ABC's "Last Man Standing" Hits Multi-Week Highs in Key Demos

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

At 8pm opposite original programming on Fox (Glee) and NBC (A Michael Buble Christmas), ABC freshman Last Man Standing earned second place in its slot in with Total Viewers and Adults 18-49, while ranking a solid #1 with Adults 25-54 and Men 18-49. In addition, self-starter Last Man continued to finish as Tuesday's most-watched comedy, attracting 1.9 million more viewers than Fox's runner-up Glee-assisted New Girl at 9pm.

· Last Man Standing was up week to week with Adults 18-49 (+8%), Adults 18-34 (+6%), Teens 12-17 (+25%) and Kids 2-11 (+13%). In fact the show hit a 6-week high with Adults 18-34, a 5-week high with Kids 2-11 and a 4-week high with Teens 12-17 - best since 10/25/11, 11/1/11 and 11/8/11, respectively.

· On average since its premiere, Last Man Standing is growing the half-hour for ABC by 2.9 million viewers and by 38% in Adults 18-49 over original series programming on the comparable nights last year.

Leaping over its repeat Suburgatory lead-in at 10pm by 3.2 million viewers and by 15% in Adults 18-49, ABC's Body of Proof attracted a larger overall audience (+7%) than the final hour of the season's penultimate episode for NBC's The Biggest Loser 12. Additionally, the ABC drama placed #2 in its hour among key Women (W18-49/W25-54).

· Body of Proof once again improved over original series programming on the same night last year with viewers and young adults. In fact on average season to date, Body of Proof is boosting Tuesday's 10pm hour for ABC by 2.6 million viewers and by 14% in Adults 18-49 over the same point last season.

Quick Take for Tuesday, December 6, 2011 (Fast Affiliate Live + Same Day Ratings)

Tuesday's No. 1 Most-Watched Comedy Overall, ABC's "Last Man Standing" Grows Week to Week in Young Adults, Hitting a 6-Week High with Adults 18-34

Leaping Over its Lead-in at 10pm, ABC's "Body of Proof" Outdraws the Season's Penultimate Episode of "The Biggest Loser" and Continues to Improve its Hour

"Last Man Standing" (8:00-8:30 p.m.)

At 8:00 p.m. opposite original programming on Fox ("Glee") and NBC ("A Michael Buble Christmas"), ABC freshman "Last Man Standing" earned second place in its slot with Total Viewers (8.7 million) and Adults 18-49 (2.6/7), while ranking a solid No. 1 with Adults 25-54 and Men 18-49. In addition, self-starter "Last Man" continued to finish as Tuesday's most-watched comedy, attracting 1.9 million more viewers than Fox's runner-up "Glee"-assisted "New Girl" (6.8 million) at 9:00 p.m.

· "Last Man Standing" was up week to week with Adults 18-49 (+8%), Adults 18-34 (+6%), Teens 12-17 (+25%) and Kids 2-11 (+13%). In fact the show hit a 6-week high with Adults 18-34, a 5-week high with Kids 2-11 and a 4-week high with Teens 12-17 - best since 10/25/11, 11/1/11 and 11/8/11, respectively.

· On average since its premiere, "Last Man Standing" is growing the half-hour for ABC by 2.9 million viewers (11.4 million vs. 8.5 million) and by 38% in Adults 18-49 (3.3/9 vs. 2.4/7) over original series programming on the comparable nights last year.

"Body of Proof" (10:00-11:00 p.m.)

Leaping over its repeat "Suburgatory" lead-in at 10:00 p.m. by 3.2 million viewers (7.2 million vs. 4.0 million) and by 15% in Adults 18-49 (1.5/4 vs. 1.3/3), ABC's "Body of Proof" attracted a larger overall audience (+7% - 7.2 million vs. 6.7 million) than the final hour of the season's penultimate episode for NBC's "The Biggest Loser 12." Additionally, the ABC drama placed No. 2 in its hour among key Women (W18-49/W25-54).

· "Body of Proof" once again improved over original series programming on the same night last year (12/7/10) with viewers and young adults. In fact on average season to date, "Body of Proof" is boosting Tuesday's 10:00 p.m. hour for ABC by 2.6 million viewers (11.9 million vs. 9.3 million) and by 14% in Adults 18-49 (2.5/7 vs. 2.2/6) over the same point last 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 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), 12/6/11. Season averages comparisons based on Nielsen's Most Current data stream.