ABC's "Primetime Nightline" Wins at 10pm with Series Highs

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

Delivering its 2nd straight week of gains, ABC hit a 13-week high on Wednesday night among Adults 18-49 - since 6/1/11. ABC's line-up featured 4 repeat comedies from 8-10pm and an original Primetime Nightline in the 10pm hour.

During the 10 o'clock, ABC's Primetime Nightline: My (Extra) Ordinary Family ranked #1 among key Adults (AD25-54/AD18-49).

· Building its young adult numbers for the 2nd week in a row, Primetime Nightline posted a series high among Adults 18-49 and Adults 25-54 . In fact on both measures, the ABC newsmagazine produced the Net's strongest summertime performance in the hour with regular programming in 2 years - since 9/2/09.

Quick Take for Wednesday, August 31, 2011 (Fast Affiliate Live + Same Day Ratings)

ABC Hits a 13-Week Wednesday High in Adults 18-49

Posting Series-Highs in Key Adults, ABC's "Primetime Nightline" Wins the 10pm Hour

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

Delivering its 2nd straight week of gains, ABC hit a 13-week high on Wednesday night among Adults 18-49 (1.5/4) - since 6/1/11. ABC's lineup featured 4 repeat comedies from 8:00-10:00 p.m. and an original "Primetime Nightline" in the 10:00 p.m. hour.

"Primetime Nightline: My (Extra) Ordinary Family" (10:00-11:00 p.m.)

During the 10 o'clock hour, ABC's "Primetime Nightline: My (Extra) Ordinary Family" ranked No. 1 among Adults 18-49 (1.5/4) and Adults 25-54 (1.8/5).

· Building its Adult 18-49 number for the 2nd week in a row, "Primetime Nightline" posted franchise-highs among key Adults (AD25-54/AD18-49).

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 42% currently, from 38% 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), 8/31/11.