ABC's New Summer Offerings Get Off To Solid Start

Analysts were quick to note, however, that this year the network has taken a decidedly unusual path in mostly relying on reality programming. The first of those new series started on Tuesday night with a two-hour premiere.

The Anthony Anderson hosted re-boot of the long-running game show "To Tell The Truth" started off with a double-shot of episodes. "Truth's" 9 p.m. EST showing garnered 5.2 million viewers and a 1.0 rating in the 18–49 demo. Yet, in a encouraging turn the show's second episode at 10 p.m. EST (where it will air every week), retained its entire viewership and earned a higher demo rating of 1.2.

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Meanwhile, its long-on-the-bench comedy "Uncle Buck" came on strong to kick off the night with a 5.2 million viewers and a 1.5 demo rating. Those numbers are good enough to give the TV adaptation of the John Candy classic comedy the best demo debut for a summertime comedy series in seven years. Even more impressive was it marked the highest audience for the debut of a summertime comedy in series in nine years. This comes after being poorly received by critics.

The entire night gave ABC a second place finish for the night; behind NBC (Comcast Corporation CMCSA)'s summer smash "America's Got Talent" which itself posted week-to-week gains.