Syndication Ratings: Most Syndies Flat in Slow Week

‘Nancy Grace' remains top-rated new first-run strip

By Paige Albiniak -- Broadcasting & Cable, 10/20/2010 4:30:52 PM

CBS Television Distribution's Swift Justice with Nancy Grace continued as syndication's top rookie first-run strip in the week ending Oct. 10, remaining flat at a 1.4 live plus same day national household rating, according to Nielsen.

Sony's Oprah spin-off, Nate Berkus, sank 10% from the previous week to a 0.9.

On its launch group, the NBC-owned stations, Nate is even with year-ago time periods, according to Sony. On WNBC New York at 3 p.m., Nate is turning in a 0.9, which is up 29% over September and up 29% over its lead-in, NBC Universal's Real Housewives. On KNBC Los Angeles at 2 p.m., the show is improving its time slot by 60% versus NBCU's Martha Stewart. And on WCAU Philadelphia at 2 p.m., Nate is up 9% from the prior week and up 71% from Martha, which aired in the time slot last year.

In third place, Twentieth's Don't Forget the Lyrics was unchanged at a 0.8.

Litton's relaunched Judge Karen's Court debuted this week on the national chart at a 0.7. Enteratinment Studios' America's Court with Judge Ross dropped 25% to 0.3.

Among the new off-net and off-cable shows, Twentieth's How I Met Your Mother climbed 5% to a 2.3, and continued to lead all syndicated rookies. Since its debut week, Mother has grown 21% among adults 18-34 and 23% among adults 18-49, reports Twentieth.

Warner Bros.' The New Adventures of Old Christine earned a 1.3, after being reprocessed the prior week. Debmar-Mercury's Meet the Browns fell 15% to a 1.1. Debmar-Mercury's E! True Hollywood Story lost 10% to a 0.9. Disney-ABC's Ugly Betty skidded 22% to a 0.7, landing in a three-way tie with Warner Bros.' Entourage and Curb Your Enthusiasm, both of which were flat. NBCU's Real Housewives also remained flat at a 0.5.

Among the veteran talkers, CTD's Oprah inched up 2% in the fourth week of her final season, improving to a 4.6 for the week, but off 10% from last year at this time. Oprah inched by CTD's Judge Judy, which scored a 4.3, to take the top spot in the daytime standings for the fourth time in the past 30 weeks.

Disney-ABC's Live with Regis and Kelly improved 4% from the prior week to a 2.4, and reclaimed second place. CTD's Dr. Phil slipped 4% to a 2.3, tying Sony's unchanged Dr. Oz for third place. NBC Universal's Maury and Warner Bros.' Ellen DeGeneres each dropped 5% to a 1.9 and remained in lockstep. CTD's The Doctors and Rachael Ray, NBCU's Steve Wilkos and Jerry Springer and Debmar-Mercury's Wendy Williams all were even for the week at a 1.6, 1.5, 1.3, 1.3, and 1.1, respectively.

CTD's Judge Judy led the court shows with a 4.3, down 4% from the prior week but up 5% from last year. CTD's Judge Joe Brown and Warner Bros.' People's Court tied for second place at a 2.0, with Joe Brown losing 5% and People's Court gaining 5%. Warner Bros.' Judge Mathis fell 6% to a 1.6. Twentieth's Judge Alex and Divorce Court each were flat at a 1.4 and 1.3, respectively. Warner Bros.' Judge Jeanine Pirro trailed the pack at a 0.9, sliding 10%.

CTD's Entertainment Tonight remained atop the magazines with an unchanged 3.9. CTD's Inside Edition eased 3% to a 2.9. Warner Bros.' TMZ fell 5% to a 1.9. CTD's The Insider and NBCU's Access Hollywood held firm and remained tied for a second week at a 1.8. Warner Bros.' Extra was off 6% to a 1.6, although Extra Weekend grew 20% from last year to a 1.2 and held steady with the prior week.

Among game shows, CTD's Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy! each crept up 2% from the prior session to a 6.5 and 5.5 respectively. Disney-ABC's Who Wants to be a Millionaire and Debmar-Mercury's Family Feud were flat at a 2.2 and 1.5, respectively. Twentieth's Are you Smarter than a Fifth Grader climbed 11% to a 1.0.

Warner Bros.' Two and a Half Men led the veteran off-net sitcoms, fading 4% from the prior week to a 5.2. Twentieth's Family Guy improved 3% to a 3.0. CTD's Everybody Loves Raymond was flat at a 2.7, tying NBCU's The Office, which gained 4%. Disney-ABC's My Wife and Kids fell 4% to a 2.6. Sony's Seinfeld lost 8% to a 2.3, tying Warner Bros.' George Lopez, which was flat. Twentieth's King of the Hill increased 5% to a 2.2.