ABC's DANCING WITH THE STARS Finale Drives the Network to New Tuesday Season Highs

ABC Tuesday Prime (8:00-11:00 p.m. - 9.4 million viewers and 1.7/6 in AD18-49): Boosted by the 23rd season finale of "Dancing with the Stars," ABC ranked a strong No. 2 on Tuesday in Total Viewers (9.4 million) to CBS and in Adults 18-49, coming within 2-tenths of NBC (1.7/6 vs. 1.9/7). The network jumped to new Tuesday season highs in viewers and young adults.

From 8:00-9:00 p.m., ABC delivered Tuesday's Top 2 comedies with "The Middle" (1.6/6) and "American Housewife" (1.4/5), dominating Fox's "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" (0.9/3) and "New Girl" (0.8/3) by 78% and 75% at 8:00 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., respectively, in Adults 18-49. With both comedies growing for the 2nd week in Total Viewers, "The Middle" (6.8 million) marked its most watched telecast this season, and "American Housewife" (6.1 million) drew its largest audience since its series debut at the beginning of October (since 10/11/16).

Jumping over its lead-in at 9:00 p.m., the 23rd season finale of "Dancing with the Stars" delivered 10.9 million viewers and a 1.8/6 in Adults 18-49 to the 2-hour time period. Building from its first hour to its second hour, "Dancing" won the 10 o'clock hour in Total Viewers and Adults 18-49. In fact in its final half-hour from 10:30-11:00 p.m., as Laurie Hernandez won the coveted Mirrorball Trophy, "Dancing" surged to 11.4 million viewers. "DWTS" was up from its season 22 finale (on 5/24/16) in Total Viewers (+4% - 10.9 million vs. 10.5 million) and Adults 18-49 (+13% - 1.8/6 vs. 1.6/5).

Projections Rationale:
Lifts vs. L+SD are based on 2015-16 season averages 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 11/22/16.

Photo credit: ABC/ Eric McCandless