Five Weeks In, 'Kilborn' Ratings Stand Still

Show underperforms lead-ins, year-ago timeslots

By Paige Albiniak -- Broadcasting & Cable, 8/3/2010 3:11:59 PM

After five weeks of its six-week test, Twentieth's The Kilborn File is averaging a 0.9 rating/2 share weighted metered market average, according to Nielsen Media Research, across Fox-owned stations in seven markets. That's down 53% from the show's 1.9/4 average lead-in and 47% compared to last summer's 1.7/4 average in the time slots.

In all seven markets, Kilborn was down compared to both its lead-in and year-ago time period averages, which are two key indications that stations use to determine how well a show is doing. By airing The Kilborn File in mostly access time slots, Twentieth is exploring whether audiences are interested in late-night style comedy before dinner.

On WNYW New York at 7 p.m., Kilborn matched its seven-market average, notching a 0.9/2, down 55% from its 2.0/4 lead-in and 40% from last year's 1.5/3.

On KTTV Los Angeles at 6:30 p.m., the show averaged a 0.6/1, a 54% drop from its 1.3/3 lead-in and a 65% decline from last summer's 1.7/4.

On WTXF Philadelphia at 7 p.m., Kilborn averaged a 0.7/1, a 61% decrease from its 1.8/4 lead-in and a 65% decrease from last year's 2.0/4.

On WFXT Boston at 7 p.m., the show averaged a 0.6/1, down 50% from its 1.2/3 lead-in and 60% from last summer's 1.5/3.

On WJBK Detroit at 7:30 p.m. - where the show turned in its strongest rating, but also had by far its best lead-in -- Kilborn averaged a 1.4/3. Similarly to the other markets, that's a 52% loss from its 2.9/6 lead-in and a 39% difference from last summer's 2.3/5.

On KSAZ Phoenix at 10:30 p.m., the show averaged a 1.0/2, a 58% decline from its 2.4/5 lead-in and a 29% decline from last July's 1.4/3.

And on KTBC Austin at 10 p.m., Kilborn averaged a 1.0/2, down 60% from its 2.5/4 lead-in and down 71% from last year's 3.5/6.