Question:
Wednesday 4/04/07
The following results are based on the fast national ratings (Live
Plus Same Day data)
-Total Viewers:
Fox: 14.89 million, CBS: 9.52, ABC: 7.60, NBC: 7.10, CW: 4.19
-Adults 18-49:
Fox: 5.4 rating/15 share, ABC: 3.0/ 8, CBS: 2.7/ 8, NBC: 2.2/ 6, CW:
2.0/ 6
Answer:
-Ratings Breakdown:
Led by the live American Idol results show (and opposite two-thirds of
CBS’ schedule in repeats), Fox’s winning Wednesday streak continued.
Tied for the No. 2 spot were CBS (in households) and ABC (among adults
18-49), followed by NBC and an above-average The CW.
Fox’s underrated Bones opened the evening first in the 8 p.m. hour,
with 10.31 million viewers and a 3.4 rating/11 share among adults
18-49. Growth for Bones in the second half-hour (in anticipation of
American Idol, perhaps) was a hefty 1.88 million viewers (9.37 to
11.25 million) and 19 percent among adults 18-49 (3.1/10 to 3.7/11).
CBS’ on-the-fence Jericho was second in the time period in total
viewers (7.91 million), but CW hit America’s Next Top Model took the
runner-up spot among adults 18-49, with 2.5/ 8 in the demo. Jericho
averaged a 2.1/ 6 among adults 18-49 (#4), while Top Model reached
5.17 million viewers (#5). For The CW, a show with over 5 million
viewers is, no doubt, a bona fide hit.
Also in the 8 p.m. hour were ABC’s George Lopez as a last minute
replacement for the canceled The Great American Dream Vote (Viewers:
#3, avg. 6.25 million; A18-49: #3, avg. 2.2/ 7), and NBC’s struggling
Friday Night Lights (Viewers: #4, 5.35 million; A18-49: #5, 1.8/ 5).
If I had to predict, chances are we will not be seeing a second season
of either Friday Night Lights or Jericho. While I personally give
Friday Night Lights credit, the documentary style camera work has to
be a turn-off to most viewers. As for veteran George Lopez, since ABC
does need half-hour comedies I would say the prognosis is positive.
Fox, of course, led the 9 p.m. hour care of the live American Idol
results show (Viewers: 25.29 million; A18-49: 9.5/26), followed by
‘Til Death at an also first-place finish in both categories (Viewers:
13.67 million; A18-49: 5.5/15). But what could thwart chances of
renewal for ‘Til Death was retention out of American Idol of just 54
percent in households and 58 percent among adults 18-49. Although our
predictions for the final three on American Idol -- Phil Stacey, Haley
Scarnato and Gina Glocksen -- were spot on, it was more deserving Gina
who got the boot. With Phil and Haley still in contention, you can
count on teenage lounge lizard Sanjaya to hang around for at least
another three weeks.
Also at 9 p.m. were a repeat of CBS’ Criminal Minds (Viewers: #2,
10.34 million; A18-49: #2, 2.9/ 8), the expected-to-be canceled
Crossing Jordan on NBC (Viewers: #3, 7.58 million; A18-49: #4, 2.0/
6), struggling ABC sitcoms According to Jim (Viewers: #4, 5.35
million; A18-49: #3, 2.1/ 6) and In Case of Emergency (Viewers: #4,
4.75 million; A18-49: #4, 1.9/ 5), and a repeat of Pussycat Dolls
Present: The Search for the Next Doll on The CW (Viewers: #5, 3.21
million; A18-49: #5, 1.5/ 4). Comparably, the Pussycat Dolls encore
built from the original telecast one night earlier (Viewers: 2.29
million; A18-49: 1.0/2 on April 4, based on the final nationals) by
920,000 viewers and 50 percent among adults 18-49. As I say every
week, that is unheard of for a reality/competition.
ABC’s Lost (a stellar episode, probably the best of the season) moved
into the top spot, with 11.50 million viewers and a 4.8/14 among
adults 18-49. But compared to a repeat of CBS’ CSI: NY (Viewers: #2,
10.31 million; A18-49: #2, 3.1/ 8), its advantage was only 1.19
million viewers. Comparatively, the final national performance for
Lost at 9 p.m. on the year-ago evening (April 5, 2006) was a
considerably heftier 16.38 million viewers with a 6.9/17 among adults
18-49. Even so, the double-digit growth out of waiting-to-be-axed In
Case of Emergency keeps Lost in the winner’s circle.
Third at 10 p.m. was NBC’s Medium (Viewers: 8.38 million; A18-49: 2.7/
8), which managed to build from lead-in Crossing Jordan by 800,000
viewers and 35 percent in the demo. Chances are Medium will be back at
some point next season, but veteran Crossing Jordan won’t.
