ABC's "Grey's" Wins at 9pm to Finish as Thursday's #1 Drama in Adults 18-49

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

During the 8 o'clock hour opposite CBS' top-rated The Big Bang Theory and Rob along with the Thursday premiere of Fox's American Idol, ABC's Winter Wipeout outdrew NBC's comedies (30 Rock/Parks and Recreation) by 1.7 million viewers. The broad-skewing ABC unscripted series also outdelivered the NBC comedy block with Adults 25-54, Women 18-49, Teens 12-17 and Kids 2-11. Although facing strong competition, Wipeout's audience built by 7% in viewers and by 18% in Adults 18-49 from its first half-hour to its second half-hour.

Jumping over its lead-in by 89% to win the 9 o'clock hour in Adults 18-49, ABC's Grey's Anatomy defeated CBS' Person of Interest by 3%, NBC's comedies (The Office/Up All Night) by 42% and Fox's Idol-driven The Finder by 55%. ABC's Grey's Anatomy finished as Thursday's #1 drama in the key young adult sales demo for its 11th consecutive first-run airing this season.

During the 10 o'clock hour, ABC's Private Practice beat out NBC's The Firm by 2.7 million viewers and once again more than doubled the NBC drama's Adult 18-49 number (+133%). In addition, ABC's Private Practice ranked as the #1 drama in Thursday's 10pm hour for the 11th consecutive original telecast this season with Adults 18-34 and Women 18-34.

Quick Take for Thursday, January 19, 2012 (Fast Affiliate Live + Same Day Ratings)

Building its Audience from 8-9pm Against the Premiere of "Idol," ABC's "Wipeout" Outdraws NBC's "30 Rock" and "Parks and Recreation" by 1.7 Million Viewers

Thursday's No. 1 Drama in Adults 18-49, ABC's "Grey's" Wins the 9pm Hour

In the 10pm Hour, ABC's "Private Practice" Once Again More than Doubles NBC's "The Firm" in Adults 18-49, and Stands as the No. 1 Drama in Adults 18-34

"Winter Wipeout" (8:00-9:00 p.m.)

During the 8 o'clock hour opposite CBS' top-rated "The Big Bang Theory" and "Rob," along with the Thursday premiere of Fox's "American Idol," ABC's "Winter Wipeout" outdrew NBC's comedies ("30 Rock"/"Parks and Recreation") by 1.7 million viewers (5.9 million vs. 4.2 million). The broad-skewing ABC unscripted series also outdelivered the NBC comedy block with Adults 25-54, Women 18-49, Teens 12-17 and Kids 2-11.

· Although facing strong competition, "Wipeout's" audience built by 7% in viewers (5.7 million to 6.1 million) and by 18% in Adults 18-49 (1.7/5 to 2.0/5) from its first to its second half-hour.

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

Jumping over its lead-in by 89% to win the 9 o'clock hour in Adults 18-49, ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" (3.4/8) defeated CBS' "Person of Interest" by 3% (3.3/8), NBC's comedies ("The Office"/"Up All Night") by 42% (2.4/6) and Fox's "Idol"-driven "The Finder" by 55% (2.2/5).

· ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" finished as Thursday's No. 1 drama in the key young adult sales demo for its 11th consecutive first-run airing this season.

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

During the 10 o'clock hour, ABC's "Private Practice" (6.1 million and 2.1/5) beat out NBC's "The Firm" (3.4 million and 0.9/2) by 2.7 million viewers and once again more than doubled the NBC drama's Adult 18-49 number (+133%).

· ABC's "Private Practice" ranked as the No. 1 drama in Thursday's 10:00 p.m. hour for the 11th consecutive original telecast this season with Adults 18-34 and Women 18-34.

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 2011. 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), 01/19/12.