ABC is Monday's Most-Watched Net for the 4th Week Running/"Scandal" Repeat Tops NBC's Original "Smash" at 10pm

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

With Dancing and a repeat of the Scandal pilot up against all-original programming on the other nets, ABC qualified as the most-watched net on Monday for the 4th week running, outdrawing CBS by 3.5 million viewers, NBC by 4.1 million viewers and nearly doubling the audience of Fox (+94%). In addition among Adults 18-49, ABC beat out Fox's original drama lineup by 14% (Bones/House) on the night.

Monday's most-watched TV program for the 3rd time in 4 weeks, ABC's Dancing with the Stars topped its 2-hour time slot for the 4th consecutive week, beating out NBC's The Voice in head-to-head competition by 5.7 million viewers. In Adults 18-49, ABC's Dancing soared above Fox's combo of Bones and House by 38% in the time period.

· While The Voice declined for the 5th straight week to hit a new season low, ABC's DWTS held 100% of its Adult 18-49 audience week to week. In addition, the ABC unscripted series grew over the prior week by 6% in Men 18-49, by 14% in Teens 12-17 (best-since premiere) and by 7% in Kids 2-11.

Gaining additional sampling after its series debut telecast this past Thursday, ABC's repeat Scandal topped NBC's first run Smash by 12% to finish as the 2nd-most-watched TV show in the 10 o'clock hour to CBS original Hawaii Five-0.

Quick Take for Monday, April 9, 2012 (Fast Affiliate Live+ Same Day Ratings)

ABC Leads Monday Night in Total Viewers for the 4th Consecutive Week

ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" Holds 100% Retention Week to Week In Adults 18-49, While Growing Among Men 18-49, Teens 12-17 and Kids 2-11

Encore of ABC's "Scandal" Series Debut Outdraws NBC's Original "Smash" by 12% in Total Viewers

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

With "Dancing" and a repeat of the "Scandal" pilot up against all-original programming on the other nets, ABC (13.0 million) qualified as the most-watched net on Monday for the 4th week running, outdrawing CBS by 3.5 million viewers (9.5 million), NBC by 4.1 million viewers (8.9 million) and nearly doubling the audience of Fox (+94% - 6.7 million). In addition among Adults 18-49, ABC (2.4/6) beat out Fox's original drama lineup by 14% (2.1/6 - "Bones"/"House") on the night.

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

Monday's most-watched TV program for the 3rd time in 4 weeks, ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" topped its 2-hour time slot for the 4th consecutive week, beating out NBC's "The Voice" in head-to-head competition by 5.7 million viewers (16.1 million vs. 10.4 million). In Adults 18-49, ABC's "Dancing" soared above Fox's combo of "Bones" and "House" by 38% in the time period (2.9/8 vs. 2.1/6).

· While "The Voice" declined for the 5th straight week to hit a new season low, ABC's "DWTS" held 100% of its Adult 18-49 audience week to week. In addition, the ABC unscripted series grew over the prior week by 6% in Men 18-49, by 14% in Teens 12-17 (best-since premiere) and by 7% in Kids 2-11.

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

Gaining additional sampling after its series debut telecast this past Thursday, ABC's repeat "Scandal" topped NBC's first run Smash by 12% (6.7 million vs. 6.0 million) to finish as the 2nd-most-watched TV show in the 10 o'clock hour to CBS original "Hawaii Five-0."

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 40% 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), 4/9/12.