ABC's "Grey's" and "Private Practice" Score Impressive Growth on Thursday

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

ABC's Thursday delivery built double-digit percentages week to week in viewers (+11%) and young adults (+13%), hitting a best-since-premiere rating on the evening with Adults 18-49 - since 9/22/11.

· The Net was up over the year-ago November Sweep Thursday in both Total Viewers (+3%) and Adults 18-49 (+4%).

Once again tripling its lead-in (+264%) at 9pm, ABC self-starter Grey's Anatomy was Thursday's #1 drama with Adults 18-49 for the 8th week running this season, towering over Fox's The X Factor-fueled Bones. Dominating the 9 o'clock hour in young adults, Grey's defeated Fox's Bones by much greater margin of 48% this week (up from 9% the prior week) and outdelivered NBC's original comedies (The Office/Whitney) by an impressive 60%. In addition, the ABC veteran drama once again shot to the top of its time slot among Adults 18-34, Adults 25-54 and all key Women, finishing as Thursday's #1 TV show across the Women demographics (W18-34/W18-49/W25-54).

· Surging over the prior week by 1.7 million viewers and by 11% in Adults 18-49, ABC's Grey's Anatomy pulled in its biggest audience in more than 7 months and hit a best-since-premiere young adult number - since 3/31/11 and 9/22/11, respectively. In addition, Grey's grew its Adult 18-34 audience for the 5th straight broadcast, earning its highest number since its season opener in September - since 9/22/11.

Continuing its build, ABC's Private Practice more than doubled its original drama competition to win the 10 o'clock hour, beating NBC's Prime Suspect by a best-ever 142% in Adults 18-49. Additionally, Private Practice ran as the #1 drama in the hour for the 7th straight week with Adults 18-34 and Women 18-34.

· As its numbers increased for the 3rd consecutive week in viewers (+17%) and young adults (+12%), ABC's Private Practice attracted its biggest audience since its premiere and achieved its highest Adult 18-49 number in 1 year - since 11/18/10.

Quick Take for Thursday, November 10, 2011 (Fast Affiliate Live + Same Day Ratings)

ABC Scores its Highest Adults 18-49 Number Since Season-Premiere Thursday, While Growing Over its Year-Ago November Sweep Performance on the Night

ABC Self Starter "Grey's" is Thursday's No. 1 Drama in Adults 18-49 for the 8th Straight Week, Dominating Fox's "The X Factor"-Driven "Bones" at 9pm

"Grey's Anatomy" Draws the Series' Most-Watched Telecast in Over 7 Months

Winning the 10 O'clock Hour in Adults 18-49 and Up for the 3rd Week Running, ABC's "Private Practice" Marks the Series' Highest-Rated Broadcast in 1 Year

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

ABC's Thursday delivery built by double-digit percentages week to week in viewers (+11% - 8.0 million vs. 7.2 million) and young adults (+13% - 2.7/7 vs. 2.4/7), hitting a best-since-premiere rating on the evening with Adults 18-49 - since 9/22/11.

· The Net was up over the year-ago November Sweep Thursday (7.8 million and 2.6/7 on 11/11/10) in both Total Viewers (+3%) and Adults 18-49 (+4%).

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

Once again tripling its lead-in (+264%) at 9:00 p.m., ABC self starter "Grey's Anatomy" was Thursday's No. 1 drama with Adults 18-49 for the 8th week running this season, towering over Fox's "The X Factor"-fueled "Bones." Dominating the 9 o'clock hour in young adults, the fall finale of "Grey's" (4.0/10) defeated Fox's "Bones" (2.7/7) by a much greater margin of 48% this week (up from 9% the prior week) and outdelivered NBC's original comedies ("The Office"/"Whitney") by an impressive 60% (2.5/6). In addition, the ABC veteran drama once again shot to the top of its time slot among Adults 18-34, Adults 25-54 and all key Women, finishing as Thursday's No. 1 TV show across the Women demographics (W18-34/W18-49/W25-54).

· Surging over the prior week by 1.7 million viewers (11.2 million vs. 9.5 million) and by 11% in Adults 18-49 (4.0/10 vs. 3.6/9), ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" pulled in its biggest audience in more than 7 months and hit a best-since-premiere young adult number - since 3/31/11 and 9/22/11, respectively. In addition, "Grey's" grew its Adult 18-34 audience for the 5th straight broadcast, earning its highest rating since its September season opener - since 9/22/11.

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

Continuing its build, ABC's "Private Practice" more than doubled its original drama competition to win the 10 o'clock hour, beating NBC's "Prime Suspect" by a best-ever 142% in Adults 18-49 (2.9/8 vs. 1.2/3). Additionally, "Private Practice" ran as the No. 1 drama in the hour for the 7th straight week with Adults 18-34 and Women 18-34.

· As its numbers increased for the 3rd consecutive week in viewers (+17% - 7.7 million vs. 6.6 million) and young adults (+12% - 2.9/8 vs. 2.6/7), ABC's "Private Practice" attracted its biggest audience since its premiere and achieved its highest Adult 18-49 number in 1 year - since 11/18/10.

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 43% 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), 11/11/11.