THE TASTE Up 7% in Viewership Against Olympics

Opposite the final Thursday of the Winter Olympics, ABC's season finale of "The Taste" was up week to week by 7% in Total Viewers (3.2 million vs. 3.0 million), while holding steady in Adults 18-49 (0.9/3). The show was also up 14% in Women 18-34. From its first hour to its second hour, the ABC unscripted series gained 13% among Adults 18-49 (0.8/3 to 0.9/3).

"Scandal-R" (10:00-11:00 p.m. - 2.5 million and 0.7/2 in AD18-49):

At 10:00 p.m., leading up to the show's spring premiere next Thursday (on 02/27/14), ABC's "Scandal" repeat built by 9% in Total Viewers from the prior week (2.5 million vs. 2.3 million).

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 increased to 49% currently, from 47% at the same point in 2013. 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.

Source: The Nielsen Company, Fast Affiliate Live + Same Day Ratings for 02/20/14.