Each of ABC's Thursday Series Grow Week to Week

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

As each of its Thursday series posted gains, ABC was up week to week by 8% in Total Viewers and by 14% in Adults 18-49.

Up against the opening hour of Fox's The X Factor and CBS' comedies (back-to-back episodes of The Big Bang Theory) from 8-9pm, ABC freshman Charlie's Angels grew week to week in Total Viewers (+2%) and Adults 18-49 (+8%). In its time period, Charlie's Angels topped NBC's established comedies (Community/Parks and Recreation) for the 4th week running, by 2.1 million viewers. The new drama grew audience for ABC throughout its broadcast, gaining 5% in viewers and 17% in young adults from its first half-hour to its second half-hour. Charlie's Angels improved the hour for ABC over the year-ago night by 1.9 million viewers and by 18% in young adults.

Jumping over its lead-in (+62% in viewers/+162% in young adults) opposite the second hour of The X Factor, ABC's Grey's Anatomy increased over the prior week by 1.0 million viewers and by 10% in Adults 18-49. For the 4th straight week this season, Grey's qualified as Thursday's #1 drama in Adults 18-49 and led its scripted competition in the 9 o'clock hour by strong margins, outdelivering CBS' Person of Interest by 26% and NBC's comedies (The Office/Whitney) by a season-best 31%. In addition, the ABC drama ranked #1 overall in its time slot and as the night's highest-rated scripted series with key Women (W18-34/W18-49)

Rising week to week by 10% in viewers and by 14% in young adults, ABC's Private Practice paced well ahead of its NBC drama competition in the 10pm hour, widening its advantage over Prime Suspect week to week to 49% in Total Viewers and 85% in Adults 18-49. For its 3rd straight telecast this season, Private Practice stood as the #1 drama in the hour with Adults 18-34 and among key Women demos (W18-34/W18-49).

Quick Take for Thursday, October 13, 2011 (Fast Affiliate Live + Same Day Ratings)

Continuing to Improve its Hour for ABC Year Over Year, "Charlie's Angels" Builds Week to Week and Tops NBC's Comedies in the 8pm Hour by 2.1 Million Viewers

Surging by Double-Digit Percentages Over the Prior Week, ABC's "Grey's" is Thursday's No. 1 Drama in Adults 18-49 for the 4th Week Running This Season

Up by 10% in Total Viewers and by 14% in Adults 18-49 Week to Week, ABC's "Private Practice" is the No. 1 Drama at 10pm with Adults 18-34 and Key Women

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

As each of its Thursday series posted gains, ABC was up week to week by 8% in Total Viewers (7.5 million vs. 6.9 million) and by 14% in Adults 18-49 (2.4/6 vs. 2.1/6).

"Charlie's Angels" (8:00-9:00 p.m.)

Up against the opening hour of Fox's "The X Factor" and CBS' back-to-back episodes of "The Big Bang Theory" from 8:00-9:00 p.m., ABC freshman "Charlie's Angels" grew week to week in Total Viewers (+2% - 6.0 million vs. 5.9 million) and Adults 18-49 (+8% - 1.3/4 vs. 1.2/4). In its time period, "Charlie's Angels" topped NBC's established comedies ("Community"/"Parks and Recreation" = 3.9 million) for the 4th week running by 2.1 million viewers. The new drama grew audience for ABC throughout its broadcast, gaining 5% in viewers (5.8 million to 6.1 million) and 17% in young adults (1.2/4 to 1.4/4) from its first half-hour to its second half-hour.

· "Charlie's Angels" improved the hour for ABC over the year-ago night by 1.9 million viewers and by 18% in young adults (4.1 million and 1.1/3 for an encore "Grey's" on 10/14/10).

"Grey's Anatomy" (9:00-10:00 p.m.)

Jumping over its lead-in (+62% in viewers/+162% in young adults) opposite the second hour of "The X Factor," ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" increased over the prior week by 1.0 million viewers (9.7 million vs. 8.7 million) and by 10% in Adults 18-49 (3.4/9 vs. 3.1/8). For the 4th straight week this season, "Grey's" qualified as Thursday's No. 1 drama in Adults 18-49 and led its scripted competition in the 9 o'clock hour by strong margins, outdelivering CBS' "Person of Interest" by 26% (2.7/7) and NBC's comedies ("The Office"/"Whitney") by a season-best 31% (2.6/7). In addition, the ABC drama ranked No. 1 overall in its time slot and as the night's highest-rated scripted series with key Women (W18-34/W18-49).

"Private Practice" (10:00-11:00 p.m.)

Rising week to week by 10% in viewers (6.7 million vs. 6.1 million) and by 14% in young adults (2.4/6 vs. 2.1/5), ABC's "Private Practice" paced well ahead of its NBC drama competition in the 10:00 p.m. hour, widening its advantage over "Prime Suspect" (4.5 million and 1.3/3) week to week to 49% in Total Viewers and 85% in Adults 18-49. For its 3rd straight telecast this season, "Private Practice" stood as the No. 1 drama in the hour with Adults 18-34 and among key Women demos (W18-34/W18-49).

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), 10/13/11.