ABC's "The Bachelor" Grows Against the Season Opener of "The Voice"

ABC Monday Prime (8-11pm - 8.3 million and 2.2/6 in AD18-49): With The Bachelor and Castle, ABC took second place on Monday to NBC (season premiere of The Voice and Blacklist) in Total Viewers (8.3 million) and Adults 18-49 (2.2/6). Among Adults 18-49, ABC beat original line-ups on CBS by 5% (2.1/6) and on Fox by 38% (1.6/4).

· Building for the 2nd week, the Net gained 8% in viewers and 5% in young adults from the prior Monday.

The Bachelor (8-10pm - 8.1 million and 2.4/7 in AD18-49): Despite facing NBC's season opener of The Voice from 8-10pm, ABC's The Bachelor was up week to week in Total Viewers (+5%) and Adults 18-49 (+9%) to earn 3-week highs - since 2/3/14. In addition, the show hit best-since premiere ratings in key Women (W18-34/W18-49) - since 1/6/14. The ABC unscripted series continued to dominate Fox's original dramas (Almost Human/The Following) in the 2-hour time period, leading by a best-ever 59% in Total Viewers (8.1 million vs. 5.1 million) and 50% in Adults 18-49 (+29% - 2.4/7 vs. 1.6/4).

Castle (10-11pm - 8.7 million and 1.7/5 in AD18-49): During the 10 o'clock hour, ABC's Castle increased 12% week to week in Total Viewers, while holding steady in Adults 18-49. In its time period, Castle bested CBS' Intelligence by 64% in Total Viewers (8.7 million vs. 5.3 million) and by 42% in Adults 18-49 (1.7/5 vs. 1.2/3). Season to date, Castle is up by double digits in Total Viewers (+13% - 13.0 million vs. 11.5 million) and Adults 18-49 (+12% - 2.8/8 vs. 2.5/7) over the same point a year ago, tracking as the series' best season ever.

Quick Take for Monday, February 24, 2014 (Fast Affiliate Live +Same Day Ratings)

ABC is Up Week to Week in Total Viewers and Adults 18-49, Leading CBS by 5% and Fox by 38% among Young Adults

ABC's "The Bachelor" Grows Against NBC's Season Premiere of "The Voice"

ABC's "The Bachelor" Beats Fox's Original Dramas By Best-Ever Margins in Total Viewers (+59%) and Adults 18-49 (+50%)

At 10pm, ABC's "Castle" Beats CBS' "Intelligence" By 64% in Total Viewers and by 42% in Adults 18-49

Monday Night (8:00-11:00 p.m. - 8.3 million and 2.2/6 in AD18-49):

With "The Bachelor" and "Castle," ABC took second place on Monday to NBC (season premiere of "The Voice" and "Blacklist") in Total Viewers (8.3 million) and Adults 18-49 (2.2/6). Among Adults 18-49, ABC beat original line-ups on CBS by 5% (2.1/6) and on Fox by 38% (1.6/4).

· Building for the 2nd week, the Net gained 8% in viewers and 5% in young adults from the prior Monday (7.7 million and 2.1/6 on 2/17/14).

"The Bachelor" (8:00-10:00 p.m. - 8.1 million and 2.4/7 in AD18-49):

Despite facing NBC's season opener of "The Voice" from 8:00-10:00 p.m., ABC's "The Bachelor" was up week to week in Total Viewers (+5%) and Adults 18-49 (+9%) to earn 3-week highs - since 2/3/14. In addition, the show hit best-since premiere ratings in key Women (W18-34/W18-49) - since 1/6/14. The ABC unscripted series continued to dominate Fox's original dramas ("Almost Human"/"The Following") in the 2-hour time period, leading by a best-ever 59% in Total Viewers (8.1 million vs. 5.1 million) and 50% in Adults 18-49 (2.4/7 vs. 1.6/4).

"Castle" (10:00-11:00 p.m. - 8.1 million and 1.7/5 in AD18-49):

During the 10 o'clock hour, ABC's "Castle" increased 12% week to week in Total Viewers, while holding steady in Adults 18-49. In its time period, "Castle" bested CBS' "Intelligence" by 64% in Total Viewers (8.7 million vs. 5.3 million) and by 42% in Adults 18-49 (1.7/5 vs. 1.2/3). Season to date, "Castle" is up by double digits in Total Viewers (+13% - 13.0 million vs. 11.5 million) and Adults 18-49 (+12% - 2.8/8 vs. 2.5/7) over the same point a year ago, tracking as the series' best 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 49% currently, from 47% at the same point in 2013. 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, 2/24/14.