IT'S THE GREAT PUMPKIN CHARLIE BROWN on ABC Draws Its Biggest Crowd in 4 Years

ABC Wednesday Prime (8:00-11:00 p.m. - 8.6 million and 2.5/8 in AD18-49):
Based on the preliminary Fast Affiliate ratings for primetime on the night of the final presidential debate, ABC was the lead broadcaster on Wednesday in Adults 18-49 (2.5/8), with a 14% advantage over runner-up NBC (2.2/7). Airing from 8:00-9:00 p.m., ABC's encore animated Halloween specials ("It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown"/"Toy Story of Terror!") finished as the Top 2 entertainment programs on Wednesday in Adults 18-49.

Starting out at 8:00 p.m. against first-run programming (CBS' "Survivor"/NBC's "Blindspot"/Fox's "Lethal Weapon"), the 50th Anniversary airing of "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" won its half-hour to stand as the No. 1 entertainment program on Wednesday in Adults 18-49 (2.2/8). The PEANUTS' special was up over its year-ago telecast (on Tuesday, 10/20/15) by 1.7 million viewers (7.7 million vs. 6.0 million) and by 10% in Adults 18-49 (2.2/8 vs. 2.0/7), drawing the special's largest audience in 4 years - since 10/31/12.

At 8:30 p.m., ABC's repeat special "Toy Story of Terror!" ranked No. 1 among Adults 18-49 (2.0/7), matching the second half-hour of CBS' "Survivor" to finish as the No. 2 entertainment program of the night. "Toy Story of Terror!" spiked from its year-ago telecast (on Tuesday, 10/20/15) by 34% in Total Viewers (6.7 million vs. 5.0 million) and by 25% in Adults 18-49 (2.0/7 vs. 1.6/5) to score the special's best numbers since its initial debut broadcast 3 years ago - since 10/16/13.

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 10/19/16.

Photo credit: ABC

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