Prime-Time Ratings:
Wednesday 12/05/07

The following results are based on the fast affiliate ratings (Live Plus Same Day data)

-Total Viewers:
NBC: 10.20 million, CBS: 8.96, ABC: 8.90, Fox: 5.33, CW: 3.55

-Adults 18-49:
ABC: 3.2 rating/9 share, NBC: 2.7/ 7, CBS: 2.4/ 7, Fox: 2.2/ 6, CW: 1.7/ 5

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Note: Any prior rating results are based on the final nationals. Also, since the level of DVR penetration has increased from 9 percent in early 2006-07 to approximately 20 percent at present, the overall results may be negatively impacted.

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-Yesterday’s Winners:
Deal or No Deal (NBC), Santa Claus is Coming to Town R (ABC), Private Practice (ABC), CSI: NY R (CBS)

-Yesterday’s Losers (excluding repeats):
Kid Nation (CBS), Gossip Girl (CW), Dirty Sexy Money (ABC), Life (NBC)

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-Ratings Breakdown:
A two-hour edition of Deal or No Deal led NBC to midweek dominance in total viewers, but ABC was No. 1 among adults 18-49. CBS finished second in total viewers and third in the demo, while Fox and the CW ranked fourth and fifth, respectively, in both categories.

Deal or No Deal, which heads to daytime first-run syndication next fall, averaged a very respectable 11.48 million viewers (#1) with a second-place 2.9 rating/8 share among adults 18-49 from 8-10 p.m. The conclusion of a two-part episode of Life (which did not benefit by a Monday 10 p.m. airing this week) followed with 7.64 million viewers (#2) and a 2.5/ 7 in the demo (#2) at 10 p.m. Retention for Life out of the last half-hour of Deal or No Deal (Viewers: 12.69 million; A18-49: 3.3/ 9 at 9:30 p.m.) was a modest 60 percent in viewers and 76 percent among adults 18-49. Word of advice to the producers of Deal or No Deal once it heads to daytime: speed it up. With only a half-hour to play with each day, we won’t need Howie Mandel to constantly explain the rules.

The second-to-last episode of CBS’ Kid Nation ranked third in the 8 p.m. hour, with 7.20 million viewers and a 2.2/ 6 among adults 18-49. While you might assume that next week is the series-finale, don’t be too surprised if CBS orders a second season of Kid Nation for a potential summer run. Also on the Eye net were repeats of Criminal Minds (Viewers: #3, 9.37 million; A18-49: #4, 2.5/ 6) and CSI: NY (Viewers: #1, 10.32 million; A18-49: #1, 2.7/ 8) from 9-11 p.m. With the current writers strike halting the production of original scripted series, get used to the word repeat.

Encore ABC holiday special Santa Claus is Coming to Town won the 8 p.m. hour among adults 18-49, with a 3.4/ 9 in the demo (and a second-place finish in total viewers, with 9.44 million). Holiday specials to-date have scored unusually well on ABC. That led into original installments of Private Practice (Viewers: #2, 10.36 million; A18-49: #1, 3.8/10), which remains the show to beat among adults 18-49 at 9 p.m., followed by the recent full-season-renewed Dirty Sexy Money (Viewers: #3, 6.91 million; A18-49: #3, 2.4/ 7) at 10 p.m. Retention for Dirty Sexy Money out of the second half-hour of Private Practice (Viewers: 10.24 million; A18-49: 3.7/10 at 9:30 p.m.) was a so-so 67 percent in total viewers and 65 percent in the demo. On the flipside was Private Practice, which grew by 920,000 viewers and 12 percent among adults 18-49 out of Santa Claus Is Coming to Town.

There was nothing of note to report in the ratings for a night of repeats of Fox -- Back To You (Viewers: #4, 5.56 million; A18-49: #4, 1.8/ 5), ‘Til Death (Viewers: #4, 5.12 million; A18-49: #4, 1.8/ 5) and Kitchen Nightmares (Viewers: #4, 5.33 million; A18-49: #3, 2.6/ 7). But what is worthy of positive mention in the quality department is ‘Til Death. Have you noticed how much funnier the sitcom is this season? The chemistry between Brad Garrett and Joely Fisher is reminiscent of Ray Romano and Patricia Heaton on Everybody Loves Raymond.

The CW capped off the evening with original installments of the still potent America’s Next Top Model (Viewers: #5, 4.62 million; A18-49: #3, 2.3/ 6) and modest Gossip Girl (Viewers: #5, 2.49 million; A18-49: #5, 1.2/ 3), which dipped from lead-in Top Model by a hefty 2.13 million viewers and 48 percent among adults 18-49. Since serialized dramas take time to build (remember Beverly Hills, 90210 and Melrose), do not rule out Gossip Girl by any means. My guess is we will see a second season given the growing teen and young adult star power.

Source: Nielsen Media Research data (R = repeat)

Growing teen and young adult star power? Man, how fake and plastic are kids these days? Those kids are duller than dull. They have no star quality. They're just pretty, empty, hairless little packages.

quote:

Originally posted by Marc Berman:
Prime-Time Ratings:
Wednesday 12/05/07

The CW capped off the evening with original installments of the still potent America’s Next Top Model (Viewers: #5, 4.62 million; A18-49: #3, 2.3/ 6)

Looks like ANTM lost a bit of steam with the season favorite (Heather) being eliminated last week. Still, I expect it to be back up for next week's finale. MTV is programming over 30 hours of ANTM this week including running the entire current season (minus next Wednesday's finale) on Saturday. Even the casual fans will be able to catch up before the must-see finale next week.

It seems like the type of show that should only be once a year. How many "next top models" can there be?

quote:

Originally posted by Obveeus:

quote:

Originally posted by Marc Berman:
Prime-Time Ratings:
Wednesday 12/05/07

The CW capped off the evening with original installments of the still potent America’s Next Top Model (Viewers: #5, 4.62 million; A18-49: #3, 2.3/ 6)

Looks like ANTM lost a bit of steam with the season favorite (Heather) being eliminated last week. Still, I expect it to be back up for next week's finale. MTV is programming over 30 hours of ANTM this week including running the entire current season (minus next Wednesday's finale) on Saturday. Even the casual fans will be able to catch up before the must-see finale next week.

quote:

Also on the Eye net were repeats of Criminal Minds (Viewers: #3, 9.37 million; A18-49: #4, 2.5/ 6)

I would have exopected about a million more viewers for this repeat (doing about what NCIS did tuesday night). But, Deal or no Deal may have taken some viewers away since it was a repeat.

Ouch for DSM and i might add ouch for PP. I mean going against repeats 10 million viewers is a poor result

quote:

Originally posted by Marc Berman:
followed by the recent full-season-renewed Dirty Sexy Money (Viewers: #3, 6.91 million; A18-49: #3, 2.4/ 7) at 10 p.m.

I'll admit it, I was wrong. I didn't expect a huge increase in DSM (maybe a 7.2 mill instead of last week's 7.0), but with the hour's strongest player on a repeat, I didn't expect it to do worse than last week.

When DSM comes back from the strike aftermath it is soooooo going to be DEAD ON ARRIVAL...viewers interests is now below 7 million and the extended break will do it in. I do not believe it will ever air its entire # of ordered episodes.

Marc can you post the half hour break down for DSM at 10:30?

As for KID NATION...I've felt the same way that Marc does that a Summer season is possible. Hopefully anyway.

It sort of makes sense though. ABC hasn't had any audience to promote it to this week like it had during DWTS the rest of the fall. So I'm sure at least a percentage of people figured it was a rerun. I expect Grey's and Betty to be lower than average while Survivor will stay the same because fans know its on every week.

quote:

Originally posted by Holly:

quote:

Originally posted by Marc Berman:
followed by the recent full-season-renewed Dirty Sexy Money (Viewers: #3, 6.91 million; A18-49: #3, 2.4/ 7) at 10 p.m.

I'll admit it, I was wrong. I didn't expect a huge increase in DSM (maybe a 7.2 mill instead of last week's 7.0), but with the hour's strongest player on a repeat, I didn't expect it to do worse than last week.

quote:

Originally posted by Holly:
I'll admit it, I was wrong. I didn't expect a huge increase in DSM (maybe a 7.2 mill instead of last week's 7.0), but with the hour's strongest player on a repeat, I didn't expect it to do worse than last week.

Looks like DSM fell right inline with my prediction from yesterday: (6.75 and 7.5 million viewers for DSM and a 2.4demo).

DSM is not going to be back next season.

I don't know how many DSM episodes are left, but ABC should air them on Sundays 10pm instead of B&S repeats. Or at least air one episode, like NBC did with LIFE on Monday 10pm. DSM is probably more compatible with DH, so I think it would do well there, then depending on the ratings, they could relaunch it on another night. Of course, the strike changes everything, but just a thought I doubt ABC would entertain.

But once DH goes into repeats, the'll only draw 6 million. or so, viewers.

Perhaps what ABC could do is place PP and DSM on Sundays, while they have new episodes.

Or they could even try them on Thursdays in place of Grey's repeats.

quote:

Originally posted by Frazier:
I don't know how many DSM episodes are left, but ABC should air them on Sundays 10pm instead of B&S repeats. Or at least air one episode, like NBC did with LIFE on Monday 10pm. DSM is probably more compatible with DH, so I think it would do well there, then depending on the ratings, they could relaunch it on another night. Of course, the strike changes everything, but just a thought I doubt ABC would entertain.

Heather (from Valpo) was voted Cover Girl of the week eight or so times I think. There's no denying her popularity.

quote:

Looks like ANTM lost a bit of steam with the season favorite (Heather) being eliminated last week. Still, I expect it to be back up for next week's finale. MTV is programming over 30 hours of ANTM this week including running the entire current season (minus next Wednesday's finale) on Saturday. Even the casual fans will be able to catch up before the must-see finale next week.

quote:

Originally posted by A.C.:
Marc can you post the half hour break down for DSM at 10:30?

Well, I'm not Marc, but according to The Futon Critic, DSM was down 7.69% in households and 8% in the demo in the second half-hour

I'm gladta see GG pick up some steam. While I often diss the CW, I really want it to succeed...& a successful GG will add to rasslin & ANTM as their only successes for awhile. But all is kinda on hold till the strike is resolved. At least their 2 biggest hits aren't choked off by the strike.

Hope we've seen the lasta KN, period, after the finale. But if the strike drags on, who knows what kinda trash will be aired?

I believe the enda the strike will get the ole axe outta the shed for all the major nets.