ABC's DANCING WITH THE STARS Premiere is Monday's #1 Broadcast in Total Viewers
By: Caryn Robbins Sep. 15, 2015
ABC Monday Prime (8:00-11:00 p.m. - 10.9 million and 1.9/6 in AD18-49):
With the 21st season premiere of "DWTS" and "#Dancebattle America," ABC was Monday's most-watched TV network (10.9 million) with its biggest audience on the night since May - since 5/11/15. On a night that included the season finales of NBC's "American Ninja Warrior" and Fox's "So You Think You Can Dance," ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" ranked as Monday's No. 1 broadcast in Total Viewers (13.6 million) and Adults 18-49 (2.3/7).
Building from its first hour to its second hour, ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" defeated NBC's "Ninja Warrior" finale in the 2-hour time period by 7.7 million viewers (13.6 million vs. 5.9 million) and by 21% in Adults 18-49 (2.3/7 vs. 1.9/6), ranking as TV's most-watched entertainment series telecast since May - since 5/18/15. In addition from 8:00-10:00 p.m., "Dancing" beat out Fox's season finale of "So You Think You Can Dance" (2.4 million and 0.8/3) by triple digits in Total Viewers (+467%) and Adults 18-49 (+188%). The broad appealing ABC unscripted series also led its broadcast competition in the slot with Adults 18-34, Adults 25-54, Teens 12-17 and Kids 2-11. "DWTS" held steady with its year-ago September premiere (13.5 million and 2.4/7 on 9/15/14) in Total Viewers and Adults 18-49. In addition, "Dancing" built on its Spring 2015 premiere by 10% in Adults 18-49 (2.1/7 on 3/16/15).
From 10:00-11:00 p.m., ABC's "#Dancebattle America" finished second in its hour among the broadcasters with the Net's largest overall audience (5.7 million) and matching its best Adults 18-49 performance (1.1/4) in the time slot in 7 weeks - since 7/27/15. A note about DVR penetration: DVR penetration in the Nielsen sample is currently at 49% in U.S. TV Homes. More viewers are watching shows on their own timetables, which are increasingly not reflected in the overnight Live + Same Day numbers. As a result, the Live + 7 Day ratings are the most accurate measure to gauge the size of the TV audience.
Projections Rationale:
Lifts vs. L+SD are based on the 2014-15 season for premiere telecast or an average 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, 9/14/15.
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