ABC's "Dancing" is Monday's Top Draw/"Castle" Returns at a 6-Month High in Adults 18-49

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

With Dancing and Castle opposite all-original competition, ABC stood as the most-watched net on Monday for the 7th week running, topping CBS (8-10pm comedies/Hawaii Five-0) by 4.4 million, NBC (The Voice/Smash) by 6.3 million viewers and Fox (Bones/House) by 7.6 million viewers. In addition among Adults 18-49, ABC defeated Fox's original drama lineup on the night by 30%.

Monday's most-watched television show, ABC's Dancing with the Stars soared to the top its 2-hour slot for the 7th week in a row, besting runner-up CBS comedies by 6.2 million viewers and NBC's The Voice in head-to-head competition by 6.4 million viewers. In addition, the wide-appealing dance competition beat out Fox's dramas in the slot by 35% in Adults 18-49. DWTS also ranked #1 in its time period with Women 25-54, took second with Women 18-49 and made ABC the #2 broadcaster with Kids 2-11.

After being pre-empted the prior week, ABC's Castle returned as the most-watched TV show in the 10 o'clock hour for its 5th straight telecast, outdrawing CBS' Hawaii Five-0 cross-over episode with NCIS: LA. In addition, the ABC drama ran in a near-tie with the CBS drama in Adults 18-49 and Adults 25-54, pacing within 1-tenth of a rating point and tied in audience share on both counts. Also in the hour, Castle beat NBC's Smash by its best-ever margins with Total Viewers (+111%), Adults 18-49 (+33%) and Adults 25-54 (+43%).

· Despite facing all-original competition, ABC's Castle grew over its most recent telecast in Adults 18-49 (+14%) and Adults 25-54 (+6%), hitting a 6-month high in the key young adult sales demo - since 11/7/11

Quick Take for Monday, April 30, 2012 (Fast Affiliate Live+ Same Day Ratings)

ABC is No. 1 on Monday in Total Viewers for the 7th Week in a Row

Monday's Most-Watched Show, ABC's "Dancing" Leads its 2-Hour Time Period In Total Viewers for the 7th Consecutive Week

ABC's "Castle" Returns to Stand as the Most-Watched Show at 10pm in its 5th Straight Telecast, While Hitting a 6-Month High in Adults 18-49

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

With "Dancing" and "Castle" opposite all-original competition, ABC (14.4 million) stood as the most-watched net on Monday for the 7th week running, topping CBS (10.0 million - 8:00 - 10:00 p.m. comedies/"Hawaii Five-0") by 4.4 million, NBC (8.1 million - "The Voice"/"Smash") by 6.3 million viewers and Fox (6.8 million - "Bones"/"House") by 7.6 million viewers. In addition among Adults 18-49, ABC defeated Fox's drama lineup on the night by 30% (2.6/7 vs. 2.0/5).

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

Monday's most-watched television show, ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" (15.8 million) soared to the top its 2-hour slot for the 7th week in a row, besting runner-up CBS comedies (9.6 million) by 6.2 million viewers and NBC's "The Voice" (9.4 million) in head-to-head competition by 6.4 million viewers. In addition, the wide-appealing dance competition beat out Fox's dramas in the slot by 35% in Adults 18-49 (2.7/7 vs. 2.0/5). "DWTS" also ranked No. 1 in its time period with Women 25-54, took second with Women 18-49 and made ABC the No. 2 broadcaster with Kids 2-11.

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

After being pre-empted the prior week, ABC's "Castle" returned as the most-watched TV show in the 10 o'clock hour for its 5th straight telecast, outdrawing CBS' "Hawaii Five-0" cross-over episode with "NCIS: LA" (11.4 million vs. 10.8 million). In addition, the ABC drama ran in a near tie with the CBS drama in Adults 18-49 (2.4/6 vs. 2.5/6) and Adults 25-54 (3.3/8 vs. 3.4/8), pacing within 1-tenth of a rating point and tied in audience share on both counts. Also in the hour, "Castle" beat NBC's "Smash" by its best-ever margins with Total Viewers (+111% - 11.4 million vs. 5.4 million), Adults 18-49 (+33% - 2.4/6 vs. 1.8/5) and Adults 25-54 (+43% - 3.3/8 vs. 2.3/5).

· Despite facing all-original competition, ABC's "Castle" grew over its most recent telecast (4/16/12) in Adults 18-49 (+14%) and Adults 25-54 (+6%), hitting a 6-month high in the key young adult sales demo - since 11/7/11

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), 4/30/12.