ABC's DWTS and 20/20 Specials Surge - SHIELD Hits an 8-Week High in Viewers

DWTS: 10th Anniversary Special (8-9pm - 9.9 million and 1.7/6 in AD18-49): At 8pm, ABC's Dancing with the Stars: 10th Anniversary Special took second in its hour in Total Viewers (9.9 million) to CBS' NCIS, drawing the Net's biggest audience to the 1-hour time period since November - since 11/25/14. In addition, the Dancing special hit an 11-week high in the slot with Adults 18-49 (1.7/6) - since 2/10/15.

Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (9-10pm - 4.5 million and 1.4/4 in AD18-49): At 9pm, ABC's Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. was up for the 2nd week in Total Viewers (+2% - 4.5 million vs. 4.4 million), drawing its biggest audience since its mid-season return 8 weeks ago - since 3/3/15. The show was steady with its week-ago Fast Affiliate Adult 18-49 number (1.4/5 vs. 1.5/5). The ABC drama earned second in the hour over original comedies on NBC and Fox with Total Viewers and Adults 18-49 and ranked #1 with Adults 18-34 (tie) and key Men (M18-34/M18-49).

· On average season to date, S.H.I.E.L.D. is improving its time slot by 47% in Adults 18-49 (2.8/8 vs. 1.9/5) over the comparable weeks last season.

20/20-SP (10-11pm - 5.9 million and 1.4/4 in AD18-49): At 10pm opposite original dramas on CBS (Person of Interest) and NBC (Chicago Fire), ABC's 20/20 - Captive: A Journey of Hope and Survival ranked #2 in Adults 18-49 (1.4/4-tied w/CBS) and tied Chicago Fire for #1 with key Women (W18-49/W25-54). On the special 20/20, ABC News anchor Robin Roberts brought viewers the remarkable story of hope, strength and resilience in the first broadcast interview with Amanda Berry and Gina DeJesus, two of the girls who were kidnapped by Ariel Castro and survived a decade of imprisonment and unimaginable torture in his Cleveland home. 20/20 delivered a 5-month high for ABC in the time period with Total Viewers (5.9 million) and Adults 18-49 (1.4/4) - since 11/25/14.

Quick Take for Tuesday, April 28, 2015 (Fast Affiliate Live + Same Day Ratings)

At 8pm, "DWTS: 10th Anniversary Special" Attracts ABC's Biggest Audience In the 1-Hour Slot Since November and Hits an 11-Week High in Young Adults

"S.H.I.E.L.D." Builds for the 2nd Week in Viewers to Draw an 8-Week High

ABC's "20/20" Special Delivers 5-Month Highs for ABC in the 10pm Hour

Tuesday Night (04/28/15) -- ABC Total Viewer and Adult 18-49 Projections

"S.H.I.E.L.D.:" L3 = 7.1 mil/2.3 rtg, L7 = 8.0 mil/2.5 rtg and Multiplatform+35 Day = 3.1 rtg

Live + Same Day Results:

"DWTS: 10th Anniversary Special" (8:00-9:00 p.m. - 9.9 million and 1.7/6 in AD18-49):

At 8:00 p.m., ABC's "Dancing with the Stars: 10th Anniversary Special" took second in its hour in Total Viewers (9.9 million) to CBS' "NCIS," drawing the Net's biggest audience to the 1-hour time period since November - since 11/25/14. In addition, the "Dancing" retrospective hit an 11-week high in the slot with Adults 18-49 (1.7/6) - since 2/10/15.

"Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." (9:00-10:00 p.m. - 4.5 million and 1.4/4 in AD18-49):

At 9:00 p.m., ABC's "Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." was up for the 2nd week in Total Viewers (+2% - 4.5 million vs. 4.4 million), drawing its biggest audience since its mid-season return 8 weeks ago - since 3/3/15. The show held steady with its week-ago Fast Affiliate Adult 18-49 number (1.4/4 vs. 1.5/5). The ABC drama earned second in the hour over original comedies on NBC and Fox with Total Viewers and Adults 18-49 and ranked No. 1 with Adults 18-34 (tie) and key Men (M18-34/M18-49).

· On average season to date, "S.H.I.E.L.D." is improving its time slot by 47% in Adults 18-49 (2.8/8 vs. 1.9/5) over the comparable weeks last season.

"20/20-SP" (10:00-11:00 p.m. - 5.9 million and 1.4/4 in AD18-49):

At 10:00 p.m. opposite original dramas on CBS ("Person of Interest") and NBC ("Chicago Fire"), ABC's "20/20 - Captive: A Journey of Hope and Survival" ranked No. 2 in Adults 18-49 (1.4/4-tied w/CBS) and tied NBC's "Chicago Fire" for No. 1 with key Women (W18-49/W25-54). On the special "20/20," ABC News anchor Robin Roberts brought viewers the remarkable story of hope, strength and resilience in the first broadcast interview with Amanda Berry and Gina DeJesus, two of the girls who were kidnapped by Ariel Castro and survived a decade of imprisonment and unimaginable torture in his Cleveland home. "20/20" delivered a 5-month high for ABC in the time period with Total Viewers (5.9 million) and Adults 18-49 (1.4/4) - since 11/25/14.

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 for 04/28/15.