ABC Is Monday's Most-Watched TV Network - Topping All 6 Half-Hours

Topping all 6 half-hours of the night, ABC ranked Monday's most-watched TV network for the 3rd consecutive week, leading runner-up NBC by 2.2 million viewers, CBS by 4.7 million viewers and Fox by 10.1 million viewers. For the 2nd week in a row, ABC's Dancing with the Stars was Monday's most-watched TV show overall and Castle was Monday's most-watched scripted series for its 8th straight broadcast.

Monday's #1 TV show, ABC's Dancing with the Stars widened its lead over NBC's The Voice to a season-best 1.0 million viewers in head-to-head competition in the 2-hour slot.

Castle was the top draw in Monday's 10pm hour by wide margins for its 9th consecutive original airing, outdrawing CBS' Hawaii Five-0 by a best-of-season 3.0 million viewers and NBC's Revolution by 4.5 million viewers. The ABC drama also won its slot in Adults 25-54 and across all key Women demos (W18-34/W18-49/W25-54). Castle was up week to week in viewers (+3%) and held even in Adults 18-49.

Quick Take for Monday, May 6, 2013 (Fast Affiliate Live+ Same Day Ratings)

ABC Ranks as Monday's Most-Watched TV Network for the 3rd Consecutive Week

"Dancing with the Stars" is Monday's No. 1 Show, Leading NBC's "The Voice" by a Season-Best 1.0 Million Viewers

At 10pm, ABC's "Castle" Leads in Total Viewers for its 9th Straight First-Run Telecast, Beating CBS' "Hawaii Five-0" by a Best-of-Season 3.0 Million Viewers

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

Topping all 6 half-hours of the night, ABC (12.2 million) ranked as Monday's most-watched TV network for the 3rd consecutive week, leading runner-up NBC by 2.2 million viewers (10.0 million), CBS by 4.7 million viewers (7.5 million) and Fox by 10.1 million viewers (2.1 million). For the 2nd week in a row, ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" was Monday's most-watched TV show overall, and "Castle" was Monday's most-watched scripted series for its 8th straight broadcast.

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

Monday's No. 1 TV show, ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" widened its lead over NBC's "The Voice" to a season-best 1.0 million viewers in head-to-head competition in the 2-hour slot (12.9 million vs. 11.9 million).

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

"Castle" (10.8 million) was the top draw in Monday's 10:00 p.m. hour by wide margins for its 9th consecutive original airing, outdrawing CBS' "Hawaii Five-0" by a best-of-season 3.0 million viewers (7.8 million) and NBC's "Revolution" by 4.5 million viewers (6.3 million). The ABC drama also won its slot in Adults 25-54 and across all key Women demos (W18-34/W18-49/W25-54). "Castle" was up week to week in viewers (+3% - 10.8 million vs. 10.5 million) and held even in Adults 18-49 (2.0/5).

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, 5/6/13.