ABC's "Castle" Season Finale Is Up to Rank a Strong #1 at 10pm in Adults 18-49

With the Dancing semi-finals and the season finale of Castle, ABC ranked as Monday's most-watched TV network for the 4th week in a row, topping all 6 half-hours and outdrawing runner-up NBC by 3.1 million viewers. DWTS was Monday's most-watched TV show for the 3rd week running. Castle was Monday's most-watched scripted series for its 9th consecutive broadcast to finished out as the 2012-13 season's top scripted show on the night. Castle won the 10 o'clock hour by double-digit margins in Adults 18-49 over its drama competition, beating NBC's The Voice-led Revolution by a best-ever 16% and CBS' Hawaii Five-0 by a best-ever 22%.

From 8-10pm in head-to-head competition, ABC's Dancing with the Stars widened its lead over NBC's The Voice to a season-best 2.0 million viewers and continued to narrow the gap in Adults 18-49. The ABC unscripted series held even week to week as the NBC show continued to decline.

Up week to week in viewers (+5%) and young adults (+10%), ABC's season finale of Castle finished a strong #1 in the 10 o'clock hour on both measures. Building on its lead-in, Castle was the #1 TV series in the time period in Adults 18-49 on each of its last 6 originals this season. Castle drew its 3rd largest audience of the season.

Quick Take for Monday, May 13, 2013 (Fast Affiliate Live+ Same Day Ratings)

ABC Ranks as Monday's Most-Watched TV Network for the 4th Week in a Row

For the 3rd Straight Week, "Dancing with the Stars" is Monday's No. 1 Show, Beating NBC's "The Voice" by a Season-Best 2.0 Million Viewers

At 10pm, ABC's "Castle" Wins its Hour in Adults 18-49, Leading CBS' "Hawaii Five-0" (+22%) and NBC's "Revolution" (+16%) by Best-Ever Demo Margins

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

With the "Dancing" semifinals and the "Castle" season finale, ABC ranked as Monday's most-watched TV network for the 4th week in a row, topping all 6 half-hours and outdrawing runner-up NBC by 3.1 million viewers (12.4 million vs. 9.3 million). "DWTS" was Monday's most-watched TV show for the 3rd week running. "Castle" was Monday's most-watched scripted series for its 9th consecutive broadcast to finish out as the 2012-13 season's top scripted show on the night. "Castle" (2.2/6) won the 10 o'clock hour by double-digit margins in Adults 18-49 over its drama competition, beating NBC's "The Voice"-led "Revolution" by a best-ever 16% (1.9/5) and CBS' "Hawaii Five-0" by a best-ever 22% (1.8/5).

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

From 8:00-10:00 p.m. in head-to-head competition, ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" widened its lead over NBC's "The Voice" to a season-best 2.0 million viewers (13.0 million vs. 11.0 million) and continued to narrow the gap in Adults 18-49. The ABC unscripted series held even week to week (2.0/6) as the NBC show continued to decline (3.6/10 vs. 4.1/11 on 5/6/13).

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

Up week to week in viewers (+5%) and young adults (+10%), ABC's season finale of "Castle" finished a strong No. 1 in the 10 o'clock hour on both measures (11.3 million and 2.2/6). Building on its lead-in, "Castle" was the No. 1 TV series in the time period in Adults 18-49 on each of its last 6 originals this season. "Castle" drew its 3rd largest audience of the season.

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, 5/13/13.