On to the early metered market tidbits. While we know these numbers are early, and subject to change, I don’t think they can change enough to make fans of Pushing Daisies, Dirty Sexy Money and Life feel any better about the ratings the shows are pulling.
Pushing Daisies which we’ve predicted the mid season cancellation of for months pretty much ensured that fate with a series low 3.4/6 (household rating/share) for the hour. And I don’t want to hear anything about not as many people watching TV at 8pm, because apparently it went down in the second half hour where it had a 3.2/5.
ABC’s Dirty Sexy Money did better than that, but unfortunately its 4.3/7 at 10pm was still in last place and lower than the 4.7/8 it scored in the early metered markets the last time it aired two weeks ago. It was also lower than Eli Stone’s early metered market number from the night before (5.2/9), but that had a couple of minutes of Dancing With the Stars in it, which got factored out in the finals. We’ll see what Dirty Sexy Money’s 18-49 demographics look like a little bit later in the morning.
Strictly from the ratings (not opining on quality, or anything else at all but the numbers) I still can’t see ABC keeping Pushing Daisies or Dirty Sexy Money around (or Eli Stone for that matter) for a full season. I think it doubtful ABC will take a page out of NBC’s book, but anything is possible, I suppose. Last night didn’t improve things for Knight Rider (3.4/5) or Life (3.4/5) but both of those shows did get full season orders, which we wouldn’t have predicted strictly based on the ratings numbers.
Criminal Minds (10.4/16) looks to be the night’s most watched show, and Fox’s Bones (6.9/11) will probably have the best demo numbers. Both shows in CBS’ 8pm comedy block, The New Adventures of Old Christine and Gary Unmarried earned a 5.1/8. They both got a 4.4/7 last week, and the week prior to that Christine had a 4.4/7 and Gary Unmarried a 4.2/5, so that trend is good for CBS.
We’ll post a full data table with all the shows later in the morning, so check back around 9:30am PST. You can also check out the full metered market report via 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
Sad. Oh well. It would have been nice to try giving it another time slot with a lead-in.
And just when “Dirty Sexy Money” was getting really, really good. Last night’s episode was fantastic!
At least ABC will put it out of its misery instead of considering the “seasonal” thing. I don’t need another fall watching the ratings looking more and more pathetic.
I won’t break out into the less viewers at 8:00 PM this now.
But everyone knows less people watch TV at 8:30.
It goes like this: 8:30 > 8:00 > 9:00 > 9:30.
That’s the only way to explain what happened to Pushing Daisies. (And why Kath and Kim is doing so bad…)
Seriously though, it’s done. I’m a little sad.
Pushing Daisies is a brilliant show and ABC is going to make many people very angry if they cancel it. They need to at least finish out the storyline so that it makes it worthwhile to buy the Season 2 DVD. I have enjoyed getting to know these characters. If ABC decides to kill them it does not give me confidence to begin watching any new ABC shows. If ABC doesn’t care about their shows, why should I?
I’m sad, but last night wasn’t a great PD episode, so I didn’t expect the ratings to be very good either. Of course, I might have just been in a bad mood since I know it’s going to end and I want every episode left to be just as good as the first season’s opener and closer.
ABC gave October Road and Men in Trees a lot more rope that they are giving PD if they pull it now. I won’t go into the lack of promotion for the Wednesday return either (didn’t see one commercial during DWTS on Tuesday). I jumped the NBC ship last year after the Journeyman mess and now I’m starting to lose faith in ABC as well. Hope they keep it!
It’s not that ABC doesn’t care, it’s just that it’s no longer profitable to keep the show running. Remember this is a business, if the show isn’t bringing in enough money through ad revenue to keep running, it’s no longer a viable product.
That’s just simple business knowledge.
looks like DSM dropped solely because PP dropped. Last week pp 6.0/9 this week a 5.4/9. DSM 4.7/8 to a 4.3/7. Still holding on to the lead in in a similar fashion
Great episode last night for PD and DSM, sucks nobody with Nielsen boxes is watching.
This is really upsetting. I love Pushing Daisies. ABC hardly promoted that there was to be a new episode on last night. I mean it’s ridiculous. They just totally gave up on the show. They don’t have any faith whatsoever in it, that they are just sticking a fork in it and calling it done. Shame on you ABC. You should know better. I think all the top rated shows have gone to their head, and they see a low rated show as not important at all. Why is it always the emmy winning, critic loving shows that get the boot while there are so many crappy shows left on the air? I will never understand this stupid business. Just remember ABC, you wouldn’t be anywhere without the fans who watch your shows, and maybe it’s about time you start listening to them.
I hope that ABC shows a little bit more faith in Pushing Daisies, than basing cancellation solely on numbers. DVR has cost networks viewers, nielson ratings, are outdated and a poor indicator of what people are actually watching (Does anyone here actually know of anyone who acually has a nielson box?), people watch shows online with commercials cut out (via hulu and other services). Abc also failed to run a single re-run of PD over the summer leading into the new season and thus PD went 10 months without being seen by anyone. They have very limited to zero ads for PD during prime hours (DWTS or Desperate Housewives. There was a two week gap between yesterday and the last all new PD, and I did not witness a single commercial for PD on ABC. THe powers that be sure do enjoy the shiney baubles that Pushing Daisies has thrown their way, so hopefully the rumor of them filming season 3 in May turns out to be accurate. If not, then we deserve at least a two hour episode to make not only the season 2 dvd worth buying, but to wrap up the major plot points that would otherwise be left hanging
i really hope ABC gives daisies another shot. keep the show alive at least when lost premieres, see how the numbers are with a better 9:00 show (lost pwns private practice any day) and see how life on mars fairs on its new timeslot.
Lack of promotion doesnt explain why fewer and fewer people watch Pushing Daisies – seems as if the novelty has worn off and people are drifting away. It would be different if ratings were decent, say 5.0, and holding steady – then there might be some rationale for blaming lack of promotion.
Same goes for all other declining shows.
You just knew PD would have freefalling ratings and a hyperemotional fan base the minute you heard it pitched. The only way they’d be nuttier is if you replaced the pie maker with a plucky blonde teen who’s a social outcast.
Moving PD around probably wont help. It rarely help failing shows. Fans usually then say “They moved the show to where fans couldnt find it!”
This show is doomed in the same way quirky shows like Wonderfalls and Dead Like Me were.
When they end it, I hope they do it right and the show goes out with a memorable twist.
I really hope the top minds at ABC and ABC Family take a look at this and realize that Pushing Daisies is a perfect fit for the ABC Family network. ABC Family has been on a roll strategicly bringing in hit after hit- KYLE XY, Greek, and the biggest hit so far, the new Brenda Hampton drama. Why not add Pushing Daisies? It’s a potential blockbuster for them. I would be remiss if I didn’t reiterate what’s already been said. Pushing Daises is a precious gem. The writing is exceptional. The acting is flawless.
At the other end of the night is a show I never thought would reach its potential. I was so wrong. Dirty Sexy Money got a makeover last night and it was a stunner. It had the flow of a Dynasty episode dating back to when it was in its must-see phase. I was blown away. My lady looked over to me with a shocked expession as the show ended and said, “D*#@, that was good! It was good. It was unreal. It was as if an entire new writing team took over and pumped in a huge new level of energy and excitement to the show. It’s just too bad it had to follow, for me, the weakest episode of Private Practice we ever watched. It wasn’t bad but it wasn’t it’s usual powerhouse self.
I’m with a poster above, I left the NBC ship, other than finishing out ER which I’ve been with since the beginning, after they tragically mishandled Journeyman which was a great show! Now PD is getting much of the same treatment from ABC by using it’s time slot for other programming, bad promotion, and the like. My gut feeling is this show is just too clever for the average viewer and they just don’t “get” it. So yeah, more DWTS type TV in store for those who do watch that type of TV, not me, and less story telling for the rest of us in the near future! I can’t remember a time in my life I watched less network TV since there’s very little of value on what’s really become the boob tube and will be ever more so when PD is touched a second time by the pie maker. RIP quality TV!
Funny how ABC decided NOT to promo the return of Daisies after 2 weeks off the air. Not a commercial during Grey’s, Housewives, or Dancing. Nothing. How is anyone supposed to know that it is back on when ABC doesn’t promote it. Self-fulfilling their prophecy I see.
Pushing Daisies is an amazing show, the ONLY show on ABC I watch, and the ONLY show I have EVER bought the DVD of and watch religiously.
stop bitchin..pushing daisies is bein canceled because less than 5 million ppl watch…nobody caresss…more promotion wont help, people know about it they just dont care.nobody wants to see it even if it is as amazing as you all say…
I just really hope that a cable company will pick it up and finish some story lines for us. Seriously, I think they should have signed up for one full season knowing what stories were going to be opened up, so that fans of the show, and there are many, can at least have a short series with a perfect ending.
ABC has been really dumb with the marketing for the show, as well as supporting it. I mean, who doesn’t try to support their own show as much as possible unless they really want it to fail?
If ABC would have Pushing Daisies on consistently, instead of taking the time slot for special shows, then people would be able to follow it! It’s a great show, but we need to know it’s going to be on EVERY Wed.!!!