ABC's "The Bachelor" Special Beats Fox's Dramas/"Castle" Spikes Over Its Lead-in to Take 2nd at 10pm

The Bachelor: The Women Tell All (8-9:30pm - 7.9 million and 2.2/6 in AD18-49): During its 90-minute time period against NBC's The Voice and CBS' comedies, ABC's special The Bachelor: The Women Tell All beat out Fox's dramas (Almost Human finale/The Following) by 38% among Adults 18-49. In addition, the ABC unscripted series finished second to The Voice in the time slot with key Women (W18-34/W18-49).

Mixology-R (9:30-10pm - 3.7 million and 1.1/3 in AD18-49): A repeat telecast of the Mixology series debut episode from last Wednesday gained additional sampling of 3.7 million viewers, on top of its premiere average of 5.0 million.

Castle (10-11pm - 8.1 million and 1.6/4 in AD18-49): Spiking over its lead-in (+119%/+45%) to earn second place at 10pm, ABC's Castle outperformed CBS' Intelligence in the hour by wide margins in Total Viewers (+53% - 8.1 million vs. 5.3 million) and in Adults 18-49 (+33% - 1.6/4 vs. 1.2/3). Season to date, Castle is up in Total Viewers (+11%) and Adults 18-49 (+8%) over the same point a year ago, tracking as the series' best season ever.

Quick Take for Monday, March 3, 2014 (Fast Affiliate Live +Same Day Ratings)

ABC's "The Bachelor: The Women Tell All" Leads Fox's Dramas in Adults 18-49

At 10pm, ABC's "Castle" Outdelivers CBS' "Intelligence" By 53% in Total Viewers and by 33% in Adults 18-49

"The Bachelor: The Women Tell All" (8:00-9:30 p.m. - 7.9 million and 2.2/6 in AD18-49):

During its 90-minute time period against NBC's "The Voice" and CBS' comedies, ABC's special "The Bachelor: The Women Tell All" beat out Fox's dramas ("Almost Human" finale/"The Following") by 38% among Adults 18-49 (2.2/6 vs. 1.6/4). In addition, the ABC unscripted series finished second to "The Voice" in the time slot with key Women (W18-34/W18-49).

"Mixology-R" (9:30-10:00 p.m. - 3.7 million and 1.1/3 in AD18-49):

A repeat telecast of the "Mixology" series debut episode from last Wednesday gained additional sampling of 3.7 million viewers, on top of its premiere average of 5.0 million.

"Castle" (10:00-11:00 p.m. - 8.1 million and 1.6/4 in AD18-49):

Spiking over its lead-in (+119%/+45%) to earn second place at 10:00 p.m., ABC's "Castle" outperformed CBS' "Intelligence" in the hour by wide margins in Total Viewers (+53% - 8.1 million vs. 5.3 million) and in Adults 18-49 (+33% - 1.6/4 vs. 1.2/3). Season to date, "Castle" is up in Total Viewers (+11%) and Adults 18-49 (+8%) 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, 3/3/14.