• by Wayne Friedman , October 2, 2013

Just a little more than one week into the new season, ABC is taking credit for delivering the best upscale viewers -- provided you don’t account for big network prime-time sports programming.

ABC says it easily dominates over its three main rivals -- when looking at non-sports prime-time programming for the first week of the season. ABC earned a 2.8 average 18-49 rating among those making $100,000 a year or more and a 2.9 rating for those making $150,000.

NBC comes next in these rankings -- a 2.4 rating for those in the $100,000+ range and a 2.3 rating (tied with CBS) among those making $150,000 or more.

Including sports programming, however, NBC earns big upscale rating results when its powerful “Sunday Night Football” programming figures into the mix. Similarly, Fox’s upcoming post-season "Major League Baseball" coverage is likely to boost its fortunes with upscale viewers.

CBS has earned a 2.3 rating for those making $100,000 or more with Fox at a 1.9 rating in this category. Fox was at a 1.6 rating for those making $150,000 or more.

Top prime-time non-sports shows include ABC’s “Modern Family," with a 6.8 average rating among 18-49 viewers making $100,000 or more; ABC’s “Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” and CBS’ “The Big Bang Theory” each earned a 6.2 rating. NBC’s “The Voice” was at 4.8 rating for its Monday telecast and a 4.7 number for its Tuesday edition.

CBS’ “How I Met Your Mother” was at a 4.1 rating, while NBC’s new drama “The Blacklist” was at a 4.0. CBS’ “The Crazy Ones” and ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy” each had a 3.9 rating, and ABC’s new comedy “The Goldbergs” came in at 3.6 -- completing the top 10.

A year ago, the networks had similar results. But while ABC was ahead, the other networks were closer. Among $100,000+ income 18-49 viewers, ABC scored a 2.8 and CBS and Fox each earned a 2.4, with NBC at a 2.2.

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