ABC's "Private Practice" Surges to its Most-Watched Telecast in Over 1-1/2 Years

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

With a repeat Last Man Standing, Cougar Town, DWTS Results Show and a surging Private Practice on its new night, ABC registered as Tuesday's 2nd-most-watched TV network to CBS, increasing its lead week to week over NBC to 2.6 million viewers and Fox to 3.8 million viewers. In addition, ABC ranked #1 on the night in Adults 25-54.

· Despite starting off the night with a repeat, ABC was up over last week's all-original schedule in viewers (+6%) and young adults (+5%).

At 8pm, ABC's replay Last Man Standing stood as Tuesday's most-watched sit-com, pulling in 10% more viewers than Fox's original New Girl in the 9pm half-hour.

· Topping its last encore by 8%, Last Man Standing generated the series' 2nd-most-watched repeat in the half-hour.

In the 8:30pm half-hour, ABC's Cougar Town built on its lead-in by 15% in Adults 18-49, and although it aired coming out of a repeat, grew week to week in viewers (+11%) and young adults (+7%). In fact, the ABC comedy turned in its most-watched telecast this season.

Leaping over its lead-in at 9pm to emerge as Tuesday's most-watched TV program, ABC's DWTS Results Show qualified as the top draw in its slot for the 5th week in a row, outdrawing its unscripted competition on NBC (Voice Results) by an increasing 5.5 million viewers (up from a 5.3 million viewer advantage the prior week). In addition, the wide-appealing ABC unscripted series finished #2 in the hour in both Adults 18-49 and Adults 25-54 for the 2nd week in a row. Empress of Soul Gladys Knight was the fifth celebrity to leave the dance competition this season.

· Hitting a 3-week high, ABC's DWTS Results Show was up week to week in Adults 25-54 (+3%).

In the 10 o'clock hour, ABC's Private Practice posted a strong first-place finish with Total Viewers, Adults 18-49 and Adults 25-54. Retaining an impressive 92% of its Adult 18-49 lead-in, Private Practice scored season-best retention for ABC in the hour coming out of DWTS Results Show.

· Jumping over its week-ago premiere in the hour with Total Viewers (+29%), Adults 18-49 (+29%) and Adults 25-54 (+35%), ABC's Private Practice produced its most-watched telecast in more than 1-1/2 years - since 11/4/10. In addition, the ABC drama posted its best results since February with key Adults (AD18-49/AD25-54) - since 2/16/12.

Quick Take for Tuesday, April 24, 2012 (Fast Affiliate Live + Same Day Ratings)

The Network's Numbers Grow Week to Week on Tuesday Evening

Despite Airing in Repeat, ABC's "Last Man Standing" Tops Fox's First-Run "Glee"-Driven "New Girl" to Stand as Tuesday's Most-Watched Comedy

ABC's "Cougar Town" Generates its Most-Watched Broadcast of the Season

ABC's "DWTS Results Show" Qualifies as Tuesday's Most-Watched TV Program

Surging on its New Night, ABC's "Private Practice" Wins the 10pm Hour Marking the Series' Most-Watched Telecast in More Than 1-1/2 Years

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

With a repeat "Last Man Standing," "Cougar Town," "DWTS Results Show" and a surging "Private Practice" on its new night, ABC (9.3 million) registered as Tuesday's 2nd-most-watched TV network to CBS, increasing its lead week to week over NBC to 2.6 million viewers (6.7 million) and Fox to 3.8 million viewers (5.5 million). In addition, ABC ranked No. 1 on the night in Adults 25-54 (2.9/7 - tie).

· Despite starting off the night with a repeat, ABC was up over last week's all-original schedule in viewers (+6%) and young adults (+5%).

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

At 8:00 p.m., ABC's replay "Last Man Standing" stood as Tuesday's most-watched sit-com, pulling in 10% more viewers than Fox's original "Glee"-led "New Girl" (5.7 million vs. 5.2 million) in the 9:00 p.m. half-hour.

· Bettering its last encore airing by 8%, "Last Man Standing" generated the series' 2nd-most-watched repeat in the half-hour.

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

In the 8:30 p.m. half-hour, ABC's "Cougar Town" built on its lead-in by 15% in Adults 18-49 and, although it aired coming out of a repeat, grew week to week in viewers (+11% - 5.0 million vs. 4.5 million) and young adults (+7% - 1.5/4 vs. 1.4/4). In fact, the ABC comedy turned in its most-watched broadcast this season.

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

Leaping over its lead-in at 9:00 p.m. to emerge as Tuesday's most-watched TV program, ABC's "DWTS Results Show" (14.2 million) qualified as the top draw in its slot for the 5th week in a row, defeating its unscripted competition on NBC ("Voice Results" = 8.7 million) by an increasing 5.5 million viewers (up from a 5.3 million viewer advantage the prior week). In addition, the wide-appealing ABC unscripted series finished No. 2 in the hour in both Adults 18-49 (2.4/6) and Adults 25-54 (3.7/8) for the 2nd week in a row. Empress of Soul Gladys Knight was the fifth celebrity to leave the dance competition this season.

· Hitting a 3-week high, ABC's "DWTS Results Show" was up week to week in Adults 25-54 (+3%).

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

In the 10 o'clock hour, ABC's "Private Practice" posted a strong first-place finish with Total Viewers (8.4 million), Adults 18-49 (2.2/6) and Adults 25-54 (3.1/8). Retaining an impressive 92% of its Adult 18-49 lead-in, "Private Practice" scored season-best retention for ABC in the hour coming out of a "DWTS Results Show."

· Jumping over its week-ago premiere in the hour with Total Viewers (+29%), Adults 18-49 (+29%) and Adults 25-54 (+35%), ABC's "Private Practice" produced its most-watched telecast in more than 1-1/2 years - since 11/4/10. In addition, the ABC drama posted its best results since February with key Adults (AD18-49/AD25-54) - since 2/16/12.

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 44% currently, from 41% 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), 04/24/12.