The alphabet network gives their take on the primetime ratings for week 23, from February 20th through February 26th, 2012.

You can check out our TV ratings pages for these ABC shows to see the week-to-week ratings trends, averages, rankings, and more: 20/20, The Bachelor, Body of Proof, Castle, Cougar Town, Grey’s Anatomy, Happy Endings, Last Man Standing, Modern Family, Primetime, Shark Tank, Suburgatory, The Middle, The River, and Wipeout.

Here’s the ABC press release:

Primetime Ratings Report For the week of February 20, 2012 (Based on National Live + Same Day Program Ratings)

ABC Wins the Week by Strong Margins in Viewers and Young Adults, Generating the Network’s Most-Watched Week in Nearly 2 Years

ABC’s “The Bachelor” Beats Fox’s Monday Dramas in Viewers and Young Adults

Posting 3-Week Highs, “Castle” Widens its Viewer Lead Over NBC’s “Smash” to 49%

Posting Double-Digit Gains, ABC is the Only Net Up on Tuesday Year to Year

Outdrawing Fox’s “New Girl,” ABC’s “Last Man Standing” is Tuesday’s Top Comedy

ABC’s “Cougar Town” Boosts its Slot by a Sharp 31% in Adults 18-49 Year to Year

ABC’s “Body of Proof” Spikes by 25% Week to Week Among Adults 18-49

ABC’s “The Middle” Crushes NBC’s “Whitney” in Viewers and Young Adults

Growing its Half-Hour, ABC’s “Suburgatory” Tops “Survivor” in the 18-34 Demos

“Modern Family” Marks its 2nd-Best-Ever Numbers Opposite “American Idol” And Outperforms “Idol” to Stand as Wednesday’s No. 1 TV Show in Adults 18-34

ABC’s “Happy Endings” Boost its Slot by 9% Year Over Year Among Adults 18-49

ABC’s “Wipeout” Outdraws NBC’s Original Comedy Block by 1.4 Million Viewers, as The ABC Unscripted Series Hits Multi-Week Highs with Key Younger Demographics

More than Doubling its Adult 18-49 Lead-in, ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy” Stands as Thursday’s No. 1 Drama for its 15th Consecutive Original Airing

ABC’s “Shark Tank” Leaps 20% Week to Week in Adults 18-49 to a Series High

The Network More than Doubles its Combined Competition on “Oscar” Sunday

Surging Year to Year by 1.4 Million Viewers and Topping 3 of its Last 4 Telecasts, ABC’s “Academy Awards” Broadcast Draws its 2nd-Biggest Audience Since 2007

ABC’s “Oscar” Sunday Programming Reaches an Estimated 76.0 Million Unique Television Viewers Across the United States

Audience for Network’s “Oscar” Multiplatform Experience Jumps 42% Year to Year, Drawing 10.2 Million Visitors to “Oscar.com” and the “Oscar App”

WEEK No. 23:

During the week of February 20, 2012, ABC finished a strong No. 1, leading its nearest competition by 6% in Total Viewers (10.7 million vs. 10.1 million – CBS) and by 33% in Adults 18-49 (3.2/9 vs. 2.4/6 – Fox). ABC generated its most-watched week in nearly 2 years – since w/o 3/1/10.

· 2012 February Sweep (25 of 28 Nights Live + Same Day): ABC is retaining 100% of its Adult 18-49 number (2.3/6) year to year during the February Sweep. In the 10 o’clock hour on Monday-Friday as a lead-in to affiliates’ late-local news, ABC is up by 10% in Total Viewers (6.9 million vs. 6.3 million) and by 8% in Adults 25-54 (2.6/6 vs. 2.4/6). In fact, ABC is the only net to improve year to year in the hour on either Nielsen measure.

Rankings: ABC’s telecast of the “84th Annual Academy Awards” stood as the week’s No. 1 TV show by huge margins in both viewers and young adults. Among Adults 18-49, ABC claimed 5 of the week’s Top 20 TV programs: “Academy Awards” – No. 1, “Oscar’s Red Carpet Live-3” – No. 2, “Modern Family” – No. 6, “Oscar’s Red Carpet Live-2” – No. 9 and “Grey’s Anatomy” – No. 16. For the 6th time in 7 weeks, ABC aired the No. 1 newsmagazine in Adults 18-49, as “Primetime: What Would You Do?” and “20/20 SP Edition-2/22” tied for the top spot.

Monday

Up against NBC’s “The Voice” and CBS’ original Monday schedule, ABC’s combination of “The Bachelor” and “Castle” once again defeated Fox’s original drama lineup (“House”/”Alcatraz”) during prime in Total Viewers (8.7 million vs. 6.5 million) and Adults 18-49 (2.4/6 vs. 2.1/5). In addition, ABC registered as the No. 2 net on the night with Women 18-34 for the 3rd week running.

· ABC was up over the prior week (8.3 million and 2.3/6 on 02/13/12) in viewers (+5%) and young adults (+4%).

“The Bachelor” (8:00-10:01 p.m.)

Gaining young adult audience from its first to second hour opposite “The Voice” and CBS’ first-run comedy block, ABC’s “The Bachelor” outdelivered Fox’s dramas by double-digit percentages in direct competition from 8:00-10:00 p.m. in Total Viewers (+26% – 8.2 million vs. 6.5 million) and Adults 18-49 (+19% – 2.5/6 vs. 2.1/5). The ABC unscripted series took second in its time slot with its core audience of Women 18-34.

“Castle” (10:01-11:00 p.m.)

Building on its lead-in by 1.5 million viewers in the 10:00 p.m. hour, ABC’s “Castle” (9.7 million) widened its winning advantage over NBC’s “Voice-“fueled “Smash” (6.5 million) to 49% in Total Viewers (up from a 10% advantage the prior week). In addition, despite its decided lead-in advantage coming out of “The Voice,” “Castle” paced within 2-tenths of an Adult 18-49 rating point of tying “Smash” and defeated the NBC drama by 12% in Adults 25-54 (2.9/7 vs. 2.6/6).

· Up week to week by 9% in viewers (9.7 million vs. 8.9 million) and by 5% in young adults (2.1/5 vs. 2.0/5), ABC’s “Castle” posted its best numbers in 3 weeks – since 1/23/12.

· The ABC drama increased its overall audience from the same night last year by 8% (9.0 million on 2/21/11).

Tuesday

With its new Tuesday lineup (“Last Man Standing”/”Cougar Town”/”The River”/”Body of Proof”), ABC grew over the year-ago night for the 2nd week in a row (also an all-original schedule on 2/22/11), surging by double-digit percentages with Total Viewers (+23% – 5.8 million vs. 4.7 million) and Adults 18-49 (+13% – 1.7/5 vs. 1.5/4). In fact, ABC was the only net to post gains over the year-ago night in either Nielsen measure.

· The Network was up week to week by 6% in Adults 18-49.

“Last Man Standing” (8:00-8:30 p.m.)

At 8:00 p.m. against CBS’ “NCIS,” ABC freshman “Last Man Standing” (7.5 million) drew more viewers than Fox’s “Glee” (+4% – 7.2 million) and NBC’s “The Biggest Loser 13” (+15% – 6.5 million).

· ABC self-starter “Last Man Standing” at 8:00 p.m. once again outdrew Fox’s “Glee”-led “New Girl” (6.3 million) at 9:00 p.m. to register as Tuesday’s most-watched comedy, leading by 1.2 million viewers.

“Cougar Town” (8:30-9:00 p.m.)

At 8:30 p.m., “Cougar Town” produced big year-to-year improvement for ABC in the half-hour, boosting its slot by 31% in Adults 18-49 over original programming on the same night last year (1.7/5 vs. 1.3/4 on 2/22/11).

· “Cougar Town” delivered strong retention of its week-earlier season premiere in Total Viewers (94%), Adults 18-49 (94%) and Adults 18-34 (100%), while jumping 11% in Men 18-34.

“The River” (9:00-10:00 p.m.)

Up against stiff competition during the 9 o’clock hour, ABC’s “The River” held 100% of its Adult 18-49 (1.7/4) and Adult 18-34 audiences week to week, and increased its number among Men 18-34 (+11%).

“Body of Proof” (10:00-11:00 p.m.)

Building by 38% on its lead-in at 10:00 p.m., ABC’s “Body of Proof” ran as the 2nd-most-watched TV show overall, topping NBC’s “Parenthood” during the hour by 1.7 million viewers (6.6 million vs. 4.9 million).

· ABC’s “Body of Proof” increased its overall audience by 5% week to week and spiked 25% in Adults 18-49.

Wednesday

Up against Fox with a 2-hour “American Idol,” ABC grew over the year-ago Wednesday for the 3rd week in a row in both Total Viewers (+3% – 6.8 million vs. 6.6 million) and Adults 18-49 (+4% – 2.4/7 vs. 2.3/6). The Net ranked No. 2 to Fox on Wednesday with Adults 18-34, Men 18-34 and Women 18-34.

· ABC’s “Modern Family” outdelivered “American Idol” by a best-ever 26% in Adults 18-34 (4.3/13 vs. 3.4/11) to stand as Wednesday’s No. 1 TV show overall. The ABC comedy was also the night’s No. 1 show with Women 18-34 and key Men (M18-34/M18-49).

“The Middle” (8:00-8:30 p.m.)

At 8:00 p.m. against CBS’ “Survivor: One World” and Fox’s “Idol,” ABC’s “The Middle” dominated its NBC comedy competition (“Whitney”) by 3.4 million viewers (7.5 million vs. 4.1 million) and by 47% in Adults 18-49 (2.2/7 vs. 1.5/4). In addition, the ABC comedy defeated “Survivor” by strong margins in Adults 18-34 (+33%), Men 18-34 (+30%) and Women 18-34 (+36%).

· Surging year to year by 36% in Teens 12-17 (1.9/8 vs. 1.4/5), “The Middle” scored its 2nd-highest-ever number opposite “Idol.”

“Suburgatory” (8:30-9:00 p.m.)

Building on its young adult lead-in (+5%) at 8:30 p.m., ABC’s “Suburgatory” overshadowed its freshman comedy competition in the half-hour, holding huge advantages over NBC’s “Are You There, Chelsea?” in Total Viewers (+100% – 6.8 million vs. 3.4 million) and Adults 18-49 (best-ever +77% – 2.3/6 vs. 1.3/3). For the 2nd straight week, the ABC freshman comedy outran the second half of “Survivor” by double digits across the 18-34 demographics: AD18-34 (+20%), M18-34 (+17%) and W18-34 (+35%).

· “Suburgatory” greatly improved its time period for ABC over the year-ago Wednesday, lifting the slot by 1.1 million viewers and by 28% in Adults 18-49 (5.7 million and 1.8/5 on 2/23/11).

“Modern Family” (9:00-9:31 p.m.)

Wednesday’s No. 1 scripted TV show in Adults 18-49 (4.8/12), ABC’s “Modern Family” more than doubled its lead-in at 9:00 p.m. to dominate its closest scripted competition in the slot by 55% (CBS’ “Criminal Minds” = 3.1/8).

· Jumping over the same night last year by double digits in viewers (+13% – 11.5 million vs. 10.2 million) and young adults (+17% – 4.8/12 vs. 4.1/11), ABC’s “Modern Family” tallied the series’ 2nd-strongest results to date opposite “American Idol” on both Nielsen measures.

“Happy Endings” (9:31-10:00 p.m.)

During the 9:30 p.m. half-hour, ABC’s “Happy Endings” continued to pace as the No. 1 scripted show in its slot with Adults 18-34, Women 18-34 and Men 18-34.

· Boosting its slot year to year, ABC’s “Happy Endings” was up 9% in Adults 18-49 over the Net’s year-ago performance in the half-hour with “Mr. Sunshine” (2.4/6 vs. 2.2/6 on 2/23/11).

Thursday

“Winter Wipeout” (8:00-9:00 p.m.)

At 8:00 p.m. against CBS’ comedies (“The Big Bang Theory”/”Rob”) and Fox’s “American Idol,” ABC’s “Winter Wipeout” once again drew a much larger audience than NBC’s comedies in the hour, leading the “30 Rock”/”Parks and Recreation” combo by 1.4 million viewers (5.0 million vs. 3.6 million). The ABC unscripted series gained viewers (+6% – 4.9 million to 5.2 million) and young adults (+21% – 1.4/4 to 1.7/5) from its first half-hour to its second half-hour.

· ABC’s “Wipeout” earned its best numbers in 3 weeks with Adults 18-34 and Teens 12-17, while hitting a 5-week high with Men 18-34 (tie) and a 6-week high with Kids 2-11 – since 2/2/12, 1/19/12, 1/12/12, respectively.

“Grey’s Anatomy” (9:00-10:02 p.m.)

More than doubling its lead-in (+107%) at 9:00 p.m., ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy” surged to rank No. 1 in its time period among Adults 18-49 (3.1/8 – tied w/CBS’ “Person of Interest”), leading NBC’s comedies (“The Office”/”Up All Night”) by 41% (2.2/6) and Fox’s “Idol”-driven drama “Finder” by 55% (2.0/5). ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy” ranked as Thursday’s No. 1 drama in the key young adult sales demographic for its 15th consecutive first-run airing this season.

· ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy” grew its numbers week to week in Adults 25-54 (+5%) and across all key Women demographics: W18-34 +3%, W18-49 +4% and W25-54 +7%.

“Private Practice” (10:02-11:00 p.m.)

During the 10 o’clock hour, ABC’s “Private Practice” beat CBS’ “The Mentalist” by double digits across key Women demos: W18-34 +28%, W18-49 +21% and W25-54 +10%.

· ABC’s “Private Practice” finished as the No. 1 drama in its hour for its 15th straight original telecast this season among Women 18-34.

Friday

ABC ran in a virtual tie for first place on Friday with CBS in Adults 18-49 (1.5/5 vs. 1.6/5), while leading by 15% over both NBC and Fox (tied – 1.3/4).

· The Net posted solid year-over-year gains, rising over the year-ago Friday (2/25/11) by 9% in Total Viewers (5.1 million vs. 4.7 million) and by 15% in Adults 18-49 (1.5/5 vs. 1.3/4).

“Shark Tank” (8:00-9:00 p.m.)

On just their second head-to-head matchup, as the CBS show dropped sharply (-21%) from its week-ago premiere, ABC’s “Shark Tank” nearly caught CBS’ “Undercover Boss” for No. 1 at 8:00 p.m. in Adults 18-49 (1.8/6 vs. 1.9/6 – pacing within 1-tenth of a rating point and tied in audience share). In addition, ABC’s “Shark Tank” dominated CBS’ “Undercover Boss” across the 18-34 demos: AD18-34 +17%, M18-34 +27% and W18-34 +15%.

· Building week to week in viewers (+4%) and young adults (+20%), “Shark Tank” equaled the series’ highest-ever Adult 18-49 rating for a regular telecast.

· “Shark Tank” continued to deliver enormous improvement for ABC in the hour, leaping over original programming on the same night last year (“Supernanny”) by 51% in Total Viewers (5.9 million vs. 3.9 million) and by 80% in Adults 18-49 (1.8/6 vs. 1.0/3).

“Primetime: What Would You Do?” (9:00-10:00 p.m.)

During the 9 o’clock hour, ABC’s “Primetime: What Would You Do?” finished a strong second on the broadcast networks in Adults 18-49 (1.4/4), while ranking No. 1 against its net rivals with Adults 18-34 and key Women (W18-34/W18-49).

· The ABC newsmagazine was up over its year-ago telecast in the hour among Adults 18-49 (+8% – 1.4/4 vs. 1.3/4) and Adults 25-54 (+13% – 1.8/5 vs. 1.6/4).

Sunday

With coverage of the “84th Annual Academy Awards,” ABC more than doubled its combined network competition on Sunday evening. During primetime, ABC outdrew the other networks combined by 17.6 million viewers (31.4 million vs. 13.8 million – CBS, NBC and Fox) and by 114% in Adults 18-49 (9.0/22 vs. 4.2/9).

· The Net produced its biggest Sunday night audience since March 2010 – since 3/7/10.

“Oscar’s Red Carpet Live” (8:00 – 8:30 p.m.)

With the “Oscar’s Red Carpet Live” pre-show, ABC built sharply in each half-hour from 7:00-8:30 p.m., pulling in 24.1 million viewers during its final half-hour as a lead-in to the “Academy Awards.”

The “84th Annual Academy Awards” (8:30-11:24 p.m.)

ABC’s broadcast of the “84th Annual Academy Awards” attracted an average audience of 39.3 million Total Viewers and posted an 11.7 rating, 27 share among Adults 18-49. The 2012 “Oscars” stand as ABC’s most-watched telecast in 2 years – since 3/7/10.

· Surging year to year by 1.4 million viewers (39.3 million vs. 37.9 million) and outdrawing 3 of its last 4 telecasts, the “Academy Awards” attracted its 2nd-largest audience since 2007 – since 2/25/07. In addition, the “Oscar” telecast retained nearly all of its year-ago Adult 18-49 number (99% – 11.7/27 vs. 11.8/30), while growing year to year with Adults 25-54 (+3% – 13.8/29 vs. 13.4/31), Women 18-49 (+1% – 14.1/31 vs. 13.9/34) and Women 25-54 (+7% – 16.6/33 vs. 15.5/35).

· With the “Oscar’s Red Carpet Live” pre-show, the “Academy Awards” telecast and “Jimmy Kimmel Live: After the Academy Awards,” ABC’s “Oscar” programming on Sunday reached an estimated 76.0 million unique television viewers across the U.S. – unduplicated Viewers 2+ watching 6-minutes or more during the broadcast.

· Across TV and digital platforms, audiences consumed 8.9 billion minutes of ABC’s “Academy Awards”-themed programming on “Oscar” Sunday – cumulative number of minutes viewed across platforms of ABC’s “Oscar” programming on February 26, 2012.

Online: “Oscar.com” and “Oscar App”

· “Oscar.com” and the “Oscar App” experienced tremendous year-over-year growth. The number of visitors to “Oscar.com” since the nomination announcement (10.2 million) surged 42% over 2011, and the “Oscar App” was downloaded 370,000 times, an incredible 1154% jump over 2011. On “Oscar” Sunday alone, 4 million people visited “Oscar.com” or used an “Oscar App.”

Source: The Nielsen Company, National, Live+ Same Day Program Ratings, week of 02/20/12.