ABC Posts its Top Sunday in Over 2 Months

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

Up against stiff May Sweep competition including CBS' 3-hour Survivor finale coverage, ABC earned second place on Sunday in Total Viewers and Adults 18-49, while finishing #1 with Women 18-34.

· In viewers and young adults, ABC marked its strongest Sunday in more than 2 months - since 3/6/11.

Growing 6% week to week in the 7 o'clock hour, ABC's America's Funniest Home Videos registered as the #1 show in its slot among Adults 18-49.

Building over its lead-in at 8pm against the opening hour of CBS' Survivor: Redemption Island season finale, ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition ran as the 2nd-most-watched TV show in its hour. In addition, the ABC unscripted series topped NBC's Minute to Win It in the time period by 3.0 million viewers and by 133% in Adults 18-49.

· On its season finale, ABC's Home Edition produced its biggest overall since February and its top Women 18-34 number since January - since 2/20/11 and 1/30/11, respectively.

ABC's 2-hour season finale of Desperate Housewives ran a strong second to CBS Survivor in Total Viewers and Adults 18-49. The show dominated the 9-11pm time period by 33% in Women 18-34, to rank as the #1 TV show of the night. In addition, Housewives stood as Sunday's most-watched scripted program for the 3rd week in a row.

· Despite facing the Survivor finale, Desperate Housewives produced its best Adult 18-49 rating since April and its top Women 18-34 rating since March - since 4/24/11 and 3/6/11, respectively.

· In Total Viewers and Adults 18-49, Desperate Housewives produced ABC's strongest performance in the time period with regular programming in over 4 months - since 1/9/11.

Quick Take for Sunday, May 15, 2011 (Fast Affiliate Live + Same Day Ratings)

ABC Marks its Strongest Sunday in Over 2 Months with Viewers and Young Adults

Up Week to Week, "Funniest Home Videos" Ranks No. 1 at 7pm in Adults 18-49

ABC's "Home Edition" Season Finale Draws its Biggest Audience in 3 Months

The Season Finale of "Desperate Housewives" Produces ABC's Top Results In the Time Period in More Than 4 Months with Regular Programming

Sunday Night (7:00-11:00 p.m.)

Up against stiff May Sweep competition including CBS' 3-hour "Survivor" finale coverage, ABC earned second place on Sunday in Total Viewers (8.9 million) and Adults 18-49 (2.5/6), while finishing No. 1 with Women 18-34 (2.3/7).

· In viewers and young adults, ABC marked its strongest Sunday in more than 2 months - since 3/6/11.

"America's Funniest Home Videos" (7:00-8:00 p.m.)

Growing 6% week to week in the 7 o'clock hour (1.8/6 vs. 1.7/6), ABC's "America's Funniest Home Videos" registered as the No. 1 show in its slot among Adults 18-49.

"Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" (8:00-9:00 p.m.)

Building over its lead-in at 8pm against the opening hour of CBS' "Survivor: Redemption Island" season finale, ABC's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" ran as the 2nd-most-watched TV show in its hour. In addition, the ABC unscripted series topped NBC's "Minute to Win It" in the time period by 3.0 million viewers (8.5 million vs. 3.5 million) and by 133% in Adults 18-49 (2.1/6 vs. 0.9/2).

· On its season finale, ABC's "Home Edition" produced its biggest overall audience since February and its top Women 18-34 (1.9/6) number since January - since 2/20/11 and 1/30/11, respectively.

"Desperate Housewives" (9:00-11:00 p.m.)

ABC's 2-hour season finale of "Desperate Housewives" ran a strong second to CBS "Survivor" in Total Viewers and Adults 18-49, beating NBC's "Celebrity Apprentice" in head-to-head competition by 3.3 million viewers (9.9 million vs. 6.6 million) and by 25% in Adults 18-49 (3.0/7 vs. 2.4/6). "Housewives" dominated its 9:00-11:00 p.m. time period by 33% in Women 18-34 over its nearest competitor (3.2/9 vs. 2.4/7 - CBS), to rank as the No. 1 TV show of the night. In addition, "Desperate Housewives" stood as Sunday's most-watched scripted program for the 3rd week in a row.

· Despite facing the "Survivor" closer, "Desperate Housewives produced its best Adult 18-49 rating since April and its top Women 18-34 rating since March - since 4/24/11 and 3/6/11, respectively.

· In Total Viewers and Adults 18-49, "Desperate Housewives" produced ABC's strongest performance in the time period with regular programming in over 4 months - since 1/9/11.

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 41% 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 Program Ratings), 5/15/11.