ABC Scores its Biggest Monday in 11 Weeks

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

Despite going up against CBS' original schedule and Fox's Super Bowl promoted line-up (House into the series debut of The Chicago Code), ABC generated its biggest Monday in 11 weeks among Total Viewers and Adults 18-49 - since 11/22/10. The Net finished #1 on the night across all key Women demographics (W18-34/W18-49/W25-54).

Opposite stiff competition from 8-10pm, ABC's The Bachelor grew its overall audience for the 4th straight week, hitting a new season-high among Total Viewers.

· The Bachelor ranked #1 in its time period among Adults 18-34 and across all key Women (W18-34/W18-49/W25-54), standing as Monday's #1 regular TV series with Women 18-34 for the 6th straight week.

During the 10 o'clock hour against original drama competition on CBS (Hawaii Five-0) and NBC (Harry's Law), ABC's Castle ran #1 across all key Women demographics (W18-34/W18-49/W25-25). The ABC drama was also tops with Teens 12-17. In addition, Castle drew a larger overall audience than Harry's Law and defeated the NBC drama by a resounding 47% in Adults 18-49.

· Castle built on its most recent original telecast (1/24/11) among viewers (+2%) and young adults (+4%), equaling its top Adult 18-49 number in over 3 months - since 11/1/10.

Quick Take for Monday, February 7, 2011 (Fast Affiliate Live + Same Day Ratings)

ABC Generates its Biggest Monday in 11 Weeks in Total Viewers and Adults 18-49

Building its Overall Audience for the 4th Week in a Row, ABC's "The Bachelor" Hits a Season High in Total Viewers

"The Bachelor" Leads its Time Period in Adults 18-34 and Across All Key Women

Up Over its Most Recent Original Airing, ABC's "Castle" Beats NBC's "Harry's Law" In Viewers and Young Adults, Equaling its Top Adults 18-49 Number in 3 Months

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

Despite going up against CBS' original schedule and Fox's Super Bowl-promoted lineup ("House" into the series debut of "The Chicago Code"), ABC generated its biggest Monday in 11 weeks among Total Viewers (9.6 million) and Adults 18-49 (2.9/8) - since 11/22/10. The Net finished No. 1 on the night across all key Women demographics (W18-34/W18-49/W25-54).

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

Opposite stiff competition from 8:00 - 10:00 p.m., ABC's "The Bachelor" grew its overall audience for the 4th straight week, hitting a new season high among Total Viewers (9.7 million).

· "The Bachelor" ranked No. 1 in its time period among Adults 18-34 (2.8/8) and across all key Women (W18-34/W18-49/W25-54), standing as Monday's No. 1 regular TV series with Women 18-34 for the 6th straight week.

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

During the 10 o'clock hour against original drama competition on CBS ("Hawaii Five-0") and NBC ("Harry's Law"), ABC's "Castle" ran No. 1 across all key Women demographics (W18-34/W18-49/W25-54). The ABC drama was also tops with Teens 12-17. In addition, "Castle" drew a larger overall audience than "Harry's Law" (9.3 million vs. 9.1 million) and defeated the NBC drama by a resounding 47% in Adults 18-49 (2.5/7 vs. 1.7/5).

· "Castle" built on its most recent original (9.1 million & 2.4/7 on 1/24/11) in viewers (+2%) and young adults (+4%), equaling its top Adult 18-49 number in over 3 months - since 11/1/10.

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), 2/7/11.