Commenter Nick C says he hears NBC is now narrowing down to a decision between Medium and Chuck, but I hope commenter David is right that it is merely a ploy to negotiate licensing fees down even further.
In the event the information is correct (and though I trust Nick did hear this, it still should be considered rumour) looking at both shows, if it's one or the other I'd probably give a slight advantage to Medium. Medium already has some syndication deal with Lifetime, and it will be at 95 episodes at the end of season. I could see CBS Paramount (producer of Medium) wanting to get to around ~110 episodes to make a better case for syndicated Monday through Friday airings.
On the other hand, Chuck, as commenter Holly notes, is laden with product placement. I'm not sure how much that will really offset costs. Holly also notes that Medium has some scheduling flexibility advantage and it has already shown it can be off the air for many months and not take a huge ratings hit.
On the ratings front, Medium has a slight seasonal lead on Chuck in 18-49 ratings and factoring in DVR viewing, recently even with a weeks worth of DVR viewing, Medium held a slight edge with 18-49 viewing.
In Chuck's favor is it fares much better with 18-34, both on a live basis and with DVR viewing factored in.
CHUCK.
and thank you for posting more chuck news i can’t get enough.
I’m impatient…Nick, will we know before Monday? If so, when????
The obligatory daily Chuck post!
Although I don’t watch either show, given what I know about the premises of each, I’d pick Chuck. And based on the cast lists, I’d say Chuck wins again. There’s no comparison between Arquette and Strahovski.
For the networks, the question will be: go for a show that’s been on a while and still strong and risk it drops, or go with a newer show which is doing OK but also has a perhaps greater risk of dropping in a new season.
In other words, Medium is a more well known quantity, Chuck is still “experimental”.
CHUCK!
Medium will win over. Its unique too, guys. NBC is proud of it – and its flexible. WHat show like this has ever dealt with family life?
Actually, how flexible is it? It can’t run at 8.
CHUCK!!!!! What is the Mediat? Mediun? Melium? huh…
Chuck. Medium actually doesn’t have a scheduling advantage in that it is a very serious 10 pm show, and can’t really move around from that. Chuck has a younger, more exciting cast, with better opportunity to expand. Medium is, to be honest, becoming dull and repetitive. Now I’m sure you’ll say that quality doesn’t really factor in to these decisions, so I suppose pointing that out is completely 100% pointless.
Secondly, No one is really voicing their desire for Medium return in any noticeable way. Doesn’t NBC think that giving Chuck a chance, with a Lost “One last shot” mentality might be better than paying for Medium to get consistently less popular? Maybe throw some money in to advertising Chuck more instead of one season finale preview on T.V. in the week leading up, and a little post-it in Subway saying Watch Chuck in tiny letters?
CHUCK CHUCK CHUCK CHUCK CHUCK CHUCK !!!!!!!
Medium all the way
Chuck, no contest for me. There are a lot of shows on tv somewhat like medium but barely anything like Chuck. It’s just a fun hour all around. Probably my 2nd favorite show currently on the air (Burn Notice #1)
Hey Robert, actually just saw an advert for Medium at 9 pm on Monday. Looks to me like their going to do a test and see how it does at an earlier time? Which isn’t a good sign for Chuck. Bothersome…
Referenced twice in one post? I feel special
Personally, I’d give the edge to Medium. The flexibility of scheduling is definitely an advantage, especially considering NBC’s limited scheduling options.
How about you figure in the fact that Chuck is up against unbelievable competition.
Chuck, its just a better show.
How is Medium flexible? Explain yourselves. Barring the fact that it can go off air for months at a time. That’s great, if NBC is really looking at stopping programming for months at a time as a positive, they’re in worse shape than I thought.
@jimbo
I agree, Chuck is completely different than any other show. Medium is predictable
I enjoy Medium, but if I had to choose between the two, I’d vote for Chuck to return.
will be whacing the 2 hr Meduim on Monday hope its saved