Primetime Ratings Report For the week of March 19, 2012 (Based on National Live + Same Day Program Ratings)

ABC Airs 4 of the Top 20 Broadcast Series for the Week in Adults 18-49, While ABC's "Dancing" Emerges as TV's Most-Watched Unscripted Show

The Net Marks its Most-Watched Non-"Oscar" Week in Over 2 Months

ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" Season Opener Generates the Net's Best Numbers In the Time Slot Since Season Premiere Monday with Viewers and Adults 18-49

Monday's Most-Watched Show, "DWTS" Tops "The Voice" by 6.8 Million Viewers

Turning in its Biggest Audience Since October, ABC's "Castle" Tops its Slot And Beats CBS' "Hawaii Five-0" and NBC's "Smash" by Season-Best Margins

Posting Strong Year-to-Year Gains in its Slot, ABC's "Last Man Standing" Dominates Fox's "Raising Hope" at 8pm and Finishes as Tuesday's Most-Watched Comedy

Taking Full Control of its Fox Comedy Competition, ABC's "Cougar Town" Surges Week to Week in Young Adults and Draws its Biggest Audience in 1 Month

Season Finale of "The River" Grows Week to Week in Adults 18-49 and Key Women

ABC's Mostly Repeat Wednesday Overpowers NBC's Original Schedule on the Night

Continuing to Improve its Time Slot Opposite "Idol" on Thursday, ABC's "Missing" Finishes as the No. 2 Most-Watched TV Show for the 2nd Week in a Row from 8-9pm

Producing its Most-Watched Repeat this Season, ABC's "Grey's" Outdraws NBC's Original Comedies by 1.2 Million Viewers in Thursday's 9pm Hour

ABC's "Shark Tank" is Friday's Most-Watched TV Series for the 2nd Week Running

ABC's "Primetime: What Would You Do? and "20/20" Each Hit Multi-Week Highs

More than Doubling its Lead-in, ABC's "Once Upon a Time" is No. 1 in its Hour In Adults 18-49 for its 5th Straight Telecast to Stand as the Night's No. 1 TV Show

ABC's "Desperate Housewives" Dominates its Time Period Among Adults 18-49

Up Week to Week, "GCB" Qualifies as the No. 1 Series in the 10pm Hour for The 3rd Week in a Row in Adults 18-49 and Marks a Series High in Adults 18-34

WEEK No. 27:

During the week of March 19, 2012, ABC qualified as the No. 2 most-watched network for the 2nd week in a row to CBS, once again outdrawing Fox (6.9 million vs. 6.7 million).

· Growing its audience for the 2nd straight week, ABC marked its most-watched week in more than 2 months, excluding the week of the "Academy Awards" - since w/o 1/9/12

Rankings: ABC aired 4 of the Top 20 broadcast series for the week in Adults 18-49: "Dancing with the Stars" - No. 5, "Once Upon a Time" - No. 12, "Desperate Housewives" - No. 16 and "Castle" - No. 20. In addition, ABC's "DWTS" finished as week's most-watched unscripted series overall, topping both editions of Fox's "Idol" and NBC's "The Voice." In fact, it was the first time ever that a spring edition of "DWTS" stood as the most-watched unscripted series during its season premiere week. "Dancing's" audience was bigger than nearly every "American Idol" telecast this season (outdrawing all but 4 of "Idol's" 21 airings so far), besting "Idol's" numbers during each of the last 5 Nielsen weeks - since w/o 2/13/12. In addition, excluding only its post-"Super Bowl" airing, "Dancing" attracted more viewers than every telecast of "The Voice" since its series debut last April.

Monday

With the 14th-season premiere of "Dancing with the Stars" and "Castle" against all-original competition, ABC stood as the most-watched TV network on Monday night, outdrawing runner-up NBC with "The Voice" and "Smash" by 6.3 million viewers (16.4 million vs. 10.2 million). In addition, ABC beat Fox ("House"/"Alcatraz") in Adults 18-49 by 72% (3.1/8 vs. 1.8/5).

· In viewers and young adults, ABC marked its biggest Monday since September - since 9/19/11 and 9/26/11, respectively.

"Dancing with the Stars" (8:00-10:01 p.m.)

Monday's most-watched TV show, ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" soared to the top of its time slot with an average audience of 18.8 million viewers, beating NBC's "The Voice" (12.0 million) by 6.8 million viewers in head-to-head competition. In fact, "DWTS" became the first program this season to outdraw "The Voice," as the NBC series dropped to season lows. In addition among Adults 18-49 (3.5/9), "Dancing" nearly doubled the delivery of Fox's back-to-back dramas (+94% - 1.8/5).

· In viewers and young adults, "DWTS" turned in ABC's best numbers in the time period since season premiere Monday 6 months ago - since 9/19/11.

"Castle" (10:01-11:00 p.m.)

ABC's "Castle" drew 11.5 million viewers on average, to finish as the most-watched TV show during the 10 o'clock hour, topping CBS' "Hawaii Five-0" (+24% - 9.3 million) and NBC's "Smash" (+74% - 6.6 million) by season-best margins. The ABC drama also ranked No. 1 in the hour with Adults 25-54 (3.3/8). In addition, "Castle" defeated NBC's "The Voice"-led "Smash" among Adults 18-49 (2.3/6 vs. 2.2/6).

· Jumping over its most-recent original three weeks ago (9.1 million and 2.1/6 on 2/27/12) in Total Viewers (+31%) and Adults 18-49 (+14%), ABC's "Castle" generated its largest overall audience since October and strongest young adult performance since November - since 10/31/11 and 11/7/11, respectively.

Tuesday

"Last Man Standing" (8:00-8:31 p.m.)

At 8:00 p.m., ABC's "Last Man Standing" dominated its comedy competition on Fox, leading "Raising Hope" by 3.2 million viewers (7.0 million vs. 3.8 million) and by 19% in Adults 18-49 (1.9/6 vs. 1.6/5). In fact, ABC self-starter "Last Man Standing" finished as Tuesday's most-watched comedy overall, attracting 1.8 million more viewers than Fox's "New Girl" at 9:00 p.m. (5.2 million).

· Continuing to improve its time slot year over year, "Last Man Standing" boosted the half-hour for ABC by 1.5 million viewers and by 19% in Adults 18-49 over original programming on the year-ago night ("No Ordinary Family" on 3/22/11 = 5.5 million and 1.6/5).

"Cougar Town" (8:30-9:00 p.m.)

In the 8:30 p.m. half-hour like its lead-in, ABC's "Cougar Town" towered over Fox's competing comedy, "I Hate My Teenage Daughter," by 52% in Total Viewers (4.4 million vs. 2.9 million) and by 33% in Adults 18-49 (1.6/5 vs. 1.2/4).

· "Cougar Town" grew week to week in Total Viewers (+5%) and Adults 18-49 (+14%), generating its biggest audience in 4 weeks - since 2/21/12.

"The River" (9:00-10:00 p.m.)

During the 9 o'clock hour, ABC's season finale of "The River" was up week to week by 8% in Adults 18-49 (1.4/4 vs. 1.3/4), by 18% in Women 18-34 (1.3/4 vs. 1.1/3) and by 13% in Women 18-49 (1.7/4 vs. 1.5/4).

Wednesday

"Last Man Standing" (8:00-8:31 p.m.)

At 8:00 p.m., ABC's "Last Man Standing" dominated its comedy competition on Fox, leading "Raising Hope" by 3.2 million viewers (7.0 million vs. 3.8 million) and by 19% in Adults 18-49 (1.9/6 vs. 1.6/5). In fact, ABC self-starter "Last Man Standing" finished as Tuesday's most-watched comedy overall, attracting 1.8 million more viewers than Fox's "New Girl" at 9:00 p.m. (5.2 million).

· Continuing to improve its time slot year over year, "Last Man Standing" boosted the half-hour for ABC by 1.5 million viewers and by 19% in Adults 18-49 over original programming on the year-ago night ("No Ordinary Family" on 3/22/11 = 5.5 million and 1.6/5).

"Cougar Town" (8:30-9:00 p.m.)

In the 8:30 p.m. half-hour like its lead-in, ABC's "Cougar Town" towered over Fox's competing comedy, "I Hate My Teenage Daughter," by 52% in Total Viewers (4.4 million vs. 2.9 million) and by 33% in Adults 18-49 (1.6/5 vs. 1.2/4).

· "Cougar Town" grew week to week in Total Viewers (+5%) and Adults 18-49 (+14%), generating its biggest audience in 4 weeks - since 2/21/12.

"The River" (9:00-10:00 p.m.)

During the 9 o'clock hour, ABC's season finale of "The River" was up week to week by 8% in Adults 18-49 (1.4/4 vs. 1.3/4), by 18% in Women 18-34 (1.3/4 vs. 1.1/3) and by 13% in Women 18-49 (1.7/4 vs. 1.5/4).

Thursday

"Missing" (8:00-9:00 p.m.)

From 8:00-9:00 p.m., opposite Fox's "American Idol," ABC's "Missing" (8.8 million) finished as the 2nd-most-watched TV show for the 2nd week in a row, topping CBS' NCAA Basketball coverage by over 2.0 million viewers (6.7 million) and more than doubling the audience (+144%) of NBC's original comedy block ("Community"/"30 Rock" = 3.6 million). The ABC drama also ranked as the No. 2 regular program in the hour to "Idol" with Adults 25-54 (2.5/7), while taking second overall with key Women (W18-49/W25-54). In fact, ABC's "Missing" qualified as Thursday's 2nd-most-watched scripted program, topping all 4 of NBC's comedies and the drama "Awake" at 10:00 p.m., trailing only Fox's "Idol"-driven "Touch" premiere.

· "Missing" delivered strong retention of its week-ago debut in Total Viewers (83%), Adults 25-54 (86%), Men 18-49 (92%) and Men 25-54 (100%).

· The new drama improved its time period year to year by double digits, drawing 19% more viewers than original programming on the same night last year ("Wipeout" on 3/24/11 = 7.4 million).

"Grey's Anatomy" (9:00-10:02 p.m.)

During the 9 o'clock hour, ABC's repeat "Grey's Anatomy" outdrew NBC's original comedies ("30 Rock"/"Up All Night") by 1.2 million viewers (4.5 million vs. 3.3 million).

· "Grey's" generated its largest repeat audience this season, up 10% over its last replay.

"Private Practice" (10:00-11:00 p.m.)

During the 10 o'clock hour, ABC's repeat "Private Practice" was up a sharp 22% in viewers over its last encore airing (3.3 million vs. 2.7 million).

Friday

ABC finished a strong second on Friday to CBS with its NCAA Basketball coverage in Total Viewers (5.4 million). Overshadowing its non-sports competition in Adults 18-49, ABC (1.6/5) beat out Fox by 60% (1.0/3) and NBC by 100% (0.8/3) in Adults 18-49.

· Growing its young adult audience for the 2nd week in a row, the Net hit a 5-week high on Friday night in Adults 18-49 - since 2/17/12.

"Shark Tank" (8:00-9:01 p.m.)

For the 2nd consecutive week, ABC's "Shark Tank" was the top draw in the 8 o'clock hour and stood as Friday's most-watched TV series overall (5.8 million). ABC's "Shark Tank" dominated its original unscripted competition in the hour among Adults 18-49 (1.5/5), beating NBC's "Who Do You Think You Are?" by 50% (1.0/3) and Fox's "Kitchen Nightmares" by 36% (1.1/4).

· Surging year to year, "Shark Tank" grew sharply over its premiere in the time period on the year-ago night by 1.2 million viewers and by 25% in Adults 18-49.

"Primetime: What Would You Do?" (9:01-10:00 p.m.)

From 9:00-10:00 p.m., ABC's "Primetime: What Would You Do?" ranked as the No. 1 non-sports show in its slot with viewers (5.1 million) and young adults (1.6/5). In the hour, the ABC newsmagazine towered over Fox's first-run "Fringe" by 76% in Total Viewers and by 78% in Adults 18-49 (2.9 million and 0.9/3).

· Gaining week to week in Adults 18-49 (+7%), "What Would You Do?" posted its highest rating in 7 weeks - since 1/27/12.

"20/20" (10:00-11:00 p.m.)

ABC's "20/20" took full control of its newsmagazine competition during the 10 o'clock hour, defeating NBC's "Dateline" by 1.0 million viewers (5.4 million vs. 4.4 million), by 62% in Adults 25-54 (2.1/5 vs. 1.3/3) and by 78% in Adults 18-49 (1.6/5 vs. 0.9/3). "20/20" featured Chris Cuomo's exclusive television interview with former Rutgers University student Dharun Ravi - the first time he has spoken on camera since being found guilty last week of spying on his college roommate Tyler Clementi with a webcam in the fall of 2010 because he was gay.

· Posting its 2nd straight week of increases in Adults 25-54 (+11%) and Adults 18-49 (+14%), ABC's "20/20" scored its best results in 5 weeks - since 2/17/12.

Sunday

ABC finished a close second on Sunday in Adults 18-49 to an NCAA Basketball overrun-boosted CBS (2.2/6 vs. 2.4/7 - pacing within 2-tenths of a rating point), leading third-place Fox by 22% (1.8/5) and fourth-place NBC by 57% (1.4/4). In fact after the basketball tournament overrun, ABC beat CBS in each hour from 8:00-11:00 p.m. The Net won the night for the 5th week in a row across all key Women demographics (W18-34/W18-49/W25-54).

"Once Upon a Time" (8:00-9:01 p.m.)

Once again more than doubling its lead-in at 8:00 p.m. (+142%), ABC's "Once Upon a Time" won its hour for its 5th consecutive telecast in Adults 18-49, besting runner-up CBS' "60 Minutes"/"Amazing Race XX" by 16% (2.9/8 vs. 2.5/7). In fact, the Disney-owned drama stood as Sunday night's No. 1 TV show in the key young adult sales demo.

· TV's No. 1 new drama this season in Adults 18-49, on average "Once Upon a Time" is improving its time period for ABC by 75% over the same point last season (4.2/10 vs. 2.4/6).

· "Once Upon a Time" posted its best number in 3 weeks with Women 18-49 and earned a 6-week high with Teens 12-17 - since 3/4/12 and 12/12/12, respectively.

"Desperate Housewives" (9:01-10:01 p.m.)

ABC's "Desperate Housewives" (2.6/7) led the 9 o'clock hour in Adults 18-49, outrunning original programming on CBS ("Amazing Race"/"The Good Wife") by 30% (2.0/5) and the first hour of NBC's "Celebrity Apprentice" by 63% (1.6/4).

· Building its Women 18-49 audience week to week (+9%), "Desperate Housewives" equaled an 11-week high - since 1/8/12.

"GCB" (10:01-11:00 p.m.)

For the 3rd week in a row, ABC's "GCB" (2.1/6) registered as the No. 1 series in the 10:00 p.m. hour in Adults 18-49, tying the second hour of NBC's 2-hour "Celebrity Apprentice" (2.1/6) and beating CBS' "The Good Wife"/"CSI: Miami" combo by 5% (2.0/5). Additionally, for the 4th straight week, the new ABC drama earned the No. 1 broadcast position in its slot with Adults 18-34 and key Women (W18-34/W18-49).

· "GCB" grew week to week by 3% in Total Viewers (6.3 million vs. 6.1 million) and by 5% in Adults 18-49 (2.1/6 vs. 2.0/5), while hitting series highs in Adults 18-34 and key Women (W18-34/W18-49).

Source: The Nielsen Company, National, Live+ Same Day Program Ratings, week of 03/19/12.