ABC's The Bachelor Sets New Season Highs - Castle Returns Steady with its Last Original in November

ABC Monday Prime (8-11pm - 7.6 million and 2.0/6 in AD18-49): With The Bachelor and return of Castle, ABC ran in a near tie for #1 Monday in Adults 18-49 (2.0/6), closing the gap by 4-tenths week to week (-0.1 vs. -0.5) with Fox's Monday dramas (The X-Files/Lucifer = 2.1/7). ABC beat original Monday schedules on CBS by 11% (1.8/6) and NBC by 82% (1.1/4). ABC delivered a new season high on Monday in Adults 18-49.

· The Bachelor hit a new season best in Adults 18-49 and won its 2-hour time period by 14% over Fox's dramas from 8-10pm (2.4/8 vs. 2.1/7). In addition, it was Monday's #1 TV series for the 6th week running in Adults 18-34 and key Women (W18-34/W18-49), while running in a virtual tie with The X-Files as the top show in Adults 18-49 (2.4/8 vs. 2.5/8).

The Bachelor (8-10pm - 8.5 million and 2.4/8 in AD18-49): From 8-10pm, ABC's The Bachelor ranked #1 in its 2-hour time period in Adults 18-49 (2.4/8), Adults 18-34 and across all key Women (W18-34/W18-49/W25-54).

· The Bachelor gained 1.0 million viewers (8.5 million vs. 7.5 million) and 4% week to week in Adults 18-49 (2.4/8 vs. 2.3/7), setting new season highs on both counts.

Castle (10-11pm - 5.7 million and 1.1/4 in AD18-49): At 10pm, ABC's Castle returned even in Adults 18-49 (1.1/4) with its most recent original 2-1/2 months ago (on 11/23/15).

Quick Take for Monday, February 8, 2016 (Fast Affiliate Live + Same Day Ratings)

ABC Delivers a New Season Best in Adults 18-49 on Monday, Finishing in a Near Tie for No. 1 on the Night

"The Bachelor" Hits New Highs in Total Viewers and Adults 18-49

"The Bachelor" Stands as Monday's No. 1 Series in Adults 18-34 and Key Women for the 6th Week Running

At 10 p.m., "Castle" Returns Even in Adults 18-49 from Most Recent Original

Monday Night (2/8/16) - ABC Total Viewer and Adult 18-49 Projections

"The Bachelor": L3 = 10.5 million/2.9 rating and L7 = 10.8 million/3.0 rating

"Castle": L3 = 9.2 million/1.7 rating and L7 = 10.2 million/1.9 rating

Live + Same Day Results:

ABC Monday Prime (8:00-11:00 p.m. - 7.6 million and 2.0/6 in AD18-49):

With "The Bachelor" and the return of "Castle," ABC ran in a near tie for No. 1 Monday in Adults 18-49 (2.0/6), closing the gap by 4-tenths week to week (-0.1 vs. -0.5) with Fox's Monday dramas ("The X-Files"/"Lucifer" = 2.1/7). ABC beat original Monday schedules on CBS by 11% (1.8/6) and NBC by 82% (1.1/4). ABC delivered a new season high on Monday in Adults 18-49.

· "The Bachelor" hit a new season best in Adults 18-49 and won its 2-hour time period by 14% over Fox's dramas from 8:00-10:00 p.m. (2.4/8 vs. 2.1/7). In addition, it was Monday's No. 1 TV series for the 6th week running in Adults 18-34 and key Women (W18-34/W18-49), while running in a virtual tie with "The X-Files" as the top show in Adults 18-49 (2.4/8 vs. 2.5/8).

"The Bachelor" (8:00-10:00 p.m. - 8.5 million and 2.4/8 in AD18-49):

From 8:00-10:00 p.m., ABC's "The Bachelor" ranked No. 1 in its 2-hour time period in Adults 18-49 (2.4/8), Adults 18-34 and across all key Women (W18-34/W18-49/W25-54).

· "The Bachelor" gained 1.0 million viewers (8.5 million vs. 7.5 million) and 4% week to week in Adults 18-49 (2.4/8 vs. 2.3/7), setting new season highs on both counts.

"Castle" (10:00-11:00 p.m. - 5.7 million and 1.1/4 in AD18-49):

At 10:00 p.m., ABC's "Castle" returned even in Adults 18-49 (1.1/4) with its most recent original 2-1/2 months ago (on 11/23/15).

Projections Rationale:

Lifts vs. L+SD are based on the 2015-16 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.

A note about DVR penetration: DVR penetration in the Nielsen sample is currently at 48% 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.

Source: The Nielsen Company, Fast Affiliate Live + Same Day Ratings, 2/8/16.