ABC's GREATEST HITS Spikes 40% Over Its Week-Ago Debut in Adults 18-34

ABC Thursday Prime (8:00-11:00 p.m. - 3.5 million and 0.9/4 in AD18-49): Featuring "BattleBots," "Greatest Hits" and a repeat "Match Game," ABC took second on Thursday night in Total Viewers (3.5 million) and Adults 18-49 (0.9/4).

"BattleBots" (8:00-9:00 p.m. - 3.5 million and 0.9/4 in AD18-49): From 8:00-9:00 p.m., ABC's "BattleBots" held even in Adults 18-49 (0.9/4) and grew week to week by 17% in Adults 18-34 to a season high. The broad appealing unscripted show made ABC the No. 1 broadcast net in the hour with Adults 18-34 (tie), Men 18-34, Teens 12-17 and Kids 2-11 (tie).

"BattleBots" continued to improve its hour year to year, topping original programming on the same night last year by 13% in Adults 18-49 ("Astronaut Wives Club" on 7/9/15 = 0.8/3).

"Greatest Hits" (9:00-10:00 p.m. - 3.7 million and 1.0/4 in AD18-49): Improving on its lead-in by 11% in Adults 18-49 at 9:00 p.m. against CBS' "Big Brother," ABC's "Greatest Hits" (1.0/4) defeated its freshman unscripted competition in the hour by 11% on NBC ("Spartan: Ultimate Team Challenge" = 0.9/3) and once again doubled it on FOX (+100% over "Home Free" = 0.5/2). The new show held steady with its week-ago premiere in Adults 18-49 (1.0/4 vs. 1.1/4) and shot up from its debut by 40% in Adults 18-34 for ABC's top summertime delivery with regular programming in the hour in over 2 years - since 6/19/14.

"Greatest Hits" was also up from original programming in the hour on the year-ago night by 25% in Adults 18-49 ("Mistresses" on 7/9/15 = 0.8/3).

"Match Game-R" (10:00-11:00 p.m. - 3.3 million and 0.8/3 in AD18-49):
At 10:00 p.m., a repeat of Sunday's "Match Game" telecast won the 10 o'clock hour for the 2nd week in a row with Adults 18-49, beating NBC's first-run "Aquarius" by 60% (0.8/3 vs. 0.5/2).

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.

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 Nielsen measure to gauge the size of the TV audience.

Source: The Nielsen Company, Fast Affiliate Live + Same Day Ratings for 7/7/16, unless otherwise specified.

Photo credit: ABC/Byron Cohen

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