Note: Any prior rating results are based on the final nationals. Since the level of DVR penetration has increased from 27 percent at this same point last year to approximately 33 percent at present, the overall results may be negatively impacted.
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-Friday’s Winners (keep in mind that the expectations are lower on this evening): Ghost Whisperer (CBS), Dateline (NBC)
-Friday’s Losers (excluding repeats): Supernanny (ABC), Ugly Betty (ABC), The Jay Leno Show (NBC)
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-Ratings Breakdown: CBS led this typically lackluster Friday, beating the No. 2 network (NBC in total viewers; ABC and NBC among adults 18-49) by an average of 1.20 million viewers and 36 percent in the demo. But year-to-year, the Eye net’s dominance shrunk by 2.55 million viewers (10.45 to 7.90 million) and 14 percent among adults 18-49 (2.2/ 8 to 1.9/ 6).
On that note, CBS opened with perennial Ghost Whisperer (Viewers: #1, 8.28 million; A18-49: #1, 2.0 rating/7 share), followed by compatible Medium (Viewers: #2, 7.69 million; A18-49: #1, 1.8/ 6) and aging Numb3rs (Viewers: #1, 7.74 million; A18-49: #1, 1.8/ 6), which is likely to be concluding this spring. One year earlier, Ghost Whisperer anchored the night with a heftier 9.40 million viewers and a 2.2/ 8 among adults 18-49 on October 31, 2008.
NBC granddaddy Law & Order, which was picked up for four additional episodes (bringing the total order to 16 this season) finished second at 8 p.m., with 7.00 million viewers and a 1.4/ 5 in the demo. That led into Dateline (Viewers: #1, 7.95 million; A18-49: #2, 1.7/ 6 at 9 p.m.), which deserves accolades for winning the hour in total viewers and building from Law & Order, followed by clinker The Jay Leno Show (Viewers: #3, 5.14 million; A18-49: #3, 1.2/ 4 at 10 p.m.). Sorry Jay…it is just not working. Needless to say, Dateline is a stronger occupant than recently axed crime drama Southland probably would have been.
ABC had another lackluster Friday care of Supernanny (Viewers: #3, 4.84 million; A18-49: #3, 1.3/ 4), which is not strong enough to anchor the evening, relocated Ugly Betty (Viewers: #3, 4.54 million; A18-49: #4, 1.2/ 4) and veteran 20/20 (Viewers: #2, 6.94 million; A18-49: #2, 1.6/ 5), which built from fading Ugly Betty by 2.40 million viewers and 33 percent among adults 18-49.
Elsewhere, Fox replaced its failed combination of Brothers, ‘Til Death and Dollhouse with a two-hour repeat of House, which was an improvement with 3.76 million viewers (#4) and a 1.2/ 4 among adults 18-49 (#4) from 8-10 p.m. Yes, that was an improvement! Last was The CW’s combination of Smallville (Viewers: #5, 2.60 million; A18-49: #4, 1.2/ 4), which is noticeably stronger than year-ago occupants Everybody Hates Chris and The Game (despite dipping significantly from it prior Thursday 8 p.m. time period), and a repeat of America’s Next Top Model (Viewers: #5, 1.27 million; A18-49: #5, 0.5/ 2).
Source: Nielsen Media Research data (R = repeat)
This message has been edited. Last edited by: Marc Berman,
Wow, what happened to Medium last night? And this was the much-hyped Halloween episode they've been talking about since August that aired last night. Very disappointing, and somewhat strange, results, especially since it was the lowest rated show on CBS last night, they've been promoting it all week, and it was beat in total viewers by Dateline. I found it to be a good episode, too. The entire CBS lineup is considerably weaker than last year, something else I don't understand.
A repeat of House did better than FOX's previous Friday lineup. Obviously FOX has work to do on Friday. Although, I could just see them running repeats and forgetting about the night.
As for ABC, UB's numbers are way too low. A House repeat tied it in the demo. Again, Wife Swap will likely replace UB mid-season. I can't imagine ABC sticking with a 1.2 demo for much longer, especially for a scirpted show. Supernanny grew a little bit but previously mentioned, it's not strong enough to start off the night. ABC should have placed AFHV Fridays at 8 PM to lead off the night. Then go into Supernanny or Wife Swap.
CBS' numbers are concerning for Friday TV viewership overall. It's still the leader, but even it is struggling to get a 2. All three came in lower than I expected for their Halloween episodes. What does this say about the future of TV on Fridays? Especially scripted TV?
Originally posted by Marc Berman: Not sure, but The CW just reported it as a season high.
quote:
Originally posted by SVFan:
quote:
Last was The CW’s combination of Smallville (Viewers: #5, 2.60 million; A18-49: #4, 1.2/ 4)
I assume the fact the show was pre-empted in Chicago for a Bulls game means we will see that number drop a decent amount.
Is there anywhere we can find the number for SV without people who watched the Bulls?
Well obviously from a ratings standpoint the CW's ratings are not good, but for them, they had a good week. Lots of shows hit season highs. Maybe people are starting to come back to their aging sked? Or was it a fluke week? I guess we'll see.
Originally posted by Julie: Wow, what happened to Medium last night? And this was the much-hyped Halloween episode they've been talking about since August that aired last night. Very disappointing, and somewhat strange, results, especially since it was the lowest rated show on CBS last night, they've been promoting it all week, and it was beat in total viewers by Dateline. I found it to be a good episode, too. The entire CBS lineup is considerably weaker than last year, something else I don't understand.
Very good episode, doing the subject matter justice. You learn to be cautious about ratings expectations, but I was fairly sure last nite would be not so much a breakout for Medium on CBS but certainly an uptick from the previous low 8mm's and 2.0.
Along the lines of the Halloween theme, GW and Medium couldn't get blood out of a stone last nite with their themed shows. I watched GW, which I usually don't, and they had a decent ep as well.
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CW: Please wake up and smell the coffee. Smallville needs to go to Tuesdays and lead into the new Life Unexpected. Shift 90210 to Mondays with GG for rich night and move OTH to Wed. at 9. They need something that has some proven fanbase to take on Glee. Burn off 90210 on Fridays after Top Model repeats.
Originally posted by Julie: Wow, what happened to Medium last night? And this was the much-hyped Halloween episode they've been talking about since August that aired last night. Very disappointing, and somewhat strange, results, especially since it was the lowest rated show on CBS last night, they've been promoting it all week, and it was beat in total viewers by Dateline. I found it to be a good episode, too. The entire CBS lineup is considerably weaker than last year, something else I don't understand.
Very good episode, doing the subject matter justice. You learn to be cautious about ratings expectations, but I was fairly sure last nite would be not so much a breakout for Medium on CBS but certainly an uptick from the previous low 8mm's and 2.0.
Along the lines of the Halloween theme, GW and Medium couldn't get blood out of a stone last nite with their themed shows. I watched GW, which I usually don't, and they had a decent ep as well.
First look at the ratings, I thought they were a mistake. It's almost hard to believe that 2 shows whose Halloween episodes should be highly rated were rated so low last night. Didn't watch GW, but Medium (whose Halloween episode was hyped and promoted) had a fantastic episode, something different than the usual Medium we're used to seeing, yet I believe last night's episode was a season low, when it should be a season high.
Originally posted by William: Lots of shows hit season highs. Maybe people are starting to come back to their aging sked? Or was it a fluke week? I guess we'll see.
Alot of shows seemed to have repeats this week so I think that might have helped the CW a couple nights(Mon + Wed, although Thurs it did it on it's own)
Obviously FOX has work to do on Friday. Although, I could just see them running repeats and forgetting about the night.
