ABC Outdraws Fox's World Series to Lead Monday Night

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

With its line-up of Dancing with the Stars and Castle, ABC registered as Monday's most-watched TV network, outdrawing Fox's World Series Game 5 coverage by 2.0 million viewers, CBS by 3.1 million viewers (HIMYM/2 Broke Girls/Two and a Half Men/Mike & Molly/Hawaii Five-0) and NBC by 11.4 million viewers (The Sing Off/Prime Suspect). In addition, ABC more than doubled NBC's Adult 18-49 audience on the evening (+142%). ABC finished as Monday's #1 network with Total Viewers for the 6th week running this season.

· ABC generated its 2nd-largest audience on the night since season-premiere Monday 6 weeks ago.

Building steadily throughout its broadcast against the World Series and CBS' Two and a Half Men-led comedy block, Dancing with the Stars made ABC the most-watched net in its time period for the 6th consecutive week. DWTS held the #2 position in its slot with Women 18-34 and Women 18-49, while ranking #1 with Women 25-54. In addition, the wide-appealing ABC dance series was the #2 broadcast program in its slot with Kids 2-11. Head to head against its unscripted competition in the 2-hour time period, DWTS towered over NBC's The Sing Off among Adults 18-49 (+107%).

· ABC's Dancing with the Stars qualified as Monday's most-watched TV show overall for the 3rd straight week.

During the 10 o'clock hour, ABC's Castle ran neck-and-neck with CBS' Hawaii 5-0 in Total Viewers and led the CBS drama by 10% with Women 18-34. In fact, ABC's Castle has finished as the #1 scripted series in its slot with Women 18-34 on 4 of 6 telecasts this season.

Quick Take for Monday, October 24, 2011 (Fast Affiliate Live + Same Day Ratings)

ABC is Monday's Most-Watched Net for the 6th Consecutive Week, Drawing its 2nd Largest Audience of the Night Since Premiere Monday

ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" Ranks as Monday's No. 1 Telecast In Total Viewers for the 3rd Week in a Row

ABC's "Castle" Stands as the No.1 Scripted Program at 10pm In Women 18-34 for the 4th Time in 6 Telecasts

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

With its line-up of "Dancing with the Stars" and "Castle," ABC registered as Monday's most-watched TV network (15.0 million), outdrawing Fox's World Series Game 5 coverage by 2.0 million viewers (13.0 million), CBS by 3.1 million viewers (11.9 million - "HIMYM"/"2 Broke Girls"/"Two and a Half Men"/"Mike & Molly"/"Hawaii Five-0") and NBC by 11.4 million viewers (3.6 million - "The Sing Off"/"Prime Suspect"). In addition, ABC more than doubled NBC's Adult 18-49 audience on the evening (+142% - 2.9/7 vs. 1.2/3). ABC finished as Monday's No. 1 network with Total Viewers for the 6th week running this season.

· ABC generated its 2nd-largest audience on the night since season-premiere Monday 6 weeks ago - since 9/19/11.

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

Building steadily throughout its broadcast against the World Series and CBS' "Two and a Half Men"-led comedy block, "Dancing with the Stars" (17.0 million) made ABC the most-watched net in its time period for the 6th consecutive week. "DWTS" held the No. 2 position in its slot with Women 18-34 and Women 18-49, while ranking No. 1 with Women 25-54. In addition, the wide-appealing ABC dance series was the No. 2 broadcast program in its slot with Kids 2-11. Head to head against its unscripted competition in the 2-hour time period, "DWTS" towered over NBC's "The Sing Off" among Adults 18-49 (+107% - 3.1/8 vs. 1.5/4).

· ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" qualified as Monday's most-watched TV show overall for the 3rd straight week.

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

During the 10 o'clock hour, ABC's "Castle" ran neck-and-neck with CBS' "Hawaii Five-0" in Total Viewers and led the CBS drama by 10% with Women 18-34 (2.2/6 vs. 2.0/5). In fact, ABC's "Castle" has finished as the No. 1 scripted series in its slot with Women 18-34 on 4 of 6 telecasts this season.

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), 10/24/11.