Ratings

[AgentPat]

Don't you think the teaser for the following week will also determine how many people "come back?"

Given the target audience of this show - 18-34 yo MEN - you BET it will! LOL

 

[avidreader]

I think regardless of how people view tonight's episode, next week we have a reunion of the Dukes of Hazzard. That in itself will be enough of a draw card.

They timed Top Wopat's appearance perfectly with the new Duke's movie having played over the summer to get people interested in that story again.

 

[RakuMon]

I think that Exposed will be another ratings winner. For the first time since Chris Reeve's guest spot, I think Smallville will generate a lot of mainstream attention. And it's about time too!!

 

[NHawk19]

Promotion of an ep IS important, no doubt about it. But how the ep is promoted won't change what people think *after* seeing it.

The goal with series television is to grow your audience through time as much as possible. Statistically, there will be some viewers that tune in tonight that have NEVER seen an episode of SV. Depending on what they think after watching tonight, they'll either be persuaded to come back next week, or they won't. What's misleading about total viewer statistics (regardless of demographic breakdown) is that we're only given a total figure. Basically, the six million viewers who watched last week are not ALL going to be the same individuals who watch tonight. Sure, most of them will be, but there will be a certain amount of newbies. THOSE are the people you want to see come back. And you don't want to dissuade current viewers from tuning out for subsequent episodes because the "last" one they saw was "bad" in their opinion. You don't want attrition to even out viewership each week. You want to GROW.

Having said all that, Thirst *could* do quite well since there ARE a lot of Buffy fans out there and they might actually come back NEXT week. So it's up in the air until the fast affiliates tomorrow.

Guess I sort of blended topics . . .I dont disagree all I was getting at was that it's easier to get them to buy something if the package is nice. And a bad first experience coupled with bad packaging in not a good thing.

Meaning 2 things. 1) that Aqua was a good ep but even a bad tease for Thirst coming out of that could cause a fall off. 2) that even if thirst is bad a good tease could potentially help the following week, but a bad tease for the following week would surely have an impact on the following week.

They cant control what happened with Aqua->Thirst but they can control Thirst->(I forget). Knowing that Thirst could be a weaker episode they need a great tease leaving it.

 

[KikiDee]

Guess I sort of blended topics . . .I dont disagree all I was getting at was that it's easier to get them to buy something if the package is nice. And a bad first experience coupled with bad packaging in not a good thing.

Meaning 2 things. 1) that Aqua was a good ep but even a bad tease for Thirst coming out of that could cause a fall off. 2) that even if thirst is bad a good tease could potentially help the following week, but a bad tease for the following week would surely have an impact on the following week.

They cant control what happened with Aqua->Thirst but they can control Thirst->(I forget). Knowing that Thirst could be a weaker episode they need a great tease leaving it.

I'm sure that had something to do with releasing two completely different perspectives on the episode. One dealing with Lex and Brainiac and the other with the vampire sisters. They don't even look to be from the same episode. I think they're saving Princess Leia for dessert because I haven't seen much mentioned about her. Well, until just now that I checked K-Site. They have some promo pics.

I think Pat's right about the Buffy fans. They may tune in tonight and who knows we may catch a few who want to come back for more of the story and not just vampires. May sound cheesy, but smart marketing I say. Now if only Steven S. DeKnight can pull it off. He was the one who wrote Spell so we shall see.

 

[Billy Batson]

http://television.aol.com/editors_picks/thursday_tv

"Well, 'Smallville' got dealt a suicide slot this season running head-to-head with 'Survivor,' 'Alias,' 'Joey'/'Will & Grace,' 'The O.C.,' and breakout hit 'Everybody Hates Chris.' There's blood in the water in this power hour, but if nothing else, 'Smallville' will go down swinging (and who knows, how super strength might help). So what are Supes and company doing to gain viewership? They are appealing to both aging dorks and younger dorks. For the graying set, Carrie Fisher turns up to make Chloe's internship at The Daily Planet a living hell. Speaking of hell, for the fresher geeks, James Marsters is finally making good on his season premiere cameo by showing up as Professor Milton Fine -- which if you've been thumbing through your geektionary, is an alter-ego for legendary supervillain Brainiac. Also, this episode deals with a sorority full of vampires. So, in nerd review, this one episode gives you Superman, 'Star Wars,' 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' AND overall Halloween fare. TV usually isn't this good to fanboys. Enjoy it while you can. -- Anonymous"

 

[The Incredible Hulk]

Here we go

http://www.mediaweek.com/mw/newsletters/proginsider/index.jsp

OCTOBER 28, 2005
The Programming Insider

Marc Berman

Primetime Thursday Ratings:
CBS Rules

Thursday 10/27/05
Metered Market Ratings

Note: The following overnight results exclude the Miami, Hartford, New Orleans, West Palm Beach and Ft. Myers markets.

Household Rating/Share
CBS: 13.7/21, NBC: 7.3/11, ABC: 4.5/ 7, WB: 3.8/ 6, Fox: 3.5/ 5, UPN: 2.9/ 4

-Percent Change From the Comparable Year-Ago Evening (Thursday 10/28/04):
WB: +73, Fox: +25, ABC: no change, CBS: -13, UPN: -24, NBC: -27

----------

Fast Affiliate Ratings

-Total Viewers:
CBS: 20.79 million, NBC: 8.68, ABC: 5.69, WB: 4.84, Fox: 4.82, UPN: 3.35

-Adults 18-49:
CBS: 6.9/18, NBC: 3.9/10, ABC: 2.1/ 6, Fox and WB: 2.0/ 5 each, UPN: 1.4/ 4

----------

-Yesterday’s Winners:
Survivor: Guatemala (CBS), Smallville (WB), CSI R (CBS), Without a Trace (CBS)

-Honorable Mention:
Everybody Hates Chris (UPN)

-Yesterday’s Losers:
Alias (ABC), Love, Inc. (UPN), Night Stalker (ABC), Eve (UPN), Cuts (UPN), Primetime Live (ABC)

-Ratings Breakdown:
As always, CBS dominated on Thursday, ranking first in every half-hour and beating distant No. 2 NBC by a considerable 88 percent in the overnights, 12.11 million viewers and 77 percent among adults 18-49. Proof of the power of CSI was a repeat of the crime solving drama still finishing first overall for the evening with a 16.0/23 in the overnights, 23.79 million viewers and a 7.9/20 among adults 18-49 at 9 p.m. Comparably, that beat an original episode of NBC’s competing The Apprentice 4 (Overnights: #2, 8.8/13; Viewers: #2, 10.52 million; A18-49: #2, 4.9/12) by 82 percent in the overnights, 13.27 million viewers and 61 percent among adults 18-49.

Earlier in the evening, CBS’ Survivor: Guatemala opened with a typical 10.7/16 in the overnights, 17.26 million viewers and a 6.1/17 among adults 18-49 from 8-9 p.m. At 10 p.m., Without A Trace capped it off with a rock-solid 14.5/23 in the overnights, 21.27 million viewers and a 6.7/17 among adults 18-49.

Also on NBC were repeats of Joey (Overnights: #2t, 5.0/ 8; Viewers: #3, 6.08 million; A18-49: #2t, 2.4/ 7) and Will & Grace (Overnights: #2, 5.6/ 8; Viewers: #3, 6.27 million; A18-49: #2t, 2.7/ 7) from 8-9 p.m., and a repeat of ER at 10 p.m. (Overnights: #2, 7.8/12; Viewers: #2, 9.34 million; A18-49: #2, 4.2/11). As a reminder, total viewers and adults 18-49 are based on the fast affiliate ratings.

The WB remained the fastest growing network on Thursday, courtesy of the relocated Smallville (Overnights: #4, 4.7/ 7; Viewers: #4, 5.55 million; A18-49: #2t, 2.6/ 7) and Everwood (Overnights: #5, 3.1/ 5; Viewers: #5, 4.13 million; A18-49: #5, 1.4/ 4).

Over at ABC, the Thursday news was grimmer than usual with hiatus-bound Alias (Overnights: #3, 4.9/ 8; Viewers: #2, 6.36 million; A18-49: #4, 2.1/ 6) at a season low, struggling Night Stalker (Overnights: #3, 3.9/ 6; Viewers: #4, 5.09 million; A18-49: #4, 2.0/ 5) at a series low, and Primetime Live a mere (and last-place) 4.8/ 8 in the overnights, 5.62 million viewers and a 2.2/ 6 among adults 18-49 at 10 p.m.. Chances are the axe will be swinging on Night Stalker at any moment.

Baseball-less Fox plugged up Thursday with a repeat of theatrical Maid in America, which scored a 3.5/ 5 in the overnights (#4), 4.82 million viewers (#5), and a 2.0/ 5 (#4t) among adults 18-49 from 8-10 p.m.

On UPN, still potent Everybody Hates Chris dipped to a series-low 4.3/ 7 in the overnights (#4t), 5.23 million viewers (#4) and a 2.1/ 6 among adults 18-49 (#4), followed by the underperforming (and last-place) Love, Inc. (Overnights: 2.7/ 4; Viewers: 3.12 million; A18-49: 1.4/ 4), Eve (Overnights: 2.2/ 3; Viewers: 2.85 million; A18-49: 1.2/ 3) and Cuts (Overnights: 2.0/ 3; Viewers: 2.22 million; A18-49: 0.9/ 2) from 8:30-10 p.m. As good as Everybody Hates Chris still is, the rest of UPN Thursday is a disaster.

Source: Nielsen Media Research data

 

[avidreader]

No. 2 in adults 18-49. That's pretty cool. Viewership was down from last week, but still ranked in at number 4.

 

[The Incredible Hulk]

yeah viewership was down across the board for everyone, probably due to the fact that one of the major media markets in the country, South Florida, isnt included in those, because a lot of people still dont have power down there..

 

[avidreader]

yeah viewership was down across the board for everyone, probably due to the fact that one of the major media markets in the country, South Florida, isnt included in those, because a lot of people still dont have power down there..

I see. I thought it looked like it was across the Board. However, they had the highest growth rate from last year. That's awesome!

 

[NHawk19]

Well it's cool that SV is doing well. Have to wait and see what the viewship will bring for the next ep.

 

[AgentPat]

Another week. Another press release.
(I omitted the paragraphs specific to Everwood. At this point, all I really care about is SV LOL)

Friday, October 28, 2005
THE WB THURSDAY KEEPS GETTING BETTER AS IT ACHIEVES ITS BEST RATINGS OF THE SEASON AMONG WOMEN 18-34, WOMEN 12-34 AND FEMALE TEENS
Released by The WB
Burbank, CA - October 28, 2005

“SMALLVILLE” CONTINUES ITS TIME PERIOD DOMINANCE AMONG YOUNG MEN, WINNING ITS TIME PERIOD WITH #1 RANKS IN MEN 18-34 AND MEN 12-34 AND #2 FINISHES IN ADULTS 18-34, PERSONS 12-34, ADULTS 18-49, WOMEN 18-34, WOMEN 12-34 AND MEN 18-49

“SMALLVILLE” ONCE AGAIN SCORES THE BEST RATINGS FOR THE TIME PERIOD IN WB HISTORY AMONG ADULTS 18-34 AND MEN 18-34 AND ACHIEVES SEASON BESTS IN ALL 18-34 DEMOS, WOMEN 12-34 AND FEMALE TEENS, WHILE SCORING TREMENDOUS GAINS FOR ITS TIME PERIOD COMPARED TO THE PARALLEL WEEK LAST YEAR INCLUDING +107% AMONG ADULTS 18-34

The WB's Thursday duo of SMALLVILLE and EVERWOOD continues to build on its ultra-successful season as television's best scheduling move. The night, which has been an undeniable winner this television season, achieved its season-high ratings among women 18-34 (2.3/6), women 12-34 (2.5/7) and female teens (3.1/10).

SMALLVILLE again certified its dominance among young men at 8 p.m. on Thursdays as it finished #1 its time period in men 18-34 (3.5/12) and men 12-34 (3.2/11) for the fifth time in as many weeks this season. SMALLVILLE also placed #2 in its time period among adults 18-34 (3.1/10), adults 18-49 (2.6/7), persons 12-34 (3.0/9), women 18-34 (2.7/8), women 12-34 (2.8/8) and men 18-49 (2.8/8). SMALLVILLE's ratings in adults 18-34 and men 18-34 were once again the highest in the time period in network history and its scores in persons 12-34 and adults 18-49 were the second strongest in network history.

Just like its lead-out SMALLVILLE scored at its highest levels this season with its best ratings of the season among adults 18-34 (3.1/10), women 18-34 (2.7/8), men 18-34 (3.5/12), women 12-34 (2.8/8) and female teens (3.2/10). SMALLVILLE's year-to-year gains for its time period continue to be humongous. It scored tremendous growth in all key demos compared to the same week last year including +107% in adults 18-34 (3.1/10), +192% in men 18-34 (3.5/12), +88% in persons 12-34 (3.0/9), +73% in adults 18-49 (2.6/7) and +77% in total viewers (5.8 million).

For the night, The WB Thursday was #2 among men 12-34 (2.1/7), #3 in adults 18-34 (2.2/7), persons 12-34 (2.3/7), men 18-34 (2.1/7), women 12-34 (2.5/7) and men 18-49 (1.8/5). The night achieved great gains over the same Thursday last season including +69% in adults 18-34, +92% in persons 12-34, +73% in adults 18-49, +108% in teens and +101% in total viewers (4.8 million).

http://www.thefutoncritic.com/cgi/pr.cgi?id=20051028wb01

 

[Serene]

“SMALLVILLE” CONTINUES ITS TIME PERIOD DOMINANCE AMONG YOUNG MEN, WINNING ITS TIME PERIOD WITH #1 RANKS IN MEN 18-34 AND MEN 12-34 AND #2 FINISHES IN ADULTS 18-34, PERSONS 12-34, ADULTS 18-49, WOMEN 18-34, WOMEN 12-34 AND MEN 18-49

That is just amazing. But here's what I want to know... Who are all the people watching Survivor then? Old folks and adolescents?

 

[The Incredible Hulk]

That is just amazing. But here's what I want to know... Who are all the people watching Survivor then? Old folks and adolescents?

yes. old people out in the midwest LOVE CBS. CSI is like the new Matlock to them

 

[KikiDee]

yeah viewership was down across the board for everyone, probably due to the fact that one of the major media markets in the country, South Florida, isnt included in those, because a lot of people still dont have power down there..

I think WB was preempted in some cities. I know one of the threads I was reading someone was complaining about no smallville Thursday. That may have contributed as well.

 

[AgentPat]

That is just amazing. But here's what I want to know... Who are all the people watching Survivor then? Old folks and adolescents?

Remember statistics can be misleading depending upon how they're quoted and presented. Just because SV is #1 in men 18-34 and men 12-34, doesn't mean men *don't* watch Survivor. I didn't look at Survivor's ratings. SV could have just narrowly beaten Survivor in those demos. Also, notice how you never see #1 rankings among any female demographics for SV. Heh. They're half of the potential audience. Shows like Everybody Hates Chris get to crow about that demographic. Here's an excerpt of their press release for last Thursday's episode:

The critically acclaimed hit EVERYBODY HATES CHRIS continues to score for UPN on Thursday, placing ahead of NBC's "Joey", ABC's "Alias" and Fox in adults 18-34, while topping ABC’s “Alias” and Fox in adults 18-49 from 8:00-8:30PM, based on preliminary Nielsen ratings for Oct. 27.

CHRIS placed second in its time period among women 18-34, behind only CBS's "Survivor," and CHRIS beat ABC's "Alias," WB's "Smallville" and Fox to rank third among women 18-49.​

In that first paragraph, they only say which networks EHC beat that night specific to the adults 18-34 demo. CBS (Survivor) and WB (SV) are conspicuously missing.

In the second paragraph, we discover EHC largest audience is likely female, but that episode wasn't #1 in any category.


Survivor is going to win most demographics through the power of sheer numbers. So when SV wins a #1 spot anywhere, The WB has a LOT to sing about. That and the percentage gains from last year is astonishing. Some of those demos are posting triple digit gains. +107% in adults 18-34 and +101% in total viewers overall is amazing. The WB has probably been clinking champaign glasses for the Thursday night 8pm slot for the last five weeks.

The 9pm slot, not so much. Here's an excerpt from MediaLife Magazine:

'Everwood' sapping the WB's Thursday
Losing half of surging 'Smallville's' 18-34s
By Diego Vasquez
Oct 28, 2005

“Smallville” has worked extremely well for the WB on Thursday nights, but lead-out “Everwood” has not.

Last night “Everwood” averaged a 1.5 Nielsen overnight rating among viewers 18-34, down 52 percent from its lead-in, “Smallville,” with a 3.1. The show has consistently been losing about half of its lead-in.

Though it’s not its target audience, among 18-49s last night, “Everwood” matched a season low with a 1.4 rating.

One big problem is that “Smallville” and “Everwood” do not share the same audience. “Smallville” skews male while “Everwood” skews heavily female. Last night “Smallville” averaged a 3.4 in 18-34 men and “Everwood” averaged a 1.0, half its women 18-34 average.

With huge dropoffs coming in each of the five weeks the shows have aired, the WB has to be rethinking the 9 p.m. slot. How long will it allow the show, which did decently last year in the Monday 9 p.m. slot, to compete head-to-head against the likes of CBS’s “CSI” and NBC’s “The Apprentice?”

A safer bet may be to move “Everwood” back to Mondays, where “Related” recently began airing, and move that low-rated show to Sundays with female-friendly “Charmed.”

http://medialifemagazine.com/artman/publish/article_974.asp​

 

[The Incredible Hulk]

I dont think WB has another show that skews that heavily male to put with Smallville even if they wanted to. Though if they moved Supernatural there, I might actually watch it, considering i always forget on Tuesdays even though I liked the pilot.

 

[KikiDee]

I dont think WB has another show that skews that heavily male to put with Smallville even if they wanted to. Though if they moved Supernatural there, I might actually watch it, considering i always forget on Tuesdays even though I liked the pilot.

I usually do stuff around the house at 8 now (which isn't a bad thing, you know actually moving around). I used to be an apprentice junkie, but I'm just so over it now. Donald Trump makes me ill......

Anyway, I agree with you Hulk if they would put Supernatural in that spot I might actually get the chance to watch the whole show.

 

[avidreader]

This is all just so great. One of those growth statistics was like 192%? Thats amazing.


I agree Supernatural needs to go Thursday at 9.00, and Everwood could go to Tuesday after Gilmore Girls, just so they dont mess around with their timeslots too much.

 

[triplet]

I dont think WB has another show that skews that heavily male to put with Smallville even if they wanted to. Though if they moved Supernatural there, I might actually watch it, considering i always forget on Tuesdays even though I liked the pilot.

Supernatural is awesome, I love it.

It repeats on Sundays, so you can always catch it then.

 

[Serene]

I'd be thrilled to pieces if they move Supernatural to be the follow up show to SV. I think it's supposed to be doing pretty well in the Tues slot it's in though.

 

[triplet]

I'd be thrilled to pieces if they move Supernatural to be the follow up show to SV. I think it's supposed to be doing pretty well in the Tues slot it's in though.

Yeah, it is.... but if Supernatural were to go up against CSI, The Apprentice and The Nightstalker POS, I think it would do pretty good.

That Nightstalker show is so bad it's nearly unwatchable.... there's a reason why Stuart Townsend got fired by Peter Jackson from the LOTR movies: the man cannot act.

I saw the pilot and that was enough for me. It's awful.

 

[Lara]

I really like Supernatural but I also watch Gilmore Girls before it. I would hate to see it moved if it would harm the show. I'm curious as to the demo's for it. it may be getting a large part of the GG audience.

 

[AgentPat]

Competition on Thursday nights is gonna get ridiculous!
From Reuters/Hollywood Reporter:

Fox, NBC mull midseason moves
31 October, 2005
By Andrew Wallenstein

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - With the summer hit "Dancing With the Stars" now set to cut in on Thursday nights starting in January, some of ABC's competitors are considering some fancy footwork of their own.

Fox is weighing a shift of television's top-rated series, "American Idol," to Thursday to grab a greater share of the massive amounts of movie marketing dollars studios lavish on the night. NBC may follow suit with a bold move of "My Name Is Earl," which has emerged as primetime's top-rated comedy in the coveted adults 18-49 demographic.

To be sure, no one can know whether the industry chatter about these potential scheduling shifts are trial balloons or strong considerations; programming brass often engage in the kind of posturing and politicking commonly seen among contestants on another Thursday asset, CBS' "Survivor."

But in stark contrast to the stability the broadcasters are preaching as they head into the November sweep period Thursday, no one is ruling out the possibility of a major scheduling shakeup on TV's most lucrative night as the new year approaches.

"We think about it, we've talked about it, it's a possibility," Preston Beckman, executive vp strategic program planning at Fox, said of a Thursday "Idol" move. "But right now we have the right plan going forward for our schedule."

Fox made a big move on the night last season in relocating its teen fave "The O.C." to 8 p.m. Thursday, where it has given the network a pulse on a night where it had long been D.O.A.

NBC brass also are treading cautiously with "Earl," given the risks of messing with the good fortune the Jason Lee comedy show has found on Tuesday.

"It's something we'll look at really carefully," Mitch Metcalf, executive vp program planning and scheduling at NBC, said of the prospect of moving "Earl." "The last thing we want to do is damage an asset."

The jockeying for position is a continuation of a trend first triggered at May's "upfront" advertising market, when several networks made bold scheduling changes while the network that once owned the night, NBC, has stuck with a shaky lineup that has only grown weaker this season.

"I think the thing with Thursday night is, it's not the daunting night it used to be," Beckman said. "Everyone feels they can go in and make some noise."

Beckman would not speculate on specific "Idol" scheduling strategies, but the most commonly heard scenario among the rumblings in broadcaster boardrooms this week was Fox pushing the results show from Wednesday to 9 p.m. Thursday, replacing new drama "Reunion." That also would keep "Idol" away from ABC's sophomore drama "Lost," which has only picked up steam in its new Wednesday 9 p.m. time slot.

Many doubt that Fox would dare alter a franchise it has so carefully and conservatively cultivated over the years; some suggest the network is simply feeding the rumor bill to keep competitors off balance. Peter Liguori, president of entertainment at Fox, may be loath to put himself in the position of being the man who hurt "Idol" so early in his new job; the Wednesday hour is estimated to command more than $700,000 from advertisers for a 30-second spot, making it the most expensive primetime slot.

But Liguori also may be feeling emboldened now that Fox is seeing strength elsewhere on the schedule, including the successful launch of Monday drama "Prison Break" and the continuing strength of 9 p.m. Tuesday drama "House."

As for NBC, "Earl" may not command "Idol" ad prices yet, but moving it could represent an even bigger risk. The Tuesday 9 p.m. comedy is a huge point of pride for a struggling network that may not want to jeopardize a good thing.

That said, the 9 p.m. Tuesday hour is not a total success story for NBC. The 9:30 p.m. comedy "The Office" is retaining just 56% of its 18-49 lead-in, according to Nielsen Media Research figures. Although the retention has trended up in recent weeks, it's still the weakest retention rate among all comedy pairings on the Big Four. But would "Earl's" scruffy charms work better opposite the slicker urban stylings of NBC's flagging Thursday comedies "Joey" or "Will & Grace?"

One commonly cited scenario is that NBC will double-pump "Earl" in some form, either moving its slot to 8 p.m. Thursday and repeating it Tuesday or stacking a repeat at 9:30 Tuesday to correct the lag in its "Office" lead-out.

Another question for NBC is timing. Thursday's serious declines would necessitate putting "Earl" in as soon as possible, but "Earl" may have to wait until March, when NBC is expected to institute changes all over the schedule backed by promotional power of its Winter Olympics coverage in the second half of February.

ABC isn't waiting until then, replacing 8 p.m. Thursday entry "Alias" (due to star Jennifer Garner 's maternity leave) with "Dancing," the biggest summer hit since "Survivor" dawned in 2000. Although "Alias" and new drama "Night Stalker" improved ABC's 18-49 ratings by 11% over the previous year, there's room for improvement, said to Jeff Bader, executive vp ABC Entertainment.

"We need to do better on Thursday," he acknowledged.

The return of "Dancing" also raises other questions, including where on the schedule its results show will end up, whether "Alias" will eventually return to the same time slot and whether "Stalker" will last much longer on Thursdays too. In a brutal time slot, "Stalker" has averaged a paltry 2.1 rating/5 share in adults 18-49. "To go up against 'CSI,' we knew was a tough task to begin with," Bader said.

ABC's "Dancing" likely will take a sizable chunk of the audience left behind by "Survivor," which probably will be between seasons for most if not all of "Dancing's" eight-week run. ABC's decision to shift "Dancing" may also reflect a creeping vulnerability at CBS, even though the network has largely replaced NBC as the dominant force on Thursday. Nevertheless, all three CBS series are drooping versus year-ago numbers, particularly "Survivor," which is down 15% in 18-49. All in all, CBS is down 8% in 18-49 on the night.

Kelly Kahl, executive vp program planning and scheduling, isn't worried. "'Survivor' is down a little bit, but think of how resilient the show is," he said.

Fox and NBC aren't the only ones who may need to make midseason moves on Thursday. Although UPN has rejuvenated its lineup with "Everybody Hates Chris," the network may have to tinker with the rest of the night's lineup. "Chris," which averages a 2.4/7 in 18-49, is not boosting the likes of 8:30 p.m. entry "Eve" (1.5/4).

What might embolden a little Thursday experimentation is WB, which raised eyebrows by shifting two of its more established players, "Smallville" and "Everwood," strengthening its hand on the night, particularly with the young-male audience; "Smallville" takes in more men 18-34 than "Survivor."

"We feel not only we've established a toehold, but we planted a flag on what's arguably the most important TV night of the week," said Rusty Mintz, senior vp programming and scheduling at WB.

And then there is the school of thought that holds that "Dancing" and any other potential Thursday latecomers may only end up raising overall HUT (homes using television) levels on the night, giving everyone something to gain. When "Survivor" first moved to 8 p.m. Thursday in 2000, it carved out an audience without hobbling NBC's "Friends." Similarly, NBC's "The Apprentice" last year found its own sizable viewership in the shadow of CBS's "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" in the 9 p.m. hour.

"Look historically at Thursday when shows have gone in there; it hasn't been a zero-sum game; they've added to the pie," Mintz said.

http://www.heraldnewsdaily.com/stories/news-0092960.html

 

[NHawk19]

SV must've really raised some eyebrows.

Couple things though

1) I dont see dancing with the stars taking the 18-34 male demo. Do any guys watch that show?

2) I imagine Alias did have some kind of similar following. Hopefully its being dumped will free up more people for SV.

3) I really dont want them to move Earl I like it but I think SV would win out if I had to make the choice. I'm to far invested in it.

4) I see Idol as the only really potential dent in SV's armor. However, with the decline in populartiy of reality TV I would hope Idol wouldn't get the viewership they intended.