| Scoreboard |  |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Viewers (million) | 12.03 | 8.47 | 7.17 | 7.04 | 4.06 | 2.87 |
| Rating/Share: Adults 18-49 | 3.4/9 | 2.5/7 | 2.6/7 | 2.4/7 | 1.7/4 | 1.4/4 |
| Rating/Share: Adults 18-34 | 2.1/6 | 2.0/6 | 2.4/7 | 1.9/6 | 1.8/5 | 1.6/5 |
CBS easily won the night in terms of overall viewers, and viewers aged 18-49. Things were not quite as bleak for ABC as I had originally feared based on the very early numbers. Once the fast affiliate ratings arrived we could at least see that ABC carried the night among 18-34 year olds. Things do look bleak however for Pushing Daisies which only scored 6.32 million viewers and did not perform well in either age demographic. Worse, still it lost viewers from the first half hour to the second (6.71 million to 5.96 million). It lost to Knight Rider (7.56 million) in viewers and in the demos.
Things looked slightly better for the premiere of Private Practice. While also way down from its premiere last year it at least cracked the 8 million mark and had good numbers among 18-49 year olds and dominated the hour among 18-34 year olds. If it keeps that up, even with the low overall viewer numbers it may keep it off the list of shows on the bubble.
Dirty Sexy Money didn’t go gangbusters at 10pm, though nothing did besides CSI: NY (14.67 million). DSM pulled in 7.15 million viewers and came in second place in both age demos. But it still crushed Lipstick Jungle which drew a mere 5.31 million viewers.
Fox had good luck with Bones in viewers (9.82 million) and won the both age demos for the 8pm hour. But ‘Til Death will be on the death watch until it actually dies, averaging only 4.26 million with poor age demo performance for Fox at 9pm.
CBS plans for a Wednesday comedy block are off to a shaky start with the combination of The New Adventures of Old Christine and Gary Unmarried averaging 6.917 million and a mediocre 2.1/6 among 18-49 year olds between 8p-9p. But the aforementioned CSI: NY was strong and the most-watched show of the night. The next most watched show was also on CBS, Criminal Minds with 14.51 million.
NBC’s best effort was America’s Got Talent at 9pm, with 12.55 million. But looking at Knight Rider relative to its 8pm peers, it kind of seems like a keeper for the peacocks if these numbers hold up.
America’s Next Top Model was able to crack 4 million (barely) and it came in tied for second (with Knight Rider) among 18-34 year olds.
Full details:
| Time | Net | Show | Viewers (Millons) | 18-49 Rating/Share | 18-34 Rating/Share |
| 8:00 | FOX | Bones | 9.82 | 3.2/9 | 2.4/6 |
| NBC | Knight Rider | 7.56 | 2.4/7 | 2.1/7 | |
| CBS | The New Adventures of Old Christine | 6.86 | 2.0/6 | 1.1/4 | |
| ABC | Pushing Daisies | 6.32 | 2.0/6 | 1.7/6 | |
| UNI | Cuidado con el Angel | 4.16 | 1.7/5 | 1.9/6 | |
| CW | America’s Next Top Model | 4.01 | 1.8/5 | 2.1/7 | |
| 8:30 | CBS | Gary Unmarried | 6.98 | 2.2/6 | 1.3/4 |
| 9:00 | CBS | Criminal Minds | 14.51 | 3.8/10 | 2.3/6 |
| NBC | America’s Got Talent | 12.55 | 3.3/8 | 2.2/6 | |
| ABC | Private Practice | 8.05 | 3.3/8 | 3.5/10 | |
| UNI | Fuego en la Sangre | 4.83 | 1.9/5 | 2.2/6 | |
| FOX | Til Death (2 episodes) | 4.26 | 1.7/4 | 1.4/4 | |
| CW | 90210 (R) | 1.73 | 0.9/2 | 1.2/3 | |
| 10:00 | CBS | CSI: NY | 14.67 | 4.2/11 | 2.8/8 |
| ABC | Dirty Sexy Money | 7.15 | 2.5/7 | 2.1/6 | |
| NBC | Lipstick Jungle | 5.31 | 1.9/5 | 1.5/4 |
Shows are sorted by viewers in each time slot.
Nielsen TV Ratings: ©2008 The Nielsen Company. All Rights Reserved.
Definitions:
Fast Affiliate Overnight Ratings: Local metered-market ratings service of Nielsen Station Index (NSI) in which household ratings and shares are provided to clients the morning following the day or evening of telecast. While routinely used for “next day” immediate analysis, these fast affiliate ratings are by process inaccurate for programs that air live across a network since they represent affiliate time period performance. For example, last night’s 10-11pm affiliate #’s would reflect 10pm on the East Coast but also 10pm on the West Coast which for a live event would not represent the same broadcast or portion of the broadcast.
Rating: Estimated percentage of the universe of TV households (or other specified group) tuned to a program in the average minute. Ratings are expressed as a percent.
Share (of Audience): The percent of households (or persons) using television who are tuned to a specific program, station or network in a specific area at a specific time. (See also, Rating, which represents tuning or viewing as a percent of the entire population being measured.)
LIVE+SD: The number that watched a program either while it was broadcast OR watched via DVR on the same day [through 3AM the next day] the program was broadcast.
For more information see Numbers 101.
CBS has the gramps nitch down.
Robert and Bob, are you guys of the opinion that a show should be canceled quickly if it doesn’t find an audience right out of the gate, or that a network should be patient and give a show time? What should the criteria be? 13 eps? A season? 3 eps?
I’ll let “Bob” (or even Bill!) speak for himself, but I’m of the opinion that because there are some shows that were on the bubble last year that probably only get another shot because of the weird season/WGA Strike last year that there is even a shorter leash for them than normal.
I could be completely mistaken though…
Pushing Daisies is very dangerous, the first season rating is 9.42 million, now is only 6.32 million.
Private Practice also not that good, first season rating got 11.50 million, now is 8.32 million. But demo looks OK.
Dirty Sexy Money looks the same as first season.
So Pushing Daisies, maybe ABC give it 2 eps to see, if not work, then less 13 eps.
Robert & Bill, sorry! Brain fart
I’m disappointed Pushing Daisies didn’t do better, I really like the show. It seems all the 2nd year shows I like PD, Chuck, TSSC, haven’t been able to come back strong.
Old Christine, which did badly in the demo last week slipped another tick down. If that continues, I doubt that CBS will give it some special dispensation from mid-season cancellation just because it had a timeslot shift this season. This is a “what have you done for me lately” world, baby
The Renew/Cancel Index is merciless.
andrea, we have our brain farts alllll the time. Remembering each other’s (and our own) names may be the *only* thing we consistently always get right
Bill, Christine is a weird case though — it obviously can’t carry the 8pm slot currently, but it probably would outperform Worst Week in its original slot following 2.5 Men. Also, I think this is an ABC produced show that ABC would take if CBS gave up on it, if so there may possibly be some gamesmanship that transcends the ratings
The only thing that might help PD is that ABC won almost no Emmys this year and PD got 3 of them. If this were NBC I wouldn’t even be concerned, but I don’t think that will be enough to save it this year.
PD is criminally under watched. I give it 6 more eps. which is sad because it is the best show on TV.
PP DSM and LJ under performing as well. I predict DSM and LJ see the ax.
Real comedy blocks are 2 hours.
You know ‘Til Death is in deep trouble when Fuego en la Sangre does better than it does. How much longer is Fox really going to hold onto that show. I can’t imagine that TSCC would do any worse in this time slot. Heck, PB would probably do better in the time slot.
Fuego en la Sangre is a very popular show, especially in the younger demo.
well PD wasnt as good as i thought it be for an opening episode. it does kinda deserve the low ratings for this ep. but saying that not many shows have had great season openers this yr. greys and DH were terrible too.
You’re nuts, John. DH had a great opening and was hardly down from last year’s season premiere and outperformed last year’s season finale. Grey’s owned 18-49 and 18-34 demos for the week, so that’s hardly “terrible”, but it was down versus last year and did not face off against a new CSI.
Wow, this isn’t really looking like a good season for TV ratings. Everything, well most everything, is down a nice amount from last year. What’s up with that? Did the strike have THAT much of an impact?
1982,
Actually, almost everything on CBS is up or on par from last season. Which says that the old crowd returned after the strike, but the demo audience didn’t. Now the question is…why?
Private Practice joins the Victoria’s Secret Trunk Show premieres.
Private Practice, Chuck, The Fringe and Knight Rider
all featured a “black bra scene” in their curtain raisers,
what gives?
Gerry, Sex sells?
I have to say that Old Christine beating out Pushing Daisies is a good sign. The ratings are still not great, but it is doing decent against some tough competition. I agree with the fact that it would be better than Worst Week in the same slot after 2.5 Men. If CBS understands the timeslot issue, they may put it in Worst Week’s slot if Worst Week keeps performing the way it does (it got 9 mil last time compared to Old Christine’s 12 usually). I hope ABC is still interested if CBS drops the ball.
Speaking of TSCC, I find myself mystified that “Knight Rider” is doing materially better in the ratings than TSCC. I watched the premiere of Knight Rider and thought that show was a total trainwreck.
Anyone know what NBC intends to air in the 9:00 timeslot now that AGT is done?
Robert I’m confused. Christine could be axed for low ratings, but don’t CBS bosses realise that they caused this by moving it? Some shows will get ratings no matter where you put them, other shows will only get good ratings in a specific timeslot. The latter in my opinion is true of Christine.
Dave, the ratings that matter to the networks are the 18-49 demo (and for the CW it seems, 18-34 females) By that standard, Old Christine did *not* beat Pushing Daisies it tied with a 2.0 rating. Not a number either is likely to brag about. And Christine’s 1.1 rating for 18-34 is pitifully low.
Outlander,
Deal or No Deal starts Oct 8 at 9pm Wed for NBC.Nope, its Biggest Loser and then the new “Momma’s Boys” see below.Cameron, CBS knows much more than we do, be assured of that. Robert and I have a difference of opinion.
He thinks Old Christine will be given the benefit of the doubt because of the move. See below what Robert thinks. I think TAOOC has to prove itself this season just like any other show.I’m with Robert on the Old Christine issue. I think Christine and Gary will be given a longer leash because CBS really wants a second comedy block. I think they’ll be given some time to get established. Still, the 1.1 is not good.
Please don’t put words in my mouth, Bill. I think CBS will give the comedy block on Wednesday more than a two week run (and I’d think that regardless of what shows were there). I don’t think Christine gets the benefit of the doubt over ratings at Wednesdays at 8. But it’s not clear to me that any comedy CBS could put there other than 2.5 Men would perform better on Wednesday at 8pm.
Where we may have a difference of opinion is whether CBS extends any latitude to Christine in weighing it against Worst Week for the 9:30 Monday spot and whether they’d opt to keep it (somewhere) just to keep it away from ABC. I think both are very possible. My guess is CBS watches at least two more weeks worth of numbers for both Worst Week and the Wednesday block before doing anything. Worst Week had significant week over week declines and if that continues I think it factors into CBS’ decision.
holy cow, a repeat of 90210 beat Old Christine in 18-34.
Wopa, it’s hard to compare shows in difference slots, especially 8p vs 9p,but if CBS can’t beat a rerun on the CW, it looks bad no matter how one frames it. Though surprisingly CBS did find some positive spin:
I am truly shocked by those pushing daisies numbers … abc didnt promote enough + it was hurt by the strike (ie prompting such a long hiatus)?
abc must be crying themselves to sleep
here is a stat that might scare some people (I’m a little frightened by it). Last week Knight Rider won its slot with males 18-49 and 18-34 — it likely won with males 25-54 too — I think I read that somewhere but the data we see doesn’t segment 25-54 by gender). It’s not unthinkable it did so again last night as it was very consistent versus last week in the overnight numbers.
I don’t know how much Ford is paying NBC, but it seems possible that beating everything including Bones among young men would be enough to keep Ford happy.
what do u guys think of gary unmarried? does that have a shot? It did gain viewers from old christine, and it gained in overall viewers from last weeks episode. It wasnt promoted very much, but it is actually funny. What do you guys think?
Bob, I’m guessing that according to the Renew or Cancel Index it will not have any hope at the levels it’s currently performing at. How long CBS will stick with trying to build a Wednesday comedy block (or with the current shows in it) is unknown. Regardless, ultimately with numbers like these… The numbers need to go up or it will be cancelled. It was 3rd among 18-49 year olds and last among 18-34 year olds for that half hour.
If CBS pulls the plug on Wednesdays its possible that it too would be considered for the slot Worst Week is currently in on Mondays.
I really like Knight Rider..takes my mind off all the troubles of the world and economy. Just pure fun .. just like las vegas was. I miss las vegas.
Fox should move TSCC to Til’ Death’s time slot. It would probably do a lot better there than it’s current timeslot, and would definitely do better than Til’Death. Of course Fox won’t do this, they’d rather just say “KILL KILL KILL!”. So, kill Til’ Death already!
Outlander, wrong enough all by myself, NBC is now providing an assist.
Momma’s Boys will air at 9pm Wednesdays beginning Oct 29 and till then it looks like it will be Biggest Loser.
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117993257.html?categoryid=14&cs=1&nid=2565
Actually what’s now being talked about is how FOX will probably move Prison Break to Wednesdays and leave Terminator to die on Monday’s.
And Robert I think Ford did pay, a lot. It was in an article I read a while back. I’ll try to find it. I have to say though I am completely surprised KR is hanging in there. The show is so ridiculous it’s essentially unwatchable. Curious to see if it makes a full season.
You guys..you can’t take Knight Rider so seriously..it is meant for pure enjoyment and make believe..We need that now a days! Life is too serious and we all need a break. Besides, that Shelby looks cool.
I am with Chelsea! cool car!
I’m from Australia, where the demos aren’t always published with the total viewers, which is very misleading. I was wondering if anyone knows, as an example, who would make more money, or roughly how much more from this night’s ratings: NBC with America’s got talent or ABC with private practice, given that the former had 4 million more viewers, and the latter had better demos in the 18-34. Would it be close?
Ben, my understanding is that it’s all about the 18-49 viewers in terms of money making, so it’s likely that the revenue potential for Private Practice and AGT would be fairly similar if last nights ratings were to hold for the season. While AGT has more older viewers, and PP more younger viewers, I’m not sure how those differences would effect the revenue potential.
However, its likely that Private Practice is much more expensive than AGT, so AGT is likely a far more profitable show.
well Robert i didnt mean the ratings for greys and DH were bad obviously they werent but i mean stroylines and quality of eps this yr are awful. ive no interest in any show accept Terminator and thats about to be axed if the rumours are true. and is terminator back this week? ive heard fox might can it really soon.
Whatever happens, I just hope that Prison Break has at least a conclusive ending, even better with a full last season.
john… the story lines and episodes of dh are awful? there’s been 1 episode. and most people liked it. since terminator is on it’s way out… and it’s the only thing you seem to like… then maybe you better find a new form of entertainment to invest your time in. may i suggest reading? form your own band? learn to bake? knitting? ice sculpting? there are many other options. find something soon because tv seems to be causing you so much heartache… i wish you well.
I hate Pushing Daisies and I hope it gets cancelled soon. That show is too pretentious.
I don’t really know if DSM is best suited to following Private Practice…to me it seems liek a show that should follow Desperate Housewives, but then again that was trialed here in Australia and it didnt really give a big boost
PP is the biggest worry i would say for ABC…it’s gone from 11 Mil to 8…so much for a re-boot hey?
Wednesday’s are utterly dominated by three shows – Bones, CM & CSI:NY
If these lower ratings are primarily due to the strike, I wouldn’t have thought that it would have had this much of a lasting impact on the new season.
The problem with Knight Rider, to me, is that the plot is non-existent, the Ford-centricness of the embedded advertising is distracting, and the actors and characters are uninteresting. The original KR was cute because the Hoff was a nut and the show was funny — same with the A Team. KR just falls flat to me.
Ben, after the last strike, 10% of the audience just never returned to broadcast TV. It had a very lasting effect, and this one likely did, too.
I thought Knight Rider was a train wreck last week too. BUT, last night’s episode was excellent. It had direct similarities to the 80’s show. I felt like I was a kid again. I wish they led of the season with last night’s show.
K.I.T.T. “turbo boost”!
Julia, I agree that part of the overall decline (excepting CBS and the CW) may be due to the strike, but I don’t think ABC’s Wednesday numbers can be blamed on that. PD and DSM had both lost a huge portion of their viewers by the time they ended last year, viewers who were not going to come back. They would have gotten these numbers or worse last season if there hadn’t been a strike. ABC should have expected these numbers.
I was sure Knight Rider was a goner after last week’s show (and terrible writing) but I decided to give it one last try. I’m glad I did and it seems others did to. The show was fun and the storyline was a lot more interesting and fun. If they can keep this up, there is hope yet!
Knight Rider was a HUGE improvement over a week first week showing.. I think that if it does keep up the level of writing from this past wednesdays episode it could survive this whole season and possibly move on. give it one more chance
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cesarrr, really, PUSHING DAISIES may be pretentious, but that’s why most people LOVE it and why it’s so amazing! Everyone PLEASE give Pushing Daisies a chance. I mean for a first episode Bzzzzzz may not been as amazing as i hoped but still it was extremely entertaining and so is the whole show!!!!!!!!!!!!! I don’t know what i’d do without it. It just gives you a great feeling and PLEASE everybody, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE watch pushing daisies and give it a chance. It ends with such a great feeling and it’s one of the cleaner, happier, and most colorful shows out there. It’s GR8!!! And i’m not going to take it easy if they let it go. It’s so creative and fun and my friends and I (after watching each episode) spend tons of time predicting and talking about it! Its such a great show. SO EVERYBODY WATCH IT SO IT CAN STAY ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PLZ!!
TONIGHT!!!!!!!! (Wedensday’s at 8:00)
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PUSHING DAISIES IS ON AT-7:00 Mountain time!!!