ABC Beats the Other Nets Combined on Monday/DWTS Retains 100% of its Premiere Numbers

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

Winning the night for the 3rd week in a row, ABC scored another dominant Monday victory, actually beating the other major networks combined during in both Total Viewers and Adults 18-49. The Network won all 6 half-hours of the night in both viewers and young adults.

Towering over each of its half-hours and ranking Monday's definitive #1 TV show for the 2nd week in a row, ABC's Dancing with the Stars beat its nearest competition in its time period (CBS) by 15.8 million viewers and by 155% in Adults 18-49. In fact it was ABC's 6th straight week to lead the time period in Total Viewers and Adults 18-49 and its 9th straight week in Adults 18-34. DWTS' audience jumped from its first hour to its second hour, gaining 3.0 million viewers and by 17% in Adults 18-49.

· Based on the preliminary Fast Affiliate ratings, DWTS retained an amazing 100% of its week-ago 12th Season premiere numbers in both Total Viewers and Adults 18-49. In fact the broad-appealing ABC unscripted series was up over its high-rated season opener with Men 18-34 and Kids 2-11.

Monday's #2 TV show to DWTS, ABC's Castle turned in a strong first-place finish in the 10 o'clock hour in Total Viewers and Adults 18-49. It was the ABC drama's 3rd straight first-run telecast to win its time period on both Nielsen measures. ABC's Castle once again posted its biggest-ever winning advantage over an original episode of NBC's Harry's Law in the hour (+4.6 million viewers and +106% in Adults 18-49).

· Hitting season-highs for the 2nd week running, ABC's Castle attracted its largest audience and highest Adult 18-49 number since March 2010 - since 3/29/10.

Quick Take for Monday, March 28, 2011 (Fast Affiliate Live + Same Day Ratings)

Ranking No. 1 on Monday for the 3rd Week in a Row, ABC Beats the Combined Performances of the Major Nets in Total Viewers and Adults 18-49

"DWTS" Outperforms 2nd-Place CBS in the Time Slot by 15.8 Million Viewers and by 155% in Adults 18-49, Taking ABC to the Top Spot for the 6th Straight Week

ABC's "Castle" is No. 1 at 10pm for its 3rd Straight First-Run Telecast, Hitting Season Highs with its Best Results in Total Viewers and Adults 18-49 in 1 Year

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

Winning the night for the 3rd week in a row, ABC scored another dominant Monday victory, actually beating the other major networks combined (CBS, NBC, and Fox) in both Total Viewers (19.2 million vs. 16.2 million ) and Adults 18-49 (4.5/12 vs. 4.4/12). The Network won all 6 half-hours of the night in both viewers and young adults.

"Dancing with the Stars" (8:00-10:00 p.m.)

Towering over each of its half-hours and ranking as Monday's definitive No. 1 TV show for the 2nd week in a row, ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" overshadowed its nearest competition in its time period (CBS) by 15.8 million viewers (22.3 million vs. 6.5 million) and by 155% in Adults 18-49 (5.1/14 vs. 2.0/5). In fact it was ABC's 6th straight week to lead the time period in Total Viewers and Adults 18-49 and its 9th straight week in Adults 18-34. "DWTS'" audience jumped from its first hour to its second hour, gaining 3.0 million viewers (20.8 million to 23.8 million) and by 17% in Adults 18-49 (4.7/13 to 5.5/14).

· Based on the preliminary Fast Affiliate ratings week to week, "DWTS" retained an amazing 100% of its week-ago 12th Season premiere numbers in both Total Viewers and Adults 18-49. In fact the broad-appealing ABC unscripted series was up over its high-rated season opener with Men 18-34 (+5%) and Kids 2-11 (+4%).

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

Monday's No. 2 TV show to "DWTS," ABC's "Castle" turned in a strong first-place finish in the 10 o'clock hour in Total Viewers (12.8 million) and Adults 18-49 (3.3/8). It was the ABC drama's 3rd straight first-run telecast to win its time period on both Nielsen measures. ABC's "Castle" once again posted its biggest-ever winning advantage over an original episode of NBC's "Harry's Law" (8.2 million and 1.6/4) in the hour (+4.6 million viewers and +106% in Adults 18-49).

· Hitting season highs for the 2nd week running, ABC's "Castle" attracted its largest audience and highest Adult 18-49 number since March 2010 - since 3/29/10.

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 40% currently, from 36% 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), 3/28/11.