Primetime Rating Report for the Week of October 20, 2014 (Based on National Live + Same Day Program Ratings)

ABC Airs 7 of the Week's Top 20 Non-Sports TV Shows in Adults 18-49 with the Top 2 Broadcast Dramas, the No. 1 Freshman Series and the No. 1 New Comedy

ABC's "Dancing" Outdraws NBC's "The Voice" for the First Time This Season

"Selfie" Builds in Viewers and Young Adults to Best-Since-Premiere Numbers

Delivering Increasing TV Playback Gains, "Forever" is Up in Adults 18-49

"The Goldbergs" Builds on its Lead-in to Tie "Survivor" and Boost its Slot Year to Year

"Modern Family" is Wednesday's No. 1 TV Show in Adults 18-49 for 5 Straight Weeks

"black-ish" Surges 16% Week to Week Against the World Series in Total Viewers

"Nashville" is Up 8% Week to Week in Both Total Viewers and Adults 18-49

Season to Date, ABC Scores its Highest Thursday Night Numbers in 5 Years

"Grey's Anatomy" Builds to 3-Week Highs in Total Viewers and Adults 18-49

"Scandal" is Up Week to Week and Year to Year in Viewers and Young Adults

"HTGAWM" Builds Week to Week and Improves its Hour Year to Year for ABC

"Last Man Standing" is the Most-Watched Series in its Slot for 4 Straight Weeks

"Shark Tank" is Friday's No. 1 TV Series for 5 Weeks in a Row in Adults 18-49

"20/20" Spikes to Best-Since-Premiere Numbers in Viewers and Key Adults

"Once Upon a Time" is Sunday's No. 1 Scripted Broadcast in Adults 18-49, Growing Year to Year for its 5th-Straight Airing This Season

"Revenge" Improves its Hour by Strong Double-Digit Percentages Year to Year

ABC Adult 18-49 Weekly Ratings Projections (w/o 10/20/14)

ABC's weekly Adult 18-49 average is projected to rise 30% to a 2.2 rating in Live + 3 Day and grow 38% to a 2.4 rating in Live + 7 Day.

Week No. 05 (Live + Same Day)

During the week of October 20, 2014, ABC delivered 7 of Top 20 non-sports TV programs (4 of the Top 10), including the top broadcast dramas ("Scandal" and "HTGAWM"), the No. 1 freshman series ("How to Get Away with Murder") and the No. 1 freshman comedy ("black-ish"): "Modern Family" - No. 3, "Scandal" and "HTGAWM" tied at No. 6, "Grey's Anatomy" - No. 9, "black-ish" and "Once Upon a Time" tied at No. 11 and "The Goldbergs" - No. 17. "DWTS" was TV's most-watched unscripted series, topping for the first time this season both editions of NBC's "The Voice." For the week, the Net continued to rank No. 1 in Nielsen's non-sports Adult 18-49 averages (1.8/5), leading CBS (1.7/5), NBC (1.6/5) and Fox (1.5/4).

· Through 5 weeks season to date (Nielsen's Most Current averages), ABC is up 5% in Total Viewers (8.7 million vs. 8.3 million) and holding steady in Adults 18-49 (2.4/8).

Monday

ABC was the most-watched broadcast network on Monday night in Total Viewers, leading runner-up NBC by 3% (11.4 million vs. 11.1 million).

"Dancing with the Stars" (8:00-10:01 p.m. - 12.6 million and 2.0/6 in AD18-49):

From 8:00-10:01 p.m., ABC's "Dancing" drew a bigger audience than NBC's "The Voice" for the first time this season, leading by 6% (12.6 million vs. 11.9 million). "DWTS" held steady from its week-ago numbers in Total Viewers (12.6 million vs. 12.7 million) and Adults 18-49 (2.0/6). Building from its first to second hour (+5%), "Dancing" outdelivered Fox's "Sleepy Hollow" in Adults 18-49 from 9:00-10:00 p.m. for the 5th week running (+11% - 2.0/5 vs. 1.8/5). "DWTS" continued its run as the most social broadcast series on Monday (71,488 tweets).

"Castle" (10:01-11:00 p.m. - 8.8 million and 1.5/5 in AD18-49):

In the 10:00 p.m. hour, ABC's "Castle" (8.82 million) drew more viewers than CBS' "NCIS: LA" (8.78 million) for the 3rd time in 4 weeks.

Tuesday

Despite facing Game 1 of the 2014 World Series on Fox, ABC's Tuesday night held even week to week in Adults 18-49 (1.2/4).

"Selfie" (8:00-8:30 p.m. - 3.8 million and 1.1/4 in AD18-49):

At 8:00 p.m. against the start of the game, ABC's "Selfie" grew week to week in Total Viewers (+12% - 3.8 million vs. 3.4 million) and Adults 18-49 (+10% - 1.1/4 vs. 1.0/3) to match best-since premiere numbers - since 9/30/14.

"Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." (9:00-10:00 p.m. - 4.4 million and 1.6/4 in AD18-49):

More than doubling its lead-in (+129%) at 9:00 p.m. against the World Series, NBC's "The Voice"-led comedies ("Marry Me"/"About a Boy") and CBS' "NCIS: New Orleans," ABC's "Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." was on par with its week-ago Adult 18-49 number (1.6/4 vs. 1.7/5). "S.H.I.E.L.D." was the No. 1 series in its hour among Men 18-34. The show improved its hour for ABC year to year by 7% in Adults 18-49 (1.5/4 on 10/22/13).

· In the most recent Live + 7 Day data, ABC's "S.H.I.E.L.D." shot up 76% to a 3.0 rating among Adults 18-49 to nearly tie CBS' "NCIS: New Orleans (3.1 rating) in the Tuesday 9:00 p.m. hour. In the L+SD ratings, "S.H.I.E.L.D." trailed the "NCIS"-fueled CBS drama by 6-tenths of a rating point among young adults.

"Forever" (10:00-11:00 p.m. - 4.9 million and 1.2/4 in AD18-49):

During the 10 o'clock hour, ABC's "Forever" was up week to week by 9% in Adults 18-49 (1.2/4 vs. 1.1/3).

· Increasing its TV Playback gains in Week 2 of its Live + 7 Day ratings, "Forever" spiked 71% in Adults 18-49 from L+SD - versus a +53% lift in Week 1.

Wednesday

Opposite the World Series Game 2 on Fox, ABC was the No. 1 non-sports network on Wednesday in Adults 18-49 (2.1/7-tied w/CBS). ABC's "Modern Family" (3.4/10) stood as Wednesday's No. 1 TV show (tying the World Series) in the demo for the 5th time in as many telecasts this season. On average through the first four weeks this season, ABC's 2-hour Wednesday comedy block is up year to year in viewers (+6%) and young adults (+6%), marking its strongest start in 3 years - since the opening weeks of the 2011-12 season.

· The Net's Wednesday night was up week to week in Total Viewers (+11% - 7.2 million vs. 6.5 million) and held even in Adults 18-49.

"The Middle" (8:00-8:30 p.m. - 7.3 million and 2.1/7 in AD18-49):

At 8:00 p.m., ABC's "The Middle" returned after the prior week's preemption to take a strong second against its regular time slot competition with Adults 18-49, nearly catching CBS' "Survivor" for its closest finish yet this season (2.1/7 vs. 2.2/7) and beating NBC's "The Mysteries of Laura" by 67% (1.2/4). "The Middle" was up for its 2nd straight telecast to match a season high in Adults 18-49.

"The Goldbergs" (8:30-9:00 p.m. - 7.1 million and 2.3/7 in AD18-49):

At 8:30 p.m., ABC's "The Goldbergs" returned to build on its Adult 18-49 lead-in for its 4th straight broadcast (+10% - 2.3/7 vs. 2.1/7) out of "The Middle," tying CBS' "Survivor" in the half-hour. "The Goldbergs" grew over its most recent airing two weeks ago in Total Viewers (+1%) and Adults 18-49 (+5%), drawing the series' 2nd largest-ever audience and a best-since-premiere Adult 18-49 rating (since 9/24/14).

· "The Goldbergs" topped its year-ago Tuesday airing (on 10/22/13) for its 3rd consecutive telecast in Total Viewers (+37% - 7.1 million vs. 5.2 million) and Adults 18-49 (+35% - 2.3/7 vs. 1.7/5) leading out of "S.H.I.E.L.D." at 9:00 p.m. The sophomore comedy also continued to drastically improve its slot year to year with young adults (+35% over "Back in the Game" = 1.7/5).

"Modern Family" (9:00-9:31 p.m. - 10.2 million and 3.4/10 in AD18-49):

ABC's "Modern Family" shot up 48% from its Adult 18-49 lead-in at 9:00 p.m. to win its half-hour over the World Series and lead its nearest regular competition by 36% (3.4/10 vs. 2.5/7 - CBS' "Criminal Minds"). The ABC comedy grew in Total Viewers (+5% - 10.2 million vs. 9.2 million) and held even with its week-ago Adult 18-49 rating.

"black-ish" (9:31-10:00 p.m. - 8.0 million and 2.4/7 in AD18-49):

In the 9:30 p.m. half-hour, ABC's "black-ish" was the No. 1 series in its slot among Adults 18-49 (2.4/7-tie) for the 5th week in a row. The freshman ABC comedy boosted its half-hour year to year by 38% in Total Viewers and by 14% in Adults 18-49 (5.8 million and 2.1/6 - "Super Fun Night" on 10/23/13).

· "black-ish" was up 16% from the prior week in Total Viewers (8.0 million vs. 6.3 million) and on par in Adults 18-49 (2.4/7 vs. 2.5/7).

"Nashville" (10:00-11:00 p.m. - 5.4 million and 1.4/4 rating in AD18-49):

During the 10:00 p.m. hour, ABC's "Nashville" was up week to week by 8% in Total Viewers (5.4 million vs. 5.0 million) and by 8% in Adults 18-49 (1.4/4 vs. 1.3/4). "Nashville" nearly tied NBC's "Chicago P.D." in the hour among Adults 18-49 (1.4/4 vs. 1.5/5).

Thursday

Up against a big CBS Thursday Night Football game, ABC more than doubled its closest non-sports competition on the night (NBC) in Total Viewers (+132% - 9.5 million vs. 4.1 million) and Adults 18-49 (+155% - 2.8/9 vs. 1.1/3). For the 5th straight week, ABC delivered Thursday's Top 3 entertainment shows. The Net was up week to week in Adults 18-49 (+4%), as all three of its dramas made gains: "Grey's" (+4%), "Scandal" (+3%) and "How to Get Away with Murder" (+7%).

· Season to date, ABC's Thursday is up by double digits from the same point last year in Total Viewers (+34% - 12.6 million vs. 9.4 million) and Adults 18-49 (+22% - 3.9/12 vs. 3.2/9) for its strongest start on the night in 5 years - since the beginning of the 2009-10 season.

"Grey's Anatomy" (8:00-9:00 p.m. - 8.6 million and 2.5/8 in AD18-49):

At 8:00 p.m., "Grey's Anatomy" delivered 3-week highs (since 10/2/14) and dominated its closest series competition (NBC's "The Biggest Loser: Glory Days") by 4.0 million viewers (8.6 million vs. 4.6 million) and by 108% in Adults 18-49 (2.5/8 vs. 1.2/4).

"Scandal" (9:00-10:00 p.m. - 10.0 million and 3.0/9 in AD18-49):

Increasing from its lead-in at 9:00 p.m., ABC's "Scandal" (10.0 million and 3.0/9) outdrew NBC's comedies in the hour by 6.2 million viewers and more than tripled their Adult 18-49 delivery ("Bad Judge"/"A to Z" = 3.8 million and 0.9/3). The ABC drama nearly quadrupled Fox's competing drama "Gracepoint" in the hour with Adults 18-49 (+275% over a 0.8/2).

· "Scandal" built week to week and grew from its own year-ago telecast at 10:00 p.m. by 16% in Total Viewers and by 3% in Adults 18-49 (8.6 million and 2.9/8 on 10/24/13).

"How to Get Away with Murder" (10:00-11:00 p.m. - 10.0 million and 3.0/9 in AD18-49):

Retaining 100% of its lead-in at 10:00 p.m., ABC's "How to Get Away with Murder" was up week to week and increased its winning advantages over NBC's "Parenthood" to 150% in Total Viewers (10.0 million vs. 4.1 million) and 150% in Adults 18-49 (3.0/9 vs. 1.2/4).

· "HTGAWM" once again topped the year-ago telecast of "Scandal" in the hour, rising by 1.4 million viewers and by 3% with young adults.

Friday

Opposite the 2014 World Series Game 3, ABC was the non-sports leader on Friday in Adults 18-49, beating NBC's season premiere/debut lineup by 8% (1.4/5 vs. 1.3/5). Despite facing the World Series, ABC's Friday night numbers were even week to week in viewers and young adults.

· For the 5th consecutive week this season, ABC's "Shark Tank" (1.8/6) was Friday's No. 1 TV series in the key young adult sales demo.

· ABC's 20/20 (1.5/5) was the No. 2 series of the night in Adults 18-49 (beating NBC's "Grimm" premiere at 9:00 p.m. and Constantine debut head-to-head at 10:00 p.m.). "20/20" was also the night's No. 1 newsmagazine in key Adults (AD18-49/AD25-54) over NBC's "Dateline" (at 8:00 p.m.).

· Season to date, ABC's Friday delivery is up in Total Viewers (+12%) and Adults 18-49 (+6%), posting its highest-rated start to a season in 6 years with young adults - since the beginning of 2008-09.

"Last Man Standing" (8:00-8:31 p.m. - 6.2 million and 1.1/4 in AD18-49):

At 8:00 p.m., "Last Man Standing" ranked as the most-watched TV series in its half-hour for the 4th straight week (6.2 million).

"Cristela" (8:30-9:00 p.m. - 5.0 million and 1.0/4 in AD18-49):

At 8:30 p.m., "Cristela" continued to deliver strong retention of its lead-in among Adults 18-49 (91% - 1.0/4 vs. 1.1/4) and moved up to tie CBS' "The Amazing Race" in the half-hour, after trailing the CBS unscripted series by 2-tenths the prior week.

"Shark Tank" (9:00-10:01 p.m. - 6.9 million and 1.8/6 in AD18-49):

Surging 80% from its lead-in at 9:00 p.m., ABC's "Shark Tank" was the highest-rated series in its hour, beating runner-up NBC's season premiere of "Grimm" by 30% in Adults 18-49 (1.8/6 vs. 1.4/5). "Shark Tank" held steady with its week-ago Adult 18-49 delivery (1.8/6 vs. 1.9/7).

"20/20" (10:01-11:00 p.m. - 5.8 million and 1.5/5 in AD18-49):

During the 10 o'clock hour, ABC's "20/20" ranked No. 1 against its regular competition in Adults 18-49 (1.5/5), beating NBC's "Constantine" debut (+7% - 1.4/5) and CBS' "Blue Bloods" (+15% - 1.3/4). "20/20" spiked week to week in Total Viewers (+26%), Adults 18-49 (+36%) and Adults 25-54 (+33%), marking best-since-premiere results on all three measures - since 9/26/14.

Sunday

On a night filled with professional sports competition, including NBC's Sunday Night Football (Packers-Saints), Fox's World Series Game 5 and another big primetime NFL overrun on CBS (Colts-Steelers), ABC's "Once Upon a Time" ranked as Sunday's No. 1 scripted broadcast in Adults 18-49 (2.4/6), pacing well ahead of CBS' NFL overrun-fueled series on the night: "Madam Secretary" (1.5/4) and "The Good Wife" (1.5/4). "Once Upon a Time" was up from its year-ago telecast for the 5th-consecutive week in Adults 18-49 (+9% vs. 2.2/6 on 10/27/13).

"Star Wars Rebels: Spark of Rebellion" (7:00-8:00 p.m. - 2.4 million and 0.6/2 in AD18-49):

During the 7:00 p.m. hour, opposite the start of the World Series and a highly rated NFL overrun, ABC's special encore airing of "Star Wars Rebels: Spark of Rebellion" - a television movie - delivered another 2.4 million viewers on average. Prior to last night's ABC broadcast, the animated movie had already reached an impressive audience of 18-million unduplicated Total Viewers in the U.S. on Disney Channel and Disney XD since its early October debut (10/3/14).

"Once Upon a Time" (8:00-9:00 p.m. - 6.9 million and 2.4/6 in AD18-49):

Quadrupling its Adult 18-49 lead-in at 8:00 p.m. (+300%), ABC's "Once Upon a Time" outdelivered its regular 8:00 p.m. CBS drama competition, beating "Madam Secretary" (which shifted into the 9:00 p.m. hour due to the NFL overrun) by 60% (2.4/6 vs. 1.5/4).

"Resurrection" (9:00-10:01 p.m. - 4.4 million and 1.2/3 in AD18-49):

ABC's "Resurrection" outdelivered its regular 9:00 p.m. CBS drama competition, topping "The Good Wife" (which shifted into the 10:00 p.m. hour) among Adults 18-34 and Women 18-34.

"Revenge" (10:01-11:00 p.m. - 4.3 million and 1.1/3 in AD18-49):

During the 10 o'clock hour, "Revenge" continued to deliver strong time period improvement for ABC, growing its hour year to year by 30% in Total Viewers (4.3 million vs. 3.3 million) and by 22% in Adults 18-49 (1.1/3 vs. 0.9/2).

· "Revenge" continued to deliver strong time period improvement for ABC, boosting its hour year to year by 43% in Total Viewers (5.0 million vs. 3.5 million) and by 44% in Adults 18-49 (1.3/4 vs. 0.9/2).

WEEK NO. 05: ADULTS 18-49 TOTAL VIEWERS
No.1 CBS 2.6 No.1 CBS 11,530,000
No.1 FOX 2.6 No.2 FOX 10,120,000
No.3 NBC 2.3 No.3 NBC 7,820,000
No.4 ABC 1.7 No.4 ABC 6,610,000
No.5 CW 0.7 No.5 CW 1,720,000

Source: The Nielsen Company, National, Live+ Same Day Program Ratings for week of 10/20/14.