Comments on: TV Ratings: Castle flat; Heroes, Trauma stabilize as CBS and ABC take night

By: Ryan

Ryan — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 03:55:23 +0000

Castle on Monday was great.. The show is rlly turning into something i watch live now instead of CSI:Miami (still dvr csi of course). and about AOP.. i think its a decent show but its no where as funny or good as ROE.. ROE i felt had a better script than TBBT and TAHM most of last season.. Can’t wait for it to return and hope to hear some good news about a Castle pick up soon.. it got 10 mil viewss.. that has to mean something

By: greg hemminger

greg hemminger — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 22:41:59 +0000

I really thought with the losses of Chad Michael Murray and Hillary Burton One Tree Hill was finished and limping towards the finish linme especially after the first episode. But full marks as the last two episodes have been of very high quality. Now if the CW pumped the show as if it was Gossip Girl then we might see them break 3mil with ease every week.
BTW HAS FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS STARTED ON DIRECT TV YET?

By: Sarah

Sarah — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 21:49:26 +0000

Hey, I can’t believe Castle is going under =’(
I encourage everyone to watch it just to see if you like it and if you do, GREAT help people fight it back. And if you don’t, maybe there really aren’t enough viewers
as crazy as that sounds.
But I know I don’t want people looking back on it after the show was canceled and have to thing, boy, this was something special.
Just try it, it’s great in my opinion and all of the people who I’ve showed it to have fallen in love with it.
Thanks,
Sarah

By: jeanette

jeanette — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 20:12:48 +0000

Oth needs to pick up the ratings somewhat. I am such a big fan of the show and have been watching it since season 2. Since they did not bring back chad michael murray and hilarie burton ( two of their tope stars/ main characters) that is one thing that is definetely hurting the show. Many loyal oth viewers are pissed that lucas and peyton are gone…. but I still like the show myself but hope it has what it takes to hang on for a season 8?????? Only time will tell really if people will keep watching what I feel is a great and underrated show……………………….. More people should consider giving oth a chance

By: Mrcaliche

Mrcaliche — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 17:21:08 +0000

Haters might say whatever the hell they want. Heroes has been GREAT since after last season’s holiday break (Volume 4), but people are just not willing to give it another chance and the ratings are terrible. I’ve basically made my peace with the possibility that this might be the last season, and if it is at least it’s turning out to be a damn good one. Maybe ratings-wise it’s in a low point, but quality-wise this season has nothing to envy even season 1 so far.
Typical case of quality not being reflected in the ratings, but make no mistake, this is one hell of a great season so far, definitely going back to what made season 1 so good.

By: The Punisher

The Punisher — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 22:47:11 +0000

Neilsen needs to CHANGE. I’m beating a dead horse here but it’s completely skewed in today’s TV realm.

Best statement on here!

By: john connor

john connor — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 21:39:42 +0000

TSCC had better demo than heroes or fringe or lie to me! [ when it was on mon nites]
I do hope castle and lie to me get full seasons. think they will.

By: A Kiss is Just a Kiss « Anthony Baltierra

A Kiss is Just a Kiss « Anthony Baltierra — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 17:04:08 +0000

[...] increase for last night’s episode, “Hysterical Blindness,” was not significant (overnight numbers have the episode with 230,000 more viewers than last week), but any episode that does not set a new [...]

By: Bad Robot

Bad Robot — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 13:45:45 +0000

Saying HEROES has “stabilized” is like saying the medical condition of a corpse on the slab at the morgue has “stabilized at death”.

Hopefully they end HEROES this season. Its barely watchable and half the time I fast forward thru it. HOUSE is 100 times better, so watching HEROES live is pointless.

By: tvmegafan

tvmegafan — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 06:14:46 +0000

HEROES IS IN TOP NOTCH CONDITION FOR SEASON 4, too bad the numbers don’t show it. I love this show, Its been amazing this season!!! Please keep it up heroes.

By: vsaint

vsaint — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 06:10:08 +0000

I’m comparing rention rate out of House.
LTM 2.8 is 56% of House’s 5 demo.
Basically at there average, but it’s also got a cushy spot.
We’ve seen shows with average ratings get cancelled/moved behind top shows.
11 Hour, Worst Week, Christine.

By: Bill Gorman

Bill Gorman — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 02:49:26 +0000

JJ, I’ve seen no such Heroes to USA news. Can you provide a link?

By: Julia

Julia — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 00:24:37 +0000

The preview I saw of Happy Town actually looked really bad. But The Deep End is my most anticipated show of the whole season. But, it’s ABC. It would take a miracle for it to actually be a hit, especially at 10.

By: forg

forg — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 00:21:50 +0000

Julia, the other ABC midseason show is Romantically Challenged starring Alyssa Milano

As for ABC Midseason shows, I actually think both Happy Town and The Deep End are promising but well given the performance of ABC midseason shows the past years they don’t really perform well, some will have second season then that’s it. Grey’s Anatomy was the last midseason hit ABC had. But I’m hoping next year they will be lucky to find a hit as well as the ratings for their recently picked up freshman show to go up or stable just to reward ABC for risking developing several new shows again.

On a side note, how I wish my canceled favorites last year: Pushing Daisies, Eli Stone, Dirty Sexy Money and Samantha Who performed well so that ABC won’t have so much “holes” in their programming

By: The Punisher

The Punisher — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 00:05:30 +0000

Do you people have jobs?

By: Jarvis

Jarvis — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 23:52:34 +0000

Alex, I thank you for the answer to my question. Although I still feel this will be the last season of Heroes, I should not be surprised if NBC picks this up for next season.

By: Lee

Lee — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 23:34:39 +0000

Julia, thank you. Not sure how I missed that.

So the heading is that Castle still dropped but failed to mention that it’s up from from previous weeks. I understand a 2.3 isn’t knocking doors down but at least it moved up a little instead of staying steady.

By: Julia

Julia — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 23:29:40 +0000

Fringe was also airing on Tuesday at 9 which has very different competition than Monday at 9. Lie to Me is not doing great, and it wasn’t doing great last season either, but comparing it to Fringe last year is apples to oranges.

By: tdot

tdot — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 23:23:22 +0000

house was a little mediocre last night…quality wise
i love the show but they need to pick it up a little

By: vsaint

vsaint — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 23:22:09 +0000

Where are all the Fringe haters that keep saying it benefited from House lead in, which it did.
But nobody really bashes Lie To Me’s retention rate, 2.8 when house got 5, is just ok.
Looks like fall filler show to me.
Fringe was getting high 3′s low 4′s airing behind HOUSE and keeping a higher percentage of HOUSE’s ratings.

By: Mark

Mark — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 23:18:34 +0000

Last nights episode of Heroes was the best of the season, so far. I actually like Accidentally on Purpose and would hate to see it go. I’m hoping Castle gets a full season pick up.

By: Julia

Julia — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 23:11:19 +0000

2.3, Lee. http://tvbythenumbers.com/2009/10/13/monday-final-ratings-castle-ticks-down-himym-2-5-men-bbt-tick-up/30374

By: Lee

Lee — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 23:10:19 +0000

Did the final numbers ever come out? I was wondering what Castle ended up with??

By: BANG

BANG — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 22:55:45 +0000

Please…… please……. give Heroes a shot. Boo hoo… please…… please…. Oh God please give Heroes a shot…………. please……….

O.K.,
I’ll give Heroes a shot.
BANG!!!!
how’s that for a shot?

By: BANG

BANG — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 22:50:47 +0000

When tim was using those nyc artists work , Heroes was 14 million viewers and number one.
Now? 2 million viewers or less if NBC fudges the numbers.
Lesson? always hire the originals creators to write for your show, not a talentless hack like tim kring.
LOL!! Those nyc artists and their lawsuit against NBC wrecked Heroes.

By: Nick

Nick — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 22:21:29 +0000

Ouch…looks like that shameless ratings ploy didn’t work out so well for Heroes. But it’ll stick around.

Supposedly, Chuck will be put on when Trauma gets pulled. Whenever that may be. Which I think will be soon.

By: Jhummrich

Jhummrich — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 21:58:44 +0000

Ok, let’s face it and realize that Heroes will probably never get back to the 12-17 million viewers that it had during season 1. However, NO DRAMA ON NBC will get to that mark on Monday nights and probably any night for that matter. It’s just not possible with the other networks. Heroes has been very solid this season and I expect it to pick up a little bit of steam as we move along. Mass media is starting to back off and are only using it as a minor whipping post compared to the typical onslaught of negativity it’s received since the writer’s strike. I hope it gets back into the 7 million range by the end of the season but that’s a major expectation of a show already 5 episodes into the current volume. It’s a damn good show and I really enjoy what they’re doing this season. In fact I’ve really enjoyed what they’ve done in all the seasons but this one just feels “right.” If you have given up on Heroes before this season started, go back and give it a viewing. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how well constructed the stories and characters have been put together. It’s a great serialized drama that is evolving into what I think a lot of people expected after Season 1. I think if I mention that I really liked S2 and S3 that my thoughts will be discredited but it’s the truth. Do I think it was appealing to hard-core fans? Yes I do but I think they’ve found an excellent balance this season to bring it all together.

Bottom Line: Give Heroes a shot. Not only has this been a great season so far but looking forward it is going to get even better. The next episode looks AMAZING. It’s a great show. NBC has failed all around and I think the viewership would be %33 higher on ABC. One more thing; the notion that Heroes brought Jay Leno down is a completely ridiculous discussion that E Online had presented and it’s proving itself by falling further and further in the ratings. I said 1 more thing but I meant 2. Neilsen needs to CHANGE. I’m beating a dead horse here but it’s completely skewed in today’s TV realm.

By: Alex

Alex — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 21:51:28 +0000

Joe unless CBS changes their schedule pattern with Rules of Engagement they’ll have a slot for at least one new sitcom, with those numbers there’s no way Accidentally on Purpose gets renewed. Other slots might come if they play out with the second comedy block on Wednesday, which they should. I still think The Mentalist will move to 9PM on Thursday next year and if/when it gets the post-Super Bowl slot I’ll be completely sold on that. And I’d be surprised if The Good Wife and Cold Case picked up another season and Three Rivers is dead as well, which leaves them with the same kind of space to play with as last year. Maybe an extra hour if they can Numb3rs as well.

By: joe

joe — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 21:42:12 +0000

BBT is definitely a huge hit i can c it moving to 9pm but where will 2.5 go cbs has no vacant spots. cbs needs a schedule change for next yr especially thursday

By: WingsStef

WingsStef — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 21:39:39 +0000

Heroes:a bit better than last week. Which I suppose at this moment has to do as a good thing. The fans that didn’t yet leave, are official hooked (or at least still intrigued/curious), and still aren’t leaving.

Personally I think the show is really getting good the last few weeks. Next week looks great too.

By: Mike

Mike — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 21:39:24 +0000

Anyone with a BlackBerry who loves TV by the Numbers, join the TVBTN BBM group…lets get a good mobile forum going! Pin me (30B6A0A6) for the invite.

By: Julia

Julia — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 21:37:17 +0000

Alex, they also have an hour long Copper and a sitcom that I don’t recall the name of.

By: Alex

Alex — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 21:35:24 +0000

Jarvis as suggested by Max I did mean all three seasons of Heroes.

Its worth noting that despite falling ratings and sales season three still made a profit for NBC Universal although it easily made a loss for NBC. The question becomes whether bosses at NBCU are happy to make the loss on the slot on NBC itself if it means the profits keep coming in at a steady rate for the parent company. Interestingly enough Heroes is a smaller version of The CW paradox – The CW is losing money but its parent companies seem to be making money from it or at least one of them is.

The DVD sales also don’t take into account the money coming in from international license fees, which is a lot. I think those license fees might take a hit when they come round for renewal because the shows popularity has faded in international markets as well but they’ll still be fairly impressive I’d bet. Its possible that Universal might sacrifice some of the profits from Heroes to make it profitable or at least less of a black hole for NBC with a slightly lower domestic license fee, something they’d have to do anyway if they wanted to move it to one of their cable nets.

Bruce on the subject of ABC’s mid season depth here’s what I remember from the top of my head

The Deep End
Happy Town
V
Lost
The Bachelor
Supernanny
Wife Swap
Scrubs
Better of Ted

Plus I think I remember reading stories of a True Beauty renewal.

Right off the bat they’ve got three new dramas to move into the slots currently occupied by Castle, Eastwick and the forgotten, which is why I’m fairly sure all three of those will be gone by mid season. I suspect The Middle will likely be pulled from the schedule as well, which will allow them to make a Scrubs/Ted/Modern Family/Cougar Town comedy block on Tuesday nights, to make way for a Lost/FlashForward pairing of some kind on Wednesday.

The shows may not be very good but ABC easily has the depth of shows to axe all three struggling 10PM shows come mid season and still struggle to find space for everything on the schedule.

By: Julia

Julia — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 21:30:39 +0000

Tina, Lie to Me could definitely be doing better, but it’s not doing horribly. If it doesn’t pick up, it’ll probably be a bubble show for a third season. But it probably won’t be pulled early.

By: Tina

Tina — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 21:28:57 +0000

I was wondering how Lie to me is doing? I am not sure if the ratings are good and if there is a chance for this to be removed.

By: Bill Gorman

Bill Gorman — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 21:18:51 +0000

Jason is correct, table of Nielsen data older than 2 weeks are gracefully retired at their request.

By: Jason Hollowed

Jason Hollowed — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 21:14:14 +0000

@SPJava: I believe they’re only allowed to keep data going back 2 weeks at a time now. Blame Nielsen for lacking vision.

By: Nathan Witmer

Nathan Witmer — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 20:51:31 +0000

I actually like the show Trauma. I would like to see it on a different day though, mondays are blah days

By: SPJava

SPJava — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 19:47:21 +0000

What happen to the Overnight and Broadcast 25 numbers for mid to late September? I can’t find Overnights for befroe Sept 30 or Brdcst numbers for before October 6!?

Wanted to check out the numbers for season premiere and 2nd episode of House?

Any help on this? Thanks.

By: Robert Seidman

Robert Seidman — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 19:45:39 +0000

J.R. wasn’t singling you out (though there are only 292M people who matter, not 300M!). 18-49 are typically who advertisers are more interested in. 50+ is less attractive, but the reason that it winds up that “50+ viewing doesn’t really matter” isn’t because they’re older, it’s because they are already very easy to reach through TV advertising. That is not true for 18-49s, and its even worse for 18-34.

By: Jim

Jim — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 19:38:27 +0000

5506,

I could see Syfy airing it, Spike TV or maybe USA. Or G4, since they have the rerun rights to it. But it wouldn’t get half of what it gets on NBC.

By: rodh

rodh — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 19:34:44 +0000

I for one Nielsen box family have started watching Big Bang due to the clips I saw during Emmy week and I thought the guy who was nominated as best supporting was giving a pretty good performance in what I managed to sample. Now i find myself watching it regularly. So even though he didn’t win, they got new viewers.

By: Eric (Ohio)

Eric (Ohio) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 19:16:50 +0000

“the reason it is an industry obsession when it comes to ratings is because a lot fewer people 18-49 (and fewer 18-34 still) watch TV than people 50+. Because they are harder to reach, they are more desirable”

Obviously I’m not going to change minds of TV execs and industry professionals, etc, but this is retarded.

If 10 million people watch your show… wouldn’t you just start running advertisements that cater to those 10 million viewers? That’s a pretty sizable television viewing audience for a single hour.

Maybe you’re not reaching the ‘harder to reach’ folks, but you’re reaching a VERY LARGE amount of people who all have money to spend as well…

By: J.R. Herbaugh

J.R. Herbaugh — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 19:12:23 +0000

Sorry, robert, what is the bad info? I was talking in general terms. It’s a 3% difference.

If 18-49 doesn’t pay the bills for big-budget prime-time fare, what does?

By: Sean

Sean — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 19:09:19 +0000

So is this Jay Leno thing working or not? Because a 1.5 demo and less than 5 million people watching NBC screams BAD IDEA to me.

Why would advertisers deal with Leno when they can get practically the same audience with Conan or Letterman??

By: Sean

Sean — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 19:06:08 +0000

It amazes me Heroes is one of NBC’s best performing shows…and it’s getting destroyed in the demo by the absolutely horrific Accidentally on Purpose.

I’m pretty sure everyone has just eliminated NBC from their viewing habits at this point, with the exception of Sunday Night football and the Office.

By: Robert Seidman

Robert Seidman — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 19:03:38 +0000

Some bad info posted above!

1.) there are only 292 million people aged 2+ in the TV homes that Nielsen measures. the ~300 million population estimates don’t matter in these discussions! So only ~282 million people who count didn’t watch Castle!

2.) though advertisers covet younger adults for many reasons, the reason it is an industry obsession when it comes to ratings is because a lot fewer people 18-49 (and fewer 18-34 still) watch TV than people 50+. Because they are harder to reach, they are more desirable. If all ages watched the same amount of TV, advertisers would still care about the demos, but they wouldn’t be such a big focus when talking about ratings.

By: J.R. Herbaugh

J.R. Herbaugh — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 18:55:24 +0000

Kate, Carol, the 18-49 numbers are what pay the bills. Generally, older people will watch anything (The Weather Channel).

Look at it the other way around. Castle was not watched by 290 million people in the U.S.

By: Bruce

Bruce — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 18:49:52 +0000

Alex:

I’ve seen ABC’s midseason shows and I don’t see depth, I see filler.

reality shows – Wife Swap, True Beauty
returning shows – Better Off Ted, Scrubs (or “AfterScrubs” or whatever they end up calling it)
the big gun – Lost
new renew/cancel fodder – Happy Town & The Deep End

Except for Lost, this isn’t a strong replacement schedule at all.

By: max452

max452 — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 18:48:06 +0000

Jarvis, I think Alex is referring to all the sales of DVDs for all seasons. If you add the numbers, Heroes has sold a huge amount over all 3 seasons, season 1 being one of the all time best sellers. Last I looked as of 10/4 Heroes season 3 has sold 560,270 for $20,896,814. That’s not including blu-ray, which would add about another 141,000 units and 7,755,000 to the tally (Heroes has about a 25% blue ray selling rate for season 3). These are all just US sales numbers, and Heroes sells very well internationally. You can see why NBC, and more importantly Universal, is not in a hurry to can Heroes.

Got the latest US sales numbers from:

http://www.the-numbers.com/dvd/charts/weekly/thisweek.php