Reality the Key Force In February Sweeps

The ability of one program to propel a broadcast network significantly up or down in the cumulative ratings game was never more evident than in the February sweeps.

Largely on the strength of America’s Top Model, which aired once in original and once in repeat each week, UPN was the only network during the sweeps to show ratings gains in households, viewers and in the 18-34 and 18-49 demos. In fact, the show cracked the Top 20 in the key younger demo, beating out NBC’s Frasier and Scrubs.