Syndication Ratings: Syndies Brighten as Days Darken
Everybody Loves Raymond Regains Its Lead
By Paige Albiniak -- Broadcasting & Cable, 10/24/2007 11:17:00 AM
As the days grow darker and the nights colder, more people are staying inside and flipping on their TVs. That gave syndication a ratings boost, with levels of people using television up by approximately 1.6 million in the week ending Oct. 14.
The battle for the top of the off-net sitcoms continued with CBS veteran Everybody Loves Raymond regaining its lead by jumping 16% to a 4.3 national household rating, according to Nielsen Media Research. Twentieth Television’s Family Guy rebounded 11% from the prior week to a 4.0 to give Raymond a run for its money. And Warner Bros.’ fellow rookie Two and a Half Men stayed in the race for the top, up 3% to a new series-high 3.8.
Sony’s Seinfeld remained in fourth at an unchanged 3.4, followed by Sony’s King of Queens, which gained 15% to a new season high 3.0. Warner Bros.’ rookie George Lopez gained 4% to a new series-high 2.5. Of the off-net sitcoms, only Warner Bros.’ Friends got bad news, plunging 12% to an all-time series-low 2.2.
The week also went well for talk shows. NBC Universal’s Martha had the largest increase, jumping 22% from the prior week to a 1.1, the show’s highest rating in 11 weeks. The week’s highest-rated episode featured Virgin founder Sir Richard Branson Oct. 11, pulling in more than 1.3 million viewers.
Other talk shows on the upswing were Disney-ABC’s Live with Regis and Kelly, which gained 3% to a 3.0. Warner Bros.’ Ellen was up 11% to a 2.0, the show’s best rating in five weeks. NBCU’s Maury also gained 11% to a 2.0, its best number in six weeks. CBS’ Rachael Ray was up 6% to a 1.9 after earning a 2.3 Oct. 8, which was its highest single-day rating since May 28. The episode featured an appearance by first daughter and newly engaged Jenna Bush.
NBCU’s Jerry Springer, in seventh place, rose 8% to a 1.3. At the top of the talk ladder was CBS’ Oprah, which was flat at a 5.3, followed by CBS’ Dr. Phil, dipping 2% to a 4.5.
The magazines managed to maintain their Britney boost, with the top three holding steady after gaining in the prior week. CBS’ Entertainment Tonight, Inside Edition and The Insider earned a 4.8, 3.3 and 2.5, respectively. Meanwhile, NBCU’s Access Hollywood dipped 4% to a 2.3, while Extra eased 6% to a 1.7.
Most court shows were down or flat, although leader Judge Judy was up 2% to a new season-high 4.8. In second place, CBS’ Judge Joe Brown was unchanged at a 2.6. Warner Bros.’ People’s Court dropped 4% to a 2.4. Warner Bros.’ Judge Mathis fell 5% to a 2.1. Twentieth’s Divorce Court was down 5% to a 1.8. Twentieth’s Judge Alex, Sony’s Judge Hatchett and Twentieth’s Cristina’s Court all were flat at 1.7, 1.3 and 1.2, respectively. Sony’s Judge Maria Lopez slipped 11% to a 0.8.
Among the rookies, Warner Bros.’ TMZ, the only newcomer cleared in access, remained the rookie leader with a 1.8, unchanged from the prior week.
Twentieth’s The Morning Show with Mike and Juliet was up 13% to a new series high of 0.9, tying Sony’s Judge David Young as the highest rated rookies in daytime. NBCU’s Steve Wilkos was right behind, unchanged at a 0.8, tying Program Partners’ Crosswords at a 0.8. Twentieth’s Temptation was up 25% to a 0.5. Radar Entertainment’s Jury Duty rated a 0.3 after being reprocessed the prior week.
Finally, NBC’s rookie one-hour strip, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, was unchanged at a 1.4.
