The syndicated show ratings are in for the week ending June 28, 2009, and coverage of the deaths of Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett proved, as expected, to be a huge boost for magazine shows.

[Magazine Shows]

Coverage of the Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett deaths on June 25 sent ratings skyrocketing across almost all magazine shows for the week ending June 28. CBS Television Distribution’s Entertainment Tonight was the highest-rated show in the genre with a 4.0, its best ratings since the May sweep. That was a 14% increase from the week before driven by a 43% spike to a 5.0 for its Jackson and Fawcett coverage on Thursday June 25. In addition, ET was the only magazine up over last year at this time.
CTD’s Inside Edition jumped 8% to a second-place 2.7. NBCU’s Access Hollywood was up 6% to a 1.9 in third place, getting a 22% boost to a 2.2 on Thursday. ET’s sister show, CTD’s The Insider, was up 20% to 1.8, its highest ratings in eight weeks, after seeing gains of 33% on June 25 (to a 2.0) and 40% on the 26 (to a 2.1). Meanwhile, Warner Bros.’ TMZ was down 5% to a 1.8, and was the only magazine to decline for the week, landing in a fourth place tie with the Insider even though the TMZ web site was widely credited with breaking the news of Jackson’s death. Warner Bros.’ Extra added 14% to a 1.6.

[Talk Shows]

Among the talk shows, Oprah held on to the lead but was the only gabber to decline for the week, fading 8% to a new season-low 3.6. CTD’s Dr. Phil held firm at 2.7. Disney/ABC’s Live With Regis and Kelly was unchanged at 2.3. NBCU’s Maury gained 6% to 1.7. Warner Bros.’ Ellen Degeneres was up 7% to 1.6. CTD’s Rachael Ray held even at 1.4. NBCU’s Jerry Springer, Steve Wilkos (NBCU), Twentieth’s The Morning Show With Mike and Juliet, and NBCU’s Martha Stewart were all unchanged at 1.1, 1.0, 0.7, and 0.6 respectively. Warner Bros.’ Tyra Banks rose 11% to 1.0.

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