs. 8.2 million) and Adults 18-49 (2.3/6 vs. 2.1/6).

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 more than 33% currently, from 28% 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.

Source: Nielsen Media Research (Fast Affiliate, Live + Same Day Ratings), 10/20/09.