Click Here for More Articles on RATINGS WATCH...

SHARK TANK on ABC Wins Key Demo Friday Night

Returning to an all-original lineup on the night for the first time since mid-November opposite the Cotton Bowl on Fox, ABC was the #1 non-sports network on Friday in Adults 18-49, leading CBS' original schedule by 7% and NBC by 25%.

From 8-9pm on their first original airings in 3 weeks against the Cotton Bowl, Last Man Standing and Malibu Country deliverEd Strong audience retention from the first half-hour to the second half-hour in viewers (91%) and young adults (86%).

On its first original telecast in 7 weeks (since 11/16/12) in the hour, ABC's Shark Tank returned as Friday's #1 series in Adults 18-49. Building on its lead-in at 9pm, the ABC unscripted show beat its nearest non-sports competition in The Hour (CBS' CSI: NY) by 29%. Despite facing the college football bowl game, Shark Tank improved its slot for ABC by 13% year over year.

During the 10 o'clock hour, ABC's 20/20 came back after two weeks of preemptions to defeat CBS' Blue Bloods in Adults 18-49 (+8%) and Adults 25-54 (+6%). Anchored by Elizabeth Vargas, 20/20 and PEOPLE magazine teamed up for "Half Their Size," a must-see hour to kick-start any weight-loss program. 20/20 grew over its year-ago telecast in Adults 18-49 (+8%) and Adult 25-54 (+6%), up year to year in the key news demo for its 9th consecutive broadcast.