Prime-Time Metered Market Monday Ratings: ABC Dominates Despite World Series on Fox
Ratings Box: What's Hot/What's Not
On the Air Tonight: Prime-Time Programming Options
TV Tidbits: Notes of Interest
TV Trivia Time: Let’s Talk _______________________________________________________________________
Prime-Time Metered Market Monday Ratings: ABC Dominates Despite World Series on Fox
Monday 10/27/08
HH Rtg/Shr ABC 9.4/14 Fox 8.7/13 CBS 6.3/ 9 NBC 4.3/ 6 CW 2.2/ 3
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-Percent Change From the Year-Ago Evening (Monday, October 29, 2007): Fox: +149, CW: + 5, ABC: -13, CBS and NBC: -19 each (Fox is compared to repeats of House and K-Ville)
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Note: The fast national results for Monday will be posted at PIFeedback.com by 12 p.m. ET. Go to the website, click on Ratings Box (the first category), then Last Night’s Results, and Monday, October 27, 2008.
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-Yesterday’s Winners: Dancing With the Stars (ABC), Two and a Half Men R (CBS)
-Fading Fast: Heroes (NBC)
-No Home Run This Year: The ongoing World Series on Fox
-Yesterday’s Losers (excluding repeats): Chuck (NBC), Samantha Who? (ABC), My Own Worst Enemy (NBC), Boston Legal (ABC)
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-Ratings Breakdown: ABC opened the week on a typically winning note, beating game five of The World Series on Fox by an average of seven-tenths of a rating point in the overnights. But all is not perfect on ABC Monday. A 90-minute edition of Dancing With the Stars kicked-off the evening with a rock-solid 12.5 rating/18 share from 8-9:30 p.m., building in every half-hour as follows:
Dancing With the Stars (ABC) 8:00 p.m. 11.7/18 (#1) 8:30 p.m. 12.5/18 (#1) 9:00 p.m. 13.2/19 (#1)
But lead-out Samantha Who? dipped to a second-place 7.7/11 at 9:30 p.m. (a hefty 42 percent below the 9 p.m. portion of Dancing With the Stars), followed by Boston Legal at a third-place 5.8/ 9 at 10 p.m. Although Boston Legal will be concluding this season, Samantha Who? is completely squandering its potent lead-in support.
As for Dancing With the Stars, Julianne Hough will be temporarily exiting the dance competition due to surgery today to remove her appendix (as a result of endometriosis). Partner Cody Linley will be paired with Edyta Sliwinska (Mr. TV’s favorite!) until she returns. In terms of who should be leaving tonight, if it is not Cloris Leachman we can officially refer to her as the “Sanjaya” of Dancing With the Stars.
Philadelphia versus Tampa Bay on Game five of The World Series on Fox averaged an approximate 9.4/14 in the overnights for the prime-time portion from 8:30-11 p.m., with the half-hour breakdown as follows:
The half-hour pre-game was third in the 8 p.m. half-hour with a 5.1/ 8. Considering this is The World Series, the results could certainly be better.
CBS ducked behind baseball with a night of repeats. The Big Bang Theory encore opened with a 5.3/ 8 at 8 p.m. (#2, and certainly not bad considering this was a repeat), followed by How I Met Your Mother (#3: 4.9/ 7), Two and a Half Men (#3: 7.7/11), a Monday airing of Gary Unmarried (#3: 5.7/ 8) and CSI: Miami (#2: 7.1/11). Retention of 74 percent for Gary Unmarried out of Two and a Half Men was better than the 68 percent for Worst Week out of Two and a Half Men one week earlier (6.0/9 out of 8.8/13 on Oct. 20). Considering how well Gary Unmarried works out of The New Adventures of Old Christine on Wednesday, my suggestion is to leave well enough alone (and give Gary a full season’s worth of episodes to further prove itself).
Over at NBC, the Monday news remains disappointing. Chuck finished fourth in the overnights from 8-9 p.m., with a 4.2/ 6, followed by fading Heroes (#4: 5.0/ 8 at 9 p.m. – 26 percent below the year-ago telecast) and a series-low My Own Worst Enemy (#4: 3.7/ 6 at 10 p.m.). Take a look at the three-week overnight track for My Own Worst Enemy (and keep in mind that failed occupant Journeyman scored a stronger 4.4/ 7 one year earlier).
My Own Worst Enemy (NBC) 10/13/08 – 5.2/ 8 10/20/08 – 3.8/ 6 10/27/08 – 3.7/ 6
Finally, the CW’s combination of Gossip Girl (#5: 2.3/ 3) and the compatible One Tree Hill (#5: 2.2/ 3) were on par with the network’s sitcom rotation from one year earlier (Everybody Hates Chris, Aliens in America, Girlfriends and The Game). But it’s the strength of the young female viewers that gives the two dramas the big advantage.
Source: Nielsen Media Research data ____________________________________________________________________________
Ratings Box: What’s Hot/What’s Not
-Record High Smackdown! on the CW: Based on the Friday, Oct. 24 performance, WWE Friday Night Smackdown! on MyNetworkTV rose to over 3.5 million viewers -- a new record for the No. 6 network. And it delivered an all time high for any series to-date on MyNetworkTV in adults 18-49 (1.52 million), adults 25-54 (1.59 million) and men 25-54 (1.03 million). Growth week-to-week was as much 14 percent among women 18-49.
-Above Average Mad Men Season Ender: The second season-finale of AMC’s Emmy winning Mad Men concluded with 1.75 million on Sunday, Oct. 26. Compared to its freshman season closer (926,000), that was an increase of 824,000 viewers (or 89 percent).
Source: Nielsen Media Research data ________________________________________________________________________________
On the Air Tonight: Prime-Time Programming Options
Tuesday 10/28/08
ABC: 8:00 p.m. It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (R) 9:00 p.m. Dancing With the Stars 10:00 p.m. Eli Stone
CBS: 8:00 p.m. NCIS 9:00 p.m. The Mentalist 10:00 p.m. Without a Trace
NBC: 8:00 p.m. The Biggest Loser: Families (two hours) 10:00 p.m. Law & Order: SVU
Fox: 8:00 p.m. House 9:00 p.m. Fringe (R)
CW: 8:00 p.m. 90210 9:00 p.m. Privileged
MNTV 8:00 p.m. Street Patrol 8:30 p.m. Street Patrol (R) 9:00 p.m. Jail 9:30 p.m. Jail (R)
ION 8:00 p.m. Boston Legal (R) 9:00 p.m. NCIS (R) 10:00 p.m. ER (R)
-CBS YanksThe Ex List: After just four telecasts, CBS has pulled struggling dramedy The Ex List off the Friday schedule and will replace it with a repeat of NCIS this week. Six additional episodes have been completed and there is no word at present when, and if, they will air. The Ex List joins Fox’s Do Not Disturb and ABC’s Opportunity Knocks as the third freshman casualty of the young season.
-A&E Re-Ups The Cleaner: A&E has renewed Benjamin Bratt drama The Cleaner for a second season, with an order for 13 additional episodes scheduled to air in 2009.
-Debuting Today – nbcnewyork.com: WNBC in New York has launched a new website today, www.nbcnewyork.com, that will offer news, information and lifestyle programming for Channel 4, mobile services, out-of home properties and the soon to launch 24-hours news and information channel. The content center is a redesigned newsroom offering high-quality production and high-speed distribution across multiple platforms. Check it out!
-Vote for Your Favorite TV Family at TVLand.com: Do you like the Taylors of The Andy Griffith Show? Have a fancy for the Sanfords of Sanford and Son or the Clampetts of The Beverly Hillbillies? If so, TV Land is inviting viewers to log onto TVLand.com to vote for their favorite TV family in a “First Family” themed contest. The winning TV family will be showcased on TV Land during an 8-hour marathon on Sunday, Nov. 2 beginning at 8 p.m. ET.
-ABC in November: With the start of the Nov. 2008 sweeps just two days away (does anyone even care anymore?), here are some of the programming highlights of note on ABC:
Specials -The 42nd Annual CMA Awards: Wednesday, Nov. 12, 8 p.m. ET -American Music Awards: Sunday, Nov. 23, 8 p.m. ET
Of Note: -Super-Manny (a pilot spin-off from Supernanny): Friday, Nov. 14, 9 p.m. ET -Desperate Housewives: Sunday, Nov. 16, 9 p.m. ET (“City on Fire” – the occupants of Wisteria Lane are trapped in a brutal fire) -A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving: Tuesday, Nov. 25, 8 p.m. ET (annual repeat) -Dancing With the Stars: Tuesday, Nov. 25, 9 p.m. (season finale, two hours)
Guest Stars: -Robert Klein on Life on Mars: Thursday, Oct. 30, 10 p.m. ET -Valerie Bertinelli on Boston Legal: Monday, Nov. 3, 10 p.m. ET -Whoopi Goldberg on Life on Mars: Thursday, Nov. 6, 10 p.m. ET -Lily Tomlin on Desperate Housewives: Sunday, Nov. 9, 9 p.m. ET -Mary-Kate Olson on Samantha Who?: Monday, Nov. 10, 9:30 p.m. ET -Mary McDonnell on Grey’s Anatomy: Thursday, Nov. 13, 9 p.m. ET -Fred Willard on Pushing Daisies: Wednesday, Nov. 19, 8 p.m. ET
Which one of the following TV characters was employed as a radio talk show host?
a) Niles Crane b) Faith Fairfield c) Lisa Miller d) Martin Payne e) Andy Travis
The answer to yesterday’s question…
Remember the episode of I Love Lucy when the Ricardos and Mertzes buy a diner together? What did Fred and Ethel call their half after they split up?
a) Aunt Martha’s Eats b) Big Hunk of America c) Fred and Ethel’s d) The Greasy Spoon e) ‘Lil Ethel’s
Is: b) Big Hunk of America. The name came in response to the one Lucy and Ricky chose, which was A Little Bit of Cuba.
-Current kudos goes to: David Ballarotto, Michael Berman, Sheila Berman (welcome home!), Gerry Bixenspan, Maureen Goldman, Michael Holland, Bob Ingersoll, Deb Kainer, Meg Kohr, Tom Lawrenson, Jim Negri, Kimberley Orti, Joe Rubi, David Ruckman, Anthony Salerno, Ron Salmon
This message has been edited. Last edited by: Marc Berman,
Chuck may not be great, but NBC has worse problems.
quote:
Originally posted by Texas Bound: Chuck looks to have sustained its share from last week. Wonder if viewers will go up yet again as it has trended over the season so far.
SW is dropping even further. Another disappointment for ABC.
Chuck and MOWE stabilized but both stabilized with really low ratings. Of course when Heroes pulls those numbers, MOWE doesn't have much of a shot. NBC needs to put MOWE at 9 PM and Heroes at 10 PM.
With the overrun and the finals factored in, SW will be down. It was in the 9.0 in the daily affiliates last week. A few weeks ago I said that SW was squandering its lead in support and being a disappointment and now its finally getting mentioned.
quote:
Originally posted by Obveeus: At this point, I'd quantify it as 'propaganda'. According to Marc's Daily column data, SW? went up slightly from last week.
Originally posted by WlcmLAPD: SW is dropping even further. Another disappointment for ABC.
Chuck and MOWE stabilized but both stabilized with really low ratings. Of course when Heroes pulls those numbers, MOWE doesn't have much of a shot. NBC needs to put MOWE at 9 PM and Heroes at 10 PM.
Chuck was really good last nite. It's reminiscent of the original Get Smart series to me(I guess I'm dating myself); it's just a fun spy thriller with good male/female lead characters. I wish they would move it to try to get a bigger audience. SW needs a better spot. Does ABC have another 30min sitcom it can be paired with?
SW needs a better spot. Does ABC have another 30min sitcom it can be paired with?
ABC has Better Off Ted, In the Motherhood, and Single with Parents. So they could put in another comedy. The risk is that it does worse than SW. I think that ABC should just expand the performance shows to 2 hours. If NBC can find a way to expand BL to two hours, there's a way to do it for DWTS. Yes, there would be filler in the show but DWTS is a powerhouse and it fills up a slot that ABC is struggling with at the moment.
Originally posted by WlcmLAPD: SW is dropping even further. Another disappointment for ABC.
Chuck and MOWE stabilized but both stabilized with really low ratings. Of course when Heroes pulls those numbers, MOWE doesn't have much of a shot. NBC needs to put MOWE at 9 PM and Heroes at 10 PM.
Retention could be better for SW?, but in terms of HH, it is in line or above what media agencies expected in terms of C3 HH numbers. If ABC is selling ads based on that expectation, there is no issue.
Originally posted by WlcmLAPD: SW is dropping even further. Another disappointment for ABC.
Chuck and MOWE stabilized but both stabilized with really low ratings. Of course when Heroes pulls those numbers, MOWE doesn't have much of a shot. NBC needs to put MOWE at 9 PM and Heroes at 10 PM.
Retention could be better for SW?, but in terms of HH, it is in line or above what media agencies expected in terms of C3 HH numbers. If ABC is selling ads based on that expectation, there is no issue.
DWTS is skewing older, maybe that demo audience is not interested in SW? and that's why the retention numbers are low.
I've never felt Dancing was all that compatible with SW or Boston Legal or the Bachelor or virtually anything ABC has tried behind it. I get this vibe that Brothers and Sisters and Dirty Sexy Money would be ideal post-Dancing candidates in the future. Perhaps this midseason B&S to Mondays come March when Dancing is back and DSM could return after a 2 month hiatus on Tuesdays at 10 behind Dancing results. Of course, older skewing Women's Murder Club couldn't find an audience behind it but that may have had more to do with SVU than the lead in or the fact that the show wasn't all that interesting. I know reviews were always mixed at best.
SW needs a better spot. Does ABC have another 30min sitcom it can be paired with?
ABC has Better Off Ted, In the Motherhood, and Single with Parents. So they could put in another comedy. The risk is that it does worse than SW. I think that ABC should just expand the performance shows to 2 hours. If NBC can find a way to expand BL to two hours, there's a way to do it for DWTS. Yes, there would be filler in the show but DWTS is a powerhouse and it fills up a slot that ABC is struggling with at the moment.
There's no sense in moving SW because ABC has nothing better to air there and there's also no reason to expand the performance shows. Apparently you have forgotten how Who Wants to Be A Millionaire fizzled. ABC should be limiting the amount of Dancing it has. Those recap eps on Tuesdays at 8 are completely worthless. Give that slot to something else, like encores of Life on Mars or Private Practice or something. At least Charlie Brown will be able to fill the hole in the coming weeks.
It may be losing its lead in, but at least its pretty stable and apparently has a fan base. That says a lot more than other ABC programs right now.
quote:
Originally posted by WlcmLAPD: With the overrun and the finals factored in, SW will be down. It was in the 9.0 in the daily affiliates last week. A few weeks ago I said that SW was squandering its lead in support and being a disappointment and now its finally getting mentioned.
quote:
Originally posted by Obveeus: At this point, I'd quantify it as 'propaganda'. According to Marc's Daily column data, SW? went up slightly from last week.