ABC's "Dancing" Becomes the First Show Ever to Top Fox's "Idol" Tuesday Finale

With the Grand Finale 12th-season closer of "Dancing," ABC (17.4 million) stood as the most-watched network on the final Tuesday of the season and sweep, outdrawing Fox (16.0 million) with its Tuesday finale of "Idol" into the season finale of "Glee" by 1.4 million viewers and NBC (8.2 million) with its 2-hour season closer of "The Biggest Loser: Couples" and "The Voice" by 9.2 million viewers. In addition, ABC defeated NBC on the night by 12% in Adults 18-49 (3.7/10 vs. 3.3/9).

· Surging week to week in Total Viewers (+23%) and Adults 18-49 (+37%), ABC marked its 2nd-strongest Tuesday of the season.

"DWTS Results Show" (9:00-11:00 p.m.)

In its 12th-season finale from 9:00-11:00 p.m., ABC's "Dancing with the Stars Results Show" produced season-high numbers on the night in both Total Viewers (21.0 million) and Adults 18-49 (4.5/11). The "Dancing" finale dominated all 4 of its half-hours in Total Viewers to stand as the most-watched TV program of the night, topping the Tuesday finale of "American Idol" by 1.0 million viewers (21.0 million vs. 20.0 million from 8:00-9:00 p.m.). In fact, ABC's "DWTS Results Show" outdrew Fox's Tuesday "Idol" finale for the first time, becoming the first-ever TV program to accomplish the feat. Super Bowl MVP Hines Ward won the coveted Mirror Ball trophy.

· Soaring to a decisive victory in its second hour from 10:00-11:00 p.m., "DWTS the Results Show" towered over runner-up NBC's "The Voice" by 13.5 million viewers (22.0 million vs. 8.5 million) and by 26% in Adults 18-49 (4.8/12 vs. 3.8/9).

· "DWTS the Results" jumped by double-digit percentages over its year-ago Tuesday finale (on 5/26/10), building 14% in Total Viewers (21.0 million vs. 18.4 million) and 15% in Adults 18-49 (4.5/11 vs. 3.9/11). In fact, "DWTS Results Show" attracted its 2nd-largest crowd ever for a spring closer.

· On average ("DWTS" and "DWTS Results Show" combined), Season 12 of "Dancing" built over Season 11 in Total Viewers (+3% - 21.0 million vs. 20.4 million) and in Adults 18-49 (+2% - 4.5/12 vs. 4.4/11), producing as the franchise's most-watched-ever season overall.

Quick Take for Tuesday, May 24, 2011 (Fast Affiliate Live + Same Day Ratings)

ABC is the Most-Watched Net on the Final Tuesday of 2010-11, as the "Dancing" Finale Produces the Net's 2nd-Biggest Tuesday of the Season

The Most-Watched Show of the Night, ABC's "DWTS Results Show" Emerges as The First-Ever TV Show to Outdraw the Tuesday Finale of Fox's "American Idol"

"DWTS" Closer Surges by Double-Digits Year to Year in Viewers and Young Adults

ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" Franchise Closes Out its Most-Watched Season Ever

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

With the Grand Finale 12th-season closer of "Dancing," ABC (17.4 million) stood as the most-watched network on the final Tuesday of the season and sweep, outdrawing Fox (16.0 million) with its Tuesday finale of "Idol" into the season finale of "Glee" by 1.4 million viewers, and NBC (8.2 million) with its 2-hour season closer of "The Biggest Loser: Couples" and "The Voice" by 9.2 million viewers. In addition, ABC defeated NBC on the night by 12% in Adults 18-49 (3.7/10 vs. 3.3/9).

· Surging week to week in Total Viewers (+23%) and Adults 18-49 (+37%), ABC marked its 2nd-strongest Tuesday of the season.

"DWTS Results Show" (9:00-11:00 p.m.)

In its 12th-season finale from 9:00-11:00 p.m., ABC's "Dancing with the Stars Results Show" produced season-high numbers on the night in both Total Viewers (21.0 million) and Adults 18-49 (4.5/11). The "Dancing" finale dominated all 4 of its half-hours in Total Viewers to stand as the most-watched TV program of the night, topping the Tuesday finale of "American Idol" by 1.0 million viewers (21.0 million vs. 20.0 million from 8:00-9:00 p.m.). In fact, ABC's "DWTS Results Show" outdrew Fox's Tuesday "Idol" finale for the first time, becoming the first-ever TV program to accomplish the feat. Super Bowl MVP Hines Ward won the coveted Mirror Ball trophy.

· Soaring to a decisive victory in its second hour from 10:00-11:00 p.m., "DWTS Results Show" towered over runner-up NBC's "The Voice" by 13.5 million viewers (22.0 million vs. 8.5 million) and by 26% in Adults 18-49 (4.8/12 vs. 3.8/9).

· "DWTS the Results" jumped by double-digit percentages over its year-ago Tuesday finale (on 5/26/10), building 14% in Total Viewers (21.0 million vs. 18.4 million) and 15% in Adults 18-49 (4.5/11 vs. 3.9/11). In fact, "DWTS Results Show" attracted its 2nd-largest crowd ever for a spring closer.

· On average ("DWTS" and "DWTS Results Show" combined), Season 12 of "Dancing" built over Season 11 in Total Viewers (+3% - 21.0 million vs. 20.4 million) and in Adults 18-49 (+2% - 4.5/12 vs. 4.4/11), producing as the franchise's most-watched-ever season overall.

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 Program Ratings), 5/17/11.