ABC Is Monday's Most-Watched Net with "Dancing with the Stars" as the #1 TV Show Overall and "Castle" as the Top Scripted Series

ABC was Monday's most-watched TV network for the 2nd week in a row, topping NBC by 2.2 million viewers, Fox by 5.0 million viewers and CBS by 5.1 million viewers. Dancing with the Stars was Monday's most-watched TV show overall and Castle continued to rank as the night's most-watched scripted series. In addition at 10pm, Castle finished #1 in the 10pm hour in Adults 18-49 for the 2nd week in a row.

Leading each half-hour from 8-10pm to finish as Monday's top show, ABC's Dancing with the Stars drew 6% more viewers than NBC's The Voice in head-to-head competition in the 2-hour slot.

Castle ranked #1 in the 10pm hour for the 2nd week running with Total Viewers and Adults 18-49. Please Note: Like last week Castle and Revolution tied in the Fast Affiliate ratings in Adults 18-49, but Castle ended up beating Revolution by 15% in the Nationals. Castle has been the #1 regular series in its time period for 8 consecutive first-run airings in Total Viewers and for 4 straight originals in Adults 18-49. In addition, ABC drama was Monday's most-watched scripted series for its 7th consecutive broadcast.

Quick Take for Monday, April 29, 2013 (Fast Affiliate Live+ Same Day Ratings)

ABC is Monday's Most-Watched TV Network for the 2nd Week in a Row

"Dancing with the Stars" Stands as Monday's Top Show, Outdrawing NBC's "The Voice" by 6%

At 10pm, ABC's "Castle" is No. 1 in Total Viewers and Adults 18-49 For the 2nd Straight Week

Monday Night (8:00-11:00 p.m.) ABC (12.4 million) was Monday's most-watched TV network for the 2nd week in a row, topping NBC by 2.2 million viewers (10.2 million), Fox by 5.0 million viewers (7.4 million) and CBS by 5.1 million viewers (7.3 million). "Dancing with the Stars" was Monday's most-watched TV show overall and "Castle" continued to rank as the night's most-watched scripted series. In addition, at 10:00 p.m. "Castle" finished No. 1 in Adults 18-49 for the 2nd week in a row.

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

Leading each half-hour from 8:00-10:00 p.m. to finish as Monday's top show, ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" drew 6% more viewers than NBC's "The Voice" in head-to-head competition in the 2-hour slot (13.3 million vs. 12.5 million).

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

Castle ranked No. 1 in the 10:00 p.m. hour for the 2nd week running with Total Viewers (10.6 million) and Adults 18-49 (2.0/5-tied). Please Note: Like last week "Castle" and "Revolution" tied in the Fast Affiliate ratings in Adults 18-49, but "Castle" ended up beating "Revolution" by 15% in the Nationals. "Castle" has been the No. 1 regular series in its time period for 8 consecutive first-run airings in Total Viewers and for 4 straight originals in Adults 18-49. In addition, the ABC drama was Monday's most-watched scripted series for its 7th consecutive broadcast.

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 48% currently, from 44% 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, 4/29/13.