ABC's Once Upon a Time Returns Up 29% from its Dec Finale - Secrets & Lies Tops CBS' Battle Creek Debut by 50%

Once Upon a Time (8-9pm - 6.6 million and 2.2/6 in AD18-49): Jumping over its lead-in by 69% at 8pm, ABC's mid-season return of Once Upon a Time ranked #1 in the 8pm hour in Adults 18-49 (2.2/6), beating Fox's comedies by 22% (1.8/5 - The Simpsons/Brooklyn 9-9) and CBS' return of Madam Secretary by 69% (1.3/4). Building by double digits from its December finale (5.7 million and 1.7/5 on 12/14/14) in Total Viewers (+16%) and Adults 18-49 (+29%), Once Upon a Time marked its strongest results since mid-November - since 11/16/14.

Secrets & Lies (9-11pm - 5.9 million and 1.5/4 in AD18-49): From 9-11pm, ABC's debut of Secrets & Lies opened with ABC's biggest series audience (5.9 million) in the time period since season-premiere Sunday and its top young adult number (1.5/4) in more than 3 months - since 9/28/14 and 11/16/14, respectively. In its regular 9-10pm slot, the new ABC show topped the January finale of Resurrection (3.7 million and 1.0/3 on 1/25/15) by 59% in Total Viewers and by 50% in Adults 18-49. The new drama gained 5% viewers from its first hour to its second hour of its premiere telecast, while holding steady with young adults.

· The top drama premiere of the night, ABC's Secrets & Lies beat CBS' debut of Battle Creek (1.0/3 from 10-11pm) by 50% in Adults 18-49. ABC's Secrets and Lies was also higher rated than CBS' other dramas on the night, outdelivering Madam Secretary by 15% (1.3/4 from 8-9pm) and The Good Wife by 36% (1.1/3 from 9-10pm).

Quick Take for Sunday, March 1, 2015 (Fast Affiliate Live + Same Day Ratings)

"Once Upon a Time" Returns Up to Rank No. 1 at 8pm in Adults 18-49, Surging 29% Over its December Mid-Season Finale

"Secrets & Lies" Opens with ABC's Top Series Audience in the Slot Since September

Sunday Night (03/01/15) - ABC Total Viewer and Adult 18-49 Projections

"Once Upon a Time:" Live + 3 = 9.3 million/3.0 rating and Live + 7 = 10.0 million/3.2 rating

"Secrets & Lies:" Live + 3 = 8.4 million/2.1 rating and Live + 7 = 8.7 million/2.2 rating

Fast Affiliate Live + Same Day Results:

"Once Upon a Time" (8:00-9:00 p.m. - 6.6 million and 2.2/6 in AD18-49):

Jumping over its lead-in by 69% at 8:00 p.m., ABC's mid-season return of "Once Upon a Time" ranked No. 1 in the 8:00 p.m. hour in Adults 18-49 (2.2/6), beating Fox's comedies by 22% ("The Simpsons"/"Brooklyn 9-9" = 1.8/5) and CBS' return of "Madam Secretary" by 69% (1.3/4). Building by double digits from its December finale (5.7 million and 1.7/5 on 12/14/14) in Total Viewers (+16%) and Adults 18-49 (+29%), "Once Upon a Time" marked its strongest results since mid-November - since 11/16/14.

"Secrets & Lies" (9:00-11:00 p.m. - 5.9 million and 1.5/4 in AD18-49):

From 9:00-11:00 p.m., "Secrets & Lies" debuted with ABC's biggest series audience (5.9 million) in the time period since season-premiere Sunday and its top young adult number (1.5/4) in more than 3 months - since 9/28/14 and 11/16/14, respectively. In its regular 9:00-10:00 p.m. slot, the new ABC show topped the January finale of "Resurrection" (3.7 million and 1.0/3 on 1/25/15) by 59% in Total Viewers and by 50% in Adults 18-49. The freshman drama gained 5% in viewers from its first hour to its second hour of its premiere telecast, while holding steady with young adults.

· The top drama opener of the night, ABC's "Secrets & Lies" beat CBS' debut of "Battle Creek" (1.0/3 from 10:00-11:00 p.m.) by 50% in Adults 18-49. ABC's "Secrets & Lies" was also higher rated than CBS' other dramas on the night, outdelivering "Madam Secretary" by 15% (1.3/4 from 8:00-9:00 p.m.) and "The Good Wife" by 36% (1.1/3 from 9:00-10:00 p.m.).

A note about DVR penetration: DVR penetration in the Nielsen sample is currently at 49% in U.S. TV Homes. More viewers are watching shows on their own timetables, which are increasingly not reflected in the overnight Live + Same Day numbers. As a result, the Live + 7 Day ratings are the most accurate measure to gauge the size of the TV audience.

Projections Rationale:

Lifts vs. L+SD are based on the 2014-15 season for premiere telecast or an average for originals (excluding the premiere).

Returning shows: Profile based on same show (either premiere or averages for originals).

New Series: Based on similar series.

Source: The Nielsen Company, Fast Affiliate Live + Same Day Ratings, 03/01/15.