ABC's Winter Finale of NASHVILLE is Show's Most-Watched Episode in November

With its Wednesday lineup, including a repeat "Modern Family," ABC beat out NBC's all original schedule on the night by wide margins in Total Viewers (+19% - 6.8 million vs. 5.7 million) and Adults 18-49 (+38% - 2.2/6 vs. 1.6/4).

"The Middle" (8:00-8:30 p.m.)
On its first telecast in 3 weeks after preemptions for holiday programming, ABC's "The Middle" returned to dominate NBC's "Whitney" in the 8:00 p.m. half-hour, leading by 4.1 million viewers (8.0 million vs. 3.9 million) and by 77% in Adults 18-49 (2.3/7 vs. 1.3/4). In addition, it was the 2nd-most-watched TV show in the slot, outdrawing Fox's "The X Factor."

"The Neighbors" (8:30-9:00 p.m.)
At 8:30 p.m. in its first airing in 3 weeks, ABC's "The Neighbors" towered over its freshman comedy competition, outdelivering NBC's "Guys with Kids" by 78% in Total Viewers (6.4 million vs. 3.6 million) and by 36% in Adults 18-49 (1.9/5 vs. 1.4/4).

- The ABC freshman comedy held all of its Adult 18-49 delivery from 3 weeks ago and spiked in Adults 18-34 (+17%) and Men 18-34 (+43%).

"Modern Family" (9:00-9:31 p.m.)
At 9:00 p.m., ABC's "Modern Family" scored its 3rd-highest-rated-ever repeat telecast in Adults 18-49 (2.9/8), tying for the lead in its half-hour with original competition in the key young adult sales demo.

"Suburgatory" (9:31-10:00 p.m.)
In the 9:30 p.m. half-hour, ABC's "Suburgatory" beat out NBC's original "L&O: SVU" by 29% in Adults 18-49 (2.2/6 vs. 1.7/4). In addition among Adults 18-34, the ABC comedy defeated CBS' "Criminal Minds" by 6% and "L&O: SVU" by 42%.

"Nashville" (10:00-11:00 p.m.)
During the 10 o'clock hour, ABC's winter finale of "Nashville" beat out CBS' "Grammy Nomination Concert" by double digits in Total Viewers (+11% - 6.0 million vs. 5.4 million) and Adults 18-49 (+27% - 1.9/5 vs. 1.5/4). In addition, the ABC drama led its CBS and NBC competition in Adults 18-34 and key Women (W18-34/W18-49).

- Building week to week in Total Viewers (+5%) and Adults 18-49 (+6%), "Nashville" marked its strongest results since the beginning of November - since 11/7/12.

- "Nashville" continues to post huge increases from its L+SD to L+7 numbers, spiking 62% in Adults 18-49 (+1.3 rating) and 45% in Total Viewers (+3.04 million), making it the biggest percentage young adult gainer for any new show this season, ahead of NBC's "Revolution."

A note about increasing DVR penetration and year-to-year rating comparisons: Year-to-year rating comparisons based on the Live + Same Day data stream are distorted by the level of DVR penetration in the Nielsen sample, which has jumped up to 46% currently, from 43% at the same point in 2011. More viewers are watching shows on their own timetables, which may not be reflected in the overnight next day numbers. The only truly valid year-to-year comparison would be one based on the Live + 7 Day metric, once those stats are released by Nielsen.

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