ABC Wins Monday/"The Bachelor" Hits Season Highs

Some early info on ABC's Monday, ahead of the regular press release.

With The Bachelor surging to season-highs followed by a repeat Castle, ABC won Monday night in Total Viewers and Adults 18-49. In fact it was ABC's 2nd straight week to qualify as Monday's most-watched network overall. In addition the Net beat its Monday rivals in Women 18-34 for the 5th week running.

· ABC equaled its highest-rated Monday in 10 weeks among Adults 18-49 - since 11/22/10.

The top draw among viewers in its slot for the 2nd week in a row, ABC's The Bachelor won its 2-hour time period, beating its nearest competition (CBS) by 8% in Total Viewers and by 23% in Adults 18-49. Taking first place in all 4 of its half-hours, the ABC veteran unscripted series stood as Monday's #1 TV program among Adults 18-49. In addition, The Bachelor registered as Monday's #1 regular TV series with Women 18-34 for the 5th week running.

· Building its overall audience for the 3rd consecutive week, The Bachelor achieved new season-highs in both Total Viewers and Adults 18-49.

During the 10 o'clock hour against NBC's original Harry's Law and CBS' replay Hawaii Five-0, ABC's repeat Castle ranked #1 (tying NBC's first-run drama and beating CBS replay) among Adults 18-34 and key Women (W18-49/W18-34).

· In Total Viewers and Adults 18-49, Castle turned in its strongest repeat performance this season.

Quick Take for Monday, January 31, 2011 (Fast Affiliate Live + Same Day Ratings)

ABC Wins Monday in Total Viewers and Adults 18-49, Ranking as the Night's Most-Watched Network for the 2nd Week in a Row

Growing its Audience in Each Half-Hour, ABC's "The Bachelor" Leads its Time-Slot and Hits Season Highs in Total Viewers and Adults 18-49

ABC's "Castle" Sees Season-Best Repeat Numbers in Viewers and Young Adults, Ranking No. 1 at 10pm in Adults 18-34 and Key Women Demos

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

With "The Bachelor" surging to season highs followed by a repeat "Castle," ABC won Monday night in Total Viewers (8.4 million) and Adults 18-49 (2.7/7). In fact it was ABC's 2nd straight week to qualify as Monday's most-watched network overall. In addition the Net beat its Monday rivals in Women 18-34 for the 5th week running.

· ABC equaled its highest-rated Monday in 10 weeks among Adults 18-49 - since 11/22/10.

"The Bachelor" (8:00-10:00 p.m.)

The top draw among viewers in its slot for the 2nd week in a row, ABC's "The Bachelor" won its 2-hour time period, beating its nearest competition (CBS) by 8% in Total Viewers (9.5 million vs. 8.8 million) and by 23% in Adults 18-49 (3.2/8 vs. 2.6/7). Taking first place in all 4 of its half-hours, the veteran unscripted series stood as Monday's No. 1 TV program in Adults 18-49. In addition, "The Bachelor" was Monday's No. 1 regular TV series with Women 18-34 for the 5th week running.

· Building its overall audience for the 3rd consecutive week, "The Bachelor" achieved new season highs in both Total Viewers and Adults 18-49.

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

During the 10 o'clock hour against NBC's original "Harry's Law" and CBS' replay "Hawaii Five-0," ABC's repeat "Castle" ranked No. 1 (tying NBC's first-run drama and beating CBS' replay) among Adults 18-34 (1.3/4) and key Women (W18-49/W18-34).

· In Total Viewers (6.3 million) and Adults 18-49 (1.7/5), "Castle" turned in its strongest repeat performance 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 39% currently, from 35% at the same point in 2010. 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: The Nielsen Company (Fast Affiliate, Live + Same Day Ratings), 1/31/11.