Tuesday TV Ratings – 'V' Wins 18-49

ABC's 'V' stole the ratings spotlight yesterday with a win that few could have predicted. Attracting a healthy ~13.9 Million live viewers, V also claimed victory in the fight for largest percentage of viewers between 18 – 49 – the age range that excites potential advertisers. ABC Decided to air V a little early, just in time for November sweeps – a move that will obviously please the bean-counters at the network when it comes time to book advertising for V's March return.

A contentious production cast a shadow over V's early release. Initially scheduled to run mid-season, ABC scheduled an initial pod of four episodes to air in November. There were reports of creative differences behind the scenes and ultimately V production was shut down for a couple of weeks while the network reportedly stepped in to arbitrate – apparently resulting in the addition of Scott Rosenbaum as the new show runner. At the same time the creator of the original V, Kenneth Johnson, was fighting the network for retention of his creator credit on the new series.

All of that icky business seemed to bolster critical claims that the four episode run was equivalent to ABC dipping their toe in the water to decide if they really wanted to swim with these aliens. The overwhelmingly positive reaction to the show, which offers a less complicated brand of classic sci-fi fun and adventure, would seem turn that claim on its head. For the time being, it looks like ABC's early release of V truly was out of excitement for a job well done.