Fast National Ratings for Thursday May 3, 2012

Scandal flat for a 5th straight week as FOX tops the night 

FOX won the night (10.95/3.0) with American Idol (15.05/3.9) & Touch (6.84/2.1).

CBS 2nd (12.32/2.8) with The Bing Bang Theory (13.63/4.6) Rules Of Engagement (9.01/2.7) Person Of Interest (12.95/2.5) & The Mentalist (12.67/2.4

ABC 3rd (7.35/2.1) with Missing (6.28/1.1) Grey's Anatomy (8.95/3.2) & Scandal (6.78/2.0).

NBC 4th (3.07/1.4) with Community (3.28/1.4) 30 Rock (3.06/1.4) The Office (4.44/2.3) Parks & Recreation (3.35/1.7) & Awake (2.14/0.7).

The CW 5th (1.83/0.8) with The Vampire Diaries (2.44/1.1) & The Secret Circle (1.23/0.6).

FYI: (total viewers/Adults 18-49 demo) 

Fast National Ratings for Wednesday May 2, 2012

ANTM & Survivor down to series low as American Idol leads the night

FOX won the night (16.30/4.6) with American Idol.

CBS 2nd (10.11/2.6) with Survivor:One World (9.20/2.5) Criminal Minds (11.40/3.0) & CSI (9.74/2.3).

ABC 3rd (7.06/2.4) with The Middle (6.60/2.0) Suburgatory (5.80/2.0) Modern Family (9.95/4.0) Don't Trust The B---- in Apt 23 (5.85/2.4) & Revenge (7.09/2.1).

NBC 4th (5.20/1.4) with a full hour Betty White's Off Their Rockets episode (4.97/1.4) Rock Center (4.18/1.0) & Law & Order:SVU (6.45/1.8).

The CW 5th (0.95/0.3) with The LA Complex encore (0.85/0.3) & America's Next Top Model:British Invasion (1.05/0.4).

FYI: (total viewers/Adults 18-49 demo) 

Bubble Shows: Pros & Cons - CBS edition

In this list of blog series i'll present the pros and cons of every bubble show and also the possibilities of them returning. Don't expect to see shows like Grey's Anatomy, Modern Family & The Vampire Diaries on the list.

The Pros & Cons list today deals with the few CBS shows that remain on  the bubble

CSI:NY

In favor: The entire CSI franchise is one of the biggest money makers in international and domestic markets. More specifically CSI:NY reruns air on TNT and Spike TV on the States and in more than 120 countries worldwide. The fact is that even with the declining ratings CBS is still making a lot of money from CSI:NY. 

Against it: Many media outlets have reported that it is the year that one of the CSIs will say goodbye. I agree. NY currenly seems  more vulnerable than Miami due to lower ratings.

The Verdict: 40-60

CSI: Miami

In favor: In terms of ratings CSI:Miami is doing better than CSI:NY but the later airs on Fridays. A&E recently acquired the rights to air reruns with a very lucrative deal for CBS Studios. 

Against it: Miami is an older show than NY, thus more expensive. The ratings haven't been much better than CSI:NY's and this one airs on Sundays.

The Verdict: 40-60

Unforgettable

In favor: Aside from the fact that Poppy Montgomery stars, i can't think anything that'd justified renewing this low-rated procedural.

Against it: If Unforgettable was on any other network it could be back. But at CBS is practically doomed.  This Tuesday's 1.8 rating in audlts 18-49 (tying series low) was the nail on the coffin.

The Verdict: 10-90

A Gifted Man

In favor: The Paltrick Wilson-starred drama had a sizable audience, especially for Friday nights and apparently CBS wants to stay in business with the actor.

Against it: Its CBS' lowest rated drama in young adults and advestisers don't care for total viewers. Moreover, the show has been off the schedule for more than two months. And the fact that Rachelle Lefevre has been cast on CBS' pilot Applebaum doesn't look good either.

The Verdict: 5-95

NYC 22

In favor: Hmmmm....Nothing.

Against it: CBS scheduling already proves that the show is dead. I don't believe that the network wanted it to find an audience. I think they put it on Sundays at 10pm more like a burn off. Anyways... Its a no brainer.

The Verdict: 1-99

Rules Of Engagement

In favor: Its a decent utility player for CBS. Whenever the networks needs to fill a hole Rules is their choice. If the network expands its Thursday comedy block it could come back. The fact that this is a CBS Studios co-production doesn't hurt either.

Against it: Everybody knows that this is not a priority show for CBS. Even if the network does expand  its comedy hours next fall, i could see them premiering three new shows and canceling RoE. Like Unforgettable, its ratings would be good for the other networks but at the Eye they don't like decent.

The Verdict: 40-60

Rob!

In favor: Between the two bubble sitcoms on CBS, Rob is younger, cheaper and slightly better-rated.

Against it: Rob, following CBS' biggest hit The Bing Bang Theory had a mediocre overall performance over its 8-episode run. 

The Verdict: 30-70

Fast National Ratings for Tuesday May 1, 2012

Glee, ABC comedies down to lows as  CBS tops the night

CBS won the night (14.29/2.6) with NCIS (17.25/3.0) NCIS:LA (15.00/3.0) & Unforgettable (10.62/1.8).

NBC 2nd (6.74/2.3) with The Biggest Loser season finale (7.13/2.1) The Voice Results (8.86/3.1) & Fashion Star (4.23/1.5)

FOX 3rd (4.79/2.1) with Glee (5.95/2.4) & New Girl new (4.39/2.1) & repeat (2.86/1.4).

ABC 4th (8.93/1.9) with Last Man Standing (6.49/1.4) Cougar Town (4.99/1.3) Dancing With The Stars Results (13.41/2.3) & Private Practice (7.62/2.1).

The CW 5th (0.88/0.5) with 90210 (1.18/0.6) & The LA Complex (0.57/0.3).

FYI: (total viewers/Adults 18-49 demo) 

Bubble Shows: Pros & Cons - ABC edition

In this list of blog series i'll present the pros and cons of every bubble show and also the possibilities of them returning. Don't expect to see shows like Grey's Anatomy, Modern Family & The Vampire Diaries on the list.

 The Pros & Cons list continues today with ABC

Cougar Town

In favor: Cougar Town is just one season away from reaching a decent episode number for syndication purposes. And that's a big factor since the low-rated sitcom is produced by ABC's sibling studio. Also, critics seems to love it and it has a small but devoted fan base. But let's admit that won't save it.

Against it: Its ratings are dreadful. To understand how bad the ratings are, the critically panned Work It performed better in its two airings on the same timeslot.

The Verdict: 30-70 

Don't Trust The B---- in Apt 23

In favor: While its still early, chances are looking good for this midseason entry. While, like every other ABC comedy that followed Modern Family, the retention is dissapointing but the overall ratings are encouraging. Don't forget that Happy Endings was renewed last spring with worse ratings becauce ABC's brass liked it. I think that will be the case for the B----.

Against it: The question is if it gets a renewal where ABC should put it. Common sense says that ABC will want to premiere a new comedy after Modern Family next fall. That leaves Apt 23 without a timeslot unless ABC expands their Tuesday comedy block. 

The Verdict:  80-20 

Missing

In favor: People watch it. It's an international co-production. If the procution company makes money from international distribution or other revenues, it might be back. Star Ashley Judd doesn't hurt either.

Against it: Old people are watching. The problem with all the above is that ABC Studios doesn't produce the show so they only care for ratings. And they were really low. Unless the production company give them a second season for free, its done.

The Verdict: 15-85

Scandal

In favor: With Shonda Rhimes behind it and pretty impressive stability over its four week run (all four episodes scored the same 2.0 rating) the chances for this DC-set drama are looking very good. Kerry Washington starring also helps.

Against it: A 2.0 rating is nothing to cheer about. With such a strong pedigree i'm sure ABC expected more from Scandal.

The Verdict: 85-15

GCB

In favor:  The ratings have been decent and stable. With ABC reportedly picking up to series the Devious Maids pilot, GCB could be a good companion show.

Against it: The problem is that the networks prefer "strong" ratings than "decent and stable". ABC can do much better than a 1.8 rating in adults 18-49.

The Verdict: 40-60










Private Practice


In favor: Deadline reports  that ABC is considering a 13-episode final season without ruling out a 22-episode pick up. With Shonda Rhimes behind it, and decent ratings on its new Tuesday timeslot, Private Practice is probably the safest bet amongst ABC's bubble dramas.


Against it: A scrpited show in its fifth season isn't cheap. ABC tried to bring back Brothers & Sisters for a final season last spring but couldn't make the finances work.


The Verdict: 90-10

Last Man Standing


In favor: ABC has a bunch of multicamera sitcoms in development and with two of them, the Reba McEntire's Malibu County and How To Live with Your Parents For the Rest Of Your Life being in serious contention, makes me believe that ABC will introduce a second -multicamera- comedy block. That theory bonds well with Last Man Standing which was a self-starter since the beginning of the season. Moreover, ABC loves Tim Allen.


Against it: The ratings have fallen this spring but that happened to all the shows that air at 8pm due to DST. 


The Verdict: 70-30




The River


In favor: There's been reports that Netflix is in talks with ABC Studios for acquiring the series.


Against it: Nowadays, everytime a genre show gets canceled there are reports that Netflix might save it. Well that won't happen with The River. This one is dead.


The Verdict: 1-99








Pan Am


In favor: Sony insists that Pan Am is doing strongly in international sales and on Itunes.


Against it: The show has been off the air since February. Its penultimate episode  scored just a 0.7 rating. That's not "good" even by CW standards. Its dead.


The Verdict: 1-99




Body of Proof

In favor: ABC seems to like Dana Delany. The ratings has been decent with Dancing With The Stars as a lead in. Its the only straight procedural that the network has and its doing ok in international syndication.


Against it: Ratings tanked without Dancing With The Stars. It is one of the most old-skewing dramas on ABC and the network should think of moving it to Fridays. 


The Verdict: 20-80

Fast National Ratings for Monday April 30, 2012

The Voice & Smash down to series lows as CBS tops the night

CBS won the night (10.00/3.1) with How I Met Your Mother (7.89/3.2) 2 Broke Girls (9.14/3.5) Two & A Half Men (11.25/3.7) Mike & Molly (10.23/3.2) & Hawai Five-O (10.76/2.5).

NBC 2nd (8.07/2.9) with The Voice (9.40/3.5) & Smash (5.40/1.8).

ABC 3rd (14.36/2.6) with Dancing With The Stars (15.85/2.7) & Castle (11.38/2.4).

FOX 4th (6.79/2.0) with Bones (7.01/1.9) & House (6.57/2.1).

The CW 5th (1.18/0.6) with Gossip Girl (1.05/0.6) & Hart Of Dixie (1.31/0.6).

FYI: (total viewers/Adults 18-49 demo) 

Bubble Shows: Pros & Cons - CW edition

In this list of blog series i'll present the pros and cons of every bubble show and also the possibilities of them returning. Don't expect to see shows like Grey's Anatomy, Modern Family & The Vampire Diaries. 


First on The Pros & Cons list is The CW.

Hart Of Dixie 


In favor: Hart Of Dixie did a good job this season with less promotion than the other CW's rookies (The Secret Circle, Ringer) and it builds almsot every single week on its dreadful lead in (aka Gossip Girl). Also, Rachel Bilson is the closest thing The CW has to a "star".


Against it: Still, the ratings have been low all season. The bad thing is that the show was starting to grow in late November but the long hiatus killed the momentum.


The Verdict: 40-60










The Secret Circle


In favor: The ratings for The Secret Circle were decent until this spring. It won't look good to cancel every rookie drama.


Against it: With CW's biggest hit (aka The Vampire Diaries) as a lead in, its performance is on par with the other CW shows. It should have done better.


The Verdict: 40-60














Nikita


In favor: Nikita is a recongnizable title with strong international sales. Its the only CW show that could possibly have a future in syndication. The ratings for Nikita is almost identical with the other CW bubble dramas like Gossip Girl, Ringer & Hart Of Dixie, but this one airs on Fridays.


Against it: It remains The CW's lowest rated show in adults 18-49. If it was in its third season a fourth one would make more (financial) sense. (Syndication DUH).


The Verdict:  40-60


90210

In favor: This spring, 90210 is the 3rd  best-rated drama on The CW in adults 18-49. After budget cuts last year, it is pretty cheap to produce, and its doing well internationally.


Against it: It reached an ok number for syndication. If the CW really wants to see gains next season they should cancel every low-rated drama. But the network can't cancel everything (although that would be a good option).


The Verdict: 80-20




Ringer

In favor: I really can't think anything.




Against it: Its CW's lowest rated drama this spring. Viewers watched the pilot but most of them didn't stick with it. It got the big marketing campaing, it got the hype, the "Sarah Michelle Gellar's return on tv" but it just didn't deliver. Oh and SMG is pregnant. 


The Verdict:  5-95


Gossip Girl


In favor:  The CW loves Gossip Girl. Period. Its still performs decently on women 18-34 and its the network's biggest property in terms of international syndication. It will most likely return for a final 13-episode season.


Against it: In its recent episodes Gossip Girl was watched by less than a million viewers! Try not to forget that the CW is indeed a broadcast network.


The Verdict:  85-15