ABC's CMA AWARDS Dominates Wednesday & Surges to 3-Year High

Featuring its broadcast of 51st ANNUAL CMA AWARDS, ABC finished a dominant No. 1 on Wednesday night, winning all 6 half-hours of prime in Total Viewers and Adults 18-49. During primetime, ABC more than doubled its closest competition, leading CBS by 7.8 million viewers (+120% - 14.3 million vs. 6.5 million) and FOX by 113% in Adults 18-49 (3.2/12 vs. 1.5/6). In fact, among Adults 18-49, ABC delivered the highest rating for any network on any night this season with entertainment programming.

ABC's "CMA Awards" qualified as Wednesday's definitive No. 1 TV program, outdistancing runners-up CBS' "Survivor" by 86% with viewers (14.3 million vs. 7.7 million from 8:00-9:00 p.m.) and Fox's "Empire" by 78% with young adults (3.2/12 vs. 1.8/7 from 8:00-9:00 p.m.).

"CMA Awards" grew by double digits year over year with Total Viewers (+14% -14.3 million vs. 12.5 million) and Adults 18-49 (+10% - 3.2/12 vs. 2.9/9), drawing its biggest audience in 3 years - since 2014.

ABC built to Wednesday season highs with its largest overall audience on the night in 3 years and its top Adult 18-49 rating with entertainment programming in 2 years - since 11/5/14 and 11/4/15, respectively.

ABC's "CMA Awards" outdelivered CBS' April airing of the "ACM Awards" by 31% in Total Viewers and by 52% among Adults 18-49 (10.9 million and 2.1/8 on 4/2/17).

Projections Rationale:
Lifts vs. L+SD are based on 2016-17 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 11/8/17.

Photo credit: ABC/Image Group LA

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