Prime-Time Ratings:
Wednesday 10/07/09

-Total Viewers:
CBS: 10.89 million, NBC: 7.06, Fox: 6.74, ABC: 6.72, CW: 2.18

-Adults 18-49:
CBS and Fox: 2.8 rating/8 share each, ABC: 2.3/ 6, NBC: 2.0/ 6, CW: 1.0/ 3

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-Yesterday’s Winners:
Criminal Minds (CBS), CSI: NY (CBS)

-Down but Still Promising:
Modern Family (ABC), Cougar Town (ABC)

-Honorable Mention:
Glee (Fox)

-Soft Returns From 8-10 p.m.:
Hank (ABC), The New Adventures of Old Christine (CBS), Mercy (NBC), So You Think You Can Dance (Fox), America’s Next Top Model (CW), The Middle (ABC), Gary Unmarried (CBS) -- every show!

-Yesterday’s Losers (Excluding Repeats):
Eastwick (ABC), The Jay Leno Show (NBC)

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Note: Any rating comparisons to a prior date are based on the final nationals.

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-Ratings Breakdown:
It was a Wednesday night of split leadership, with NBC the most-watched network (3.83 million more than second-place NBC) and CBS and Fox tied for first among adults 18-49.

Results in the Wednesday 8 p.m. hour indicate this is one of the softest hours in prime-time. NBC medical drama Mercy was the most-watched show, with just 7.29 million viewers, but it ranked fourth among adults 18-49 with a 1.8 rating/6 share in the demo. Just the opposite was Fox’s So You Think You Can Dance, with 6.18 million viewers and a first-place 2.5 rating/7 share in the demo. Comparably, however, So You Think You Can Dance was down from year-ago occupant Bones (Viewers: 10.56 million, A18-49: 3.4/10 on Oct. 8, 2008) by 4.38 million viewers and 26 percent among adults 18-49.

In the battle of the marginally rated ABC and CBS sitcoms, CBS had the minor advantage as follows:

Wednesday 8:00 p.m.
The New Adventures of Old Christine (CBS)
Viewers: 7.27 million (#1), A18-49: 2.0/ 6 (#2)

Hank (ABC)
Viewers: 6.72 million (#3), A18-49: 1.6/ 5 (#4)

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Wednesday 8:30 p.m.
Gary Unmarried (CBS)
Viewers: 7.17 million (#2), 18-49: 2.2/ 6 (#2)

The Middle (ABC)
Viewers: 6.78 million (#3), A18-49: 2.1/ 6 (#3)

Comparably, Hank opened last Wednesday with 8.34 million viewers and a 2.1/ 7 among adults 18-49; and The Middle with 8.71 million viewers and a 2.6/ 8 in the demo. Hopefully, both comedies will level off by next week. For anyone who has seen The Middle, doesn’t it remind you of Malcolm in the Middle?

Also airing in the 8 p.m. hour was America’s Next Top Model on the CW at 3.29 million viewers and a 1.6/ 5 among adults 18-49.

CBS moved into the winners circle at 9 p.m., care of Criminal Minds at 13.49 million viewers and a 3.4/ 9 among adults 18-49. NBC’s relocated Law & Order: SVU inched past ABC comedies Modern Family and Cougar Town for second overall in total viewers (8.14 million), but it finished fourth in the demo (2.6/ 7). Week three of the ABC comedies performed as follows:

Modern Family (ABC) – 9 p.m.
Viewers: 8.46 million (#2), A18-49: 3.2/ 9 (#2t)

The Cougar Town (ABC) – 9:30 p.m.
Viewers: 7.80 million (#3), A18-49: 3.1/ 8 (#3)

Now take a look at the three week track for both comedies:

Modern Family (ABC)
9/23/09 – Viewers: 12.60 million, A18-49: 4.2/11
9/30/09 – Viewers: 9.99 million, A18-49: 3.8/10
10/06/09 – Viewers: 8.46 million, A18-49: 3.2/ 9

Cougar Town (ABC)
9/23/09 – Viewers: 11.28 million, A18-49: 4.4/11
9/30/09 – Viewers: 9.25 million, A18-49: 3.8/10
10/06/09 – Viewers: 7.80 million, A18-49: 3.1/ 8

Still promising, yes. But both Modern Family and Cougar Town need to settle in now. Also airing in the 9 p.m. hour was Fox’s consistent Glee (Viewers: #4, 7.30 million; A18-49: #2t, 3.2/ 8) and a repeat of Melrose Place on The CW (Viewers: #5, 1.08 million; A18-49: #5, 0.5/ 1).

Tops at 10 p.m. was CBS’ veteran CSI: NY at 11.96 million viewers and a 2.9/ 8 among adults 18-49. But one year earlier, CSI: NY was noticeable stronger with 13.16 million viewers and a 3.3/ 9 in the demo. Tied for the No. 2 spot was NBC flop The Jay Leno Show (Viewers: #2, 5.74 million; A18-49: #3, 1.7/ 5) and week three of ABC’s Eastwick (Viewers: #3, 5.28 million; A18-49: #2, 1.8/ 5), which continues to lose steam as follows:

Eastwick (ABC)
9/23/09 – Viewers: 8.50 million, A18-49: 3.0/ 8
9/30/09 –Viewers: 6.57 million, A18-49: 2.3/ 7
10/06/09 – Viewers: 5.28 million, A18-49: 1.8/ 5

Considering theatrical The Witches of Eastwick was released 22 years ago, was there any real reason to air a series based on the movie now?

Source: Nielsen Media Research data

Difference between The Middle and Malcolm in the Middle is that they didn't try to sell the latter by saying "Look! Jane Kaczmarek is the mother!" In fact, that show had absolutely no established stars in it, and sold itself via premise, writing, and cast chemistry.

And while I like Patricia Heaton, she's no Jane Kaczmarek, anymore than Jane Kaczmarek is Patricia Heaton. It's typical of the kind of scripted programming the nets are grinding out now. Written and produced by committee, and contributing absolutely nothing new.

"Considering theatrical The Witches of Eastwick was released 22 years ago, was there any real reason to air a series based on the movie now?"

I agree. I also feel they will have the same outcome when they air the new version of "V," which was never that big a hit back in the 80s.

The consistency of Glee's ratings is very impressive. And it has yet to get the post-idol exposure. It has a chance to become a decent size hit after it airs after idol

I am really not surprised by the ABC sitcoms dropping. Hank I barely made it through, The Middle I watched 10 minutes and switched over to Gary Unmarried, and as to Modern Family and Cougar Town maybe they are just not my kind of sitcoms. After three weeks I really don't find them funny, and will probably stop watching next week.

quote:

Considering theatrical The Witches of Eastwick was released 22 years ago, was there any real reason to air a series based on the movie now?

No. And your point, in a world where ABC did a 'reimagined' version of "The Night Stalker", an early 70's show that barely ran one season, said remake being created and run by one of the worst writer/producers in Hollywood--????

They just don't learn. They set themselves up for failure, by being too scared to try anything that hasn't already been tried--even if it failed. Originality TERRIFIES them. This isn't just the networks I'm talking about. This is Hollywood as a whole.

quote:

Originally posted by junebug2008:

I agree. I also feel they will have the same outcome when they air the new version of "V," which was never that big a hit back in the 80s.

V is gonna premiere huge, probably the biggest premiere for a new show.

Yeah, but that actor who plays little Brick is amazing, isn't he?

quote:

Originally posted by pisher:
Difference between The Middle and Malcolm in the Middle is that they didn't try to sell the latter by saying "Look! Jane Kaczmarek is the mother!" In fact, that show had absolutely no established stars in it, and sold itself via premise, writing, and cast chemistry.

And while I like Patricia Heaton, she's no Jane Kaczmarek, anymore than Jane Kaczmarek is Patricia Heaton. It's typical of the kind of scripted programming the nets are grinding out now. Written and produced by committee, and contributing absolutely nothing new.

Pretty bad numbers everywhere. MF and CT will probably drop below 3 next week.

quote:

Originally posted by lost_fan:
V is gonna premiere huge, probably the biggest premiere for a new show.

I hope you are right, but I really, really doubt it. I would already be pleased if it opens with 10-12 million viewers......but even then is it likely already sentenced to death with this idiotic hiatus after just 4 episodes...what is ABC thinking?

quote:

-Ratings Breakdown:
It was a Wednesday night of split leadership, with NBC the most-watched network (3.83 million more than second-place NBC) and CBS and Fox tied for first among adults 18-49.

Tiny typo, should be CBS as most-watched network

After watching Modern Family the drop does not come as a surprise. This weeks episode was pretty weak compared to the pilot. I think by now we can clearly scratch and comparisons to Arrested Development. Cougar Town on the other hand was pretty good and it seems its settling in slowly. Lets hope they won't drop even more next week. The Middle was pretty average. Could've been better if you ask me.

Marc,

I think you meant CBS is the most watched network. Didn't you? BTW, How do I cut and paste only the section of someone else's post that I want without having to post their whole post?? I tried but couldn't figure out how to copy, save and then paste. Help!!!!

-Ratings Breakdown:
It was a Wednesday night of split leadership, with NBC the most-watched network (3.83 million more than second-place NBC) and CBS and Fox tied for first among adults 18-49.

Results in the Wednesday 8 p.m. hour indicate this is one of the softest hours in prime-time. NBC medical drama Mercy was the most-watched show, with just 7.29 million viewers, but it ranked fourth among adults 18-49 with a 1.8 rating/6 share in the demo. Just the opposite was Fox’s So You Think You Can Dance, with 6.18 million viewers and a first-place 2.5 rating/7 share in the demo. Comparably, however, So You Think You Can Dance was down from year-ago occupant Bones (Viewers: 10.56 million, A18-49: 3.4/10 on Oct. 8, 2008) by 4.38 million viewers and 26 percent among adults 18-49.

In the battle of the marginally rated ABC and CBS sitcoms, CBS had the minor advantage as follows:

Wednesday 8:00 p.m.
The New Adventures of Old Christine (CBS)
Viewers: 7.27 million (#1), A18-49: 2.0/ 6 (#2)

Hank (ABC)
Viewers: 6.72 million (#3), A18-49: 1.6/ 5 (#4)

-----

Wednesday 8:30 p.m.
Gary Unmarried (CBS)
Viewers: 7.17 million (#2), 18-49: 2.2/ 6 (#2)

The Middle (ABC)
Viewers: 6.78 million (#3), A18-49: 2.1/ 6 (#3)

Comparably, Hank opened last Wednesday with 8.34 million viewers and a 2.1/ 7 among adults 18-49; and The Middle with 8.71 million viewers and a 2.6/ 8 in the demo. Hopefully, both comedies will level off by next week. For anyone who has seen The Middle, doesn’t it remind you of Malcolm in the Middle?

Also airing in the 8 p.m. hour was America’s Next Top Model on the CW at 3.29 million viewers and a 1.6/ 5 among adults 18-49.

CBS moved into the winners circle at 9 p.m., care of Criminal Minds at 13.49 million viewers and a 3.4/ 9 among adults 18-49. NBC’s relocated Law & Order: SVU inched past ABC comedies Modern Family and Cougar Town for second overall in total viewers (8.14 million), but it finished fourth in the demo (2.6/ 7). Week three of the ABC comedies performed as follows:

Modern Family (ABC) – 9 p.m.
Viewers: 8.46 million (#2), A18-49: 3.2/ 9 (#2t)

The Cougar Town (ABC) – 9:30 p.m.
Viewers: 7.80 million (#3), A18-49: 3.1/ 8 (#3)

Now take a look at the three week track for both comedies:

Modern Family (ABC)
9/23/09 – Viewers: 12.60 million, A18-49: 4.2/11
9/30/09 – Viewers: 9.99 million, A18-49: 3.8/10
10/06/09 – Viewers: 8.46 million, A18-49: 3.2/ 9

Cougar Town (ABC)
9/23/09 – Viewers: 11.28 million, A18-49: 4.4/11
9/30/09 – Viewers: 9.25 million, A18-49: 3.8/10
10/06/09 – Viewers: 7.80 million, A18-49: 3.1/ 8

Still promising, yes. But both Modern Family and Cougar Town need to settle in now. Also airing in the 9 p.m. hour was Fox’s consistent Glee (Viewers: #4, 7.30 million; A18-49: #2t, 3.2/ 8) and a repeat of Melrose Place on The CW (Viewers: #5, 1.08 million; A18-49: #5, 0.5/ 1).

Tops at 10 p.m. was CBS’ veteran CSI: NY at 11.96 million viewers and a 2.9/ 8 among adults 18-49. But one year earlier, CSI: NY was noticeable stronger with 13.16 million viewers and a 3.3/ 9 in the demo. Tied for the No. 2 spot was NBC flop The Jay Leno Show (Viewers: #2, 5.74 million; A18-49: #3, 1.7/ 5) and week three of ABC’s Eastwick (Viewers: #3, 5.28 million; A18-49: #2, 1.8/ 5), which continues to lose steam as follows:

Eastwick (ABC)
9/23/09 – Viewers: 8.50 million, A18-49: 3.0/ 8
9/30/09 –Viewers: 6.57 million, A18-49: 2.3/ 7
10/06/09 – Viewers: 5.28 million, A18-49: 1.8/ 5

Considering theatrical The Witches of Eastwick was released 22 years ago, was there any real reason to air a series based on the movie now?

Source: Nielsen Media Research data[/QUOTE]

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I'm a little surprised at the steep drop for The Middle this week. I thought the premiere was pretty funny.

I wonder how these shows would be doing if they were multi-cams?

Hank is neither funny nor good and ABC will probably jettison it in favor of Alyssa Milano's new show, Romantically Challenged.

ABC will probably stick with The Middle a letting longer than Hank. It did grow in the demos from it's leadin and they are airing an encore of the episode this Friday.

Modern Family and Cougar are the shows ABC definitely want to hold on to and they are compatible with each other.

In terms of "V", ABC has never considered "V" as a regular program that would air on a weekly basis. During the upfronts back in May when ABC announced their fall schedule they stated "V" was considered a limited special event series. I believe the show will air during sweeps or in different time periods to offset repeat programming and if successful, no more than five episodes at a time would air at any point.

As noted in the May Upfront news conference:

- V will air in four distinct arcs throughout the season, with a beginning, middle and end.

- "ABC and Warner Bros. TV have a four-part plan for “V,” which could wind up airing as a mix of 13-episode and 22-episode seasons.
“There will be a beginning, middle and end,” McPherson said."

Thank you for saving me some keystrokes.

quote:

Originally posted by Twins12:
I am really not surprised by the ABC sitcoms dropping. Hank I barely made it through, The Middle I watched 10 minutes and switched over to Gary Unmarried, and as to Modern Family and Cougar Town maybe they are just not my kind of sitcoms. After three weeks I really don't find them funny, and will probably stop watching next week.