ABC Release:
Quick Take for Tuesday, September 24, 2002 (Based on Fast Affiliate Ratings)
ABC Pulls in Strong Demos on the First Tuesday of the Season,
Notching its Highest Ratings in 8 Months in Men 18-49 and Adults 25-54
“8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter” Wins its Time Slot
And Improves the Half-hour for ABC in Viewers and Young Adults
“NYPD Blue” Opens its Season as the No. 1 Young Adult Drama on Tuesday Night,
Winning its Time Period and Giving ABC its Best Demo Ratings in Nearly 1 Year
Tuesday (8:00-11:00 p.m.)
With each of the networks rolling out new programming on the night, ABC earned solid demographic
numbers on the first official Tuesday of the 2002-03 TV Season. ABC captured second place in the key
Adult 18-49 category (4.3/11) and won the night in Men 18-49 (4.1/11) and Men 25-54 (4.9/12).
· ABC posted its highest Tuesday night ratings in 8 months among Men 18-49 (4.1/11) and Adults 25-
54 (5.2/12) – since 1/15/02.
“8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter” (8:00-8:30 p.m.)
“8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter” won its time period, beating second-place Fox’s
“That 70’s Show” by 9% in Adults 18-49 (4.8/14 vs. 4.4/13). “8 Simple Rules” defeated NBC’s series
debut of “In-Laws” by 50% in the key demo (3.2/9).
· Compared to 8:00-8:30 p.m. time period performance of the “Dharma & Greg” season premiere last
year (9/25/01), “8 Simple Rules” improved the time period for ABC by 13% in Total Viewers (12.4
million vs. 11.0 million) and 9% in Adults 18-49 (4.8/14 vs. 4.4/13).
“Life With Bonnie” (8:30-9:00 p.m.)
“Life With Bonnie” delivered a very close second-place finish in its half-hour among Adults 18-49
(4.3/12), in a virtual tie for first with NBC’s second episode of “In-Laws” (4.4/12). “In-Laws” was likely
boosted by pre-tuning for the season opener of “Frasier” at 9:00 p.m. “Life With Bonnie” retained a solid
90% of its young adult lead-in. Note: “Life with Bonnie” moves to its regular 9:00 p.m. time period
next Tuesday.
“NYPD Blue” (10:00-11:00 p.m.)
“NYPD Blue” debuted as the No. 1 drama on Tuesday among Adults 18-49 (5.2/14), besting the other
dramas on the night substantial margins (“JAG” – 3.9/11, “The Guardian” – 3.7/9 and “Presidio Med” –
4.1/11). “Blue” led its hour in Adults 18-49 beating NBC’s “Dateline” by 24% (4.2/11) and CBS’ bow of
“Presidio Med” by 27% (4.1/11). “NYPD Blue” also won its time period among Total Viewers (13.0
million), Adults 18-34 (3.6/11) and Adults 25-54 (6.5/15).
· “NYPD Blue” produced ABC’s best delivery in the time period in nearly 1 year among Adults 18-34,
Adults 18-49 and Adults 25-54 – since 11/6/01.
· “NYPD Blue” built on its lead-in and gained audience during the course of its telecast. From start to
finish, “Blue” increased its delivery among Total Viewers (12.8 million to 13.2 million) and Adults
18-49, where it increased by 2 shares (5.2/13 to 5.3/15). Blue built on its lead-in (8.1 million &
3.2/8) by nearly 5 million viewers and by 63% in Adults 18-49.
Source: Nielsen Media Research (Fast Affiliate Ratings) 9/24/02.
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