Comments on: Wednesday Night Ratings: Post Election Blahs Or Just Broadcast TV?

By: Knight Rider has issues (duh), major revamp planned | Last 24 hours news website

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 03:27:58 +0000

[...] guys in the 18-34 demo, but seriously, these people need to zip it. Last week’s episode was beaten outright in its timeslot by Cuidado con el Angel. That’s a telenovela that airs on … wait for [...]

By: Robert Seidman

Robert Seidman — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 03:14:46 +0000

Julia — I think Life got some slack because some of its performance was on Friday nights where the expectations are low. My guesses on why NBC picked up those shows is that NBC’s overall average (especially minus Sunday Night Football) is lower than ABC’s, and NBC doesn’t appear to have had as many shows “on the bench” where ABC has many. Also, Knight Rider does well with young men and the whole show is basically a product placement for Ford, though I have no idea how much money NBC makes from that.

By: Julia

Julia — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 02:57:13 +0000

I don’t get it. Both Life and Knight Rider get a lot worse ratings and key demos than Eli Stone. Yet, both shows were picked up for a full season just recently. And there is still no news on Eli Stone. Why did NBC pick up those two shows?

By: Mel

Mel — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 01:27:45 +0000

Yaaay!! Life was picked up for the rest of the season!! It seems building on KR was enough of a good thing for NBC to order the back nine.

By: Nick C

Nick C — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 00:22:51 +0000

and LIFE was picked up for a full season.

By: cesarrr

cesarrr — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 23:40:31 +0000

Caro
That’s exactly my point, if you were born in the US, your first language shouldn’t be spanish.
And I know for sure that MOST people who watch UNI don’t understand english, you are one of the few exceptions.
And yes, being an american has a lot to do, because the NIELSEN numbers should represent the american viewing habits.

By: Dianne

Dianne — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 21:39:44 +0000

What’s wrong at NBC is that they produce a number of shows that, while episodic, aren’t cookie-cutter replications of themselves. On SVU, for example, or “Life,” each episode is a new story, not the same one as last week with different guest stars (this is a specific allusion to “Criminal Minds”), and therefore requires the viewer to pay attention. One man’s steak is another man’s , I don’t know, cottage cheese, but the point is many if not most people, sadly, turn on the tv to be numbed out, not encouraged to think.

By: KellyH

KellyH — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 21:06:05 +0000

NickC seems to have some sort of inside information/contact at ABC. It would be nice if he told us what it was.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 17:18:50 +0000

How likely is it that ABC would cancel DSM, Daisies, and Eli Stone (all three) by Jan. or Feb.? That’s a lot of time to fill and doesn’t take into account any other weak spots in their schedule they might want to tweak. Aren’t they more likely to get rid of two of those shows and give the third one a bit more time? If so, would they keep Eli or DSM around?

By: Caro

Caro — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 17:11:16 +0000

I think you are right! I have a few american friends (guys) that will tune into Univison and watch a show even when they don’t understand what is being said (something to do with some of the women’s outfits)

By: Bill Gorman

Bill Gorman — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 16:29:42 +0000

Caro, although we have no good data, I think there is more crossover between Univision’s audience and English network audiences than people in the TV media world would like to acknowledge.

By: Caro

Caro — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 15:47:28 +0000

Cesarr,

Your comment on “Most people who watch Univision are not even americans, and they watch it because they don’t understand english and it’s one of the 2 or 3 options that they have” I have to say is very ignorant.
I AM American and my first language is Spanish! I happen to speak english very well but enjoy watching spanish shows every once in a while. So to correct you, A lot of people that watch Univision DO speak English, have plenty of options but prefer to watch a show in Spanish!
And what does being an American have to do with watching certain channels?

By: Don

Don — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 11:02:26 +0000

For all the talk about ‘Heroes.’ Yes the storyline might be flawed but the Writers Strike is also a factor.

Being the seralized drama that it is it could not return to the airwaves unlike CBS’s sitcoms or crime dramas which have self-contanted stories week after week. At least ‘The 4400′ had self contained stories but hints of an overall arch.

This month we will see how that ’24′ TV Movie does and what that will mean later in this season.

By: Don

Don — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 10:57:20 +0000

“UNIVISION didn’t “beat” anyone. They target an entire different audience and language. It’s not like people stopped watching knight rider and then tuned in to Fuego en la Sangre.”

True but when Uni they beat KR in the overall ratings. People do take notice. Uni’s audience is a resonable size to be included in the prime time TV ratings.

By: Monic

Monic — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 05:31:45 +0000

But it’s a good thing, right that Life built on Knight Rider’s? audience? In fact, it did better? There’s some hope in that? And also, I really think the elections from the night before had something to do with the turn out in the viewership?

By: Robert Seidman

Robert Seidman — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 05:20:32 +0000

Dalz, keeping in mind we only have half hourly data for the fast nationals and not the final numbers (which will be adjusted lower due to DWTS overrun):

9-9:30p 10.377 million 3.2/8 (18-49), 2.9/8 (18-34)
930-10p 8.701 million 3.1/8, 2.9/8

By: Dalz

Dalz — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 05:12:28 +0000

Bill, can you please provide half-hour data for Private Practice? This was a huge week for the show… nearly 2 million additional viewers from last week!

By: Bill Gorman

Bill Gorman — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 03:44:30 +0000

As far as Life goes, I think that if its 18-49 rating increases next week to a 2.2 it could survive past January.

By: Bill Gorman

Bill Gorman — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 03:41:15 +0000

Expanding on what Holly wrote, I don’t think any other shows besides Lipstick Jungle, Pushing Daisies, Eli Stone, Dirty Sexy Money and *maybe* Life are in danger of cancellation prior to January.

There are a lot more shows that are in danger of not being renewed for 2009-10, but there’s a lot of time between now and May and many things can change.

By: Mel

Mel — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 03:22:33 +0000

Am I reading that correctly? Life built on it’s lead-in from KR? That’s gotta be a positive, right? At least a little . . . .

By: Rachel P

Rachel P — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 03:20:58 +0000

Well, this shows how much of a chunk DWTS can take out of a show…

By: Holly

Holly — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 03:12:34 +0000

Sam, Probably not. DWTS is not Christine’s normal competition and one week isn’t going to kill the show. If it doesn’t improve any from this then it will be in serious trouble, but CBS isn’t going to axe it based on last night.

By: sam

sam — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 03:03:51 +0000

HEY BILL WILL THIS JUST ABOUT KILL CHRISTINES CHANCE OF GETTING RENEWED??

By: cesarrr

cesarrr — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 02:41:27 +0000

UNIVISION didn’t “beat” anyone. They target an entire different audience and language. It’s not like people stopped watching knight rider and then tuned in to Fuego en la Sangre.
Most people who watch Univision are not even americans, and they watch it because they don’t understand english and it’s one of the 2 or 3 options that they have.
I don’t think UNI should be considered an “american” network, and its numbers don’t represent what americans are watching, plus, most of the shows are from mexico or venezuela.

By: ABCFanatic

ABCFanatic — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 01:30:32 +0000

*biggest

By: ABCFanatic

ABCFanatic — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 01:29:50 +0000

Wow a huge leap for Private Practice its bigger number this season and slight better for Dirty Sexy Money, Dancing with the Stars should move to Wednesday! Pushing Daisies sucks at ratings!

By: sirona7

sirona7 — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 01:17:16 +0000

Add me to the list of folks who love Damian Lewis’ show, LIFE. NBC seems to be struggling with finding the right time spot but I think it’s unfortunate to run it opposite Criminal Minds, one of the top 10 shows each week. I love Life because it shakes its genre, like House does, and, with the right marketing, has potential to charm its way into finding a viably larger audience. I sincerely hope LIFE finds enough passionate viewers, short term, to make the numbers add up to renewal long term, and a fitting reward NBC’s continuing support.

By: Nick C

Nick C — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 23:32:56 +0000

The fact that Life did better than Knight Rider may help it last another week. Another week and who knows what could happen. I think last night for the younger people was a night of “I’m not watching TV after hours watching the election,” but the old people watched TV. It’s what they do. I think the success of CBS compared to the other networks kind of shows that.

By: fin

fin — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 23:04:42 +0000

Yeah but the move was to allow NBC to make some money of the already failing show (if any money is made). Life was already dying, there was just no way to save it. NBC is now on damage control not on getting better ratings just making a profit.

By: Jeff G

Jeff G — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 22:30:19 +0000

Life has been thrown to the lions. NBC needs to work on slotting shows correctly. It is an interesting show but would have a limited audience. Putting it up against Criminal Minds is not the way to get the biggest bang for the buck. How many shows have survived being moved so many times in a fairly short period? Not many.

By: Mandi

Mandi — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 21:49:58 +0000

BOOO! I’m so disgusted with these numbers! Life got beat out by a House RERUN? Sigh. But at least it built on KR and on its Friday numbers. It should be pretty solid since NBC is sucking so much.

Isn’t Garry Unmarried the strongest new sitcom? The numbers look very decent and it built on ‘Cristine’s’ 18-49 demo. I’m a Paula Marshall fan from ‘Cupid’ and GU is one of the only sitcoms I actually watch. Excellent writing and good acting.

By: idizzle

idizzle — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 21:22:54 +0000

When you say Lost was #1 overseas, do you mean genre show? #1 compared to only Heroes? #1 in some special place overseas? Because the biggest shows worldwide for the last couple of years have been CSI and House.

By: MILF Island

MILF Island — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 20:59:39 +0000

I’m pretty sure I read that Lost didn’t become profitable for ABC until they sold the syndication rights. Lost is an expensive show to produce and ABC was probably losing money for the first few seasons but were banking on future DVD sales and the syndication rights.

The pilot cost somewhere in the neighborhood of $10-$14 million and a ABC executive who green-lit the budget for the pilot was later fired.

By: R.G.

R.G. — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 20:55:10 +0000

Wow…the nation really is out of control…CW & UNI have more 18-34 year old viewers???
…and their watching…..garbage!

Hmmm…everything is beginning to make sense now…CIRCUS WITH THE STARS & The Next top Model are getting key viewers…which we never see or hear from again pretty much when winners are announced from both shows…

so how much of a “TOP MODEL” or “STAR” are they?

Can anyone say “WASTE OF TIME & LIFE” ????

By: Cool

Cool — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 20:41:40 +0000

I forgot.. sorry, but it’s impossible to compare Heroes with Lost.

By: Nick C

Nick C — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 20:41:26 +0000

PD is being canceled. The decision was made today after the boost that Private Practice received with a real lead in. No, I’m not the blogger someone else linked to. I just know the decision was made today. After ABC discusses their decision with Bryan, Barry, etc. they will have a press release. I know Bryan and Barry may argue for another night to try and save the show. We’ll see what is up after that discussion. My money is on cancellation and Bryan moving over to NBC for a certain show.

By: Cookson

Cookson — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 20:33:43 +0000

@ MILF

I’m pretty sure LOST was profitable way before Season 4. Not only was it the number one show overseas, but had GREAT DVD sales its first three seasons. So how it wasn’t profitable doesn’t make any sense… if it wasn’t, it would have been canned. Of course it doesn’t have as many viewers as when it first started(their loss), but still very profitable for ABC, especially with only 17 episodes the rest of the way… less spending etc.

By: V. S.

V. S. — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 20:33:08 +0000

Oh, c’mon, the acting on Knight Rider isn’t bad. I’ve seen a heck of a lot worse on other shows that supposedly do well or are “hits”. KR is a quirky and fun remake. It’s not meant to be a hot intellectual, sophisticated show. It’s pure escapism. Much like my all-time favorite Supernatural. I love the dramas like NCIS, CSI:NY, Life, Bones, Terminator:SCC, etc. but KR is like a mid-week sigh of relief and breath of fresh air.

By: Gojou

Gojou — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 20:20:21 +0000

CBS has been king over the network ratings, it has literally been killing the competition, except on nights with slots filled by the talent shows, like Dancing with the Stars, America’s Got Talent, and American Idol. Still, their top-rated shows haven’t been to far behind those super talent shows.

Something is wrong at NBC.

By: JT

JT — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 20:12:06 +0000

FYI to Cool….Heroes was nominated for the Best Drama Emmy in its first season.

By: MILF island

MILF island — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 20:08:14 +0000

Yes, Heroes season 2 has only been out a few months but it’s early surge in sales has disappear and probably won’t sell much in the next 12 months.

By: Kyle

Kyle — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 20:03:46 +0000

Heroes is failing badly here in OZ but is doing great in the uk

By: Kyle

Kyle — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 20:02:32 +0000

the second season of heroes has only been on dvd for a few months season 1 haas been fr over a year now. but that is a good point is the show profitable?

By: MILF Island

MILF Island — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 20:00:19 +0000

My point exactly. Heroes will not survive past season 3 unless they truly turn things around in quality and maybe ratings.

NBC will give them one more season so the fans won’t create an uproar.

By: Dave

Dave — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 19:59:03 +0000

I was initally surprised and worried about Old Christine, but seeing how bad some most of the other programming did, I’m not as concerned any more. Hopefully next week will bring all of the numbers back to normal.

By: Caio

Caio — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 19:58:01 +0000

John B

Pushing Daisies is as good as over ,but ABC is wating to see if the ratings on the 19th will improve or not,so no official word on cancellation yet.If you wanna see for yourself,go to ABC.com,the episode for the 19th is scheduled.I guess if ratings don´t spike by then,it´s over.

By: Cool

Cool — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 19:53:15 +0000

Yes, but Lost is huge overseas..Heroes is big but not that big. Lost had won Emmys, Golden Globes and Best Drama nominations. Heroes not. Heroes will be lucky if they reach to a 4th season.

By: MILF Island

MILF Island — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 19:49:36 +0000

WTF?!?!

Chuck should be canceled and replaced by Knight Rider?? I agree with Alias 47 that the only reason KR is doing better than Chuck is because of the timeslot. Chuck is a very good show while Knight Rider is a 2nd rate show with bad acting/writing.

As for Heroes, it may be one ranked in the top ten among 18-49 demo, but is it a profitable show. $4 million is quite a lot of dough. I read a while back Lost did not become profitable for ABC until its 4th season—the same may hold true for Heroes. Should NBC bank on Heroes while it’s declining in quality and fan base?

Fun Fact: Heroes Season One DVD Set gross nearly $70 million to date.
Heroes Season Two DVD Set gross only $22.6 million to date.

The season 2 dvd set will be lucky to crack the $30 million mark.

By: Fin

Fin — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 19:39:28 +0000

Thats my point; but NBC won’t cancel it if its one of their top perfomers

By: josh

josh — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 19:36:25 +0000

wow! strange wednesday??

WHats happened to CSI:NY!!! and thats really low for L&O!

Good for PP though!