Ladies Week on ABC: Walters, Couric, Sawyer Carry Primetime Specials

By Chris Ariens 

The ABCDivas are out in full force. Almost a third of ABC’s primetime programming this week will be fronted by Barbara Walters, Katie Couric and Diane Sawyer.

Walters had her year-end special Wednesday night which expanded to 90 minutes for the first time. Last night Couric fronted “The Year” a 2-hour special looking back at the year’s big stories. And tonight, Sawyer anchors a special “20/20” on maternal mortality called “Making Life: A Risky Proposition.” Sawyer and a team of ABC correspondents set out to answer the question “Why are so many women dying during pregnancy and childbirth?”

Walters’ “Most Fascinating People” special drew 8.34 million Total Viewers and a 2.3 rating in the A18-49 demo. That’s down compared to last year’s 3.2 rating in A18-49 but last year’s special aired on Thurs., Dec. 9 following an hour-long Walters special on Oprah Winfrey.

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Couric’s 2-hour special drew 5.54 million Total Viewers, good enough for second place behind CBS which drew more than double the audience. “The Year” had a 1.5 rating in the A18-49 demo.

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