Comments on: Conan O’Brien Rules The Week Of July 6-10 In The Late Night Race Of Adults 18-49 http://tvbythenumbers.com/2009/07/16/conan-obrien-rules-the-week-of-july-6-10-in-the-late-night-race-of-adults-18-49/22946 Nielsen TV Show Ratings, Data and More Sat, 21 Nov 2009 22:13:42 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: TSA http://tvbythenumbers.com/2009/07/16/conan-obrien-rules-the-week-of-july-6-10-in-the-late-night-race-of-adults-18-49/22946#comment-104439 TSA Thu, 23 Jul 2009 14:44:17 +0000 http://tvbythenumbers.com/?p=22946#comment-104439 That's exactly why his season to date is so high. He's only been on a couple weeks and, the first of those weeks had him pulling in insanely high "let's watch the new guy" numbers. People are saying he's doing bad because his numbers have trended further and further down, and he's now losing to David Letterman by about the same margin as Letterman used to lose to Jay Leno. Which honestly, isn't bad in and of itself, especially when you consider that he's still winning the 18-49 demographic. It's mostly Leno fans who are shouting doom and gloom for Conan's tenure as Tonight Show host, most everyone else is just pointing out that he's not keeping up with Leno's old numbers, or that Letterman may be the consistent #1 for the first time in 13-14 years. No, it doesn't really matter if he's #2/#3, Dave was #2/#3 for much of Leno's tenure, and he still did far better than CBS could ever ask for. Some people just think that since Leno is still with NBC, and Leno typically got almost twice the numbers Conan's getting, that NBC will actually give The Tonight Show back to Jay. I could be wrong about this, but I'm pretty sure these numbers do include DVR recordings that are watched within a certain time after they were recorded. I may be confusing the "watched within a certain time" part with Household numbers, but I'm still pretty sure DVR recordings factor into the ratings. That’s exactly why his season to date is so high. He’s only been on a couple weeks and, the first of those weeks had him pulling in insanely high “let’s watch the new guy” numbers. People are saying he’s doing bad because his numbers have trended further and further down, and he’s now losing to David Letterman by about the same margin as Letterman used to lose to Jay Leno. Which honestly, isn’t bad in and of itself, especially when you consider that he’s still winning the 18-49 demographic. It’s mostly Leno fans who are shouting doom and gloom for Conan’s tenure as Tonight Show host, most everyone else is just pointing out that he’s not keeping up with Leno’s old numbers, or that Letterman may be the consistent #1 for the first time in 13-14 years.

No, it doesn’t really matter if he’s #2/#3, Dave was #2/#3 for much of Leno’s tenure, and he still did far better than CBS could ever ask for. Some people just think that since Leno is still with NBC, and Leno typically got almost twice the numbers Conan’s getting, that NBC will actually give The Tonight Show back to Jay.

I could be wrong about this, but I’m pretty sure these numbers do include DVR recordings that are watched within a certain time after they were recorded. I may be confusing the “watched within a certain time” part with Household numbers, but I’m still pretty sure DVR recordings factor into the ratings.

]]> By: Adam http://tvbythenumbers.com/2009/07/16/conan-obrien-rules-the-week-of-july-6-10-in-the-late-night-race-of-adults-18-49/22946#comment-104269 Adam Wed, 22 Jul 2009 05:49:30 +0000 http://tvbythenumbers.com/?p=22946#comment-104269 I grew up watching Conan, and never thought Letterman was funny at all. So I am rather biased, but... Why does everyone think Conan is doing so bad? Season to date: Total Viewers: 11:35 p.m. ET NBC “Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien,” 4.5 million viewers CBS “Late Show,” 3.8 million viewers ABC “Nightline,” 3.8 million viewers Now this could be because of his first few weeks with everyone watching. On another note, does it really matter if Conan is #2 at 11:35? As long as he is profitable he should be fine. Also, do these numbers include DVR recordings? I would like to see those numbers if they are not included. I grew up watching Conan, and never thought Letterman was funny at all. So I am rather biased, but…

Why does everyone think Conan is doing so bad?

Season to date:
Total Viewers:
11:35 p.m. ET
NBC “Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien,” 4.5 million viewers
CBS “Late Show,” 3.8 million viewers
ABC “Nightline,” 3.8 million viewers

Now this could be because of his first few weeks with everyone watching.
On another note, does it really matter if Conan is #2 at 11:35? As long as he is profitable he should be fine.
Also, do these numbers include DVR recordings? I would like to see those numbers if they are not included.

]]> By: TSA http://tvbythenumbers.com/2009/07/16/conan-obrien-rules-the-week-of-july-6-10-in-the-late-night-race-of-adults-18-49/22946#comment-104066 TSA Tue, 21 Jul 2009 07:08:33 +0000 http://tvbythenumbers.com/?p=22946#comment-104066 You can use that as an excuse until the day Letterman retires if you like, but the Palin-induced ratings bump died out weeks ago. Conan's already won one week since the controversy started and died off (which was nearly a month ago now). Letterman's numbers have been trending up, not down, which definitely doesn't indicate that he's still befitting from the overblown Palin bit. You're free to have your own opinion about who's funnier, but don't kid yourself thinking a controversy that's long been over is causing your guy to lose. You can use that as an excuse until the day Letterman retires if you like, but the Palin-induced ratings bump died out weeks ago. Conan’s already won one week since the controversy started and died off (which was nearly a month ago now). Letterman’s numbers have been trending up, not down, which definitely doesn’t indicate that he’s still befitting from the overblown Palin bit. You’re free to have your own opinion about who’s funnier, but don’t kid yourself thinking a controversy that’s long been over is causing your guy to lose.

]]> By: jrl http://tvbythenumbers.com/2009/07/16/conan-obrien-rules-the-week-of-july-6-10-in-the-late-night-race-of-adults-18-49/22946#comment-103790 jrl Sun, 19 Jul 2009 03:15:02 +0000 http://tvbythenumbers.com/?p=22946#comment-103790 Give me a break. Letterman used the sensational Palin comments to draw attention. When that runs out of gas so will he. Conan is 10xs funnier than Letterman. This will not even be a race before long. Give me a break. Letterman used the sensational Palin comments to draw attention. When that runs out of gas so will he. Conan is 10xs funnier than Letterman. This will not even be a race before long.

]]> By: TSA http://tvbythenumbers.com/2009/07/16/conan-obrien-rules-the-week-of-july-6-10-in-the-late-night-race-of-adults-18-49/22946#comment-103760 TSA Sat, 18 Jul 2009 20:05:41 +0000 http://tvbythenumbers.com/?p=22946#comment-103760 Conan's numbers can only go down in the Fall. He becomes talk show host #2 again, only with a much weaker lead-in. That being said, his numbers dipping will hurt Leno, not him. For Leno's show to stay on, he's going to have to not only be profitable (which should be easy), but not piss off local affiliates by hurting their 11 PM news broadcasts, and not significantly hurt Conan's numbers. Meli, Ferguson did this well against Conan. The issue at hand for Ferguson is that while Letterman's numbers continue to rise lately, Ferguson's are staying where they've always been. This could indicate a lack of potential growth for the show. Ferguson consistently tying NBC's Late Night was impressive when Late Night's lead-in was pulling nearly five million viewers, but now that he's got a better lead-in than Late Night, he'll be expected to win. Not that his show's in any danger or anything, his show is ridiculously cheap to produce (even for a talk show), it's just got to be disappointing to CBS, and a potential blow to him being offered Letterman's job in the future. Conan’s numbers can only go down in the Fall. He becomes talk show host #2 again, only with a much weaker lead-in. That being said, his numbers dipping will hurt Leno, not him. For Leno’s show to stay on, he’s going to have to not only be profitable (which should be easy), but not piss off local affiliates by hurting their 11 PM news broadcasts, and not significantly hurt Conan’s numbers.

Meli, Ferguson did this well against Conan. The issue at hand for Ferguson is that while Letterman’s numbers continue to rise lately, Ferguson’s are staying where they’ve always been. This could indicate a lack of potential growth for the show. Ferguson consistently tying NBC’s Late Night was impressive when Late Night’s lead-in was pulling nearly five million viewers, but now that he’s got a better lead-in than Late Night, he’ll be expected to win. Not that his show’s in any danger or anything, his show is ridiculously cheap to produce (even for a talk show), it’s just got to be disappointing to CBS, and a potential blow to him being offered Letterman’s job in the future.

]]> By: Hialeah-Joe http://tvbythenumbers.com/2009/07/16/conan-obrien-rules-the-week-of-july-6-10-in-the-late-night-race-of-adults-18-49/22946#comment-103701 Hialeah-Joe Sat, 18 Jul 2009 06:17:57 +0000 http://tvbythenumbers.com/?p=22946#comment-103701 Fallon is dandy Fallon is dandy

]]> By: Meli http://tvbythenumbers.com/2009/07/16/conan-obrien-rules-the-week-of-july-6-10-in-the-late-night-race-of-adults-18-49/22946#comment-103651 Meli Fri, 17 Jul 2009 23:44:47 +0000 http://tvbythenumbers.com/?p=22946#comment-103651 NBC can issue all the press releases and commericals and essentially buy an Emmy nomination for Jimmy Fallon with their submission package and endless lobbying, but it doesn't hide the fact that Jimmy Fallon is a crap interviewer doing a crappy talk show. The fact he's able to beat Craig Ferguson in ratings shouldn't be crowed about much. Ferguson is keeping up with Fallon on a show that CBS refuses to promote. You don't see them doing fancy commercials for Craig or even including him in their cheesy fall promo videos to the Black Eyed Peas, and yet he's still close to Fallon's numbers. Interesting. NBC can issue all the press releases and commericals and essentially buy an Emmy nomination for Jimmy Fallon with their submission package and endless lobbying, but it doesn’t hide the fact that Jimmy Fallon is a crap interviewer doing a crappy talk show.

The fact he’s able to beat Craig Ferguson in ratings shouldn’t be crowed about much. Ferguson is keeping up with Fallon on a show that CBS refuses to promote. You don’t see them doing fancy commercials for Craig or even including him in their cheesy fall promo videos to the Black Eyed Peas, and yet he’s still close to Fallon’s numbers. Interesting.

]]> By: freeman http://tvbythenumbers.com/2009/07/16/conan-obrien-rules-the-week-of-july-6-10-in-the-late-night-race-of-adults-18-49/22946#comment-103572 freeman Fri, 17 Jul 2009 16:58:14 +0000 http://tvbythenumbers.com/?p=22946#comment-103572 like bill says, the summer is just the warm-up for the real competition in the fall. but let's not forget, that's when conan's real problem starts. jay leno goes on the air nightly at 10. even nbc execs concede that jay's show will get significantly lower ratings than what they have now, though they expect it to be more profitable. so the nbc local affiliates will get much weaker lead-ins than cbs, and conan will inherit much weaker lead-ins from the 11:00 news. plus, of course, conan will again feel like the second talk show on nbc, not the first. i actually think conan's doing a good show. all this nbc mess comes from the top. when future civilizations try to understand failing upwards in hollywood in the early 21st century, they will study jeff zucker the way catholic theologians study st. augustine. like bill says, the summer is just the warm-up for the real competition in the fall.

but let’s not forget, that’s when conan’s real problem starts. jay leno goes on the air nightly at 10. even nbc execs concede that jay’s show will get significantly lower ratings than what they have now, though they expect it to be more profitable. so the nbc local affiliates will get much weaker lead-ins than cbs, and conan will inherit much weaker lead-ins from the 11:00 news.

plus, of course, conan will again feel like the second talk show on nbc, not the first.

i actually think conan’s doing a good show. all this nbc mess comes from the top. when future civilizations try to understand failing upwards in hollywood in the early 21st century, they will study jeff zucker the way catholic theologians study st. augustine.

]]> By: Mike http://tvbythenumbers.com/2009/07/16/conan-obrien-rules-the-week-of-july-6-10-in-the-late-night-race-of-adults-18-49/22946#comment-103522 Mike Fri, 17 Jul 2009 05:32:12 +0000 http://tvbythenumbers.com/?p=22946#comment-103522 Did you see this in ABC's spin, "NBC’s “The Tonight Show” experienced the program’s lowest Total Viewer and A25-54 averages since at least the 1991/ 1992 season." Folks, Johnny Carson was the host of The Tonight Show in 91/92. Conan has now dipped below the very lowest total viewership and A25-54 demographic of the entire run by Jay Leno. It continues, "“Nightline” continues to experience growth season and quarter to date, and year to year. Averaging 3.77 million Total Viewers for the week, “Nightline” grew +11% versus the same week last year as, “Tonight” declined -38%." Folks, just 12% away from half of Jay Leno's viewers one year ago last week. No matter how NBC spins it in their press release, internally they can not be happy right now. Did you see this in ABC’s spin, “NBC’s “The Tonight Show” experienced the program’s lowest Total Viewer and A25-54 averages since at least the 1991/ 1992 season.” Folks, Johnny Carson was the host of The Tonight Show in 91/92. Conan has now dipped below the very lowest total viewership and A25-54 demographic of the entire run by Jay Leno.

It continues, ““Nightline” continues to experience growth season and quarter to date, and year to year. Averaging 3.77 million Total Viewers for the week, “Nightline” grew +11% versus the same week last year as, “Tonight” declined -38%.” Folks, just 12% away from half of Jay Leno’s viewers one year ago last week.

No matter how NBC spins it in their press release, internally they can not be happy right now.

]]> By: Bill Gorman http://tvbythenumbers.com/2009/07/16/conan-obrien-rules-the-week-of-july-6-10-in-the-late-night-race-of-adults-18-49/22946#comment-103521 Bill Gorman Fri, 17 Jul 2009 05:29:53 +0000 http://tvbythenumbers.com/?p=22946#comment-103521 Dylan, the CBS press release was featured earlier in the day. Also, the NBC press release has a lot more numbers in it for more shows than the CBS release. Dylan, the CBS press release was featured earlier in the day. Also, the NBC press release has a lot more numbers in it for more shows than the CBS release.

]]> By: Dylan http://tvbythenumbers.com/2009/07/16/conan-obrien-rules-the-week-of-july-6-10-in-the-late-night-race-of-adults-18-49/22946#comment-103507 Dylan Fri, 17 Jul 2009 03:24:36 +0000 http://tvbythenumbers.com/?p=22946#comment-103507 This is like the 2nd or 3rd week in a row you guys have featured NBC's spin of the late night results and not CBS's. Why the bias? This is like the 2nd or 3rd week in a row you guys have featured NBC’s spin of the late night results and not CBS’s. Why the bias?

]]> By: Bill Gorman http://tvbythenumbers.com/2009/07/16/conan-obrien-rules-the-week-of-july-6-10-in-the-late-night-race-of-adults-18-49/22946#comment-103488 Bill Gorman Fri, 17 Jul 2009 00:41:48 +0000 http://tvbythenumbers.com/?p=22946#comment-103488 Folks, until we get to at least November, it's way too early to draw any conclusions. Folks, until we get to at least November, it’s way too early to draw any conclusions.

]]> By: Jim http://tvbythenumbers.com/2009/07/16/conan-obrien-rules-the-week-of-july-6-10-in-the-late-night-race-of-adults-18-49/22946#comment-103487 Jim Fri, 17 Jul 2009 00:37:25 +0000 http://tvbythenumbers.com/?p=22946#comment-103487 NBC really had to spin to make this week look good. Conan did not beat Dave by much in 18-49 (hence the highlighting of the 18-34 crowd) and got killed in total viewers. It's still just the summer, but there is no way NBC is happy with these numbers. NBC really had to spin to make this week look good. Conan did not beat Dave by much in 18-49 (hence the highlighting of the 18-34 crowd) and got killed in total viewers. It’s still just the summer, but there is no way NBC is happy with these numbers.

]]> By: Celia http://tvbythenumbers.com/2009/07/16/conan-obrien-rules-the-week-of-july-6-10-in-the-late-night-race-of-adults-18-49/22946#comment-103486 Celia Fri, 17 Jul 2009 00:37:04 +0000 http://tvbythenumbers.com/?p=22946#comment-103486 It's about time to admit that Conan replacing Jay is a disaster for NBC. You can point to the 18-49 demos all you want, but the total numbers are what's getting the most publicity these days and that can only help Dave. The couple of times I've checked out Conan (because of whatever guest he had on, including Michael Phelps the other night) he has consistently failed to impress me as a host. I never watched his previous show, so I have nothing to compare his performance(s). The one time he hosted the Emmy's were good tho. JMO. It’s about time to admit that Conan replacing Jay is a disaster for NBC. You can point to the 18-49 demos all you want, but the total numbers are what’s getting the most publicity these days and that can only help Dave. The couple of times I’ve checked out Conan (because of whatever guest he had on, including Michael Phelps the other night) he has consistently failed to impress me as a host. I never watched his previous show, so I have nothing to compare his performance(s). The one time he hosted the Emmy’s were good tho. JMO.

]]> By: TSA http://tvbythenumbers.com/2009/07/16/conan-obrien-rules-the-week-of-july-6-10-in-the-late-night-race-of-adults-18-49/22946#comment-103481 TSA Thu, 16 Jul 2009 23:47:00 +0000 http://tvbythenumbers.com/?p=22946#comment-103481 I love over-analyzing the late night playing field! Holy hell, Conan. I'm not willing to believe Michael Jackson frenzy had THAT big of an effect on him, while leaving Letterman untouched (nay, better than ever). He's getting his ass handed to him in totals, and he's losing a lot of ground in 18-49. Dave is going to crush him in both this week, I think. Paul McCartney was on, and was a trending topic on Twitter leading up to and after the show, so Dave definitely got an 18-49 victory last night. Not that Conan's job is in any danger like some people like to think. After all Letterman's retiring within the next couple years, and that'll make him the incumbent. I see a couple people here and there mentioning that CBS was ok with Letterman not being first since he was doing way better than anything else they had for the slot, and that Conan doesn't have that luxury since Leno is still with NBC, but as long as he still brings in more money than he costs he'll be fine (and talk shows don't cost much, hence the appeal of The Jay Leno Show to NBC). Meanwhile, Fallon (who I can't stand, honestly) is looking peachy. He was in reruns, his lead-in wasn't doing that great, and he still beat Ferguson in 18-49 and even came close in totals. Kimmel still hates Nightline as a lead-in. Anyone see the Emmy nominees? For 'Outstanding Variety, Musical, or Comedy series' (which has really become the late night category), they nominated The Colbert Report, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, Late Show with David Letterman, Real Time with Bill Maher, and Saturday Night Live. I thought it was interesting, this year they opened up the nomination ballots to a much larger portion of the television industry instead of just a panel of critics, and Jay Leno still didn't get a nomination. Even in his final year! I bet his 10 PM show will be just as critically un-acclaimed. It's just a matter of whether he'll still be popular with the general audience. I love over-analyzing the late night playing field!

Holy hell, Conan. I’m not willing to believe Michael Jackson frenzy had THAT big of an effect on him, while leaving Letterman untouched (nay, better than ever). He’s getting his ass handed to him in totals, and he’s losing a lot of ground in 18-49. Dave is going to crush him in both this week, I think. Paul McCartney was on, and was a trending topic on Twitter leading up to and after the show, so Dave definitely got an 18-49 victory last night.

Not that Conan’s job is in any danger like some people like to think. After all Letterman’s retiring within the next couple years, and that’ll make him the incumbent. I see a couple people here and there mentioning that CBS was ok with Letterman not being first since he was doing way better than anything else they had for the slot, and that Conan doesn’t have that luxury since Leno is still with NBC, but as long as he still brings in more money than he costs he’ll be fine (and talk shows don’t cost much, hence the appeal of The Jay Leno Show to NBC).

Meanwhile, Fallon (who I can’t stand, honestly) is looking peachy. He was in reruns, his lead-in wasn’t doing that great, and he still beat Ferguson in 18-49 and even came close in totals.

Kimmel still hates Nightline as a lead-in.

Anyone see the Emmy nominees? For ‘Outstanding Variety, Musical, or Comedy series’ (which has really become the late night category), they nominated The Colbert Report, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, Late Show with David Letterman, Real Time with Bill Maher, and Saturday Night Live. I thought it was interesting, this year they opened up the nomination ballots to a much larger portion of the television industry instead of just a panel of critics, and Jay Leno still didn’t get a nomination. Even in his final year! I bet his 10 PM show will be just as critically un-acclaimed. It’s just a matter of whether he’ll still be popular with the general audience.

]]>