Mixed Weekend Leadership

THE PROGRAMMING INSIDERMonday, October 26, 2009 Primetime Ratings:Weekend Highlights Ratings Box:What's Hot/What's Not On the Air Tonight:Prime-Time Programming Options TV Tidbits:Notes of Interest TV Trivia Time:Missing Barbara_______________________________________________________________________ Prime-Time Ratings:Weekend Highlights Friday 10/23/09Note: The following results are based on the fast affiliate ratings (Live Plus Same Day data). HH Rtg/Shr CBS 5.2/ 9NBC 4.7/ 8ABC 3.4/ 6Fox 1.3/ 2CW 1.2/ 2 -Total Viewers:CBS: 8.32 million, NBC: 7.07, ABC: 4.95, Fox: 2.15, CW: 1.83 -Adults 18-49: CBS: 2.0 rating/7 share, NBC: 1.6/ 5, ABC: 1.3/ 4, Fox and CW: 0.8/ 3 each -------------------- 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. ---------- -Friday’s Winners (keep in mind that the expectations are lower on this evening):Ghost Whisperer (CBS), Medium (CBS), Dateline (NBC) -Friday’s Losers (excluding repeats):Supernanny (ABC), Brothers (Fox), ‘Til Death (Fox), Smallville (CW), Ugly Betty (ABC), Dollhouse (Fox), The Jay Leno Show (NBC) ---------- -Ratings Breakdown:CBS led this fifth Friday of the 2009-10 season, with a first-place finish in every half hour care of Ghost Whisperer (Viewers: 8.46 million; A18-49: 2.1 rating/7 share), completely compatible Medium (Viewers: 8.43 million; A18-49: 2.2/ 7) and Numbers (Viewers: 8.05 million; A18-49: 1.9/ 6), which is expected to end next spring. Medium, fortunately, remains a vast improvement over year-ago occupant The Ex List, which averaged 5.33 million viewers and a 1.5/ 5 in the demo on Oct. 24, 2008. But Ghost Whisperer and Numbers are down as follows: Ghost Whisperer10/24/08 – Viewers: 10.14 million, A18-49: 2.6/ 910/23/09 – Viewers: 8.46 million, A18-49: 2.1/ 7 Percent Change – Viewers: -17, A18-49: -19 Numbers10/24/08 – Viewers: 9.33 million, A18-49: 2.3/ 710/23/09 – Viewers: 8.05 million, A18-49: 1.9/ 6Percent Change – Viewers: -14, A18-49: -17 Second overall was NBC with its line-up of granddaddy Law & Order (Viewers: #2, 7.17 million; A18-49: #2, 1.5/ 5), Dateline (Viewers: #2, 7.91 million; A18-49: #2, 1.8/ 6), which has now successfully replaced originally announced scripted occupant Southland, and The Lay Leno Show (Viewers: #2, 6.15 million; A18-49: #3, 1.4/ 5). Leno got a minor boost care of the highly promoted appearance of First Lady Michelle Obama, but it still finished third in the time period among adults 18-49 and dipped considerably from lead-in Dateline. Consider The Jay Leno Show the biggest new flop of the young season. In the number overall three spot was ABC, which opened with the season-premiere of tired Supernanny (Viewers: #3, 4.70 million; A18-49: #3t, 1.1/ 4 at 8 p.m. ET), followed by relocated Ugly Betty (Viewers: #3, 4.55 million; A18-49: #3, 1.2/ 4), which is not too pretty in the ratings, and veteran 20/20 (Viewers: #3, 5.60 million; A18-49: #2, 1.6/ 5), which built from lead-in Betty by 1.15 million viewers and 33 percent in the demo. One year earlier, ABC fared better with its combination of Wife Swap (Viewers: 4.02 million; A18-49: 1.3/ 4), Supernanny (Viewers: 5.00 million; A18-49: 1.6/ 5) and 20/20 (Viewers: 7.50 million; A18-49: 2.1/ 7) on Oct. 24, 2008. Over at Fox, the Friday news remained bleak care of Brothers (Viewers: #5, 2.35 million; A18-49: #5, 0.8/ 3), which is moving to Sunday at 7 p.m. on Nov. 8, ‘Til Death (Viewers: #5, 1.97 million; A18-49: #5, 0.7/ 2), which is going back on hiatus immediately, and Dollhouse (Viewers: #4, 2.15 million; A18-49: #4, 0.9/ 3), which is taking a breather until December. Next week, Fox will fill Friday with a two-hour repeat episode of House. Needless to say, this has always been a troubled night for Fox. The CW closed the lackluster evening with relocated Smallville (Viewers: #4, 2.52 million; A18-49: #3t, 1.1/ 4) and the unnecessary repeat of America’s Next Top Model (Viewers: #5, 1.13 million; A18-49: #5, 0.5/ 2). While Smallville remains an improvement over year-ago occupants Everybody Hates Chris and The Game, one year earlier it averaged a considerably stronger 4.16 million viewers and a 1.7/ 4 on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2008. It is time for Smallville to call it quits at the end of this season. Source: Nielsen Media Research data (R = repeat) ------------------------- Saturday 10/24/09Note: The following results are based on the fast affiliate ratings (Live Plus Same Day data). HH Rtg/Shr CBS 3.4/ 6ABC 2.7/ 5Fox 2.3/ 4NBC 2.3/ 4 -Total Viewers:CBS: 5.10 million, ABC: 4.41, Fox: 3.79, NBC: 3.48 -Adults 18-49: ABC: 1.4 rating/4 share, Fox: 1.3/ 4, CBS: 1.0/ 3, NBC: 0.7/ 2 ---------- 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. ---------- -Saturday’s Winners:Nothing -Saturday’s Losers (excluding repeats):The night overall (as usual) ---------- -Ratings Breakdown:With game five of the American League Championship Series rained out, Fox aired four episodes of Cops. And CBS finished the evening first in total viewers, with Saturday Night Football on ABC No. 1 among adults 18-49. CBS opened Saturday with a repeat of CSI: NY (Viewers: #3, 3.76 million; A18-49: #3, 0.7/ 2 at 8 p.m.), followed by back-to-back episodes of 48 Hours Mystery, which performed as follows from 9-11 p.m. 48 Hours Mystery (CBS) 9:00 p.m. – Viewers: 5.04 million (#1), A18-49: 1.0/ 3 (#3)10:00 p.m. – Viewers: 6.49 million (#1), A18-49: 1.5/ 5 (#1) College Football on ABC averaged 4.41 million viewers and a first-place 1.4/ 4 among adults 18-49 from 8-11 p.m., with the half-hour breakdown as follows: College Football (ABC) 8:00 p.m. – Viewers: 5.89 million (#1), A18-49: 1.7/ 6 (#1) 8:30 p.m. – Viewers: 5.37 million (#1), A18-49: 1.6/ 5 (#1) 9:00 p.m. – Viewers: 4.53 million (#2), A18-49: 1.4/ 5 (#1) 9:30 p.m. – Viewers: 3.35 million (#4), A18-49: 1.1/ 3 (#2t)10:00 p.m. – Viewers: 3.59 million (#3), A18-49: 1.1/ 4 (#2)10:30 p.m. – Viewers: 3.77 million (#3), A18-49: 1.3/ 4 (#2) Elsewhere, the Cops mini-marathon was below average at 3.79 million viewers (#3) and a second-place 1.3/ 4 among adults 18-49 from 8-10 p.m. And last-place NBC capped off the evening with repeats of just full season-renewed Mercy (Viewers: #4, 2.49 million; A18-49: #4, 0.5/ 2), on-the-fence Trauma (Viewers: #4, 3.30 million; A18-49: #4, 0.6/ 2), which has not been officially canceled yet, and veteran Law & Order: SVU (Viewers: #2, 4.65 million; A18-49: #3, 1.1/ 3). As I say every week, what a night! Source: Nielsen Media Research data (R = repeat) ------------------------- Sunday 10/25/09 HH Rtg/Shr Fox 11.9/19NBC 7.8/12CBS 6.5/10ABC 6.3/10 ---------- -Percent Change From the Comparable Year-Ago Period (Sunday, Oct. 26, 2008):Note: NBC aired theatrical The 40 Year-Old Virgin on the year ago evening, which competed with game four of The World Series (Philadelphia vs. Tampa Bay) on Fox.NBC: +189, Fox: + 3, ABC: -16, CBS: -13 ---------- Note: The fast affiliate results for Sunday will be posted at PIFeedback.com by 12 p.m. ET. Go to the website, click on Ratings Box (the first category), then Last Night’s Results, and Sunday, October 25, 2009. ---------- -Yesterday’s Winners:60 Minutes (CBS), Football primetime overrun (Fox), The OT (Fox), American League Championship Series, Game 6 (Fox), Sunday Night Football (NBC), Desperate Housewives (ABC) -Yesterday’s Losers (excluding repeats):Football Night in America, parts one and two (NBC), Three Rivers (CBS)-----------Ratings Breakdown:Led by the sixth (and final) game of Major League Baseball, The American League Championship Series, Fox won this sports-ignited Sunday, beating second-place NBC by a hefty 4.1 overnight rating points. But keep in mind that the following analysis only includes Fox until the traditional 10 p.m. ET hour. Overnight results for 10 p.m. ET and beyond were not available at press time. CBS finished third, but last-place ABC will clearly have an advantage over the Eye net among key adults 18-49. Fox opened the evening with an approximate half-hour football overrun at a very dominant 14.6 rating/25 share in the overnights at 7 p.m. That led into post game The OT at an also winning (and approximate) 13.2/22 at 7:30 p.m. ET, followed by the final game of The ALCS at an estimated 11.0/16 from 8-10 p.m. ET. I stress estimated because these are only the 8-10 p.m. results and ratings for any live sporting event are always approximate. Here is the half-hour breakdown: American League Championship Series, Game 6 (Fox)8:00 p.m.: 11.1/17 (#1)8:30 p.m.: 11.6/17 (#1)9:00 p.m.: 10.8/16 (#1)9:30 p.m.: 10.3/15 (#2) Congratulations, Yankees! In the battle of baseball versus football, Sunday Night Football on NBC (Arizona at New York Giants) was also on the map, with an estimated 10.2/16 from 8:30-11 p.m. Take a look at the half-hours: Sunday Night Football (NBC)8:30 p.m.: 9.1/14 (#2)9:00 p.m.: 10.7/16 (#2)9:30 p.m.: 10.6/16 (#1)10:00 p.m.: 9.5/15 (#1)10:30 p.m.: 11.2/18 (#1) Earlier in the evening, pre-game Football Night in America fared on NBC as follows: Football Night in America (NBC)7:00 p.m. – part one: 2.1/ 4 (#4)7:30 p.m. – part two: 2.7/ 5 (#4)8:00 p.m. – part three: 6.3/10 (#2t) As always, very few viewers watch NBC in the 7-8 p.m. anchor hour. CBS had mixed results on this fifth Sunday of the current season, with its combination of granddaddy 60 Minutes (#2: 8.7/15), which the clock will never stop ticking on, young adult friendly The Amazing Race (#4: 6.2/10), recent entry Three Rivers (#4: 5.0/ 7) and relocated Cold Case (#3: 6.2/10), which built from Three Rivers by 24 percent in the overnights. Compared to Cold Case in the 9 p.m. hour one year earlier (8.1/12 on Oct. 26, 2008), waiting-to-be axed Three Rivers dipped by a significant 38 percent. Last in the overnights, but not least among adults 18-49 was ABC’s line-up of veteran America’s Funniest Home Videos (#3: 4.4/ 8), aging Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (#4: 6.1/10), down but far from out Desperate Housewives (#3: 8.4/14) and Brothers & Sisters (#2: 6.5/10. Compared to one year earlier, ABC decreased, on average, by 16 percent. Source: Nielsen Media Research data____________________________________________________________________________ Ratings Box:What's Hot/What's Not -Record The Jeff Dunham Show on Comedy Central:The debut of Comedy Central’s The Jeff Dunham Show on Thursday, Oct. 22 at 9 p.m. ET broke the record books, with the best performance for a series premiere on the cable net in total viewers (5.3 million) and adults 18-49 (3.0 million). Comparably, that was the most-watched show on any network in primetime that evening in the two key measures, plus men 18-34 and men 18-24. And it lifted Comedy Central to its highest-rated and most-watched night of the year. The Jeff Dunham Show comes from The Levity Entertainment Group. -Season High Survivor: Samoa:Also based on final Live Plus Same Day national ratings for Thursday, CBS’ Survivor: Samoa finished first in the Thursday 8 p.m. hour, with its best performance in households (7.6 rating/12 share) and total viewers (12.90 million) since Feb. 19, 2009, and best in adults 18-49 (4.0/12) and adults 25-54 (5.0/13) since March 12, 2009. Source: Nielsen Media Research data ________________________________________________________________________________ On the Air Tonight:Prime-Time Programming Options Monday 10/26/09 ABC: 8:00 p.m. Dancing With the Stars 10:00 p.m. Castle CBS: 8:00 p.m. How I Met Your Mother 8:30 p.m. Accidentally on Purpose 9:00 p.m. Two and a Half Men 9:30 p.m. The Big Bang Theory 10:00 p.m. CSI: Miami NBC: 8:00 p.m. Heroes 9:00 p.m. Trauma10:00 p.m. The Jay Leno Show Fox: 8:00 p.m. House 9:00 p.m. Lie to Me CW: 8:00 p.m. One Tree Hill 9:00 p.m. Gossip Girl ________________________________________________________________________ TV Tidbits:Notes of Interest -NBC Renews Three:NBC has picked-up freshman series Community and Mercy, plus sophomore sitcom Parks and Recreation for the remainder of the season, with an order for nine additional episodes each. -More In Treatment:HBO has renewed Emmy winning half-hour drama In Treatment for a third season, with an unspecified number of new episodes scheduled to air later in the season. Production will begin in early 2010. -Look Who’s Talking:Former child star Jodie Sweetin, who played middle daughter Stephanie Tanner on long-running ABC sitcom Full House, will address her drug addiction in upcoming memoir unSweetened. It goes on sale on Tuesday, Nov. 3. -Benjamin Bratt to Guest Star on Law & Order:Recent The Cleaner star Benjamin Bratt, who is known for his four year (1995-99) stint on NBC’s Law & Order, will reprise his role at Det. Reynaldo Curtis in a guest star appearance later this season. -Fans of Young & the Restless Take Note:Veteran Young & the Restless star Eric Braeden, who exited the CBS soap after refusing to take a pay cut, has mended financial fences and is returning as Victor Newman. Set to depart on the Nov. 2 episode, Braeden will be back at a later time in an undisclosed storyline. _______________________________________________________________________________________ TV Trivia Time:Missing Barbara Which one of the following series did not feature a character named Barbara? a) Batmanb) Knots Landingc) Leave it to Beaverd) My Three Sonse) One Day at a Time The answer to Friday’s question… Which classic variety series shifted production from New York City to Miami Beach, Florida? The Dean Martin ShowThe Ed Sullivan ShowThe Jackie Gleason ShowThe Red Skelton ShowYour Show of Shows Is: c) The Jackie Gleason Show, which final incarnation on CBS aired from 1962 to 1970. How sweet it is! -Current kudos goes to:Anna Alvord, Mary Bancroft, Burt Benoliel, Gerry Bixenspan (2x), Kimay Bloch, Barbara Bloomfield, Michael Bobble, Mark Braff, John Brooker, Mitch Burg, Al Canaletich, Michael Cascio, Larry Collins, Tom Condosta, Audrey Davis, Reid Davis, Tom Durr, John Ferlazzo, Tim Fischer, Arleen Fong, Jim Forkan, Claire Franks, Jan Frazier, Michael Fruchtman, Leon Gittens, Bob Goldman, Maureen Goldman, Geoffrey Gordon, Peter Grad, Joslyn Hansen, Kevin Harlan, Bob Ingersoll, Tony Intelisano, David Jackino, David Johnson, Mary Kalnin, Marie LeFevre Karp, Mary Kinoshita, Joel Kunkel, Steven Kurtzer, Rick Locke, Kathy Martin, Kathy McClung, Sharon McGuire, Lyle Merdler, Jim Moore, Tony Naldrett, Tad O’Rourke, Aaron Paquette, Pat Patton, Alan Perris, Alex Petrilli, Jr., Gordon Purcell, Ignacio Real, Arthur Reinstein, Con Rigg, Lance Ross, Colleen Roth, Joe Rubi, Paul Rue, Neal Sabin, Marc Schacher, Maxine Schulman, David Shearer, Mark Simmons, Mindy Staley, Michelle Stanton, Bruce Starin, Don Surath, Ronnie Tallant, Carol Teichman, Larry Weinstock, Diane Werner, Jim Wilson, Joel Wolk, Abbott Wool

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Mixed Weekend Leadership

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