ABC's Sunday Grows Against the Olympics Closing Ceremony

Info on ABC's Sunday, ahead of the regular press release.

Opposite NBC's 2012 Summer Olympics Closing Ceremony, ABC's Sunday numbers increased week to week among Total Viewers (+9%) and Adults 18-49 (+13%).

Building on its lead-in (America's Funniest Home Videos encore) at 8pm among young adults (+11%), ABC's Secret Millionaire grew over its week-ago delivery by 5% in Total Viewers and by 25% in Adults 18-49. In fact the ABC unscripted series marked its best numbers in 1 month - since 7/15/12.

From 9-11pm, ABC's Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition posted double-digit gains over the prior week in viewers (+12%) and young adults (+13%) to post its top results in 4 weeks - since 7/15/12. Despite the Olympic competition, Weight Loss Edition gained audience during each half-hour of its 2-hour broadcast.

Quick Take for Sunday, August 12, 2012 (Fast Affiliate Live + Same Day Ratings)

ABC's Sunday Numbers Grow Against the 2012 Summer Olympics Closing Ceremony

ABC's "Secret Millionaire" Spikes by 25% Week to Week Among Adults 18-49

ABC's "EM: Weight Loss Edition" Posts Double-Digit Gains Over the Prior Week

Sunday Night (7:00-11:00 p.m.)

Opposite NBC's 2012 Summer Olympics Closing Ceremony, ABC's Sunday numbers increased week to week among Total Viewers (+9% - 3.5 million vs. 3.2 million) and Adults 18-49 (+13% - 0.9/3 vs. 0.8/2).

"Secret Millionaire" (8:00-9:00 p.m.)

Surging over its lead-in ("America's Funniest Home Videos" encore) at 8:00 p.m. among young adults (+11%), ABC's "Secret Millionaire" grew over its week-ago delivery by 5% in Total Viewers (4.0 million vs. 3.8 million) and spiked 25% in Adults 18-49 (1.0/3 vs. 0.8/2). In fact the ABC unscripted series marked its best numbers in 1 month - since 7/15/12.

"EM: Weight Loss Edition" (9:00-11:00 p.m.)

From 9:00-11:00 p.m., ABC's "EM: Weight Loss Edition" posted double-digit gains over the prior week in viewers (+12% - 2.8 million vs. 2.5 million) and young adults (+13% - 0.9/2 vs. 0.8/2) to earn its top results in 4 weeks - since 7/15/12. Despite the Olympic competition, "Weight Loss Edition" gained audience during each half-hour of its 2-hour broadcast, jumping by 27% from start to finish (2.6 million to 3.3 million).

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), 08/12/12.