Syndication Ratings: February Sweeps Come in Like a Lion

East Coast blizzard causes preemptions and power outages, but syndie ratings stay mostly up or steady

By Paige Albiniak -- Broadcasting & Cable, 2/20/2013 12:33:48 PM

The first full week of the February sweep was marked by a huge blizzard on the East Coast, causing preemptions and power outages in many markets.

In spite of that, many shows were up or steady as they rolled out their all-original sweep episodes in the week ended Feb. 10.

CBS Television Distribution's genre leader, Entertainment Tonight, had its best week since the November sweep, growing 5% to a 4.0. CTD's Inside Edition edged ahead 3% to a new season-high 3.4. Warner Bros.' TMZ held steady at its season-high 2.1 for a fourth straight week. NBCUniversal's Access Hollywood also held at its season-high 1.9 for a second week. Warner Bros.' Extra was solid at a 1.6, its second-highest rating of the season. CTD's new omg! Insider turned in its best performance in four weeks, advancing 7% to a 1.5, while Twentieth's new Dish Nation trailed with a flat 1.0.

Among the talk shows, CTD's Dr. Phil grew 3% to a 3.3, matching its season high. The show also remained No. 1 among the key daytime demographic of women 25-54, growing 6% to a 1.9.

In second place, Disney-ABC's Live! with Kelly and Michael held steady for the week at a 2.8. Warner Bros.' Ellen dipped 4% to a 2.7. In fourth place, Sony's Dr. Oz was flat at a 2.6.

NBCU's Maury also was flat at a 2.4, but led the talkers among young women 18-49 and 18-34 with a 1.7 and a 1.5, respectively.

CTD's Rachael Ray, NBCU's Steve Wilkos and Jerry Springer, and CTD's The Doctors all were flat at a 1.6, 1.6, 1.5 and 1.4, respectively.

Debmar-Mercury's Wendy Williams sank 7% to a 1.3. Warner Bros.' Anderson Live, which won't return next year, held firm at a 1.2, while Debmar-Mercury's also-cancelled Jeremy Kyle came in last at an unchanged 0.6.

Among the rookie talkers, Disney-ABC's Katie gave back 5% for the week to a 1.9. NBCU's Steve Harvey remained at its season-high 1.6 for a fifth straight week, just three-tenths behind Katie. The two rookie talk leaders tied among the key women 25-54 demo, each at a 1.0.

CTD's Jeff Probst and Twentieth's Ricki Lake, both of which will end their runs at the end of this season, jumped 14% to a 0.8 to each match their best ratings to date. NBCU's Trisha, which is coming back next year along with Katie and Steve, yielded 17%, or one-tenth of a ratings point, to a 0.5.

Elsewhere, CTD's top court, Judge Judy, was the only show in daytime to post a new season high, gaining 1% from the prior week to hit a 7.5. CTD's Judge Joe Brown eased 4% to a second-place 2.4. Warner Bros.' People's Court and Judge Mathis both were flat at a 2.0 and 1.6, respectively. Twentieth's Judge Alex dropped7% to a 1.4, tying Twentieth's Divorce Court, which was flat. Entertainment Studios' America's Court also was flat at a 0.8, while Justice for All added 25%to a 0.5, and We the People dropped 33% to a 0.2.

Game shows were quiet with CTD's Wheel of Fortune dipping 1% from the prior week to a 7.7, nabbing second place in overall syndication. CTD's Jeopardy! remained at a 6.9. Debmar-Mercury's Family Feud fell 2% to a 5.2, while Disney-ABC's Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, which is expected to add Cedric the Entertainer as host next year, and NBCU's rookie Baggage each were unchanged at a 2.6 and 1.1, respectively.

Warner Bros.' hit off-net sitcom The Big Bang Theory added 4% from the week before, to hit an 8.0 and top the syndie chart. Warner Bros.' Two and a Half Men softened 2% to a 5.5. Twentieth's Family Guy gained 3% to a 3.8. Twentieth's How I Met Your Mother moved up 11% to a 3.0. SPT's Seinfeld strengthened 4% to a 2.5. Twentieth's King of the Hill and Warner Bros.' Friends each were flat at a 2.3 and 2.1, respectively, while CTD's Everybody Loves Raymond receded 10% to a 1.8.