ABC Sees Record Memorial Day Viewership With "Bachelorette," "True Beauty"

Burbank, CA, United States (AHN) – ABC has reason to celebrate following their most recent holiday ratings.

The network received its highest Memorial Day viewership in total viewers and adults 18 to 49 since 2006. Beginning with the prime time juggernaut “The Bachelorette,” which led the night in the women’s demographics of ages 18 to 34 and 18 to 49, the programming block saw a total 6.9 million overall viewers — the second best of the night — and a 2.3/7 score for adults 18 to 49.

The second episode of the season for “The Bachelorette” garnered greater numbers than last year’s Memorial Day-aired episode up 1.6 million viewers to a total 7.6 million. The episode also won the top ranking for the time slot of 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. for the second consecutive week.

However, the nights ratings were not entirely derived from “The Bachelorette.” The second season premiere of the reality show “True Beauty” followed, earning 5.4 million total viewers, up considerably from the previous year’s entry in the time slot, “Here Come the Newlyweds,” which saw 4.9 million people tune in.

The episode also claimed the second spot of the night with adults 18 to 49, a score of 2.1/6, and was number one with women of all demographics, 18 to 34, 18 to 49, and 25 to 54.

Executive produced by Tyra Banks and Ashton Kutcher, “True Beauty” picks up from the first season as contestants who consider themselves to be beautiful are judged by the celebrity panel of Beth Stern, Vanessa Minnillo and Carson Kressley on their inner beauty instead of based purely on their outer beauty. The season premiere saw the elimination of the first contestant, real estate agent JD Scott, who lost because of his failure to pass a test of character.

After eight weeks of competition, the show’s winner will receive a prize of $100,000 and a feature article in People.

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