In the early metered market numbers, it looked like a fairly standard Tuesday. NCIS will win the most viewers at 8pm, but House will lead in the demo, and whatever novelty there was for the CW’s 90210 seems to have worn off quickly.
House and Fringe were down a little from previous airings. Last night House had a 7.3/11 (household rating/share) in the early slice, and Fringe a 5.6/9. But there hadn’t been a new airing of Fringe since October 21 when it had a 5.9/9.
Since the only show on last night that anyone is probably concerned about is Eli Stone, first, the good news: it seems to have stopped the bleeding. Last night’s Eli Stone pulled a 5.1/9, identical to the early metered market numbers for October 28, but down from October 21 when it had a 6.3/10. And of course the fast affiliate numbers will be a bit different and the final numbers different still because whatever Dancing With the Stars Overrun that was included in the 10pm half hour will be removed. Our Renew/Cancel index pegs Eli Stone for early termination (along with Pushing Daisies and Dirty Sexy Money), but the rumor mill tells a different tale. In some circles, the rumor mill has Dirty Sexy Money being kept, while Eli Stone is cancelled, and some have Dirty Sexy Money cancelled, while Eli Stone is kept.
This will be a lesson for us in how good the rumor mill is. If I have to pick a rumor I’ll pick the one where Eli Stone is kept vs. DSM because that rumor is based on schedules sent to advertisers. I don’t think we’ll have to wait long to find out, as I’d expect an official word from ABC on the winter schedule by the end of the week. We’ll see. One thing you won’t have to wait to know is this: at 10pm last night Eli Stone will finish last in total viewers and last in the 18-49 demographic in the war between ABC, CBS and NBC.
We’ll post the night’s full details once we’ve seen the fast affiliate numbers, but you can check out last night’s full metered market report on Marc Berman’s site.
Metered Market Overnight Ratings: This is normally the first available ratings information, and is based on the electronic measurement service that Nielsen provides in 56 of the nation’s largest markets. In each market a sample of homes is selected to represent that individual market. Often, networks or syndicators provide metered market information as an early indicator of a program’s performance. In aggregate, the 56 metered markets represent 79,890,610 homes, or 70% of all U.S. TV households. Preliminary metered market data are available as early as 8:00AM (ET). Final metered market information, reflecting line-up changes, pre-emptions and runovers, are normally available by 3:30PM
There’s nothing to watch on Tuesday’s. I had to settle for NCIS.
I actually like NCIS. It’s a pretty canned procedural, but the characters are well-written and the humor is endearing.
Perhaps I’m being repetitive, but ABC should really cancel ES and keep DSM. The shows have the same demo ratings, although ES airs out of DWTS, one of America’s highest rated shows, retaining just about 40% of its total viewers and 50% of its adults 18-49 audience. ES should be doing a LOT, LOT better with such a plum lead-in. I’m sure DSM would do better in its place, because it already does the same with a much weaker lead-in (PP).
Sigh. Privileged should be doing so much better. It is a very fun show.
Going by numbers alone Id say DSM deserves the ES time slot.
If it does better than keep her if not pull both shows and start fresh
I say keep Eli stone..because out of the two, that’s the only one I watch.
And I also agree with Doghouse REilly…wish Privileged was doing better! It’s a great show!
Eli Stone is well written, uplifting, and unpredictable. It is refreshing to see a show of this quality. Well done! My fingers are crossed and my set is on.
I agree with Judy. Eli Stone is well written, it’s cute, smart and funny. Please don’t cancel ANOTHER great show!
don’t the networks have a great track record of cancelling the best; keeping the worst; and whining about losing out to “new” media? Eli is a bright light on the otherwise bleak tv landscape.
Eli Stone is the best show I have seen yet, cancelling the show will be a mistake on my opinion. The message that the show portrays is one that no other ordaniry show does. This is a unique show and the low ratings are due to the misunderstaning of the viewing public.
Eli Stone makes me happy. This is a show that resists the temptation to preach, the temptation to dumb things down, the temptation to tie up all the loose ends in 60 minutes. Nothing is perfect for these characters. The setting is pleasant (and for me familiar). Loretta Devine is divine, and Jonny Lee Miller makes me believe in his visions and in his causes. I hope ABC will at least show all 13 episodes with a clear finale that brings closure to the story. If ABC refuses, then perhaps they could show them on the internet. I will continue to watch (read: record on DVR and watch on Wednesday) until the last moment. Here’s to the American public, who can’t seem to get on board with witty dialogue and thought-provoking material unless it’s on 60 Minutes. And here’s to ABC who doomed their own show by putting it on at 10pm when people who actually work for a living are already asleep.
I just started a new job and don’t have much time to spend watching TV; however, I came to realize that Eli Stone was the one show that I had to watch. The show is rarely finished recording on Tivo before I start watching it. Tivo may store 2-3 episodes of all other shows before I get around to watching them.
The positive message and musical scenes of Eli Stone are refreshing. In the past, such a show would have been on CBS where they would have pitched it as a good family show.
I would be willing to *pay* to watch a season of Eli Stone.