ABC's 'Grey's Anatomy' and 'Scandal' Return Up with 'Scandal' at New Series Highs

via press release:

ABC Marks its Top Regular Thursday in Over 3 Months in Viewers and Young Adults

“Grey’s Anatomy” Returns Up from its Winter Finale with its Best Results in 2 Months

Earning its Best-Ever Lead-In Retention, “Scandal” Wins at 10pm in Adults 18-49

For its 3rd Straight Original and Achieves New Series Highs Across the Board

Thursday Night (8:00-11:00 p.m.)

ABC earned a strong second place on Thursday, beating NBC on the night by 100% in Total Viewers (7.8 million vs. 3.9 million) and by 60% in Adults 18-49 (2.4/7 vs. 1.5/4).   The Net was up over its last all-original Thursday 4 weeks ago by 15% in Total Viewers and by 14% in Adults 18-49, hitting its top numbers on the night with regular programming in over 3 months – since 10/4/12.

“Grey’s Anatomy” (9:00-10:00 p.m.)

More than doubling its Adult 18-49 lead-in at 9:00 p.m. (+158%), ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy” was up over its winter finale on 12/13/12 by 7% (3.1/8 vs. 2.9/8) to match its highest rating in 2 months - since 11/15/12. In addition the show gained 12% in Total Viewers (9.2 million vs. 8.2 million) over its last original to draw its biggest audience since early November - since 11/8/12.

“Scandal” (10:00-11:00 p.m.)

Continuing to deliver its best-ever lead-in retention out of an original “Grey’s” (90%), ABC’s “Scandal” dominated CBS’ “Elementary” in Adults 18-49 (+17% - 2.8/8 vs. 2.4/7) to finish as the No. 1 program in Thursday’s 10:00 p.m. hour for its 3rd straight original broadcast. Surging over its winter finale on 12/13/12 in Total Viewers (+18% - 8.4 million vs. 7.1 million) and Adults 18-49 (+17% - 2.8/8 vs. 2.4/7), “Scandal” delivered new series highs across the board, including viewers and all key Adult demos (AD18-34/AD18-49/AD25-54).  Furthermore, the ABC sophomore drama improved by double digits over an original “Private Practice” in the hour on the year-ago night (6.5 million and 2.3/6 on 01/12/12) in viewers (+29%) and young adults (+22%).

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 47% currently, from 43% at the same point in 2012. 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, 01/10/13.