Robert and I both believe that live events like sports will become relatively more valuable in the future because they are more “DVR-proof”. It seems as if the head of content at ESPN agrees (via MediaWeek):

ESPN’s content guru John Skipper says he is going to make a concerted effort to add even more live sports coverage across all of the network’s media platforms while cutting back on scripted series, reality shows, original movies and other types of more general sports entertainment programming.

“We have found that what sports fans really care about, and why they come to ESPN properties is to watch live games,” said Skipper, the company’s vp of content. ESPN’s Sept. 16 Monday Night Football telecast drew 18.6 million viewers, the largest cable audience ever.

Skipper said he will continue to pursue deals for more major college games, and will look to get additional rights to major professional tennis and golf events when they become available. Reclaiming the National Hockey League is also on his to-do list. The NHL is slated to run on Versus through the 2010-2011 season.

Of course, Skipper’s biggest quarry is the Olympics; Skipper is working on a major pitch on behalf of ESPN and sister network ABC to wrest the Olympics’ rights away from NBC when the bidding for the ’14 and ’16 Games come up next year. As the incumbent, NBC will have some advantages. And after its success in Beijing, it’s not going to give up without a fight. Skipper, without offering specifics, said “we are pretty good at finding ways to acquire rights to major events if we want them.”

Read the rest here.

Tina Fey was back again on Saturday night. The following is from an NBC press release:

‘SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE’ POLLS 46 PERCENT ABOVE ITS YEAR-AGO TELECAST

WITH HOST ANNA FARIS, MUSICAL GUEST DUFFY AND SPECIAL APPEARANCES BY TINA FEY AND CHRIS PARNELL, ‘SNL’ IS SATURDAY’S #1 PROGRAM IN METERED-MARKET OVERNIGHTS, TOPPING ALL PRIMETIME TELECASTS ON ALL NETWORKS

WITH AN UNPRECEDENTED EARLY START TO ITS ‘08-09 SEASON, ‘SNL’ IS RUNNING 52 PERCENT AHEAD OF LAST YEAR’S OPENING THREE EDITIONS IN THE METERED MARKETS

BURBANK, Calif. – September 28, 2008 – “Saturday Night Live” continues to generate red-hot numbers through the opening stretch of its 34th season, last night scoring a 46 percent increase over the show’s comparable third episode of last season, according to metered-market household ratings from Nielsen Media Research.

Last night’s edition was hosted by Anna Faris and featured musical guest Duffy and special appearances by recent Emmy winner Tina Fey (for “30 Rock”), reprising her role as Republican VP candidate Gov. Sarah Palin, and Chris Parnell, as debate moderator Jim Lehrer. The telecast averaged a 6.0 rating, 15 share in metered-market households, up 46 percent versus the 4.1/10 for last season’s third original on October 13, 2007.

Last night’s “Saturday Night Live” was the #1 telecast of the evening in the metered markets, beating all primetime programs on all networks.

This is the second highest “Saturday Night Live” metered-market average since February 23 (with host Tina Fey and musical guest Carrie Underwood, the first “SNL” original after the writers’ strike), trailing only this season’s September 13 debut over that span. Last night’s “Saturday Night Live” topped every “SNL” telecast from last season except that February 23 edition in metered-market rating.

Through the first three weeks of its new season, “Saturday Night Live” is running 52 percent ahead of the first three weeks of last season in the metered markets (6.4/16 vs. 4.2/10).

“Saturday Night Live” premiered two weeks earlier this season than in recent years, an unprecedented move designed to take advantage of intense interest in the 2008 election campaign. NBC will continue to tap into this year’s heightened political interest with “Saturday Night Live Weekend Update Thursday,” a series of primetime editions that debut Thursday, October 9 at 9:30 p.m. ET and run for three weeks, and “Saturday Night Live Presidential Bash 2008,” which will feature vintage and new material showcasing “SNL’s” presidential satire, airing at 9:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 3, the night before Election Day.

National ratings and demographic results for last night’s “Saturday Night Live” are due from Nielsen on Thursday, Oct. 2.

America’s No. 1 Morning News Program Tops GMA By 965k For the Week 

For the 2007/08 Season “Today” Led GMA By More Than One Million Total Viewers 

NEW YORK – September 25, 2008 – NBC News’ “Today” continues as the morning news leader, attracting 5.3 million viewers for the week – a 965K (22%) lead over GMA, and 2.6 million (96%) more than “The Early Show.” The win marked “Today’s” 667th week in first place. 

For the 2007/08 season, “Today” topped second-place GMA by 23% (1.03 million) total viewers and by 31% in A25-54. “Today” widened its advantages over GMA year-to-year” in homes (from 14% up to 23%), total viewers (from 14% up to 23%), in A25-54 (27% up to 30%), and A18-49 (from 28% up to 36%). During the season, “Today” added 103k total viewers (a gain of 2%) to its audience versus the comparable period last season. 

For the week of September 15 – September 21, “Today” led with a 4.0 household rating/14 share and 5.3 million viewers. GMA trailed with a 3.3/12 and 4.3 million viewers. CBS’ “The Early Show” remained in third place with a 2.1/7 household rating and 2.7 million viewers. 

In rating A25-54, “Today” led GMA by 33 percent (5 tenths) and topped The Early Show by 100 percent (1 full ratings points). In rating A18-49, “Today” outperformed GMA by 36 percent (4 tenths) and “The Early Show” by 114 percent (8 tenths). 

“Today II” posted a 2.3/9 and nearly 3.0 million viewers, outperforming The Early Show in total viewers and homes. “Today III” delivered a 1.3/5 and more than 1.5 million viewers. 

On its digital platforms, “Today” continued its strong performance during the week ending September 20 with more than 5.6 million online streams. TODAYshow.com’s stories, blog, message boards and live votes were also popular with users. 

via ABC press release.

ABC Wins the Opening Thursday of the Season in Viewers and Key Adults, The Net’s First Total Viewer Victory on a Season-Opening Thursday in 8 Years

“Grey’s” Marks its 41st Original Airing as Thursday’s No. 1 TV Show in Adults 18-49 Thursday Night (8:00-11:00 p.m.)
ABC dominated the opening Thursday of the season among Total Viewers (15.5 million) and across each of the key Adult demographics:  AD18-34 (6.3/18), AD18-49 (6.0/15) and A25-54 (6.2/15). The Net bested second-place CBS on the evening by 3.8 million viewers and by 58% in Adults 18-49 (CBS = 11.7 million and 3.8/10).  ABC’s Thursday was the highest-rated night for any net so far this season in the key young adult sales demo.

* ABC’s numbers were up over the same night a year ago in both Total Viewers and Adults 18-49 (14.5 million and 5.8/15 on 9/27/07).

* It was the first time that ABC has won the opening Thursday of a season in Total Viewers in 8 years (since 10/5/00) and just the second time since at least 1991 – going back to the start of Nielsen’s electronic database.

“Ugly Betty” (8:00-9:00 p.m.)
From 8:00-9:00 p.m. ABC’s “Ugly Betty” opened its third season a definitive No. 1 in its time period among Adults 18-34 (3.4/11), beating CBS’ second-place “Survivor: Gabon” premiere by 26% (2.7/9) and third-place NBC’s opener of “My Name is Earl” by 31% (2.6/8).  Asserting itself in the hour among its core audience of Women 18-34, “Betty” defeated second-place CBS’ “Survivor” franchise by a best-ever 69% (5.4/16 vs. 3.2/10).  The show earned a solid second in the hour to CBS’ “Survivor” in Total Viewers (9.8 million) and Adults 18-49 (3.3/9), leading third-place NBC’s season opener of “My Name is Earl” by wide margins (”Earl” = 6.4 million and 2.7/8).

* “Ugly Betty” generated its biggest audience since early January and its top Adult 18-49 number since last November – since 1/10/08 and 11/15/07, respectively.  It was the series’ highest-rated telecast with Women 18-34 in exactly 1 year – since 9/27/07.

“Grey’s Anatomy” (9:00-11:00 p.m.)
Thursday’s No. 1 TV program in Total Viewers (18.3 million) and Adults 18-49 (7.3/18) on its fifth-season premiere, ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy” opened as the highest-rated premiere so far this season in the key young adult sales demo, outdelivering the second-highest-rated season opener by a margin of 30% (Fox’s “House” on 9/16/08 = 5.6/16). The ABC medical drama marked its 41st straight original telecast as Thursday’s No. 1 TV show in Adults 18-49 – No. 1 on every single original airing since premiering on the evening in 2006.  In its 9:00-11:00 p.m., “Grey’s” beat its nearest time-period competition by 7.2 million viewers (18.3 million vs. 11.1 million – CBS) and by 78% in Adults 18-49 (7.3/18 vs. 4.1/10 – NBC).

* Grey’s represents TV’s most-watched scripted series telecast since early-April (4/10/08 – CBS’ “C.S.I.”) and highest-rated among Adults 18-49 since the beginning of February (2/5/08 – Fox’s “House” coming out of “American Idol”).

* In Total Viewers and Adults 18-49, “Grey’s Anatomy” turned in its strongest performance in nearly 11 months – since 11/15/07.

Please note:  Based on last season (’07-08), “Grey’s Anatomy” is the most recorded and played back program on all of TV, as the show gained +2.1 million viewers and grew by +1.1 rating points in Adults 18-49 (+13%) from its first reported Live + Same Day number to its Live + 7 Day number.  With current DVR penetration nearing 28% this season, up from about 19% at the same point a year ago, “Grey’s” will see even greater increases in viewership this season from the initially reported next-day overnight ratings to the final numbers including all DVR playback.

From a CBS press release:

The Premiere of “Survivor: Gabon” Wins the 8:00-9:00 PM Time Period in  Viewers, Adults 18-49 and Adults 25-54

First Ever Two-Hour Premiere Nets Almost 13 Million Viewers From

8:00-10:00 PM

SURVIVOR continued its Thursday (8:00-9:00 PM) winning streak, as the first hour of the two-hour premiere of SURVIVOR: GABON-GARDEN OF EDEN placed first in viewers, adults 18-49 and adults 25-54, according to preliminary Nielsen live plus same day ratings for Sept. 25.

SURVIVOR has won its Thursday (8:00-9:00 PM) time period every week against regularly scheduled competition in viewers and key demographics since 2002.

Last night’s SURVIVOR debut was its first ever two-hour premiere and faced the highly promoted premieres of “Grey’s Anatomy” and “The Office” in its second hour.

From 8:00-9:00 PM, SURVIVOR: GABON was first in households (7.8/13), viewers (13.05m), adults 25-54 (5.5/14) and adults 18-49 (4.4/13).   CBS topped its closest competitor in the 8:00 PM hour by +18% in households (+1.2 rtg ), +53% in adults 25-54 (+1.9) +33% in both adults 18-49 (+1.1 rtg) and viewers (+3.27m). 

From 8:00-10:00 PM, SURVIVOR: GABON (P) was tied for first in adults 25-54 (5.5/13, with ABC), second in households (7.6/12), viewers (12.91m) and adults 18-49 (4.4/11).  

For the night, CBS was second in households (7.1/11), viewers (11.74m), adults 25-54 (4.8/11) and adults 18-49 (3.8/10).  

Numbers are based on Live+Same Day ratings
(Compared to Last Week/Compared to Last Year)

Total Viewers
1. Y&R 4,763,000 (-332,000/-776,000)
2. B&B 3,498,000 (-13,000/-191,000)
3. GH 2,932,000 (-5,000/-451,000)
4. ATWT 2,637,000 (+158,000/-360,000)
5. OLTL 2,560,000 (+5,000/-499,000)
6. AMC 2,530,000 (+65,000/-272,000)
7. DAYS 2,323,000 (-282,000/+11,000)
8. GL 2,030,000 (+6,000/-572,000)

HH
1. Y&R 3.5/13 (-.2/-.6)
2. B&B 2.6/9 (same/-.2)
3. GH 2.2/7 (-.1/-.4)
4. OLTL 2.0/7 (same/-.4)
4. ATWT 2.0/7 (+.1/-.2)
6. AMC 1.9/7 (same/-.3)
7. DAYS 1.8/6 (-.2/same) <——— ties low rating
8. GL 1.5/5 (same/-.4) <———– ties low rating

Women 18-49 Viewers
1. Y&R 1,133,000 (-81,000/same)
2. GH 998,000 (-31,000/-163,000)
3. OLTL 849,000 (-9,000/-150,000)
4. B&B 834,000 (+46,000/-2,000)
5. AMC 788,000 (+22,000/-127,000)
6. ATWT 747,000 (+149,000/-29,000)
7. DAYS 709,000 (-77,000/-118,000)
8. GL 575,000 (+57,000/-152,000)

Women 18-49 Rating
1. Y&R 1.7/11 (-.1/same)
2. GH 1.5/9 (-.1/-.3)
3. OLTL 1.3/8 (same/-.2)
3. B&B 1.3/8 (+.1/same)
5. AMC 1.2/7 (same/-.2)
6. DAYS 1.1/7 (-.1/-.2)
6. ATWT 1.1/7 (+.2/-.1)
8. GL 0.9/5 (+.1/-.2)

Girls 12-17 Viewers
1. Y&R 37,000 (+14,000/-31,000)
2. ATWT 35,000 (+13,000/+18,000)
3. DAYS 31,000 (same/+13,000)
4. GH 29,000 (+18,000/-6,000)
5. B&B 28,000 (+4,000/+8,000)
6. GL 27,000 (+14,000/+2,000)
6. AMC 27,000 (+11,000/+4,000)
8. OLTL 21,000 (+4,000/-2,000)

Women 18-34 Rating
1. GH 1.0/7 (-.1/-.2)
1. Y&R 1.0/7 (-.2/-.1)
3. AMC 0.9/6 (+.1/same)
3. OLTL 0.9/6 (same/-.1)
5. DAYS 0.7/5 (-.2/-.4) <———- ties low rating
6. B&B 0.6/4 (-.1/-.2)
7. ATWT 0.5/3 (same/-.3)
8. GL 0.4/2 (+.1/-.4)

Men 18+ Viewers
1. Y&R 1,110,000 (-177,000/-313,000)
2. B&B 711,000 (-104,000/-163,000)
3. GH 495,000 (-53,000/-215,000)
4. ATWT 485,000 (-23,000/-143,000)
5. AMC 484,000 (-14,000/-102,000)
6. OLTL 454,000 (-55,000/-220,000)
7. DAYS 450,000 (-118,000/+24,000)
8. GL 405,000 (-41,000/-145,000)

————————————-

Day-To-Day Ratings – HH/Total Viewers

AMC
Monday: 2.0/2,608,000
Tuesday: 2.0/2,651,000
Wednesday: 1.9/2,506,000
Thursday: 1.8/2,480,000
Friday: 1.8/2,407,000

ATWT
Monday: 2.1/2,686,000
Tuesday: 2.0/2,667,000
Wednesday: 1.9/2,447,000
Thursday: 2.2/2,736,000
Friday: 2.0/2,651,000

B&B
Monday: 2.9/3,780,000
Tuesday: 2.6/3,481,000
Wednesday: 2.5/3,338,000
Thursday: 2.6/3,520,000
Friday: 2.5/3,372,000

DAYS
Monday: 1.8/2,142,000
Tuesday: 1.8/2,272,000
Wednesday: 1.9/2,398,000
Thursday: 1.9/2,365,000
Friday: 1.8/2,438,000

GH
Monday: 2.5/3,165,000
Tuesday: 2.3/3,053,000
Wednesday: 2.2/2,762,000
Thursday: 2.2/2,872,000
Friday: 2.1/2,810,000

GL
Monday: 1.6/2,077,000
Tuesday: 1.5/2,091,000
Wednesday: 1.5/1,922,000
Thursday: 1.6/2,059,000
Friday: 1.5/1,994,000

OLTL
Monday: 2.0/2,614,000
Tuesday: 2.1/2,759,000
Wednesday: 2.0/2,516,000
Thursday: 1.9/2,498,000
Friday: 1.8/2,413,000

Y&R
Monday: 3.6/4,863,000
Tuesday: 3.6/4,920,000
Wednesday: 3.5/4,707,000
Thursday: 3.6/4,837,000
Friday: 3.3/4,487,000

———————-

For the SEASON September 24, 2007 through September 21, 2008

HH
1. Y&R 3.9
2. B&B 2.8
3. GH 2.4
4. ATWT 2.2
5. OLTL 2.1
5. AMC 2.1
5. DAYS 2.1
8. GL 1.8

Women 18-49 Rating
1. Y&R 1.9
2. GH 1.6
3. DAYS 1.4
3. OLTL 1.4
5. B&B 1.3
5. AMC 1.3
7. ATWT 1.2
8. GL 1.1

Source: Soap Opera Network

Y&R = The Young & The Restless, B&B = The Bold and the Beautiful, GH = General Hospital, DAYS = Days of Our Lives, ATWT = As The World Turns, OLTL = One Life to Live, AMC = All My Children, GL = Guiding Light.

Nielsen TV Ratings Data: ©2008 The Nielsen Company. All Rights Reserved.

MediaPost is reporting:

Prime-time product placement occurrences on broadcast network programs increased overall by almost 12% during the first and second quarters of 2008.  The top 10 programs featured 21,427 occurrences between January and June of this year-compared to 17,370 occurrences in the same time period in 2007.

The increase in the overall broadcast occurrences can primarily be attributed to “Biggest Loser” and “Hell’s Kitchen.” During the first half of 2008, “American Idol,” was the top program, in terms of the number of placements.  Four of the top 10 programs aired on NBC.

Top 10 Programs for January – June 2008: Product Placement on Broadcast TV
Program	Network	Total # Occurrences
American Idol	FOX	4,636
Biggest Loser	NBC	4,364
Deal or No Deal	NBC	2,122
Extreme Makeover Home Edition	ABC	1,776
Apprentice	NBC	1,646
Hell’s Kitchen	FOX	1,596
Big Brother 9	CBS	1,514
One Tree Hill	CW	1,308
America’s Next Top Model	CW	1,259
Last Comic Standing	NBC	1,206
Total: Top Ten		21,427
Source: Place Views, Nielsen Product Placement Service

The top 10 featured brands on prime-time broadcast network television increased by 38.5% in the first half this year, from 6,848 occurrences in the first half of 2007 to 9,485 between January and June of 2008.  Coca-Cola was again the top brand. 24-Hour Fitness Centers and Chef Revival cooking apparel rounded out the top three brands on broadcast television.

Top 10 Brands for January – June 2008: Product Placement on Broadcast TV
Brand	Product Category	Total # Occurrences
Coca-Cola	Soft Drinks	2,990
24-Hour Fitness	Fitness Centers/Clubs	1,765
Chef Revival	Apparel	1,308
AT&T	Wireless Telephone Services	701
Pussycat Dolls Lounge	Nightclubs	602
Nike	Sporting Footwear	575
Freemotion Fitness	Exercise Equipment	409
Chicago Bears	Football Team	383
Nike	Apparel	378
Precor	Exercise Equipment	374
Total: Top Ten		9,485
Source: Place Views, Nielsen Product Placement Service

Read the rest here (free registration required).

From an NBC press release:

merica’s No. 1 Morning News Program Tops GMA By 965k For the Week 

For the 2007/08 Season “Today” Led GMA By More Than One Million Total Viewers 

NEW YORK – September 25, 2008 – NBC News’ “Today” continues as the morning news leader, attracting 5.3 million viewers for the week – a 965K (22%) lead over GMA, and 2.6 million (96%) more than “The Early Show.” The win marked “Today’s” 667th week in first place. 

For the 2007/08 season, “Today” topped second-place GMA by 23% (1.03 million) total viewers and by 31% in A25-54. “Today” widened its advantages over GMA year-to-year” in homes (from 14% up to 23%), total viewers (from 14% up to 23%), in A25-54 (27% up to 30%), and A18-49 (from 28% up to 36%). During the season, “Today” added 103k total viewers (a gain of 2%) to its audience versus the comparable period last season. 

For the week of September 15 – September 21, “Today” led with a 4.0 household rating/14 share and 5.3 million viewers. GMA trailed with a 3.3/12 and 4.3 million viewers. CBS’ “The Early Show” remained in third place with a 2.1/7 household rating and 2.7 million viewers. 

In rating A25-54, “Today” led GMA by 33 percent (5 tenths) and topped The Early Show by 100 percent (1 full ratings points). In rating A18-49, “Today” outperformed GMA by 36 percent (4 tenths) and “The Early Show” by 114 percent (8 tenths). 

“Today II” posted a 2.3/9 and nearly 3.0 million viewers, outperforming The Early Show in total viewers and homes. “Today III” delivered a 1.3/5 and more than 1.5 million viewers. 

On its digital platforms, “Today” continued its strong performance during the week ending September 20 with more than 5.6 million online streams. TODAYshow.com’s stories, blog, message boards and live votes were also popular with users. 

Jim Bell is the executive producer of “Today” (Monday – Friday, 7-11 a.m.).