| Scoreboard for Weds. Feb. 13, 2008 |  |
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| Total Viewers (million) | 19.53 | 10.10 | 7.07 | 6.48 | 1.28 |
| Rating/Share: Adults 18-49 | 7.9/21 | 2.7/7 | 2.0/5 | 2.5/6 | 0.6/1 |
FOX again easily dominates everything, this time with the tandem of American Idol and Moment of Truth. Although when final numbers for Truth come out they’ll be adjusted downward because it also contains the last few minutes of American Idol that ran into the 9pm hour, FOX has a bona fide hit on its hands with Moment of Truth.
Woe is Big Brother! This is where it gets interesting and I think I’ll get the opportunity to start being very critical of CBS and an industry which in general, does not seem to want to turn on the dime. The thing is, they all want to drive the fancy $150,000 sports cars, but in their day jobs? They maneuver like they’re driving a ten wheeled truck.
CBS has a summer hit with Big Brother. It’s very clear, after only two airings, that it cannot possibly compete in any meaningful way against American Idol. Indeed it could not compete with Deal or No Deal, or even the abysmal Wife Swap, which ABC will surely cancel. The thing I am looking for is for CBS to pull Big Brother off the Tuesday and Wednesday night lineup immediately and stick it somewhere else where it has a chance. Or pull it off the air immediately and taking a week to figure it out.
I am looking for CBS to make some kind of announcement about this before the next airing of Big Brother and if something like that doesn’t happen in the next couple of weeks I will be forced to believe that whatever it is CBS values, maximizing profits isn’t its top priority. I can’t imagine Sumner Redstone being ok with that, but I guess we’ll see.
What would I do with the 8p-9p spot on Tuesdays and Wednesdays? Reruns of Two and a Half Men, baby! No doubt.
If you want some bright spots that aren’t at FOX, I suppose NBC can crow that Deal or No Deal at least gets WAY more viewers, even up against American Idol than…Jericho gets against a rerun of Law & Order: SVU and ABC can say that at least Supernanny isn’t a complete failure. But if I was an exec at NBC or ABC, “We know we suck, and really, really suck compared to FOX, but, you know what? We could’ve sucked a little bit worse, and we didn’t!” wouldn’t exactly leave me brimming with esteem.
See the full night’s results:
| Time | Network | Show | Viewers (Millons) | 18-49 Rating/Share | HH Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8:00 | CBS | Big Brother | 5.81 | 2.1/6 | 3.4 |
| NBC | Deal or No Deal | 10.99 | 2.7/7 | 7.3 | |
| ABC | Wife Swap | 5.38 | 1.9/5 | 3.6 | |
| CW | Americas Next Top Model (Clips Recap, Pt 2) | 1.42 | 0.6/2 | 1.3 | |
| FOX | American Idol | 24.59 | 9.8/25 | 14.6 | |
| 9:00 | FOX | Moment of Truth | 14.47 | 6.2/16 | 9.7 |
| CBS | Criminal Minds (Repeat) | 7.75 | 1.9/5 | 5.4 | |
| NBC | Law & Order: Criminal Intent | 9.07 | 2.5/7 | 6.3 | |
| ABC | Supernanny | 8.8 | 3.6/9 | 5.9 | |
| CW | One Tree Hill (Repeat) | 1.14 | 0.5/1 | 1 | |
| 10:00 | ABC | Cashmere Mafia | 5.26 | 2.0/5 | 3.9 |
| NBC | Law & Order | 10.24 | 3.0/8 | 7.5 | |
| CBS | CSI: NY (Repeat) | 7.66 | 2.1/6 | 5.6 |
Nielsen Ratings Source: Nielsen Media Research. Full night’s results available via Marc Berman/Mediaweek.
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Thought I'd point out that the Law & Order CI at 9:00pm was actually a rerun (although, not technically since it first ran on USA a couple of weeks ago). What does that say when reruns from cable can get those kind of numbers (even though 'Moment' won the slot)?
I wondered why NBC 'relegated' L&OCI first runs to cable, but then I realized it was a promotion – like sending one of your best people to go open the 'New Branch' in London. Bill/Robert (when you get a chance), how is that working out for NBC/USA? I don't know enough about the numbers to figure it out.
Jon, L&O;:CI did very well on USA this fall, you can see it in our Cable top 20s most weeks.
My understanding was that because of past ratings NBC was unwilling to bring it back this season at an “NBC level” price so that Dick Wolf accepted a “USA level” price which is still likely a hefty chunk of change and significantly better than the “show cancelled” price.
As to it's relative profitability on USA vs. NBC (which is all that really counts), I have no idea. We just don't get the kind of insider information that would be required to make that call.
Thought I’d point out that the Law & Order CI at 9:00pm was actually a rerun (although, not technically since it first ran on USA a couple of weeks ago). What does that say when reruns from cable can get those kind of numbers (even though ‘Moment’ won the slot)?
I wondered why NBC ‘relegated’ L&OCI first runs to cable, but then I realized it was a promotion – like sending one of your best people to go open the ‘New Branch’ in London. Bill/Robert (when you get a chance), how is that working out for NBC/USA? I don’t know enough about the numbers to figure it out.
Top ratings on USA and then good rerun numbers on the mothership… I'd say LOCI (one of my favorites) and other such cross-network arrangements will be a big topic of discussion between DW and GE in the off season.
The flagship status of LOCI (and Monk) and all of the cross-advertising they bring, surely pays off on the bottom line – for both Wolf and GenElec, etal.
CBS should know better than to put Big Brother up against A.I. Both are great shows but Idol puts a lot more at stake, Idol gets hot new recording artists discovered and sold. What similar good work does Big Brother do?
I like both shows, but if bother air at the same time there's no question which one I'll be watching. Idol. Just as I have every season from the beginning.
Sure Big Brother is really entertaining, but get a clue peoplem don't put it on the air at the same time as Idol. Nobody's gonna watch.
Jon, L&O:CI did very well on USA this fall, you can see it in our Cable top 20s most weeks.
My understanding was that because of past ratings NBC was unwilling to bring it back this season at an “NBC level” price so that Dick Wolf accepted a “USA level” price which is still likely a hefty chunk of change and significantly better than the “show cancelled” price.
As to it’s relative profitability on USA vs. NBC (which is all that really counts), I have no idea. We just don’t get the kind of insider information that would be required to make that call.
Top ratings on USA and then good rerun numbers on the mothership… I’d say LOCI (one of my favorites) and other such cross-network arrangements will be a big topic of discussion between DW and GE in the off season.
The flagship status of LOCI (and Monk) and all of the cross-advertising they bring, surely pays off on the bottom line – for both Wolf and GenElec, etal.
CBS should know better than to put Big Brother up against A.I. Both are great shows but Idol puts a lot more at stake, Idol gets hot new recording artists discovered and sold. What similar good work does Big Brother do?
I like both shows, but if bother air at the same time there’s no question which one I’ll be watching. Idol. Just as I have every season from the beginning.
Sure Big Brother is really entertaining, but get a clue peoplem don’t put it on the air at the same time as Idol. Nobody’s gonna watch.
Once Idol settles into its normal time slot on Tuesdays at 8 and Wednesdays at 9, Big Brother will no longer be competing with “Idol” (except if it runs special 2 hour broadcasts). CBS knows that even in the summer with little competition, Big Brother just pulls in 7 million folks, which is just fine for summer. I dont think CBS expected Big Brother to suddenly attract historic high audiences just because it is airing in the winter. I suspect this is what CBS knew it would get.
This is x-rated and not even interesting. Put different aged people and individuals on the show or just drop it. I have loved it but won't be watching this one.
I disagree Rob. Once Idol settles doesn't happen soon enough and by that logic to maximize BB, CBS should have waited a month to launch BB. It isn't killing in the 18-49, and in the summer it can at least make that claim.
CBS would do better agains Idol with just about any of its reruns, pick one (2.5 Men, NCIS, CSI; Miami, CSI: NY, CSI, Without a Trace, etc), since the goal IS to make money, not to have the biggest cajones even when having big cajones is a stupid proposition for making money.
CBS is neither serving itself, or the BB franchise well with this move.
I think CBS was worried about the strike and pulled in BB because it was doable. That said, I think they could have set it's timeslot a bit better.
Since I haven't watched this installment, it could be as Sherry states that this BB just sucks under any circumstance. I concede that is a possibility I hadn't considered.
Once Idol settles into its normal time slot on Tuesdays at 8 and Wednesdays at 9, Big Brother will no longer be competing with “Idol” (except if it runs special 2 hour broadcasts). CBS knows that even in the summer with little competition, Big Brother just pulls in 7 million folks, which is just fine for summer. I dont think CBS expected Big Brother to suddenly attract historic high audiences just because it is airing in the winter. I suspect this is what CBS knew it would get.
This is x-rated and not even interesting. Put different aged people and individuals on the show or just drop it. I have loved it but won’t be watching this one.
I disagree Rob. Once Idol settles doesn’t happen soon enough and by that logic to maximize BB, CBS should have waited a month to launch BB. It isn’t killing in the 18-49, and in the summer it can at least make that claim.
CBS would do better agains Idol with just about any of its reruns, pick one (2.5 Men, NCIS, CSI; Miami, CSI: NY, CSI, Without a Trace, etc), since the goal IS to make money, not to have the biggest cajones even when having big cajones is a stupid proposition for making money.
CBS is neither serving itself, or the BB franchise well with this move.
I think CBS was worried about the strike and pulled in BB because it was doable. That said, I think they could have set it’s timeslot a bit better.
Since I haven’t watched this installment, it could be as Sherry states that this BB just sucks under any circumstance. I concede that is a possibility I hadn’t considered.
CBS scheduled BB in those slots a long time ago Knowing that Idol usually airs at 8 on Tuesdays and 9 on wednesdays. Fox then went ahead and supersized Idol on Tuesdays on purpose. Then they scheduled Idol on Wednesdays at 8 for the next few weeks again on purpose to combat BB.
Once Idol goes to its regular time slots in the next 2 weeks BB will surely gain viewers. Plus BB has always grown in numbers as the season goes on.
I love both AI and BB and I thank god for dvr! Given the choice of which to watch live, i chose BB this time but will most likely DVR BB and watch AI live since hollywood week is over.
Personally, I think BB should be moved to the weekend.. fri and sat nights would be good.
Janice, CBS could have just launced BB in a few weeks and made more money in the meanwhile by rerunning repeats of Two and a Half Men. The goal is to maximize your shows. They didn't.
CBS scheduled BB in those slots a long time ago Knowing that Idol usually airs at 8 on Tuesdays and 9 on wednesdays. Fox then went ahead and supersized Idol on Tuesdays on purpose. Then they scheduled Idol on Wednesdays at 8 for the next few weeks again on purpose to combat BB.
Once Idol goes to its regular time slots in the next 2 weeks BB will surely gain viewers. Plus BB has always grown in numbers as the season goes on.
I love both AI and BB and I thank god for dvr! Given the choice of which to watch live, i chose BB this time but will most likely DVR BB and watch AI live since hollywood week is over.
Personally, I think BB should be moved to the weekend.. fri and sat nights would be good.
I don't think CBS is putting BB on to get ratings. I think it's just an easy, cheap way to get original programming on the air. Right now the show seems to just exist to fill holes in the schedule — even if that means going up against American Idol twice a week.
If CBS really wanted big numbers from BB, they would have never debuted it in the exact same timeslot as AI. With that said, I'm very interested to see the DVR numbers.
Janice, CBS could have just launced BB in a few weeks and made more money in the meanwhile by rerunning repeats of Two and a Half Men. The goal is to maximize your shows. They didn’t.
I don’t think CBS is putting BB on to get ratings. I think it’s just an easy, cheap way to get original programming on the air. Right now the show seems to just exist to fill holes in the schedule — even if that means going up against American Idol twice a week.
If CBS really wanted big numbers from BB, they would have never debuted it in the exact same timeslot as AI. With that said, I’m very interested to see the DVR numbers.
If they had pushed the launch any further it wouldnt have had much of a break before the summer edition. I dont think they had much of a choice. I cant see them moving the show around too much though. I maybe see them moving it against Moment of Truth on Wednesdays where it may hav a better chance until Idol moves back there in a few weeks.
You guys talk about things as if the goal wasn't to make as much money as possible. If reruns of Two and a Half Men, CSI, NCIS, etc., would all be cheaper and make you more money (more viewers), why would you do something ELSE? Hubris? Of course they had another choice. They have another choice right now: put on programs that attract more viewers. They KNOW their reruns will attract more viewers, even in the 18-49 demo. Why wouldn't they do that?
If they had pushed the launch any further it wouldnt have had much of a break before the summer edition. I dont think they had much of a choice. I cant see them moving the show around too much though. I maybe see them moving it against Moment of Truth on Wednesdays where it may hav a better chance until Idol moves back there in a few weeks.
You guys talk about things as if the goal wasn’t to make as much money as possible. If reruns of Two and a Half Men, CSI, NCIS, etc., would all be cheaper and make you more money (more viewers), why would you do something ELSE? Hubris? Of course they had another choice. They have another choice right now: put on programs that attract more viewers. They KNOW their reruns will attract more viewers, even in the 18-49 demo. Why wouldn’t they do that?
Would reruns of those shows really be cheaper or less profitable than a new season of Big Brother?
I mean it's not like they pay the houseguests much of anything at all, and CBS has to make something off those live feeds.
Sure BB and American Idol have a very similar audience so it's tough, but I think this was clearly only meant to serve as filler in the event of a prolonged writer's strike and that's why this may be an abbreviated season.
Ugh. I mean would they really be cheaper or MORE profitable than running a new season of Big Brother (in terms of what they'd have to pay in residuals and things).
Would reruns of those shows really be cheaper or less profitable than a new season of Big Brother?
I mean it’s not like they pay the houseguests much of anything at all, and CBS has to make something off those live feeds.
Sure BB and American Idol have a very similar audience so it’s tough, but I think this was clearly only meant to serve as filler in the event of a prolonged writer’s strike and that’s why this may be an abbreviated season.
Ugh. I mean would they really be cheaper or MORE profitable than running a new season of Big Brother (in terms of what they’d have to pay in residuals and things).
It will be very interesting to see how CBS responds to using a relatively weak (by regular season standards) summer franchise like Big Brother in a really competitive landscape as the reruns end by early April. Already, two of BB's twists are already over! The secret lovers revealed their secret in only the second (?) episode (!), and the ex-lovers were evicted in the second episode. The producers must be scrambling to figure out what to do next. They need to inject some new contestants into the house–fast.
Good riddance CM. Please ABC dump the show. Bring back MIT
It will be very interesting to see how CBS responds to using a relatively weak (by regular season standards) summer franchise like Big Brother in a really competitive landscape as the reruns end by early April. Already, two of BB’s twists are already over! The secret lovers revealed their secret in only the second (?) episode (!), and the ex-lovers were evicted in the second episode. The producers must be scrambling to figure out what to do next. They need to inject some new contestants into the house–fast.
Good riddance CM. Please ABC dump the show. Bring back MIT
Ummmmm — if the ratings for the reruns performed as well or only as close to as well as Big Brother it would likely be a wash in the final analysis. But I believe the reruns would significantly outperform BB ratings wise in those timeslots so significantly as to easily be more profitable.
But still, that's merely conjecture and speculation on my part. I don't have enough real data to do more than speculate.
Ummmmm — if the ratings for the reruns performed as well or only as close to as well as Big Brother it would likely be a wash in the final analysis. But I believe the reruns would significantly outperform BB ratings wise in those timeslots so significantly as to easily be more profitable.
But still, that’s merely conjecture and speculation on my part. I don’t have enough real data to do more than speculate.
Big Brother will be fine, it has very loyal fans, even if they don't agree all the time with the producers. CBS knows the results of the writers being back at work won't show up for a couple of months… right about when Big Brother 9 ends. How convenient. It will take at least that long to write and produce new episodes of all the shows. And I am so sick of American Idol. I am a musician, and it's just too painful to listen to most of the time. But since I watch Big Brother, it doesn't really matter, does it?
Big Brother is actually better this season. Last season was chock full of little babies too afraid to boot the Donato father/daughter “team”. Plus America's Player messed up everyone's game. This time they got some HG's with backbone, they won't be walked on. So, I'm afraid those into EvelDick's abuse won't have that kind of thing to slobber over on BB9. Although this season's players are 99% young, and terribly hyperactive in EVERY way, they seem to be quite bright, and not bad kids. For the most part. Those offended by the HG late night live feed “antics” can just watch their recordings of Kid Nation instead, or yet another version or rerun of Law and Order.
Big Brother will be fine, it has very loyal fans, even if they don’t agree all the time with the producers. CBS knows the results of the writers being back at work won’t show up for a couple of months… right about when Big Brother 9 ends. How convenient. It will take at least that long to write and produce new episodes of all the shows. And I am so sick of American Idol. I am a musician, and it’s just too painful to listen to most of the time. But since I watch Big Brother, it doesn’t really matter, does it?
I personally love BB and I believe that Idol you can expect the same thing people trying to see who could tell the best tear jerker story. Instead of focusing on pure talent. Like the boy they just found out he had won star search or something like that before. But he was going to be the next Sanjaya for sure. I'd rather see strangers in a house making a bunch of fools of themselves on national televison. So I am one of those people obsessed with BB and am so happy for this winter edition.
Big Brother is actually better this season. Last season was chock full of little babies too afraid to boot the Donato father/daughter “team”. Plus America’s Player messed up everyone’s game. This time they got some HG’s with backbone, they won’t be walked on. So, I’m afraid those into EvelDick’s abuse won’t have that kind of thing to slobber over on BB9. Although this season’s players are 99% young, and terribly hyperactive in EVERY way, they seem to be quite bright, and not bad kids. For the most part. Those offended by the HG late night live feed “antics” can just watch their recordings of Kid Nation instead, or yet another version or rerun of Law and Order.
I personally love BB and I believe that Idol you can expect the same thing people trying to see who could tell the best tear jerker story. Instead of focusing on pure talent. Like the boy they just found out he had won star search or something like that before. But he was going to be the next Sanjaya for sure. I’d rather see strangers in a house making a bunch of fools of themselves on national televison. So I am one of those people obsessed with BB and am so happy for this winter edition.
A couple of things to consider:
1. BB has several revenue streams including the 24/7 feed and the Big Brother After Dark block on showtime…not to mention easy brand integration opportunities.
2. Julie Chen is also know as Mrs. Leslie Moonves.
Angus, I have no doubt nepotism being what it is #2 keeps the show from getting yanked. But wouldn't you want to stick your hot wife's show somewhere more people would actually watch it just the same?
I do agree. They always cater to a young crowd and forget that older adults would really enjoy seeing their own age adults mixed with young ones. This is like watching a school play along with sex parties
A couple of things to consider:
1. BB has several revenue streams including the 24/7 feed and the Big Brother After Dark block on showtime…not to mention easy brand integration opportunities.
2. Julie Chen is also know as Mrs. Leslie Moonves.
Angus, I have no doubt nepotism being what it is #2 keeps the show from getting yanked. But wouldn’t you want to stick your hot wife’s show somewhere more people would actually watch it just the same?
I do agree. They always cater to a young crowd and forget that older adults would really enjoy seeing their own age adults mixed with young ones. This is like watching a school play along with sex parties
This is by far the most boring season of BB yet, I'm not suprised that the ratings are so low.
This is by far the most boring season of BB yet, I’m not suprised that the ratings are so low.
Big Brother always starts off slowly. I myself pay half attention the first few weeks until the houseguests settle in. I am also a subsriber to 24/7 feeds….I would be curious how AI made out on that idea (not well I'm willing to wager). Oh but I do record American Idol for the uneventful moments in ther BB House!
Big Brother always starts off slowly. I myself pay half attention the first few weeks until the houseguests settle in. I am also a subsriber to 24/7 feeds….I would be curious how AI made out on that idea (not well I’m willing to wager). Oh but I do record American Idol for the uneventful moments in ther BB House!
I have been a bb fan since the first show but this year is so bad I won't be watching. CBS has the wrong idea of what people want – they don't want to see forced showmances. I know people loved Janelle/Will and Eric/Jessica but CBS didn't plan those showmances they happened naturally. CBS get a new producer for BB!
I have been a bb fan since the first show but this year is so bad I won’t be watching. CBS has the wrong idea of what people want – they don’t want to see forced showmances. I know people loved Janelle/Will and Eric/Jessica but CBS didn’t plan those showmances they happened naturally. CBS get a new producer for BB!
Bring Back “the UNIT” there are 11 million + viewers waiting. There is NO show out there like it A+ for originality
Col. Ryan – Robert Patrick Kicks serious ___!
Bring Back “the UNIT” there are 11 million + viewers waiting. There is NO show out there like it A+ for originality
Col. Ryan – Robert Patrick Kicks serious ___!