ABC Wins Monday for the 2nd Week in a Row

For the 2nd Monday in a row, ABC ranked #1 in both Total Viewers and Adults 18-49. The Net earned its most-watched Monday with regular programming since November (11/19/12) and its 2nd highest Adult 18-49 number this season.

Nearly tying last week's season highs for its 2nd best numbers this season, The Bachelor made ABC the most-watched network in its 2-hour time period and once again dominated NBC's The Biggest Loser 14 in Total Viewers (+60%) and Adults 18-49 (+38%). Continuing to improve its numbers year to year, The Bachelor grew from the same night last year by 1.0 million viewers and by 12% in Adults 18-49. On average, ABC unscripted series is up over last season in both viewers (+2%) and young adults (+3%).

ABC's Castle won the 10 o'clock hour for the 2nd straight week Total Viewers and Adults 18-49, and finished as Monday's most-watched TV show. With the second part of a 2-part episode, Castle marked its most-watched telecast since October (10/29/12) and matched last week's season high in Adults 18-49. The ABC drama was also up over its year-ago telecast in both Total Viewers (+18%) and Adults 18-49 (+10%). Castle is delivering the series' most-watched season ever.

Quick Take for Monday, February 25, 2013 (Fast Affiliate Live+ Same Day Ratings)

ABC is No. 1 on Monday in Total Viewers and Adults 18-49 for the 2nd Straight Week

ABC's "The Bachelor" Leads its Time Slot and Dominates NBC's "The Biggest Loser 14" by 60% in Total Viewers and by 38% in Adults 18-49

Standing as Monday's Most-Watched Show, ABC's "Castle" Draws its Largest Overall Audience Since October and Matches a Season Best in Adults 18-49

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

For the 2nd Monday in a row, ABC ranked No. 1 in both Total Viewers (9.6 million) and Adults 18-49 (2.7/7). The Net earned its most-watched Monday with regular programming since November (11/19/12) and its 2nd-highest Adult 18-49 number this season.

"The Bachelor" (8:00-10:00 p.m.)

Nearly tying last week's season highs for its 2nd best numbers this season, "The Bachelor" made ABC the most-watched network in its 2-hour time period and once again dominated NBC's "The Biggest Loser 14" in Total Viewers (+60% - 9.1 million vs. 5.7 million) and Adults 18-49 (+38% - 2.9/8 vs. 2.1/6). Continuing to improve its numbers year to year, "The Bachelor" grew from the same night last year by 1.0 million viewers and by 12% in Adults 18-49 (8.1 million and 2.6/7 on 2/27/12).

· On average, "The Bachelor" is up over last season in both viewers (+2%) and young adults (+3%).

"Castle" (10:01-11:00 p.m.)

ABC's "Castle" won the 10 o'clock hour for the 2nd straight week in Total Viewers (10.7 million) and Adults 18-49 (2.3/6), and finished as Monday's most-watched TV show. With the second part of a 2-part episode, "Castle" marked its most-watched telecast since October (10/29/12) and matched last week's season high in Adults 18-49. The ABC drama was also up over its year-ago telecast (9.1 million and 2.1/6 on 2/27/12) in both Total Viewers (+18%) and Adults 18-49 (+10%). "Castle" is delivering the series' most-watched season ever.

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 47% currently, from 43% at the same point in 2012. 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), 2/25/13.