ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" Hits 10-Week Highs in Viewers and Young Adults

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

ABC took second place on Thursday in Adults 18-49 to an Idol-led Fox, leading CBS by 22% and NBC's all-original schedule by 57%.

· Growing over the prior Thursday with young adults (+5%), the Network achieved a 5-week high on the night - since 3/15/12.

In the 8 o'clock hour, opposite Fox's American Idol and CBS' comedies, ABC's Missing more than doubled the audience for NBC's original comedy block (+137% over Community/30 Rock). The new ABC drama also beat out the established NBC comedies with Adults 25-54, Men 25-54 and key Women (W18-49/W25-54).

More than doubling its Adult 18-49 lead-in at 9pm (+146%), ABC's Grey's Anatomy won its time slot for the 2nd week running in both Total Viewers and Adults 18-49. Thursday's #1 scripted show in Adults 18-49, Grey's beat out Fox's Idol-driven Touch during the 9 o'clock hour by a best-yet 52% and NBC's comedy block (The Office/Parks and Recreation) by 60%. Additionally, Grey's stood as Thursday's #1 TV show with Adults 18-34 and Women 18-34 (3rd straight week).

· Up for the 2nd straight week in Viewers (+10%) and Adults 18-49 (+10%), ABC's Grey's Anatomy marked a 10-week high on both measures - since 2/9/12.

Showing solid retention of its Grey's lead-in during the 10 o'clock hour, ABC's Scandal once again finished #1 in its slot among Adults 18-49 and Adults 25-54. During the hour, ABC's Scandal more than doubled its freshman drama competition, overpowering NBC's Awake by 174% in Total Viewers, by 155% in Adults 25-54 and by 163% in Adults 18-49. In addition, the new drama won its slot among key Women (W18-49/W25-54) for the 3rd week in a row.

· Building week to week, ABC's Scandal hit its best numbers yet in Total Viewers, all key Adult demos (AD18-34/AD18-49/AD25-54) and key Women (W18-49/W25-54).

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

With its Top Rating in 5 Weeks, ABC Takes Second to an "Idol"-Led Fox on Thursday

ABC's "Missing" More Than Doubles the Audience of NBC's Comedies from 8-9pm

Building for the 2nd Straight Week, "Grey's" Wins at 9pm with 10-Week Highs

Hitting its Best Numbers, ABC's "Scandal" Finishes No. 1 in its Hour in Key Adults

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

ABC (2.2/6) took second place on Thursday in Adults 18-49 to an "Idol"-led Fox, leading CBS by 22% (1.8/5) and NBC's all-original schedule by 57% (1.4/4).

· Growing over the prior Thursday with young adults (+5%), the Network achieved a 5-week high on the night - since 3/15/12.

"Missing" (8:00-9:00 p.m.)

In the 8 o'clock hour, opposite Fox's "American Idol" and CBS' comedies, ABC's "Missing" (7.1 million) more than doubled the audience for NBC's original comedy block (+137% over "Community"/"30 Rock" = 3.0 million). The new ABC drama also beat out the established NBC comedies with Adults 25-54, Men 25-54 and key Women (W18-49/W25-54).

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

More than doubling its Adult 18-49 lead-in at 9:00 p.m. (+146%), ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" won its time slot for the 2nd week running in both Total Viewers (9.7 million) and Adults 18-49 (3.2/9). Thursday's No. 1 scripted show in Adults 18-49, "Grey's" (3.2/9) beat out Fox's "Idol"-driven "Touch" during the 9 o'clock hour by a best-yet 52% (2.1/6) and NBC's comedy block by 60% ("The Office"/"Parks and Recreation" = 2.0/5). Additionally, "Grey's" stood as Thursday's No. 1 TV show with Adults 18-34 and Women 18-34 (3rd straight week).

· Up for the 2nd straight week in Viewers (+10%) and Adults 18-49 (+10%), ABC's "Grey's" Anatomy marked a 10-week high on both measures - since 2/9/12.

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

During the 10 o'clock hour, ABC's "Scandal" once again finished No. 1 in its slot among Adults 18-49 and Adults 25-54. During the hour, ABC's "Scandal" more than doubled its freshman drama competition, overpowering NBC's "Awake" by 174% in Total Viewers (7.4 million vs. 2.7 million), by 155% in Adults 25-54 (2.8/7 vs. 1.1/3) and by 163% in Adults 18-49 (2.1/6 vs. 0.8/2). In addition, the new drama won its slot among key Women (W18-49/W25-54) for the 3rd week in a row.

· Building week to week, ABC's "Scandal" hit its best numbers yet in Total Viewers, all key Adult demos (AD18-34/AD18-49/AD25-54) and 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), 04/19/12.