ABC's "Scandal" Scores Series Highs Across the Board

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

Gaining week to week in viewers (+4%) and young adults (+5%), ABC marked its strongest Thursday since mid-October with regular programming on the night - since 10/18/12.

· The Net was up over the year-ago Thursday, with an all original line up, by double digits in Total Viewers (+22%) and Adults 18-49 (+29%).

Soaring over its lead-in at 9pm, ABC's Grey's Anatomy dominated its hour among Adults 18-34 and across all key Women demographics (W18-34/W18-49/W25-54) to rank as the #1 drama of the night on each count.

Posting its best-ever young adult lead-in retention out of an original Grey's, ABC's winter final of Scandal beat CBS' Elementary for the first time in Adults 18-49 to stand as the #1 series in the 10 o'clock hour for the 2nd week running. Additionally, Scandal once again led by double to triple digits over Elementary with Adults 18-34 and across all key Women (W18-34/W18-49/W25-54), winning the hour for its 4th straight telecast with W18-49 and W25-54.

· Building for the 2nd consecutive telecast in viewers (+12%) and young adults (+14%), Scandal scored series highs among Total Viewers, all key Adult (AD18-34/AD18-49/AD25-54) and Women demographics (W18-34/W18-49/W25-54).

Quick Take for Thursday, December 6, 2012 (Fast Affiliate Live + Same Day Ratings)

ABC Marks its Strongest Thursday with Regular Programming Since Mid-October

"Grey's" is Thursday's Dominant No. 1 Drama in Adults 18-34 and All Key Women

Hitting Series Highs Across the Board, ABC's "Scandal" Finishes as the No. 1 TV Series in its Hour for the 2nd Consecutive Week in Adults 18-49

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

Gaining week to week in viewers (+4% - 7.3 million vs. 7.0 million) and young adults (+5% - 2.2/6 vs. 2.1/6), ABC marked its strongest Thursday since mid-October with regular programming on the night - since 10/18/12.

· The Net was up over the year-ago Thursday, with an all original lineup, by double digits in Total Viewers (+22%) and Adults 18-49 (+29%).

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

Soaring over its lead-in at 9:00 p.m., ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" dominated its hour among Adults 18-34 (2.6/8) and across all key Women demographics (W18-34/W18-49/W25-54) to rank as the No. 1 drama of the night on each count.

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

Posting its best-ever young adult lead-in retention out of an original "Grey's," ABC's "Scandal" beat CBS' "Elementary" for the first time in Adults 18-49 (2.5/7 vs. 2.3/6) to stand as the No. 1 series in the 10 o'clock hour for the 2nd week running. The two shows tied the prior week. Additionally, "Scandal" once again led by double to triple digits over "Elementary" with Adults 18-34 and across all key Women (W18-34/W18-49/W25-54), winning the hour for its 4th straight telecast with W18-49 and W25-54.

· Building for the 2nd consecutive telecast in viewers (+12% - 7.4 million vs. 6.6 million) and young adults (+14% - 2.5/7 vs. 2.2/6), "Scandal" scored series highs among Total Viewers, all key Adult (AD18-34/AD18-49/AD25-54) and Women demographics (W18-34/W18-49/W25-54).

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 46% currently, from 43% 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, National Live + Same Day Program Ratings, 12/06/12.