There are a lot of details mentioned in the official rules for this game, so if this game's rules seem too overwhelming for you, here's a short version:

1. Go here to compose your roster
   
2. Pick FIVE (5) shows, one from each network while using the methods shown in the graphic just below this list
   
3. Your strategy is to pick the shows that'll rank the highest in each of the next 4 weeks
   
4. You get bonus points for picking a show that attracts more viewers in a week than its season average, if noted
   
5. Don't duplicate another forum member's 5-show roster
   

and, that's it! You don't even have to read on any further but if you'd like more details of the rules, then keep reading this post. Hope you can participate!

Here are the rules, in more detail:
1. You pick FIVE (5) shows. Use only ONE of the following 4 methods of picking your roster of 5 shows:

If above graphic doesn't show,

1. 1 show from #1 to #10, 1 show from #11 to #25, 1 show from #26 to #40, 3 shows from #41 to last place
   
2. 2 shows from #11 to #25, 1 show from #26 to #40, 2 shows from #41 to last place
   
3. 1 show from #1 to #40, 1 show from #26 to #40, 3 shows from #41 to last place
   
4. 2 shows from #11 to #40, 4 shows from #41 to last place
   

NEW RULE entitled the TV-aholic RULE (named for the user who first suggested it - thanks!): Each method requires at least ONE show from each of the FIVE main networks - ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, CW

NEW RULE: If you're picking a show that airs on more than one day and/or timeslot within the week, the game will count only the highest ranking of that show for that week! For example, "Bones" airs twice in one week: once at 8 p.m. and again at 9 p.m. Whichever show ranks higher will count.

Now, what is a WILDCARD?

A WILDCARD is a show that did not air during the week of December 24-30, 2007 but will air during January 7-February 3, 2008 and you can pick from in its associated category. WILDCARD shows can pertain to new shows, returning shows, and one-time airings (excluding breaking news) like sporting events, awards shows, and special TV movies. They are labeled topWCs (for the #1 to #10 category), midWCs (for the #11 to #25 category), botWCs (for the #26 to #40 category), and subWCs (for the #41 to last place category).

2. You'll obtain points as follows:

• The list (shown below in this post) the game will refer to will be the weekly most-watched primetime shows of the week of December 24-30, 2007
  
  
• The points for your chosen show each week will use this formula:
  
  101 - (Rank position of your show)
  
  For example, you choose "Desperate Housewives" for the game. The show ranks #2 in a week during the 4-week period of the game, you'll get 99 points for that week [ 101 - (2) = 99 ]
  
  NEW BONUS: You'll now get credit for a show that attracts more people than its season average. This doesn't apply to first-time airings, although it does apply to annual events or returning series. As for series that airs multiple times during a week, I'll count the highest of the separate season averages for that show, like Deal or No Deal, I'd only count the Monday season average and not a Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday season average. Here's the formula factoring in the bonus:
  
  { 101 - (Rank position of your show) } * { 1 + ((Viewers this week - Viewers this season)/(Viewers this season)) }
  
  For example, if your pick "Desperate Housewives" averages 20 million viewers before the game starts, and it ranks #2 in a week during the 4-week period of the game attracting 22 million people, you'll earn 108.90 points (Your resulting points from this bonus will be rounded to the nearest thousandth of a point):
  
  [ { 101 - (2) } * { 1 + ((22-20)/(20)) } = 108.90 ]
  
  This bonus only applies to INCREASES (and not DECREASES) from the season average; if using the same example of the 20-million-viewer average for "Desperate Housewives" and in a particular week, it finishes #2 with 18 million, the original formula is applied [ 101 - (2) = 99 ]
  
  For this game only, each series' season average will NOT FLUCTUATE during this entire 4-week period, so a season average ENTERING into the game is only the figure this particular game will implement.
  
  Shows ranking #100 and below will each get 1 point.
  
  
  I probably won't have all the information about the current programs and each of their future airings in this game period, so if you have any information about the shows on this list before the deadline, please post them on this thread. This chart of shows will be continuously updated with airing dates from now until the game deadline, but not even I have a confirmed schedule for the entire period of January 7-February 3, 2008. Multiplication factors CAN change after the game deadline has passed due to short-notice changes of airings (explanation of levels of factors described below ratings list) occur, but still pick at your own risk. This web page helps create your roster for posting on this forum. It'll warn you about what and what not to pick. Feel free to use it when you can. The web page is a BETA version so if you see any flaws, please post.
  
  
  
  EXPLANATION OF MULTIPLICATION FACTORS
  There are numbers like "3.84x" and "0.96x" next to each show. For our game, each respective number is their multiplication factor for each week that show airs to give incentive to anyone who wishes to use them. Obviously, without these factors, for example, a one-time event (which will always have a factor of at least 3.84) or a show that doesn't air a full 4 weeks in the game would not even come close in being competitive in points compared to a show that airs for each week in the 4-week game period.
  
  Factors are determined by the number of potential showings within the 4-week game period: 3.84x for 1 showing, 1.92x for 2 showings, 1.28x for 3 showings, 0.96x for 4 showings. The multiplication factors are more for some select shows that are not expected to do well in the ratings, and in terms of factors for wildcards, they vary from show to show to keep each show competitive. The multiplication factors for topWC, midWC and some botWC shows will take on a fraction form. Here's the format of this fraction:
  
  (Wildcard points target for the game) divided by (projected points show could earn without its mult. factor)
  
  If a topWC that airs just one time in the game is projected to be the #1 show of its week, the multiplication factor is 3.84, which is 384 divided by 100.
  
  For those who still follow me, if you notice that despite the multiplication factors, shows that DID air from December 24-30, 2007 and airs for 4 weeks in the 4-week period has the potential to earn the most amount of points.
  
  Here's an example: say AMERICAN IDOL will finish #1 for its week. The show would get 100 points only for that week which is great for the week. But because it only aired ONCE, the show earns you ONLY 100 points for the entire 4-week period. With its multiplication factor of 3.84 in place, the event now earns 384 points for the entire game, making the choice for this WILDCARD more appealing. Yet, a show that averages a #4 position each week for the 4 weeks in the game period, will earn you greater points (388, in fact) than the WILDCARD that finished #1 for its one week. (If you're still confused by this mathematical explanation, don't worry - just think of WILDCARDs and less frequently aired programs being on some even playing field in points in the game with shows currently on the air).
  

3. You can have similar shows on your roster than other players but you can't copy the exact 5 shows from another player. Any duplicate 5-show roster found after the deadline will be nullified.



4. Even after you initially post your roster, you CAN change it as much as you can before the submission deadline, keeping in mind RULE #3 about copying an exact 5-show roster from another player. However, you CANNOT change your roster of shows after deadline has passed, which means you are stuck with the 5 shows you picked in the 4-week period. So choose well!



5. You can also post as many comment and discussion posts as you want in this thread. Especially since I added MUCH more information in the instructions, you definitely can ask me any questions in this thread.



6. It is preferable that when EDITING your roster, you do so as a REPLY and not clicking the "Edit" icon at the bottom right of your post. As a reply, the entries can be TIMESTAMPED, which is important. If a player does "Edit" their roster after their deadline has passed, I'll be forced to go with the roster last posted (not "LAST EDITED") by that player before the deadline.



7. This particular game will last 4 weeks from January 7 to February 3 - winner of this game will know if they win on February 16, 2008.



Deadline: Tuesday, January 8, 2008 7:59a.m. EST

NOTE: Although I created this game, I thought it fair to have a 48-hour waiting period for myself to post my roster in order for anyone else to get first chances at the list of shows. You can make your roster right now; the earliest I can post my roster will be this Sunday, January 6 at 8:40pm EST

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Douglas,

ROSTER METHOD A:
topWC: American Idol 7 (Wed.) (FOX) last season: 34.218 m [(384/294)x]
17. Law and Order: SVU (NBC) 11.055 m [1.00x]
32. Grey's Anatomy (ABC) 15.281 m [1.00x]
42. Two and a Half Men (CBS) 13.289 m [1.00x]
50. WWE Friday Night Smackdown! (CW) 4.627 m [1.00x]

ROSTER METHOD A:
topWC: American Idol 7 (Tue.) (FOX) last season: 34.565 m [(384/295)x]
17. Law and Order: SVU (NBC) 11.055 m [1.00x]
botWC: Dance War: Bruno vs. Carrie Ann (ABC) [1.00x]
42. Two and a Half Men (CBS) 13.289 m [1.00x]
subWC: State of The Union Address (FNC; replacing CW entry) jan 23 2007: 4.629 m [(80/32)x]

ROSTER METHOD A:
topWC: American Idol 7 (Tue.) (FOX) last season: 34.565 m [(384/295)x]
11. Criminal Minds (CBS) 13.806 m [1.28x]
botWC: Celebrity Apprentice (NBC) last season: 7.157 m [1.00x]
50. WWE Friday Night Smackdown! (CW) 4.627 m [1.00x]
subWC: ABC World News with Charles Gibson (ABC) 8.601 m [1.00x]

ROSTER METHOD A:
topWC: House (Feb. 3) (FOX) grey's anatomy feb 5 2006: 37.881 m [(384/98)x]
midWC: Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (ABC) 13.584 m [0.96x]
botWC: Comanche Moon (CBS) [2.00x]
50. WWE Friday Night Smackdown! (CW) 4.627 m [1.00x]
subWC: Medium (NBC) last season: 8.370 m [0.96x]

ROSTER METHOD A:
topWC: NFL 2007: Super Bowl XLII (FOX) last season: 93.184 m [3.84x]
midWC: Lost (ABC) last season: 14.494 m [3.84x]
botWC: 34th Annual People's Choice Awards (CBS) last season: 11.329 m [3.84x]
50. WWE Friday Night Smackdown! (CW) 4.627 m [1.00x]
subWC: Medium (NBC) last season: 8.370 m [0.96x]

ROSTER METHOD A:
topWC: NFL 2007: Super Bowl XLII (FOX) last season: 93.184 m [3.84x]
17. Law and Order: SVU (NBC) 11.055 m [1.00x]
botWC: 34th Annual People's Choice Awards (CBS) last season: 11.329 m [3.84x]
54. Ugly Betty (ABC) 8.969 m [1.00x]
subWC: Psych (USA; replacing CW entry) last season: 3.725 m [(800/768)x]

ROSTER METHOD A:
topWC: American Idol 7 (Tue.) (FOX) last season: 34.565 m [(384/295)x]
midWC: Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (ABC) 13.584 m [0.96x]
botWC: Celebrity Apprentice (NBC) last season: 7.157 m [1.00x]
50. WWE Friday Night Smackdown! (CW) 4.627 m [1.00x]
subWC: 48 Hours Mystery (Tue.) (CBS) 6.596 m [1.92x]

ROSTER METHOD B:
21. House (FOX) 15.697 m [1.28x]
midWC: Lost (ABC) last season: 14.494 m [3.84x]
botWC: Celebrity Apprentice (NBC) last season: 7.157 m [1.00x]
42. Two and a Half Men (CBS) 13.289 m [1.00x]
50. WWE Friday Night Smackdown! (CW) 4.627 m [1.00x]

ROSTER METHOD A:
topWC: NFL 2007: Super Bowl XLII (FOX) last season: 93.184 m [3.84x]
midWC: Lost (ABC) last season: 14.494 m [3.84x]
botWC: 34th Annual People's Choice Awards (CBS) last season: 11.329 m [3.84x]
subWC: 1 vs. 100 (NBC) last season: 9.412 m [0.96x]
subWC: Monk (USA; replacing CW entry) last season: 5.045 m [(80/140)x]

ROSTER METHOD A:
topWC: NFL 2007: Super Bowl XLII (FOX) last season: 93.184 m [3.84x]
midWC: 65th Annual Golden Globe Awards (NBC) last season: 20.036 m [3.84x]
botWC: Dance War: Bruno vs. Carrie Ann (ABC) [1.00x]
42. Two and a Half Men (CBS) 13.289 m [1.00x]
50. WWE Friday Night Smackdown! (CW) 4.627 m [1.00x]

ROSTER METHOD A:
topWC: NFL 2007: Super Bowl XLII (FOX) last season: 93.184 m [3.84x]
22. NCIS (CBS) 16.037 m [1.00x]
botWC: Dance War: Bruno vs. Carrie Ann (ABC) [1.00x]
50. WWE Friday Night Smackdown! (CW) 4.627 m [1.00x]
subWC: Medium (NBC) last season: 8.370 m [0.96x]

ROSTER METHOD A:
topWC: NFL 2007: Super Bowl XLII (FOX) last season: 93.184 m [3.84x]
midWC: Lost (ABC) last season: 14.494 m [3.84x]
botWC: 34th Annual People's Choice Awards (CBS) last season: 11.329 m [3.84x]
50. WWE Friday Night Smackdown! (CW) 4.627 m [1.00x]
subWC: 1 vs. 100 (NBC) last season: 9.412 m [0.96x]

ROSTER METHOD A:
topWC: American Idol 7 (Tue.) (FOX) last season: 34.565 m [(384/295)x]
midWC: 65th Annual Golden Globe Awards (NBC) last season: 20.036 m [3.84x]
botWC: 34th Annual People's Choice Awards (CBS) last season: 11.329 m [3.84x]
50. WWE Friday Night Smackdown! (CW) 4.627 m [1.00x]

Marc, you need an ABC pick to complete your roster. Also, you need a sub level show.