ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" and "Castle" Jump by Double Digits Week to Week

ABC Monday Prime (8-11pm - 12.7 million and 2.1/6 in AD18-49): ABC finished as Monday's most-watched TV network for the 5th week running, outdrawing runner-up NBC by 18% (12.7 million vs. 10.8 million). In addition, the Net took 2nd on the night in Adults 18-49 (2.1/6), beating Fox with Bones and 24: Live Another Day by 17% (1.8/5) and CBS' lineup by 62% (1.3/4). ABC was the only net up over the prior Monday, as Dancing and Castle spiked week-to-week in Adults 18-49, surging 16% and 25%, respectively. ABC's Dancing with the Stars semi-finals was the night's most-watched TV program overall.

Dancing with the Stars (8-10pm - 13.8 million and 2.2/6 in AD18-49): From 8-10pm, ABC's DWTS stood as the night's most-watched TV series for the 9th week in a row, topping NBC's The Voice head to head by 2.9 million viewers (13.8 vs. 10.9 million).

· Dancing grew week to week in viewers (+5%) and young adults (+16%). In addition, DWTS was up over the same night last year (05/13/13) in Total Viewers (+4%) and Adults 18-49 (+10%), building year to year for the 6th time in its last 7 telecasts.

Castle (10-11pm - 10.4 million and 2.0/6 in AD18-49): During the 10 o'clock hour, ABC's season finale of Castle shot up week to week in Total Viewers (+16%) and Adults 18-49 (+25%), equaling a 14-week high with young adults - since 2/3/14. The ABC drama ranked #1 in the hour with Adults 18-34 (tie) and Women 18-34, posting its best numbers since November - since 11/4/13.

· On average this season, Castle was up in Total Viewers (+3%) and Adults 18-49 (+4%), marking the series' most-watched season overall.

Quick Take for Monday, May 12, 2014 (Fast Affiliate Live +Same Day Ratings)

ABC is Monday's Most-Watched Net for the 5th Consecutive Week

ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" is Monday's Most-Watched TV Series, Improving Both Week To Week and Year to Year in Total Viewers and Adults 18-49

ABC's "Castle" Season Finale Posts Double-Digit Increases Week to Week, Equaling 14-Week High in Key Young Adult Demo

ABC Monday Prime (8:00-11:00 p.m. - 12.7 million and 2.1/6 in AD18-49):

ABC finished as Monday's most-watched TV network for the 5th week running, outdrawing runner-up NBC by 18% (12.7 million vs. 10.8 million). In addition, the Net took 2nd on the night in Adults 18-49 (2.1/6), beating Fox with "Bones" and "24: Live Another Day" by 17% (1.8/5) and CBS' lineup by 62% (1.3/4). ABC was the only net up over the prior Monday, as "Dancing" and "Castle" spiked week to week in Adults 18-49, surging 16% and 25%, respectively. ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" semi-finals was the night's most-watched TV program overall.

"Dancing with the Stars" (8:00-10:00 p.m. - 13.8 million and 2.2/6 in AD18-49):

From 8:00-10:00 p.m., ABC's "DWTS" stood as the night's most-watched TV series for the 9th week in a row, topping NBC's "The Voice" head to head by 2.9 million viewers (13.8 million vs. 10.9 million). 2014 Olympic Gold Medalist, Charlie White, was eliminated in the semi-finals.

· "Dancing" grew week to week in viewers (+5%) and young adults (+16%). In addition, "DWTS" was up over the same night last year (05/13/13) in Total Viewers (+4%) and Adults 18-49 (+10%), building year to year for the 6th time in its last 7 telecasts.

"Castle" (10:00-11:00 p.m. - 10.4 million and 2.0/6 in AD18-49):

During the 10 o'clock hour, ABC's season finale of "Castle" shot up week to week in Total Viewers (+16%) and Adults 18-49 (+25%), equaling a 14-week high with young adults - since 2/3/14. The ABC drama ranked No. 1 in the hour with Adults 18-34 (tie) and Women 18-34, posting its best numbers since November - since 11/4/13.

· On average this season, "Castle" was up in Total Viewers (+3%) and Adults 18-49 (+4%), marking the series' most-watched season overall.

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, 5/12/14.