ABC Towers Over its Monday Competition

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

ABC registered as the dominant #1 network on Monday night, more than doubling #2 CBS' mostly original line-up in Total Viewers (+136%) and outdelivering second-place Fox's original dramas (House's 150th episode/The Chicago Code) by 56% in Adults 18-49. NBC also aired an original line-up, with Chuck and the 2-hour return of Law & Order: Los Angeles. The Network won all 6 half-hours on Monday evening in viewers and young adults.

· ABC qualified as Monday's most-watched network for the 5th week in a row and led the night in Adults 18-49 for the 4th time in 5 weeks.

From 8-10pm, ABC's Dancing with the Stars towered over each of its half-hours in viewers and young adults, while building its numbers throughout its broadcast. Monday's #1 TV show in viewers and young adults, ABC's DWTS ran as the night's most-watched program overall for the 4th consecutive week. The veteran ABC unscripted series beat out second-place Fox in its time period by 13.0 million viewers and by 72% in Adults 18-49. Despite facing original competition on CBS, Fox and NBC, DWTS' numbers soared by 3.4 million viewers and by 30% in Adults 18-49 from its first half-hour to its final-half hour.

· It was ABC's 8th straight week to finish #1 in the time slot in both Total Viewers and Adults 18-49.

ABC's Castle turned in an impressive victory in the 10 o'clock hour, beating CBS' Hawaii Five-0 for the 2nd straight original telecast and by best-ever margins in both Total Viewers (+3.5 million) and Adults 18-49 (+29%). In Total Viewers and Adults 18-49, Castle ranked as the #1 regular program in its time period for its 5th consecutive first-run telecast. In fact it was the 2nd most-watched television program on the night, behind only DWTS, qualifying as the evening's #1 scripted series.

· ABC's Castle grew week to week by in both Total Viewers (+10%) and Adults 18-49 (+11%).

Quick Take for Monday, April 11, 2011 (Fast Affiliate Live + Same Day Ratings)

Winning All 6 Half-Hours on Monday, ABC Ranks No. 1 in Total Viewers and Adults 18-49

"DWTS" Outdelivers 2nd-Place Fox in the Time Slot by 13.0 Million Viewers and by 72% in Adults 18-49, Taking ABC to the Top Spot for the 8th Straight Week

Finishing No. 1 at 10pm for its 5th Consecutive First-Run Telecast, ABC's "Castle" Outperforms CBS' "Hawaii Five-0" by Best-Ever Margins in Viewers and Young Adults

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

ABC registered as the dominant No. 1 network on Monday night, more than doubling No. 2 CBS' mostly original lineup in Total Viewers (+136% - 17.9 million vs. 7.6 million) and outdelivering second-place Fox's original dramas ("House's" 150th episode/"The Chicago Code") by 56% in Adults 18-49 (3.9/10 vs. 2.5/7). NBC also aired an original lineup, with "Chuck" and the 2-hour return of "Law & Order: Los Angeles." The Network won all 6 half-hours on Monday evening in viewers and young adults.

· ABC qualified as Monday's most-watched network for the 5th week in a row and led the night in Adults 18-49 for the 4th time in 5 weeks.

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

From 8:00-10:00 p.m., ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" towered over each of its half-hours in viewers and young adults, while building its numbers throughout its broadcast. Monday's No. 1 TV show in viewers and young adults, ABC's "DWTS" ran as the night's most-watched program overall for the 4th consecutive week. The veteran ABC unscripted series beat out second-place Fox in its time period by 13.0 million viewers (20.5 million vs. 7.5 million) and by 72% in Adults 18-49 (4.3/12 vs. 2.5/7). Despite facing original competition on CBS, Fox and NBC, "DWTS'" numbers soared by 3.4 million viewers (18.6 million to 22.0 million) and by 30% in Adults 18-49 (3.7/11 to 4.8/12) from its first half-hour to its final half-hour.

· It was ABC's 8th straight week to finish No. 1 in the time slot in both Total Viewers and Adults 18-49.

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

ABC's "Castle" turned in an impressive victory in the 10 o'clock hour, beating CBS' "Hawaii Five-0" for the 2nd straight original telecast and by best-ever margins in both Total Viewers (+3.5 million - 12.6 million to 9.1 million) and Adults 18-49 (+29% - 3.1/8 vs. 2.4/6). In Total Viewers and Adults 18-49, Castle ranked as the No. 1 regular program in its time period for its 5th consecutive first-run telecast. In fact it was the 2nd most-watched television program on the night, behind only "DWTS," qualifying as the evening's No. 1 scripted series.

· ABC's "Castle" grew week to week by in both Total Viewers (+10% - 12.6 million vs. 11.5 million) and Adults 18-49 (+11% - 3.1/8 vs. 2.8/7).

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), 4/11/11.