ABC Earns a Solid Second on Tuesday with Viewers and Young Adults, While Ranking No. 1 in Key Women Demos

"Opportunity Knocks" (8:00-9:00 p.m.)
Building audience opposite established series in the 8 o'clock hour, including Fox's "House," NBC's "Biggest Loser" and CBS' "NCIS," ABC's premiere of "Opportunity Knocks" grew by 1.3 million viewers (6.0 million to 7.3 million) and 31% in Adults 18-49 (1.6/5 to 2.1/6) from start to finish. 

"Dancing with the Stars" (9:00-11:00 p.m.)
On the 2nd evening of its 3-night live premiere event, "Dancing with the Stars" finished a definitive No. 1 in its 2-hour time period, outpacing its nearest competition by 4.7 million viewers (18.2 vs. 13.5 million - CBS' "Mentalist"/"Without a Trace") and by 12% in Adults 18-49 (4.7/12 vs. 4.2/10 - Fox's "Fringe" from 9:00-10:00 p.m.). It was the second night in a row that "DWTS" won its time slot on both Nielsen measures. Comedian Jeffrey Ross was the first celebrity eliminated. Surging from its lead-in to win its first hour from 9:00-10:00 p.m., "DWTS" beat Fox's "House"-boosted "Fringe" and CBS' debut of "The Mentalist." Building audience at 10:00 p.m., "DWTS" bested the competition in the hour, including season premieres of NBC's "Law & Order: SVU" and CBS' "Without a Trace." 

* "DWTS" qualified as the most-watched TV show on Tuesday (and for the second consecutive night) and finished as the night's No. 2 program in Adults 18-49, behind only Fox's "House." It was also Tuesday's highest rated show with Adults 25-54 (6.0/14) and Women 18-49 (8.1/18). 
 
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 more than 27% currently, from 19% at the same point in 2007. 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: Nielsen Media Research (Fast Affiliate, Live + Same Day Ratings), 9/23/08.