ABC's "Duets" Dominates Fox's "Touch" Finale/"Rookie Blue" Holds 100% of its Premiere in Adults 18-49

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

From 8-10pm, ABC's Duets beat out Fox by 13% in Adults 18-49 with the season's final two episodes of Touch. The new ABC singing competition stood as the #1 series in its 2-hour slot across all key Women (W18-34/W18-49/W25-54).

· Gaining audience throughout its broadcast, Duets surged by double digits from its first to second hour in Total Viewers (+11%) and Adults 18-49 (+21%). In fact from 9-10pm, Duets beat the season closer of Fox's Touch by a resounding 31% in Adults 18-49.

· Duets scored strong retention of its week-ago series debut across key measures: W18-34 (100%), AD18-34 (92%), W18-49 (92%), AD18-49 (88%) and Total Viewers (87%).

In the 10 o'clock hour, ABC's Rookie Blue finished as the 2nd-most-watched series in its slot for the 2nd week running.

· Similarly to its lead-in, Rookie Blue exhibited impressive retention of its week-earlier premiere. In fact the ABC drama spiked week to week by 13% in Men 18-49, while holding 100% of its opening numbers in Adults 18-49, Adults 18-34 and Women 18-34.

Quick Take for Thursday, May 31, 2012 (Fast Affiliate Live + Same Day Ratings)

ABC's "Duets" Dominates Fox's Season Finale of "Touch" by 31% in Adults 18-49, While Standing as the No. 1 Series in its 2-Hour Time Slot Across All Key Women

ABC's "Rookie Blue" Builds on its Week-Ago Premiere by 13% in Men 18-49 And Retains 100% of its Opening Numbers in Adults 18-49 and Adults 18-34

"Duets" (8:00-10:00 p.m.)

From 8:00-10:00 p.m., ABC's "Duets" beat out Fox by 15% in Adults 18-49 (1.5/5 vs. 1.3/4), with the season's final two episodes of "Touch." The new ABC singing competition stood as the No. 1 series in its 2-hour slot across all key Women (W18-34/W18-49/W25-54).

· Gaining audience throughout its broadcast, "Duets" surged by double digits from its first to second hour in Total Viewers (+11% - 5.6 million to 6.2 million) and Adults 18-49 (+21% - 1.4/5 to 1.7/5). In fact from 9:00-10:00 p.m., "Duets" beat the season closer of Fox's "Touch" by a resounding 31% in Adults 18-49 (1.7/5 vs. 1.3/4).

· "Duets" scored strong retention of its week-ago series debut across key measures: W18-34 (100%), AD18-34 (92%), W18-49 (92%), AD18-49 (88%) and Total Viewers (87%).

"Rookie Blue" (10:00-11:00 p.m.)

In the 10 o'clock hour, ABC's "Rookie Blue" (5.8 million) finished as the 2nd-most-watched series in its slot for the 2nd week running. In addition, "Rookie Blue" ranked as the No. 1 series in the hour with Adults 25-54 (tie) and key Women (W18-49/W25-54).

· Similarly to its lead-in, "Rookie Blue" exhibited impressive retention of its week-earlier premiere. In fact the ABC drama spiked week to week by 13% in Men 18-49, while holding 100% of its opening numbers in Adults 18-49, Adults 18-34 and Women 18-34.

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), 05/31/12.