ABC's AMERICAN HOUSEWIFE Is First New Comedy This Season to Build on Lead-in

ABC was up from the same Tuesday last season by 35% in Total Viewers (4.6 million vs. 3.4 million) and by 27% in Adults 18-49 (1.4/5 vs. 1.1/4).

"The Middle" (8:00-8:30 p.m. - 6.7 million and 1.7/7): Moving to Tuesday night at 8:00 p.m. for the first time after airing on Wednesday for 7 seasons, ABC's 8th season premiere of "The Middle" dominated Fox's "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" in the half-hour by 89% in Adults 18-49 (1.7/7 vs. 0.9/3).

"The Middle" was up from its final Wednesday telecast in May by 6% in Adults 18-49 (1.6/6 on 5/18/16) to tie the show's best rating since February - since 2/24/16.

"American Housewife" (8:30-9:00 p.m. - 6.5 million and 1.8/6): Building on its lead-in at 8:30 p.m. (+6%), ABC's series debut of "American Housewife" opened as Tuesday's No. 1 comedy, doubling Fox's "New Girl" head to head in the slot with Adults 18-49 (+100% - 1.8/6 vs. 0.9/3). In fact, "American Housewife" became the first new comedy to build on its lead-in this season (Please Note: ABC's "Speechless" held 100% of its lead-in on its Wednesday debut). In Adults 18-49, the "American Housewife" debut topped all Tuesday programs on both CBS and FOX to rank as the 3rd-highest-rated TV show of the night (tie), behind only NBC's "This is Us" and "The Voice," respectively.

The new comedy delivered ABC's best scripted performance in the half-hour since January 2015 in Total Viewers (6.5 million) and in 1 year among Adults 18-49 - since 1/6/15 and 10/6/15, respectively.

"Fresh Off the Boat" (9:00-9:30 p.m. - 5.0 million and 1.5/5): At 9:00 p.m., ABC's "Fresh Off the Boat" jumped 25% from its May Finale among Adults 18-49 (1.5/5 vs. 1.2/5 on 5/24/16) to deliver its highest rating since last November - since 11/3/15.

"The Real O'Neals" (9:30-10:00 p.m. - 3.8 million and 1.2/4): At 9:30 p.m., ABC's season opener of "The Real O'Neals" scored the series' highest-ever rating on Tuesday night in Adults 18-49 (1.2/4), topping its May finale by 9% (1.1/4 on 5/24/16).

"Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." (10:00-11:00 p.m. - 2.8 million and 0.9/3): At 10:00 p.m., ABC's "Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." returned exactly even after the prior week's preemption for the VP debate with its last telecast two weeks ago in Adults 18-49 (0.9/3).

In its new 10:00 p.m. slot, "S.H.I.E.L.D." is delivering its biggest-ever playback lifts this season. In fact, the ABC drama is broadcast TV's No. 1 percentage gainer this season in the Live + 3 Day ratings, with a 90% SPIKE over its L+SD Adult 18-49 rating (1.0 rating to a 1.9 rating).

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 10/11/16.

Photo credit: ABC/ Eric McCandless

Need more TV Theatre News in your life? Sign up for all the news on the Spring season, discounts & more...