ABC's "DWTS" Results Show is Up/"Private Practice" Opens at #1 in its New Slot

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

With Last Man Standing, Cougar Town, DWTS Results Show and the time-slot premiere of Private Practice, ABC was Tuesday's 2nd-most-watched TV network to CBS, outpacing NBC by 2.0 million viewers and Fox by 3.3 million viewers.

At 8pm, up against CBS' top-rated NCIS, ABC self-starter Last Man Standing once again qualified as Tuesday's most-watched comedy overall, drawing 1.1 million more viewers than Fox's Glee-assisted New Girl in the 9pm half-hour.

· Continuing to generate big year-over-year improvement for ABC, Last Man Standing grew its slot by 39% viewers and by 45% in Adults 18-49 over original programming on the same night a year ago.

In the 8:30pm half-hour, ABC's Cougar Town boosted its time period by double-digits year to year in Adults 18-49 (+17%).

Jumping over its lead-in at 9pm, ABC's DWTS Results Show stood as the most-watched TV show in its slot for the 4th week running, outdrawing its unscripted competition on NBC (Voice Results) by an increasing 5.0 million viewers (up from a 4.4 million viewer advantage the prior week). ABC's dancing results program stood as Tuesday's #2 TV show overall, behind only NCIS. In addition, the broad-appealing ABC unscripted series ranked #2 in the hour with Adults 18-49 and Adults 25-54, while holding the #1 position with Women 25-54. Singer Gavin DeGraw was the fourth celebrity eliminated from the dance competition this season

· ABC's DWTS Results Show was up week to week in Total Viewers (+3%) and Adults 18-49 (+4%). In addition with a performance by Disney star, Selena Gomez, the show spiked 20% over the prior week with Teens 12-17.

In the 10pm hour, ABC's Private Practice opened at #1 in its day and time-period premiere among Adults 18-49 and Adults 25-54. In fact, ABC led the hour for the 3rd week in a row with key Adults (AD18-49/AD25-54) and won for the 4th consecutive week with key Women (W18-49/W25-54).

Quick Take for Tuesday, April 17, 2012 (Fast Affiliate Live + Same Day Ratings)

ABC Finishes as Tuesday's 2nd-Most-Watched TV Network

Boosting its Slot by Wide Margins Year Over Year, ABC's "Last Man Standing" Stands as Tuesday's Most-Watched Comedy Over Fox's "Glee"-Driven "New Girl"

ABC's "Cougar Town" Improves its Half-Hour by Double Digits in Adults 18-49

Up Week to Week, "DWTS Results Show" Tops its Slot for the 4th Straight Week

ABC's "Private Practice" Opens at No. 1 in its New Tuesday 10 O'clock Time Slot

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

With "Last Man Standing," "Cougar Town," "DWTS Results Show" and the premiere of "Private Practice" on its new night, ABC (8.7 million) was Tuesday's 2nd-most-watched TV network to CBS, outpacing NBC by 2.0 million viewers (6.7 million) and Fox by 3.3 million viewers (5.4 million).

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

At 8:00 p.m., up against CBS' top-rated "NCIS," ABC self-starter "Last Man Standing" (6.4 million) once again qualified as Tuesday's most-watched comedy overall, drawing 1.1 million more viewers than Fox's "Glee"-assisted "New Girl" (5.3 million) in the 9:00 p.m. half-hour.

· Continuing to generate big year-over-year improvement for ABC, "Last Man Standing" grew its slot by 39% in viewers (6.4 million vs. 4.6 million) and by 45% in Adults 18-49 (1.6/5 vs. 1.1/3) over original programming on the same night a year ago.

"Cougar Town" (8:30-9:00 p.m.)

In the 8:30 p.m. half-hour, ABC's "Cougar Town" boosted its time period by double digits year to year in Adults 18-49 (+17% - 1.4/4 vs. 1.2/3).

"DWTS Results Show" (9:00-10:00 p.m.)

Jumping over its lead-in at 9:00 p.m., ABC's "DWTS Results Show" (13.8 million) stood as the most-watched TV show in its slot for the 4th week running, outdrawing its unscripted competition on NBC ("Voice Results" = 8.8 million) by an increasing 5.0 million viewers (up from a 4.4 million viewer advantage the prior week). ABC's dancing results program stood as Tuesday's No. 2 TV show overall, behind only "NCIS." In addition, the broad-appealing ABC unscripted series ranked No. 2 in the hour with Adults 18-49 (2.4/6) and Adults 25-54 (3.5/8), while holding the No. 1 position with Women 25-54. Singer Gavin DeGraw was the fourth celebrity eliminated from the dance competition this season.

· ABC's "DWTS Results Show" was up week to week in Total Viewers (+3%) and Adults 18-49 (+4%). In addition, with a performance by Disney star Selena Gomez, the show spiked 20% over the prior week with Teens 12-17.

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

In the 10:00 p.m. hour, ABC's "Private Practice" premiered at No. 1 on its new day among Adults 18-49 (1.7/5) and Adults 25-54 (2.3/6). In fact, ABC led the hour for the 3rd week in a row with key Adults (AD18-49/AD25-54) and won for the 4th consecutive week with key Women (W18-49/W25-54).

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), 04/17/12.