Syndication Ratings: 'Dr. Phil' Rises in Slow Summer Week

Rest of syndication largely steady

By Paige Albiniak -- Broadcasting & Cable, 8/31/2010 1:34:00 PM

CBS Television Distribution's Dr. Phil was the only daytime show in syndication to improve in the week ending August 22, gaining 5% to a 2.0 live plus same day household ratings average, according to Nielsen Media Research.

Audience levels fell by more than one million viewers during the slow summer week, in which many people were on vacation or at the beach.

Among the rest of the talk shows, CTD's Oprah declined to its lowest rating in four weeks, sliding 6% to a 3.0. Disney-ABC's Live with Regis and Kelly sank 4% to a new season low 2.2. NBC Universal's Maury dropped 5% to a 2.0, tying Dr. Phil for third place. Sony's Dr. Oz declined 5% to a 1.9. NBCU's Jerry Springer, Warner Bros.' Ellen DeGeneres, CTD's The Doctors and CTD's Rachael Ray all were flat at 1.5, 1.5, 1.4 and 1.3, respectively. NBCU's Steve Wilkos fell 7% to a 1.3. Debmar-Mercury's Wendy Williams hit a new season low 0.9, down 10%. Warner Bros.' Bonnie Hunt and NBCU's Martha Stewart, which are both wrapping their runs, each were unchanged at a 0.6 and 0.5, respectively.

CTD's Judge Judy led daytime for the 21^st time in the past 23 weeks, despite dipping 2% to a 4.1. CTD's Judge Joe Brown and Warner Bros.' People's Court held steady at a 2.0 and 1.8, respectively. Warner Bros.' Judge Mathis skidded 12% to a 1.5. Twentieth's Judge Alex was flat at a 1.3. Twentieth's Divorce Court declined 8% to a 1.2. Warner Bros.' Judge Jeanine Pirro and Litton's Street Court, which also is ending its run, each were unchanged at a 1.0 and 0.5, respectively.

Game shows were quiet. CTD's Wheel of Fortune slipped 2% to a 5.7. CTD's Jeopardy! dropped to a new season low 4.7, with a 4% loss. Disney-ABC's Who Wants to be a Millionaire rose 5% to a 2.3. Debmar-Mercury's Family Feud and Twentieth's Are You Smarter than a Fifth Grader each were flat at a 1.5 and a 1.2, respectively.

Magazines all were down or flat. CTD's Entertainment Tonight led the genre with a 3.4, off 6% to a new season low. CTD's Inside Edition and Warner Bros.' TMZ each were unchanged at a 2.7 and 1.7, respectively. NBCU's Access Hollywood fell 6% to a 1.6. CTD's The Insider also slipped 6% to a 1.5. Warner Bros.' Extra faded 7% to a new season low 1.4.

Off-net sitcoms were mixed. CTD's Two and a Half Men gained 5% to a 4.4. Twentieth's Family Guy and CTD's Everybody Loves Raymond remained even week to week at a 3.1. NBCU's newcomer The Office scored its highest ratings in four weeks, growing 4% to a 2.7. Sony's Seinfeld added 4% to a 2.5. Warner Bros.' George Lopez was down 8% to a 2.4. Twentieth's King of the Hill eased 4% to a 2.2. Warner Bros.' Friends was unchanged at a 2.1.