Fox Sweeps All Categories, Edges CBS in Viewers
Contrary to my previous predictions, Fox edged CBS for the average viewer crown for the week of April 7-13, although by a mere 20,000 average viewers. I figured, with most of its regular shows back with new episodes, that CBS was untouchable for the rest of the season weekly average viewer and adults 25-54 crowns. I obviously was too hasty, as Fox gained a little over half a million average viewers from the previous week, and CBS, with only a single NCAA primetime game on April 7, fell back more than 1 million average viewers from the previous week
Fox also won all the age demographic categories; winning the weekly races for adults 18-49, adults 18-34 and adults 25-54 pretty comfortably over CBS which was second in each race. This week’s results cause me to reassess my earlier prediction that “CBS seems assured of total viewer and 25-54 wins for the remainder of the season.” It just might be a horse race for weekly viewers and not so close for adults 25-54. All CBS has left to bring back this season is Rules of Engagement (April 14) and Moonlight (April 25), hardly powerhouses. While Fox still has Bones (April 14), Back to You (April 16) which together should balance the new CBS adds, and the blockbuster House (April 28) which should sweep away the competition.
ABC again finished third in average viewers, adults 18-49 and adults 25-54 and fourth in adults 18-34, behind the Hispanic youth power of Univision. The return of Desperate Housewives helped ABC gain about a half million average viewers from the previous week, but with Fox adding a million they lost ground. The return of Grey’s Anatomy (April 24) will help boost ABC, but the other returning shows According to Jim, Brothers & Sisters and Ugly Betty aren’t likely to make a big dent. ABC continues to settle into being the third/fourth place finisher on a weekly basis from here on out.
NBC again finished fourth in average viewers, adults 18-49 and adults 25-54 and fifth in adults 18-34. NBC’s Thursday night line up (30 Rock, The Office, Scrubs, ER) filled out last week yet it only added about 300,000 average viewers. Forget my prediction they might be competitive with ABC before Grey’s Anatomy returns. Jeff Zucker and his folks are in a world of hurt. Law & Order (April 23) and Law & Order: SVU (April 15) should mute the pain a bit, but my thought that NBC would be fighting ABC for third/fourth place finishes for the rest of the season might have been a bit too hopeful.
CW lost almost 150,000 average viewers from the previous week, threatening to vanish from the radar screen entirely. They still await the return of both Gossip Girl (April 21) and Supernatural (April 24) to join their train wreck of a season.
Nielsen TV Ratings Data: ©2008 Nielsen Media Research, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
As one of my favorite staples on ESPN’s Around the Horn — Denver Post columnist Woody Paige — always says: YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT THE SCHEDULE.
“Idol Gives Back” may not be the jewel regular Idol is, but had you seen three Idols instead of the normal two, you might have predicted differently.
As one of my favorite staples on ESPN's Around the Horn — Denver Post columnist Woody Paige — always says: YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT THE SCHEDULE.
“Idol Gives Back” may not be the jewel regular Idol is, but had you seen three Idols instead of the normal two, you might have predicted differently.
I await the day that TV advertisers see the value in the quality of viewers and not just quantity.
Supernatural has a ardent fan base that is not only loyal to the television program, but also to its sponsors.
Call the CW a train wreck if you want, but I’d challenge you to find as fiercely loyal fans for any other program on television today.
I await the day that TV advertisers see the value in the quality of viewers and not just quantity.
Supernatural has a ardent fan base that is not only loyal to the television program, but also to its sponsors.
Call the CW a train wreck if you want, but I'd challenge you to find as fiercely loyal fans for any other program on television today.
LindsayW, while we don’t have viewer income or gender information, be sure that the networks and their advertisers do.
They do look at both quality and quantity. That’s why some shows [like 30 Rock, which supposedly has very good income demographics] are renewed when their overall viewer numbers are terrible.
My “train wreck” remark about the CW season points more to the fact that they’re doing more than 20% worse on an average viewer basis this season vs. last season. If 20% of viewers can leave you in a single season, that’s not “fiercely loyal”.
LindsayW, while we don't have viewer income or gender information, be sure that the networks and their advertisers do.
They do look at both quality and quantity. That's why some shows [like 30 Rock, which supposedly has very good income demographics] are renewed when their overall viewer numbers are terrible.
My “train wreck” remark about the CW season points more to the fact that they're doing more than 20% worse on an average viewer basis this season vs. last season. If 20% of viewers can leave you in a single season, that's not “fiercely loyal”.
The CW may have had train wreck of a season but Supernatrual definitely was the exception.
Like LindsayW said the fans of Supernatural are very loyal and supporters of the show.
The CW may have had train wreck of a season but Supernatrual definitely was the exception.
Like LindsayW said the fans of Supernatural are very loyal and supporters of the show.
Wont argue The CW IS a train wreck but Supernatural is the show that stops it going Kaboom completley..for me anyway
Wont argue The CW IS a train wreck but Supernatural is the show that stops it going Kaboom completley..for me anyway
I’m a SN fan too but there’s no denying that the CW IS a trainwreck.
I'm a SN fan too but there's no denying that the CW IS a trainwreck.
I echo the sentiments experessed here. I love the adventures of Sam & Dean, but the CW is a trainwreck.
I echo the sentiments experessed here. I love the adventures of Sam & Dean, but the CW is a trainwreck.
As stated by others, Supernatural fans will never argue with you on the subject of the CW being a trainwreck, but Supernatural is the exception on the CW. Supernatural is probably the best show on television today, but it lacks the support of it’s own network even though it is among their top rated.
As stated by others, Supernatural fans will never argue with you on the subject of the CW being a trainwreck, but Supernatural is the exception on the CW. Supernatural is probably the best show on television today, but it lacks the support of it's own network even though it is among their top rated.
well, the SN fanz really r fiercely loyal!!! since this is fr the entire CW’s (including so much of the crap), line up, the viewers of course are going down, but the SN fanz, they r LOYAL–the one’s who really truely care, and i don’t mean the casual viewers , who just tune in fr the eye candy!!!
well, the SN fanz really r fiercely loyal!!! since this is fr the entire CW's (including so much of the crap), line up, the viewers of course are going down, but the SN fanz, they r LOYAL–the one's who really truely care, and i don't mean the casual viewers , who just tune in fr the eye candy!!!
I sometimes do wish that Supernatural could be on some other network, becasue CW as a network for Supernatural, is totally useless.
This show deserves so much better, it is the one of the best show on television History..
I sometimes do wish that Supernatural could be on some other network, becasue CW as a network for Supernatural, is totally useless.
This show deserves so much better, it is the one of the best show on television History..
I am a huge Supernatural fan, but I have no idea why people are getting Supernaturally defensive. Bill didn’t say Supernatural was a train wreck, he said the network was (and it’s more than true). Although, truth be told, I think season 3 of Supernatural has been a train wreck due to network interference. But that’s another post for another time . . .
The CW is a network just waiting to be shut down. Their programming is so stupid, sleazy and immature that not even their golden target audience of 18-34 year olds want to watch it – and yet they continue to beat the dead horse with trash like Girlicious and Farmer Wants a Wife (who came up with that ridiculous name?). My guess is it will be shut down in the next year. CBS is going into the red at a fast rate, adn the WB is working on their own programming venture separate from the CW.
Bottom line: Bill, you’re right on!
I am a huge Supernatural fan, but I have no idea why people are getting Supernaturally defensive. Bill didn't say Supernatural was a train wreck, he said the network was (and it's more than true). Although, truth be told, I think season 3 of Supernatural has been a train wreck due to network interference. But that's another post for another time . . .
The CW is a network just waiting to be shut down. Their programming is so stupid, sleazy and immature that not even their golden target audience of 18-34 year olds want to watch it – and yet they continue to beat the dead horse with trash like Girlicious and Farmer Wants a Wife (who came up with that ridiculous name?). My guess is it will be shut down in the next year. CBS is going into the red at a fast rate, adn the WB is working on their own programming venture separate from the CW.
Bottom line: Bill, you're right on!
a trainwreck of a season?
excuse me?
just because i do not enjoy people doing it on screen or watch people sing does not mean that its a trainwreck of a season.
the show has the most loyal fans ever
a trainwreck of a season?
excuse me?
just because i do not enjoy people doing it on screen or watch people sing does not mean that its a trainwreck of a season.
the show has the most loyal fans ever
im a loyal Supernatural fan its the reality shows that are making the Cw so bad that and the teen dramas the keep on comming. Sam and Dean and awesome.
im a loyal Supernatural fan its the reality shows that are making the Cw so bad that and the teen dramas the keep on comming. Sam and Dean and awesome.
Fox certainly played the writer’s strike for all it was worth. But it all pretty much rides on Idol’s coattails.
The CW — seems like their relentleess quest for the 18-24 demo and the changes that they made to established shows like Smallville and Supernatural to attract that demo are having the opposite effect on ratings.
Fox certainly played the writer's strike for all it was worth. But it all pretty much rides on Idol's coattails.
The CW — seems like their relentleess quest for the 18-24 demo and the changes that they made to established shows like Smallville and Supernatural to attract that demo are having the opposite effect on ratings.
I agree, the CW is most definately a train wreck! The ONLY good show that network has is Supernatural, and its their only show I watch. Many of hte folk here are confusing loyalty to the CW with loyalty to SN. The CW made sure to destroy any loyalty fans felt towards the CW when they yanked SN from the air and replaced it with Reaper, while refusing to comment on the shows future return. At the point many viewers, myself included, began boycotting all CW shows except for Supernatural.
They sht theirselves in the foot by ignoring a strong and loyal fanbase, tinkering with the show and jerking it around. I don’t feel sorry for them at all. I just hope Supernatural can be sold to the Sci Fi channel, or pretty much ANY other network.
I agree, the CW is most definately a train wreck! The ONLY good show that network has is Supernatural, and its their only show I watch. Many of hte folk here are confusing loyalty to the CW with loyalty to SN. The CW made sure to destroy any loyalty fans felt towards the CW when they yanked SN from the air and replaced it with Reaper, while refusing to comment on the shows future return. At the point many viewers, myself included, began boycotting all CW shows except for Supernatural.
They sht theirselves in the foot by ignoring a strong and loyal fanbase, tinkering with the show and jerking it around. I don't feel sorry for them at all. I just hope Supernatural can be sold to the Sci Fi channel, or pretty much ANY other network.
i agree with others saying that the CW is a trainwreck it has way too many reality shows than the average network, as far as i know
and i also agree that Supernatural is one of the greatest shows in tv history, and we are very supportive of our show cuz of its humor, drama, and horror, all of which are an awesome combo
i agree with others saying that the CW is a trainwreck it has way too many reality shows than the average network, as far as i know
and i also agree that Supernatural is one of the greatest shows in tv history, and we are very supportive of our show cuz of its humor, drama, and horror, all of which are an awesome combo
I agree that loyalty to Supernatural (which I am) is not the same as loyalty to the CW (which I am NOT). The CW is a train wreck and they just won’t learn, or don’t care, so they will keep derailing. How I long for The WB!
I agree that loyalty to Supernatural (which I am) is not the same as loyalty to the CW (which I am NOT). The CW is a train wreck and they just won't learn, or don't care, so they will keep derailing. How I long for The WB!
I agree, the CW is probably the most horrible network on television today. And like every one else that just posted, the only reason i keep watching is because of Supernatural. A great show like that does not deserve that network, they keep pouring all their advertising into stupid teen drama like one tree hill and gossip girls. in case they haven’t noticed television viewers have gotten more mature, even teenagers. I just wish Supernatural would move to a network that deserves them and completely obliterate the CW for good.
I agree, the CW is probably the most horrible network on television today. And like every one else that just posted, the only reason i keep watching is because of Supernatural. A great show like that does not deserve that network, they keep pouring all their advertising into stupid teen drama like one tree hill and gossip girls. in case they haven't noticed television viewers have gotten more mature, even teenagers. I just wish Supernatural would move to a network that deserves them and completely obliterate the CW for good.
If CW woulda picked up Jericho it would be the number one show on CW!
If CW woulda picked up Jericho it would be the number one show on CW!
CW will NEVER pick up Jericho – they only produce low budget junk shows like Beauty and the Geek and Pussycat Dolls and sitcoms. Advertisers simply wont foot the $3 million per episode cost of Jericho. What people dont realize is that its really the advertisers who care about ratings – they use them to decide how much to pay for a show. Jericho bombed on SCI-FI when they tried to rerun Season 1 – they axed it after only 15 of the 22 episodes. If Jericho couldnt make it on SCI-FI, its over.
CW will NEVER pick up Jericho – they only produce low budget junk shows like Beauty and the Geek and Pussycat Dolls and sitcoms. Advertisers simply wont foot the $3 million per episode cost of Jericho. What people dont realize is that its really the advertisers who care about ratings – they use them to decide how much to pay for a show. Jericho bombed on SCI-FI when they tried to rerun Season 1 – they axed it after only 15 of the 22 episodes. If Jericho couldnt make it on SCI-FI, its over.
I still say FOX should have to average in a zero for the 10:00 hour. Not really fair they get to just program two hours a night and not have to average in the third hour of the night. They have few hits other than American Idol. As for CBS, they will never catch FOX in the 18-49 demo as long as they still have shows like “Cold Case”.
I still say FOX should have to average in a zero for the 10:00 hour. Not really fair they get to just program two hours a night and not have to average in the third hour of the night. They have few hits other than American Idol. As for CBS, they will never catch FOX in the 18-49 demo as long as they still have shows like “Cold Case”.
Jim, Fox definitely gets an advantage not having to program the 10pm hour. However, I did a back of the envelope guess, unfortunately in the comments of a post so I can’t search for it, and it seemed that the advantage of not programming that hour wasn’t huge, more like 10%.
Unless you think that Fox programmers are so bad they can barely program the 15 hours they do now and whatever they’d add would get 0 viewers
Jim, Fox definitely gets an advantage not having to program the 10pm hour. However, I did a back of the envelope guess, unfortunately in the comments of a post so I can't search for it, and it seemed that the advantage of not programming that hour wasn't huge, more like 10%.
Unless you think that Fox programmers are so bad they can barely program the 15 hours they do now and whatever they'd add would get 0 viewers
The people in charge of CW forgot to read up on basic Business 101. WB had hits (at least in terms of this netlet) with Buffy and Angel. When they combined with UPN to form CW, they gifted a couple of more hits: Smallville and Supernatural. But chasing after that so-called coveted demographic turned Smallville into a former shell of itself by systematically removing any actor over age 35 from the line-up. Then they tried to mandate T&A into Supernatural as well, rather than allowing the creators to just do their jobs and continue to run their shows successfully and with quality.
CW =IS= a trainwreck, but there are a couple of things to consider in these numbers: the effect of the strike and the fact that CW is not in all markets, whereas the other networks are. The reality fare is understandable since it doesn’t cost much to produce. But Gossip Girl, How to Teach Filthy Rich Girls, and a 90210 revival… is it me or is there a (bad)pattern here?
The people in charge of CW forgot to read up on basic Business 101. WB had hits (at least in terms of this netlet) with Buffy and Angel. When they combined with UPN to form CW, they gifted a couple of more hits: Smallville and Supernatural. But chasing after that so-called coveted demographic turned Smallville into a former shell of itself by systematically removing any actor over age 35 from the line-up. Then they tried to mandate T&A into Supernatural as well, rather than allowing the creators to just do their jobs and continue to run their shows successfully and with quality.
CW =IS= a trainwreck, but there are a couple of things to consider in these numbers: the effect of the strike and the fact that CW is not in all markets, whereas the other networks are. The reality fare is understandable since it doesn't cost much to produce. But Gossip Girl, How to Teach Filthy Rich Girls, and a 90210 revival… is it me or is there a (bad)pattern here?