ABC’s “V” Opens Big - #1 New TV Show of the Season

Opposite stiff established original competition in Tuesday’s 8 o’clock hour, including CBS’ top-rated NCIS, NBC’s Biggest Loser and Fox’s So You Think You Can Dance, ABC’s V opened a strong #1 in Adults 18-49, soaring to the top of its slot and leading second-place CBS’ NCIS by 19% (5.0/13 vs. 4.2/11).

In fact despite its early time period with lower overall viewing levels and with no network lead-in, self-starter V stood as Tuesday’s #1 TV program overall in the key young adult sales demo and as the season’s highest-rated new series debut this TV Season. In a good sign for future viewing the new ABC drama generated tune-in throughout its premiere, growing in both Total Viewers (13.8 million to 14.1 million) and Adults 18-49 (4.9/13 to 5.1/13) from its first half-hour to its second half-hour.

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V marked ABC’s strongest performance in the time period among Adults 18-49 in 3 years (any programming) since 11/14/06.

Topping CBS’ spinoff NCIS: LA series debut in September by 14% (5.0/13 vs. 4.4/11 - which had the added advantage of airing out of the season opener of NCIS), V qualifies as the top-rated Tuesday night fall series debut among Adults 18-49 on any network since 2005 and ABC’s highest since 2003 since 9/20/05 and since 9/23/03, respectively.

V opened with the highest Adult 18-49 rating for a regular 8pm drama debut (any net/any night) since ABC’s Lost on 9/22/04.

Quick Take for Tuesday, November 3, 2009 (Fast Affiliate Live + Same Day Ratings)

Growing on the Night for the 4th Straight Week, ABC Draws its Biggest Tuesday Audience in 6 Weeks and Hits a Season High with Adults 18-49

The No. 1 TV Show of the Night in Adults 18-49 and the Top Series Debut of the TV Season, ABC’s “V” Emerges as the Strongest Regular 8pm Opener Since “Lost”

“V” (8:00-9:00 p.m.)

Opposite stiff established original competition in Tuesday’s 8 o’clock hour, including CBS’ top-rated “NCIS,” NBC’s “Biggest Loser” and Fox’s “So You Think You Can Dance,” ABC’s “V” opened a strong No. 1 in Adults 18-49, soaring to the top of its slot and leading second-place CBS’ “NCIS” by 19% (5.0/13 vs. 4.2/11). In fact it was the first time in more than 5 years that an ABC scripted series defeated an original “NCIS” (since 10/5/04). The show won its hour by an even wider margin among Adults 18-34, leading “NCIS” by 28% (4.1/12 vs. 3.2/9). In a good sign for future viewing the new ABC drama generated tune-in throughout its premiere, growing in both Total Viewers (13.8 million to 14.1 million) and Adults 18-49 (4.9/13 to 5.1/13) from its first half-hour to its second half-hour. Self-starter “V” stood as Tuesday’s No. 1 TV show across the key Adult demos (AD18-34/AD18-49/AD25-54).

“V” stands as the TV Seasons’ highest-rated new series debut with Adults 18-49.

“V” marked ABC’s strongest performance in the time period among Adults 18-49 in 3 years (any programming) since 11/14/06. In addition, the new drama produced ABC’s highest non-sports numbers in the hour in 6 years across the key Men demos (M18-34/M18-49/M25-54) since 11/4/03.

Topping CBS’ spinoff “NCIS: LA” series debut in September by 14% (5.0/13 vs. 4.4/11 - which had the added advantage of airing out of the season opener of “NCIS”), “V” qualified as the top-rated Tuesday night fall series debut among Adults 18-49 on any network since 2005 and ABC’s highest since 2003 since 9/20/05 and since 9/23/03, respectively.

“V” opened with the highest Adult 18-49 rating for a regularly slotted 8:00 p.m. drama debut (any net/any night) since ABC’s “Lost” in September 2004 (9/22/04).

Source: ABC Press Release