'Whiskey Cavalier' opens to ABC's top audience in slot since September

Pilot draws 8.2 million viewers across 2 telecasts

ABC’s “Whiskey Cavalier” drew 4.1 million and 0.7/3 in adults 18-49 for its timeslot premiere.

Building on its lead-in by 1.2 million viewers at 10 p.m. Wednesday, the repeat premiere of the “Whiskey Cavalier” pilot moved ABC up into second place in the hour, dominating the second hour of CBS’ two-hour “The World’s Best” by 58 percent in total viewers (4.1 million vs. 2.6 million) and by 75 percent in adults 18-49 (0.7/3 vs. 0.4/2).

“Whiskey Cavalier” greatly improved its time period in total viewers (up 105 percent) and adults 18-49 (75 percent) over the week-earlier “Match Game” finale, generating ABC’s largest series audience in the hour since September – and the net’s top adult 18-49 number since mid-December. The new ABC drama also improved its hour year to year, topping the year-ago return of “Designated Survivor” on the night (3.7 million and 0.6/3) by 11 percent in total viewers and by 17 percent in adults 18-49.

Combined with its “Oscar”-night 11:57 p.m. “sneak peek” (4.1 million and 0.8 rating), ABC’s “Whiskey Cavalier” pilot has drawn an audience of 8.2 million viewers and a 1.5 rating among adults 18-49 in the live + same day numbers.

Source: The Nielsen Company, Fast Affiliate Live + Same Day Ratings for Feb. 27, 2019.