Ratings

[NHawk19]

OCTOBER 04, 2006
The Programming Insider

Marc Berman

Prime-Time Tuesday Ratings:
ABC Dances to Victory; Disappointing Veronica Mars on the CW

Tuesday 10/03/06
Metered Market Ratings

Household Rating/Share
ABC: 10.4/16, NBC: 8.5/13, CBS: 8.4/13, Fox: 6.8/10, CW: 3.2/ 5

-Percent Change From the Comparable Year-Ago Evening (Tuesday 10/04/05)
(*compared to the WB’s combination of Gilmore Girls and Supernatural)
ABC: +17, NBC: - 1, CBS: - 5, Fox: - 7, CW: -30

---------------

-Yesterday’s Winners:
Dancing With the Stars (ABC), NCIS (CBS), Law & Order: SVU (NBC)

-Honorable Mention:
The Unit (CBS), Law & Order: Criminal Intent (NBC)

-Disappointing:
Veronica Mars (CW)

-Yesterday’s Losers:
Friday Night Lights (NBC), Help Me Help You (ABC), Smith (CBS)

---------------

Fast National Ratings

-Total Viewers:
ABC: 14.40 million, CBS: 12.37, NBC: 11.13, Fox: 7.80, CW: 3.99

-Adults 18-49:
ABC: 4.1 rating/11 share, NBC: 4.0/11, CBS: 3.6/10, Fox: 2.5/ 7, CW: 1.7/ 5

---------------

-Ratings Breakdown:
Without Fox’s competing House in the mix, ABC danced its way to a three-tier Tuesday victory, with a first-place finish in the overnights, total viewers and adults 18-49. CBS shared the No. 2 spot overall with NBC despite the continued erosion for new drama Smith, while NBC’s Friday Night Lights and season three of the CW’s Veronica Mars opened with minimal interest.

Another 90-minute installment of ABC’s Dancing With the Stars led the Tuesday troops with a rock-solid 13.2/20 in the overnights, 18.28 million viewers and a 5.2/14 among adults 18-49 from 8-9:30 p.m. Week two of lead-out Help Me Help You (which will clearly not benefit once lead-in The Knights of Prosperity arrives on Oct. 17), took a hit, however, with erosion of almost 50 percent from the last half-hour of Dancing With the Stars. Take a look:

ABC/Tuesday
9:00 p.m. Dancing With the Stars (final half-hour)
Overnights: 14.6/21 (#1), Viewers: 20.09 million (#1), A18-49: 5.7/15 (#1)

9:30 p.m. Help Me Help You
Overnights: 7.6/11 (#3t), Viewers: 10.40 million (#3); A18-49: 3.1/ 8 (#3)

Percent Retention for Help Me Help You:
Overnights: 52, Viewers: 52; A18-49: 54

Comparatively, Help Me Help You also declined from its debut one week earlier (Overnights: 8.9/13; Viewers: 11.48 million; A18-49: 3.5/ 9 on Sept. 26) by 15 percent in the overnights, 1.08 million viewers and 11 percent among adults 18-49. No Ted Danson…this is not Cheers. And it’s not even close to Becker!

At 10 p.m., ABC’s Boston Legal trailed NBC’s competing, and dominating, Law & Order: SVU by 32 percent in the overnights (7.6/12 vs. 11.1/18), 3.58 million viewers (10.60 vs. 14.18 million) and 44 percent among adults 18-49 (2.9/ 8 vs. 5.2/14).

As a reminder, total viewers and adults 18-49 from last night are based on the fast nationals. Any prior results are based on the final nationals.

In series-premiere news, the lights were clearly not bright on new NBC drama Friday Night Lights, which kicked-off with a mere 5.3/ 8 in the overnights (#4), 7.18 million viewers (#3) and a 2.7/ 8 among adults 18-49 (#3) at 8 p.m. Comparatively, former occupant The Biggest Loser averaged a heftier 5.9/ 9 in the overnights (#3), 8.36 million viewers and a 3.4/ 9 among adults 18-49 on Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2005. NBC had better news from 9-11 p.m. with the relocated Law & Order: Criminal Intent at a comfortable 9.1/13 in the overnights (#2), 12.04 million viewers (#3) and a 4.2/11 among adults 18-49 (#3) at 9 p.m., followed by another 10 p.m. time period victory for the aforementioned Law & Order: SVU (Overnights: 11.1/8; Viewers: 14.18 million; A18-49: 5.2/14).

CBS, unfortunately, has sprung a leak at 10 p.m. care of new crime drama Smith. Although NCIS (Overnights: #2, 10.8/16; Viewers: #2, 15.52 million; A18-49: #2, 4.0/11) and compatible The Unit (Overnights: #3, 8.5/13; Viewers: #2, 13.17 million; A18-49: #3, 4.1/11) performed more than adequately from 8-10 p.m., week three of Smith sunk to a third-place 5.8/ 9 in the overnights, 8.43 million viewers and a 2.8/ 8 among adults 18-49. Take a look at Smith’s three-week track to-date:

Smith (CBS): Tues. 10 p.m.
-Sept. 19 – Overnights: 7.8/12; Viewers: 11.00 million; A18-49: 3.6/10
-Sept. 26 – Overnights: 6.7/11; Viewers: 9.67 million; A18-49: 3.3/ 9
-Oct. 3 – Overnights: 5.8/ 9; Viewers: 8.43 million; A18-49: 2.8/ 8

In two weeks, Smith has declined by 26 percent in the overnights, 2.57 million viewers and 22 percent among adults 18-49.

In season-premiere news, The CW’s Veronica Mars limped out of the gate with a disappointing (and, of course, last-place) 2.4/ 4 in the overnights, 3.27 million viewers and a 1.4/ 4 among adults 18-49 at 9 p.m. Although comparatively that was a vast improvement over year-ago failed occupant Sex, Love & Secrets (Overnights: 1.5/ 2; Viewers: 1.40 million; A18-49: 0.6/ 1 on Oct. 4, 2005), keep in mind three things:

1. Retention for Veronica Mars from lead-in Gilmore Girls (Overnights: #5, 4.0/ 6; Viewers: #5, 4.71 million; A18-49: #5, 2.0/ 6 at 8 p.m.) was just 60 percent in the overnights, 69 percent in total viewers and 70 percent among adults 18-49.

2. Sex, Love & Secrets on the year-ago evening led out of a repeat of America’s Next Top Model.

3. Veronica Mars opened season two on Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2005 (out of America’s Next Top Model) with a similarly disappointing 2.5/ 4 in the overnights, 3.29 million viewers and a 1.3/ 3 among adults 18-49.

To the countless Veronica Mars groupies reading this column: the ratings are not terrible. But they could, and should, be much better.

Last, but not least, was game one of the Major League Baseball Division Playoff (Detroit vs. New York Yankees) at a 6.7/11 in the overnights from 8:15-11:30 p.m., with an approximate 7.80 million viewers and a 2.5/ 7 among adults 18-49 in prime time. Comparably, the year-ago game one match-up between The Yankees and The LA Angels averaged a 7.4/11 in the overnights, 8.99 million viewers and a 3.4/ 9 among adults 18-49.

Source: Nielsen Media Research data

Apparently Veronica Mars has a pretty vocal following. I wish they did better.

However, based on last on last weeks numbers it would have been #8 on the net had it premeired then.

 

[triplet]

The CW is swapping its monday and sunday lineups...

http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news.aspx?id=20061005wpix01

Intersting... wasn't sure where else to put this.

 

[Cmill216]

The CW is swapping its monday and sunday lineups...

http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news.aspx?id=20061005wpix01

Intersting... wasn't sure where else to put this.

Wow. Pretty interesting development. I think it's good for the comedies, but really really bad for 7th and Runaway. I don't think either of those are coming back next year.

 

[AgentPat]

Wow. Pretty interesting development. I think it's good for the comedies, but really really bad for 7th and Runaway. I don't think either of those are coming back next year.

I don't think they were planning to renew 7thH. It was only given a reprieve to help get the CW off the ground.

Runaway should be axed immediately, but I don't know if they have anything to put in its place.

They really goofed by not bringing back Everwood or giving Aquaman a chance. Look at how well Heroes is doing now. Pfft. Dumb network.

 

[Eros]

Wow. Pretty interesting development. I think it's good for the comedies, but really really bad for 7th and Runaway. I don't think either of those are coming back next year.

yea now we have Black Monday on the CW..if you know what im getting at.

 

[NHawk19]

OCTOBER 06, 2006
The Programming Insider

Marc Berman

Prime-Time Thursday Ratings:
Split Leadership for ABC and CBS; Strong Ugly Betty; Dismal Six Degrees

Thursday 10/05/06
Metered Market Ratings

Household Rating/Share
ABC: 11.3/17, CBS: 11.3/17, NBC: 7.5/11, Fox: 4.8/ 7, CW: 3.1/ 5

-Percent Change From the Comparable Year-Ago Evening (Thursday 10/06/05)
(*compared to the WB’s combination of Smallville and Everwood)
ABC: +126, NBC: -12, Fox and CW: -21 each, CBS: -24

---------------

Fast National Ratings

-Total Viewers:
CBS: 16.92 million, ABC: 15.43, NBC: 11.27, Fox: 5.79, CW: 3.96

-Adults 18-49:
ABC: 5.8 rating/15 share, CBS: 5.5/15, NBC: 4.4/12, Fox and CW: 1.8/ 5 each
---------------

-Yesterday’s Winners:
Ugly Betty (ABC), Survivor: Cook Islands (CBS), Grey’s Anatomy (ABC), CSI (CBS), ER (NBC)

-Yesterday’s Losers (excluding repeats):
Six Degrees (ABC)

---------------

-Ratings Breakdown:
In another Thursday of split leadership, ABC and CBS tied for first in the overnights, CBS was the most-watched network and ABC was No. 1 among adults 18-49. NBC ranked a distant third, while baseball on Fox and the CW’s Smallville and Supernatural fought for the leftovers.

Although one of the success stories this season, of course, is ABC’s improved position on Thursday, the network has actually sprung a leak at 10 p.m. Week two of the alphabet net’s exceptional Ugly Betty opened the evening on another promising note, with an 11.1/17 in the overnights (#1), 14.18 million viewers (#2) and a 4.4/13 among adults 18-49 (#2) at 8 p.m. Comparatively, that was a loss from last week’s inflated opening levels (Overnights: #1, 12.2/19; Viewers: #2, 16.32 million; A18-49: #2, 5.0/14 on Sept. 28) of only 9 percent in the overnights, 2.14 viewers and 12 percent among adults 18-49. In other words, get used to Ugly Betty!

Ugly Betty led into blockbuster Grey’s Anatomy at a dominant 15.8/23 in the overnights, 22.46 million viewers and a 9.2/13 among adults 18-49 at 9 p.m. Comparably, that was an advantage over CBS’ competing CSI (Overnights: #2, 14.5/21; Viewers: #2, 21.22 million; A18-49: #2, 7.2/18) of 9 percent in the overnights, 1.24 million viewers and 22 percent among adults 18-49. But despite the enormity of its lead-in, recently introduced ABC drama Six Degrees sunk to a mere, and record low, 6.9/11 in the overnights (#3), 9.65 million viewers (#3) and a 3.9/10 among adults 18-49 (#2) at 10 p.m.. A few things to keep in mind about Six Degrees are:

1) Retention out of Grey’s Anatomy of just 44 percent in the overnights, 43 percent in total viewers and 42 percent among adults 18-49.

2) A loss of audience in the second half-hour of 23 percent in the overnights (7.8/12 to 6.0/10), 2.45 million viewers (10.88 to 8.43) and 23 percent among adults 18-49 (4.4/11 to 3.4/ 9).

3) Erosion in just two weeks of 26 percent in the overnights, 2.91 million viewers and 28 percent among adults 18-49.

Three-week track for Six Degrees:
9/21/06 – Overnights: 9.3/15; Viewers: 12.56 million; A18-49: 5.4/14
9/28/06 – Overnights: 7.5/12; Viewers: 10.15 million; A18-49: 4.1/11
10/05/06 – Overnights: 6.9/11; Viewers: 9.65 million; A18-49: 3.9/10

Yes, you can consider Six Degrees one of the biggest bombs of the new season.

As a reminder, total viewers and adults 18-49 from last night are based on the fast nationals. Any prior results are based on the final nationals.

CBS’ Survivor: Cook Islands shared leadership at 8 p.m. with Ugly Betty for the second consecutive week, with a 9.2/14 in the overnights (#2), 15.79 million viewers (#1) and a 5.6/16 among adults 18-49 (#1). That led into the aforementioned CSI (Overnights: #2, 14.5/21; Viewers: #2, 21.22 million; A18-49: #2, 7.2/18 at 9 p.m.), followed by week three of Shark at a 10.3/16 in the overnights (#2), 13.76 million viewers (#2) and a 3.8/10 among adults 18-49 (#3). Although Shark continues to lose a considerable chuck of the CSI lead-in, keep in mind that retention of just 71 percent in the overnights, 65 percent in total viewers and 53 percent among adults 18-49 is reminiscent of Without a Trace out of CSI in season one.

NBC had what could be referred to as a typical Thursday performance with its combination of My Name is Earl (Overnights: #3, 6.2/10; Viewers: #3, 9.91 million; A18-49: #2, 4.0/12), The Office (Overnights: #3, 5.5/ 8; Viewers: #3, 8.77 million; A18-49: #3, 4.1/11), Deal or No Deal (Overnights: #3, 6.1/ 9; Viewers: #3, 9.49 million; A18-49: #3, 3.2/ 8) and ER (Overnights: #1, 10.6/17; Viewers: #1, 14.61 million; A18-49: #1, 6.0/16). Considering ER is facing two new dramas (one leading out of CSI and the other Grey’s Anatomy), it is off to the winner’s circle for the veteran medical drama.

Game two of the MLB Division Playoff on Fox (New Mets vs. L.A. Dodgers) averaged a 5.4/ 9 in the overnights from 8:15-11:15 p.m., with 5.79 million viewers (#4) and a 1.8/ 5 among adults 18-49 (#4t) in primetime. The year-ago match-up between San Diego and St. Louis on Oct. 6, 2005 averaged a 6.0/ 9 in the overnights,7.67 million viewers and a 2.5/ 7 among adults 18-49.

Last, but still worthy of mention given the severity of the competition, was the CW’s combination of Smallville (Overnights: 3.6/ 6; Viewers: #5, 4.60 million; A18-49: #4, 2.0/ 6) and Supernatural (Overnights: 2.6/ 4; Viewers: #5, 3.32 million; A18-49: #5, 1.5/ 4).

Source: Nielsen Media Research data

Thoughts . . . . . .

 

[Cmill216]

yea now we have Black Monday on the CW..if you know what im getting at.

No. I have no idea what you're getting at.

 

[thebigtree95]

Lost's ratings were down 25%, sucks to be them.

 

[avidreader]

Thoughts . . . . . .

I have come to the conclusion, from reading around the Boards, that alot of people that watch Smallville, tivo it, which I think they only get half points for.

It would be interesting, I think, to see these statistics.

 

[explode7]

Damn does Smallville need to be put on a more watched network badly.

 

[heliorei]

With the results of Zod and Sneeze, clearly has shown to the CW executives that Smallville is one of their most solid shows of their network. All other shows have decreased in their ratings, not to mention the 7th heaven show.

Everwood was a far better show and cheaper...go figure.....

I was concerned about Smallville ratings having decreased but once I saw of shows decreasing in their ratings, I was a little more relieved.

I just hope Smallville's ratings will now begin to grow but the CW marketing has to improved...

 

[avidreader]

I think this article explains a couple of things.

Stumbling, CW
revamps its primetime

Swapping Mondays and Sundays to bolster ratings

By Kevin Downey
Oct 6, 2006


When it was first announced, media people saw the CW network as merging the best of the WB and the UPN. But as its fall launch got closer, a grimmer realization set in: The new network could well struggle to even match their ratings.
Two weeks into its launch, the CW is indeed struggling, with ratings below those that both UPN and the WB had in most demographics this time last year. The CW lineup of African-American comedies on Sunday night, brought over from UPN, and old WB teen fair Monday through Thursday, isn't working.
Perhaps more interesting, it's the old WB shows that are hurting most.
Come Monday, in the first of what could be a string of changes, the CW is moving the black comedies from Sunday, where they underperformed in their debuts, to Monday night, where they had long been a staple on the old UPN. "Everybody Hates Chris" will lead off the night at 8.
In turn, “Seventh Heaven” and the new “Runaway” will shift from Monday to Sunday, with "America’s Next Top Model” reruns leading off the night. The night had begun with "Chris."

“This can only help them,” says Jordan Breslow, director of broadcast research at MediaCom. “‘Chris’ at 7 p.m. on Sunday was too early. But at 8 p.m. on Monday, people are ready to sit down for some family viewing. 'Seventh Heaven' will work. People will find it."

Longer term, the CW will move to replace at least several former WB shows.

In hindsight, those shows were already sagging from age, and media people believe the CW erred on the side of caution by sticking by them rather than risking a lineup heavy on new shows. One is “Seventh Heaven,” now in its 11th season.

“You’re seeing some natural declines,” says MediaVest vice president and group research director John Spiropoulos. “That would account for about 30 percent to 50 percent of the declines we’re seeing.”

The CW’s Thursday, with former WB shows “Smallville” and “Supernatural,” has averaged a 1.5 rating, compared to a 1.7 rating on the WB last year. UPN comedies averaged a 1.9 on the night last season.

By contrast to the old WB shows, several of the UPN shows are doing just fine in the 18-34 demographic.

Wrestling on Friday is pulling the exact rating it had on UPN. And despite disappointing ratings for the black comedies, Sunday ratings are comparable to the low ratings the WB had last season, thanks to a “Model” rerun. UPN didn’t have weekend programs.

The CW’s Wednesday is up compared to both UPN and WB on the strength of “Model,” based on Nielsen Media Research ratings for the season through Sunday.

The CW has made a point of saying ratings for regularly scheduled shows, not including repeats, are up from what UPN and the WB had pulled. And it also notes that its Tuesday rating has doubled since the beginning of the season now that “Gilmore Girls” and “Veronica Mars” have premiered.

Apart from its sagging shows, the CW is suffering from lingering viewer confusion over the merger. Some number of former UPN and WB viewers haven’t yet found the CW, says Spiropoulos. In two-thirds of the country the CW is on a different channel than UPN was, and in one-third the country the CW isn’t on the former WB channel.

“In some of the major markets, we’re seeing relatively stable ratings,” he says. “I think what they need to do right now is look at this on a market-by-market basis and do a marketing push where there are declines.”

The CW is also suffering from a lack of buzz, the result of launching only two new shows, “Runaway” and “The Game,” says Breslow.

“There was nothing drawing viewers in,” he says. “With the new season, all the other networks are publicizing new shows. Because of that, people want to see these shows. And once there, the networks can promote the rest of their lineups.”

The CW will debut a couple of new programs in midseason, probably around January. The drama “Hidden Palms” is from “Dawson’s Creek” creator Kevin Williamson. The network will also debut reality show “The Search for the Next Pussycat Doll.” And former WB shows “Beauty and the Geek” and “Reba” are set to return.

Source: http://www.medialifemagazine.com/artman/publish/article_7749.asp

 

[Pickle-El]

The numbers aren't looking so hot so far....at least the demo's are still reaching decent numbers.

 

[NHawk19]

I have come to the conclusion, from reading around the Boards, that alot of people that watch Smallville, tivo it, which I think they only get half points for.

It would be interesting, I think, to see these statistics.

Yeah that would be interesting. Thing is I dont think people were looking for SV's ratings to double w/o UPN being around on Thursdays but they werent supposed to decrease any either.

Competition on Thursdays this fall is tough. Look at all the Heavy hitters and who could have predicted Ugly Betty? SV may need to kick it up a notch, but lets hope CW remains committed.

I also wonder how the DVD sales of SV compare to Lost, CSI and some of the other current heavy hitters.

 

[Pickle-El]

Yeah that would be interesting. Thing is I dont think people were looking for SV's ratings to double w/o UPN being around on Thursdays but they werent supposed to decrease any either.

Competition on Thursdays this fall is tough. Look at all the Heavy hitters and who could have predicted Ugly Betty? SV may need to kick it up a notch, but lets hope CW remains committed.

I also wonder how the DVD sales of SV compare to Lost, CSI and some of the other current heavy hitters.

Don't be surprised if Smallville's DVD numbers are up there or just below the 'heavy hitters'. Remember, it's an established brand. That little has some major pull.....

I would be surprised if there's a huge difference in DVD sales between those shows you mentioned.

 

[AgentPat]

Don't be surprised if Smallville's DVD numbers are up there or just below the 'heavy hitters'. Remember, it's an established brand. That little has some major pull.....

It's doing exceptionally well over at Best Buy. #2 as of Sept 17th...
http://www.homemediaretailing.com/

1. Grey's Anatomy: The Complete Second Season
2. Smallville: The Complete Fifth Season
3. The Wild
4. Star Wars: 3-DVD Collector's Set
5. Lucky Number Slevin
6. The Office: Season Two
7. Star Wars: A New Hope
8. Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back
9. Lost: The Complete Second Season
10. Star Wars: Return of the Jedi

As to the ratings, it's the #1 show on the CW right now. That's all that matters.

 

[avidreader]

As to the ratings, it's the #1 show on the CW right now. That's all that matters.

Yeah, I've already seen the "expert predictions" "NOT" that there wont be a seventh season. But CW aint going nowhere without their number one show.

 

[NHawk19]

Kal do you have the breakdown of how the shows came in this week?

 

[triplet]

Interesting.... Neilson is going to start metering kids from Neilson family homes when they head off to college.

http://www.latimes.com/entertainmen...t10,1,1322537.story?coll=la-headlines-entnews

Should help Smallville, I would think.

 

[AgentPat]

Kal do you have the breakdown of how the shows came in this week?

Here are CW's rankings for national prime-time network television for October 2-8 2006 as compiled by Nielsen Media Research:

America's Next Top Model (Wed.) 5.25
Gilmore Girls 4.62
Smallville 4.52
7th Heaven 4.17
Friday Night Smackdown! 3.84
Veronica Mars 3.36
Supernatural 3.34
One Tree Hill 3.09
Girlfriends 2.85
America's Top Model (Sun.) 2.72
The Game 2.69
All of Us 2.40
Everybody Hates Chris 2.36
Runaway 1.86

Figures are based on the average number of people who watched a program from start to finish. Nielsen estimates there are 283.5 million potential viewers in the U.S. ages 2 and older. Viewership is listed in millions.

 

[heliorei]

Here are CW's rankings for national prime-time network television for October 2-8 2006 as compiled by Nielsen Media Research:

America's Next Top Model (Wed.) 5.25
Gilmore Girls 4.62
Smallville 4.52
7th Heaven 4.17
Friday Night Smackdown! 3.84
Veronica Mars 3.36
Supernatural 3.34
One Tree Hill 3.09
Girlfriends 2.85
America's Top Model (Sun.) 2.72
The Game 2.69
All of Us 2.40
Everybody Hates Chris 2.36
Runaway 1.86

Figures are based on the average number of people who watched a program from start to finish. Nielsen estimates there are 283.5 million potential viewers in the U.S. ages 2 and older. Viewership is listed in millions.

Although Smallville has one of the highest audiences of the CW, i wish its numbers could improve a little bit.

Stop watching Ugly Betty...

 

[TrailerCues]

It should be interesting to see the ratings once the bambino is born on Smallville

 

[NHawk19]

Thanks Pat

Hate to see that it slipped to 3rd, but I like where VM came in. Hopefully once baseball is over the #s will go up.

 

[AgentPat]

Prime-Time Thursday Ratings:
ABC and CBS Split Leadership; Ugly Betty is the Real Deal

Thursday 10/12/06
Metered Market Ratings

Household Rating/Share
CBS: 11.4/17, ABC: 11.1/17, NBC: 7.2/11, Fox: 6.7/10, CW: 3.1/ 5

-Percent Change From the Comparable Year-Ago Evening (Thursday 10/13/05)
(*versus the WB’s combination of Smallville and Everwood)
ABC: +158, Fox: - 4, NBC: -17, CW: -18, CBS: -22

---------------

-Yesterday’s Winners:
Ugly Betty (ABC), Survivor: Cook Islands (CBS), Grey’s Anatomy (ABC), CSI (CBS), ER (NBC)

-Could Be a Keeper:
Shark (CBS)

-Yesterday’s Losers:
Six Degrees (ABC)

---------------

Fast National Ratings

-Total Viewers:
CBS: 17.15 million, ABC: 15.25, NBC: 11.27, Fox: 8.05, CW: 4.32

-Adults 18-49:
ABC: 5.7 rating/15 share, CBS: 5.6/15, NBC: 4.3/11, Fox: 2.4/ 6, CW: 1.9/ 5

---------------

-Ratings Breakdown:
ABC is, no doubt, now the real deal on Thursday, tying CBS for the No. 1 spot for the fourth consecutive week. CBS was first in the overnights and total viewers, while the alphabet net was dominant among adults 18-49. Week three of ABC’s Ugly Betty remained a force to reckon with at an 11.0/17 in the overnights (#1), 13.81 million viewers (#2) and a 4.2/12 among adults 18-49 (#2) at 8 p.m. Comparably, this was on par with its performance from one week earlier, and more proof that ABC is home to the biggest new hit series of the season. You can expect a full season renewal any second now (and plenty of potential Emmy Awards attention at next year’s ceremony) for Ugly Betty.

CBS’ competing Survivor: Cook Islands is down, but far from out with a 9.5/15 in the overnights (#2) and a first-place finish in total viewers (15.74 million) and adults 18-49 (5.4/16). Personally, though, I think this is the worst season to-date creatively for Survivor. There is no one to root for, or hate, among the initial 20 competing contestants.

Also at 8 p.m. was NBC’s My Name Is Earl (Overnights: #3, 6.0/ 9; Viewers: #3, 9.90 million; A18-49: #3, 3.9/12) and The Office (Overnights: #4, 5.4/ 8; Viewers: #3, 8.79 million; A18-49: #3, 4.1/11), which remain an improvement over year-ago occupants Joey and Will & Grace. The CW’s Smallville (Overnights: #5, 3.6/ 6; Viewers: #5, 4.93 million; A18-49: #5, #4, 2.2/ 6) continues to hold its own in one of the most competitive hours in television, while the game one MLB National League Championship Series on Fox (N.Y. Mets: 2, St. Louis Cardinals: 0) averaged a 7.0/11 in the overnights from 8:15-11:15 p.m., with an approximate 8.05 million viewers (#4) and a 2.4/ 6 among adults 18-49 (#4) in prime time. Comparably, the year-ago game two match-up between Houston and St. Louis averaged a healthier 8.0/12 in the overnights, 9.91 million viewers and a 3.1/ 9 among adults 18-49.

As a reminder, total viewers and adults 18-49 from last night are based on the fast nationals. Any prior results are based on the final nationals.

At 9 p.m., the battle of ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy versus CBS’ CSI is shaping up as follows:

Thursday 9 p.m.
Grey’s Anatomy (ABC)
Overnights: 15.8/23 (#1), Viewers: 22.82 million (#1), A18-49: 9.3/22 (#1)

CSI (CBS)
Overnights: 14.4/21 (#2), Viewers: 21.58 million (#2), A18-49: 7.5/18 (#2)

Over at NBC, Deal or No Deal scored a typical 5.8/ 8 in the overnights (#4), 10.09 million viewers (#3) and a 3.1/ 7 among adults 18-49 (#3). The CW’s Supernatural capped off the hour with a last-place 2.6/ 4 in the overnights, 3.70 million viewers and a 1.6/ 4 among adults 18-49. Considering the severity of the competition, retention for Supernatural out of Smallville of 72 percent in the overnights, 75 percent in total viewers and 73 percent among adults 18-49 was not bad. And both Smallville and Supernatural posted growth from one week earlier.

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-The CW Makes Inroads on Wednesday:
Labeling the CW’s One Tree a loser yesterday was a premature call. Combined with America’s Next Top Model, the CW ranked second on Wednesday among adults 18-34 (2.8/ 8) and women 18-34 (4.1/11), with gains in all key demos over both UPN and the WB on the comparable year-ago evening. Both Top Model and One Tree Hill were also up week-to-week, with Top Model winning the 8 p.m. hour in adults 18-34 (3.4/11) and women 18-34 (5.1/15), and ranking second among women 18-49 (4.0/10). Growth for One Tree Hill, meanwhile, was as much as 17 percent among women 18-49 (2.1/ 5) from one week earlier.

-Speaking of the CW:
So far the new network has done what it needed to do, and that is alert the audience where they can now find their former favorite UPN and WB series. America’s Next Top Model, in particular, proves this is a viable platform given its consistency from one year earlier. The next step, of course, is to place more of an emphasis on new programming. Hopefully, the move to Monday will benefit recently introduced sitcom The Game, but chances are slim that drama Runaway will succeed in its new Sunday 9 p.m. time period (which kicks in this weekend).

 

[Brainiac 8]

Thanks Pat, I still can't believe people are watching "Ugly Betty."

At least it's holding it's own, which says something.
God, when American Idol gets put into that slot, all hell's gonna break loose. We'll need to duck and cover.