Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2009

'V' caps a strong development season for ABC

NEW YORK -- The strong premiere of ABC's science fiction series "V" is capping an unusually strong development season for the network.

More than 14 million people saw opening week of the Earth-invaders series. The Nielsen Co. says it was the most-watched scripted show among young viewers all week and second only to the "NCIS: Los Angeles" spinoff as the best new series of the season.

Three of ABC's new scripted series finished among the 32 most-watched prime-time shows last week. Besides "V," the others were "Modern Family" and "Flash Forward."

CBS had two of its new series within the top 32, Nielsen said. By contrast, Fox's 'Bones" was its only scripted series - new or returning - in Nielsen's top 32. NBC had none at all.

Diane Sawyer's interview with Rihanna on Friday gave "20/20" its biggest audience among viewers ages 18 to 34 in three years.