ABC's "Grey's" Dominates at 9pm/"Scandal" Holds Strong Against "The Mentalist" at 10pm

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

From 8-9pm, against Fox's American Idol and CBS' first-run comedies (The Big Bang Theory/Rules of Engagement), ABC's Missing once again more than doubled the audience for NBC's original comedy block (+103% over Community/30 Rock Live Episode). The new ABC drama matched the established NBC comedies with Adults 25-54 and led with Women 18-49.

· Missing surged week to week by 29% in Adults 18-34, equaling a 5-week high -since 3/22/12.

Vaulting over its Adult 18-49 lead-in at 9pm (+146%), ABC's Grey's Anatomy won its slot for the third week in a row to stand as Thursday's #1 drama. Dominating the 9 o'clock hour, Grey's Anatomy beat out CBS' Person of Interest by 33%, Fox's Idol-driven Touch by a best-ever 68% and NBC's comedy block by 68% (The Office/Parks and Recreation). Additionally, Grey's qualified as Thursday's top-rated TV show with Adults 18-34 (2nd straight week) and Women 18-34 (4th straight week).

· Although it faced increased competition in the hour, ABC's Grey's Anatomy held even with its week-ago "Fast Affiliate" Adult 18-49 number, putting it on track to match an 11-week high as it adjusts upward in the National ratings - since 2/9/12. The ABC drama also equaled its highest ratings in nearly 3 months with Adults 18-34 and Adults 25-54 - since 2/9/12.

During the 10 o'clock hour, ABC freshman Scandal tied CBS' time-period established The Mentalist for #1 in Adults 18-49. Versus its freshman drama competition in the slot, ABC's Scandal soared over NBC's Awake by 218% in Total Viewers, by 211% in Adults 25-54 and by 163% in Adults 18-49. In addition, Scandal took full control of The Mentalist in Adults 18-34 (+55%) and won its slot for the 4th week running with key Women (W18-49/W25-54).

· Despite going up against an original The Mentalist, ABC's Scandal rose 5% in Adults 18-49 week to week (maintaining its week-ago "Fast Affiliate" rating). In addition, the show grew over the prior week to post series-best numbers with Adults 18-34 and Adults 25-54.

Quick Take for Thursday, April 26, 2012 (Fast Affiliate Live + Same Day Ratings)

From 8-9pm, ABC's "Missing" More Than Doubles the Audience of NBC's Comedies and Surges 29% Week to Week in Adults 18-34 to Hit a 5-Week High

ABC's "Grey's" Dominates its Slot for the 3rd Week Running in Adults 18-49, While Standing as Thursday's No. 1 TV Show in Adults 18-34 for the 2nd Week in a Row

Despite Facing an Original "The Mentalist," ABC's "Scandal" Finishes No. 1 in the 10pm Hour and Builds Week to Week Among Key Adults

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

From 8:00-9:00 p.m., against Fox's "American Idol" and CBS' first-run comedies ("The Big Bang Theory"/"Rules of Engagement"), ABC's "Missing" (6.9 million) once again more than doubled the audience of NBC's original comedy block (+103% over "Community"/"30 Rock" Live Episode = 3.4 million). The new ABC drama matched the established NBC comedies with Adults 25-54 and led with Women 18-49.

· "Missing" surged week to week by 29% in Adults 18-34, equaling a 5-week high -since 3/22/12.

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

Vaulting over its Adult 18-49 lead-in at 9:00 p.m. (+146%), ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" won its slot for the 3rd week in a row to stand as Thursday's No. 1 drama. Dominating the 9 o'clock hour, "Grey's Anatomy" (3.2/8) beat out CBS' "Person of Interest" by 33% (2.4/6), Fox's "Idol"-driven "Touch" by a best-ever 68% (1.9/5) and NBC's comedy block by 68% ("The Office"/"Parks and Recreation" = 1.9/5). Additionally, "Grey's" qualified as Thursday's top-rated TV show with Adults 18-34 (2nd straight week) and Women 18-34 (4th straight week).

· Although it faced increased competition in the hour, ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" held even with its week-ago "Fast Affiliate" Adult 18-49 number, putting it on track to match an 11-week high as it adjusts upward in the National ratings - since 2/9/12. The ABC drama also equaled its highest ratings in nearly 3 months with Adults 18-34 and Adults 25-54 - since 2/9/12.

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

During the 10 o'clock hour, ABC freshman "Scandal" tied CBS' time-period established "The Mentalist" for No. 1 in Adults 18-49 (2.1/6). Versus its freshman drama competition in the slot, ABC's "Scandal" soared over NBC's "Awake" by 218% in Total Viewers (7.0 million vs. 2.2 million), by 211% in Adults 25-54 (2.8/7 vs. 0.9/2) and by 163% in Adults 18-49 (2.1/6 vs. 0.8/2). In addition, "Scandal" took full control of "The Mentalist" with Adults 18-34 (+55% - 1.4/5 vs. 0.9/3) and won its slot for the 4th week running with key Women (W18-49/W25-54).

· Despite going up against an original "The Mentalist," ABC's "Scandal" rose 5% in Adults 18-49 week to week (maintaining its week-ago "Fast Affiliate" rating). In addition, the show grew over the prior week to post series-best numbers with Adults 18-34 (tie) and Adults 25-54.

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 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), 04/26/12.