ABC's TGIT Returns With Double Digit Gains for Each Drama in Adults 18-49

ABC's TGIT lineup returned strong after a 2-month break with all 3 dramas up by double-digit percentages from where they left off among Adults 18-49 in November (since 11/16/17). ABC nearly caught a "Big Bang"-led CBS for No. 1 among Adults 18-49 (1.5/6 vs. 1.7/7), while beating all-original schedules on FOX by 36% ("The Four" = 1.1/4) and NBC by 50% (1.0/4). Topping CBS' "The Big Bang Theory" on the night with Adults 18-34 and key Women (W18-34/W18-49), ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" came back as Thursday's No. 1 TV show and helped ABC win Thursday prime on all 3 Nielsen measures.

In viewers (5.7 million) and young adults (1.5/6), ABC scored 15-week Thursday night highs - since 10/5/17.

At 8:00 p.m., ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" returned up from its last telecast in November with Total Viewers (+9% - 8.2 million vs. 7.5 million) and Adults 18-49 (+22% - 2.2/9 vs. 1.8/7), marking its most watched telecast in nearly 1 year and a best-since-premiere young adult number - since 2/9/17 and 9/28/17, respectively.

At 9:00 p.m., ABC's "Scandal" built over its last airing in Total Viewers (+4% - 5.2 million vs. 5.0 million) and Adults 18-49 (+18% - 1.3/5 vs. 1.1/4), scoring best-since-premiere results - since 10/5/17.

At 10:00 p.m., ABC's "How to Get Away with Murder" came back with gains over its most recent broadcast in Total Viewers (+3% - 3.8 million vs. 3.7 million) and Adults 18-49 (+11% - 1.0/4 vs. 0.9/4), posting its best numbers since mid-October - since 10/12/17. "HTGAWM" tied for No. 1 in its hour among Adults 18-49 with drama competition on CBS ("S.W.A.T." = 1.0/4) and NBC ("Chicago Fire" = 1.0/4) and is projected to straight out win the slot once TV Playback is included. In fact, "HTGAWM" is the season's 2nd biggest gainer on broadcast TV in L+7 Playback in Adults 18-49 (behind only ABC's "Designated Survivor"), more than doubling its L+SD rating with a +122% lift.

Projections Rationale:
Lifts vs. L+SD are based on 2017-18 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 1/18/18.

Photo credit: ABC/Richard Cartwright

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