ABC's 2014 MISS AMERICA Delivers Best Numbers Since 2004

Opposite strong competition from NBC's Sunday Night Football (Seattle vs. San Francisco) and CBS' NFL overrun-boosted lineup, ABC's Sunday 9-11pm broadcast of The 2014 Miss America Competition surged over its most recent telecast in Total Viewers (+18% - 4th straight year of viewer growth) and Adults 18-49 (+19%) to deliver the program's best numbers since 2004. ABC was the #1 non-sports network in the time period. Building steadily throughout its 2-hour telecast, the numbers for The Miss America Competition grew by 3.0 million viewers and by 53% in young adults from its first half-hour to its final half-hour. During its final half-hour from 10:30-11pm, as Miss New York Nina Davuluri was crowned, The Miss America Competition drew 9.8 million viewers and a 2.3 rating, 6 share with young adults. In Total Viewers and Adults 18-49, ABC earned its strongest entertainment numbers in the time slot in 4 months - since 5/19/13.

Quick Take for Sunday, September 15, 2013 (Fast Affiliate Live + Same Day Ratings)

ABC's "20/20 - Pageant Confidential" Earns Strong Gains Over its Last Airing

ABC's "Miss America Competition" Surges to its Highest Numbers Since 2004

"20/20 - Pageant Confidential: The Road to Miss America" (8:00-9:00 p.m.)

During the 8 o'clock hour, "20/20 - Pageant Confidential: The Road to Miss America" earned strong increases with Total Viewers (+40% - 4.2 million vs. 3.0 million) and Adults 18-49 (+50% - 0.9/2 vs. 0.6/2) over the special's most recent airing (on 01/12/13) leading into the competition.

"The 2014 Miss America Competition" (9:00-11:00 p.m.)

Opposite strong competition from NBC's "Sunday Night Football" (Seattle vs. San Francisco) and CBS' NFL overrun-inflated lineup, ABC's Sunday 9:00-11:00 p.m. broadcast of "The 2014 Miss America Competition" surged over its most recent telecast in Total Viewers (+18% - 8.4 million vs. 7.1 million) and Adults 18-49 (+19% - 1.9/5 vs. 1.6/4) to deliver the program's best numbers since 2004. Hosted by ABC's Chris Harrison and Lara Spencer, "Miss America" recorded its 4th straight year of viewership gains. ABC was the No. 1 non-sports network in the time period with viewers and young adults.

· Building steadily throughout its 2-hour telecast, the numbers for "The 2014 Miss America Competition" grew by 3.0 million viewers and by 53% in young adults from its first half-hour to its final half-hour. During its final half-hour from 10:30-11:00 p.m., as Miss New York Nina Davuluri was crowned, "The Miss America Competition" drew 9.8 million viewers and a 2.3 rating, 6 share with young adults.

· In Total Viewers and Adults 18-49, ABC earned its strongest entertainment numbers in the time slot in 4 months - since 5/19/13.

A note about increasing DVR penetration and year-to-year rating comparisons: Year-to-year rating comparisons based on the Live + Same Day data stream are distorted by the level of DVR penetration in the Nielsen sample, which has jumped up to 48% currently, from 45% at the same point in 2011. More viewers are watching shows on their own timetables, which may not be reflected in the overnight next day numbers. The only truly valid year-to-year comparison would be one based on the Live + 7 Day metric, once those stats are released by Nielsen.

Source: The Nielsen Company, Fast Affiliate Live + Same Day Ratings, 09/15/13.

Photo credit: ABC/Ida Mae Astute