 |
When it comes to reality TV and controversy, the more controversy the better for the ratings.
That's normally. But with CBS’s “Big Brother,” there's a controversy brewing that may be hurting ratings since the long-running show's debut two weeks ago.
The cause of the flap: CBS chose to edit out slurs in episodes that aired last week, one against gays, the other against Mexicans.
Of course, editing is commonplace on television, but on a show like "Big Brother," which purports to show everything, the slicing of a rude comment is nothing short of censorship in the eyes of disgruntled fans, who caught the comments on “Big Brother’s” live web feed and on video sites like YouTube.
It raises an interesting question. If those slurs are edited out, what else has been edited out and what else are viewers seeing that isn't exactly how it happened?
For a show like "Big Brother," more so than any reality show so far, credibility is everything.
So far, the flap doesn't appear to be hurting ratings all that much.
After a solid start earlier this month, in which it improved on last season’s premiere, the show, which airs Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, has slipped in below last year’s ratings among total viewers, adults 18-49 and 25-54s.
So far on Sundays, it’s down 5 percent in 18-49s, to a 1.9 Nielsen rating for the period covering its premiere two weeks ago through this past Sunday. It’s down 5 percent among total viewers and down 4 percent in 25-54s, to a 2.5.
On Tuesdays, it's down 9 percent in 18-49s, to a 2.1, flat in total viewers, and down 4 percent in 25-54s, to a 2.6.
On Thursdays it's averaging a 2.1 this year. The show aired on Wednesdays instead of Thursdays sometimes last year, so comparisons to last season are not valid.
The one area where the show is gaining is in 18-34s, perhaps because of the controversy.
On Sundays it's flat in that demo but on Tuesdays it's up 13 percent, to a 1.7 rating.
***
In broadcast ratings for the week ended July 19:
Among adults 18-49, Fox was first with a 2.1 average rating and a 7 share, followed by CBS and NBC at 1.4/5, Univision at 1.3/4, MyNetworkTV at 0.5/2, Telemundo and Telefutura at 0.4/1, CW at 0.3/1, Ion at 0.2/1 and Azteca at 0.1/0.
Among adults 18-34, Fox was first with a 1.8 average rating and a 7 share, followed by Univision at 1.5/6, ABC and NBC at 1.0/4, CBS at 0.9/4, Telemundo at 0.5/2, Telefutura and MyNetworkTV at 0.4/2, CW at 0.3/1 and Azteca at 0.1/0.
Among adults 25-54, Fox was first with a 2.3 rating and a 7 share, followed by CBS at 2.0/6, NBC at 1.8/5, ABC at 1.5/5, Univision at 1.2/4, MyNetworkTV at 0.5/2, Telemundo and Telefutura at 0.4/1, CW at 0.3/1 and Azteca at 0.1/0.
Top five English-language Big Five shows (18-49s): 1. Fox’s “MLB All-Star Game” 4.7; 2. NBC’s “America’s Got Talent - Tuesday” 3.7; 3. Fox’s “MLB All-Star Pregame” 3.3; 4. NBC’s “America’s Got Talent – Wednesday” 3.0; Tie-5. ABC’s “The Bachelorette,” CBS’s “The Big Bang Theory” and “Two and a Half Men” 2.7.
Top five English-language Big Five shows (total viewers): 1. Fox’s “MLB All-Star Game” 14.59 million; 2. NBC’s “America’s Got Talent - Tuesday” 13.51 million; 3. NBC’s “America’s Got Talent – Wednesday” 11.64 million; 4. Fox’s “MLB All-Star Pregame” 11.22 million; 5. CBS’s “NCIS” 10.45 million.
Top five time-shifted English-language Big Five shows (18-49s, by Live+7 playback, week ended June 28): 1. Fox’s “So You Think You Can Dance - Thursday” 1.48 million (up 39 percent); 2. Fox’s “So You Think You Can Dance - Wednesday” 1.45 million (up 33 percent); 3. ABC’s “Wipeout” 924,000 (up 23 percent); 4. ABC’s “The Bachelorette” 912,000 (up 28 percent); 5. CBS’s “Crimetime Saturday” 721,000 (up 50 percent).
Show on the rise: “America’s Got Talent,” NBC, Tuesday 9 p.m. The Tuesday edition saw a 23 percent week-to-week increase among 18-49s, from a 3.0 to a 3.7.
Show on the decline: “The Superstars,” ABC, Tuesday 8 p.m. The reality competition fell 21 percent week-to-week among 18-49s, from a 1.4 rating to a 1.1.
|
WEEKLY PRIMETIME AVERAGES BY NETWORK
Ranked on Households
Week Ending July 19 |
|
Network
|
Households
|
People 2+
|
Adults 18-49
|
|
Rtg%
|
(000)
|
Shr
|
Rtg%
|
(000)
|
Shr
|
Rtg%
|
(000)
|
Shr
|
|
CBS
|
4.1
|
4660
|
8
|
2.1
|
6190
|
6
|
1.4
|
1900
|
5
|
|
FOX
|
3.9
|
4430
|
7
|
2.1
|
6210
|
7
|
2.1
|
2730
|
7
|
|
NBC
|
3.4
|
3940
|
6
|
1.8
|
5290
|
6
|
1.4
|
1820
|
5
|
|
ABC
|
2.7
|
3080
|
5
|
1.4
|
4160
|
4
|
1.3
|
1690
|
4
|
|
UNI
|
1.7
|
1930
|
3
|
1.1
|
3190
|
3
|
1.3
|
1740
|
4
|
|
MNT
|
0.9
|
1060
|
2
|
0.5
|
1440
|
2
|
0.5
|
600
|
2
|
|
CW
|
0.6
|
720
|
1
|
0.3
|
920
|
1
|
0.3
|
450
|
1
|
|
TEL
|
0.5
|
610
|
1
|
0.3
|
980
|
1
|
0.4
|
580
|
1
|
|
TF
|
0.5
|
540
|
1
|
0.3
|
870
|
1
|
0.4
|
530
|
1
|
|
ION
|
0.4
|
450
|
1
|
0.2
|
580
|
1
|
0.2
|
210
|
1
|
|
AZA
|
0.1
|
120
|
0
|
0.1
|
170
|
0
|
0.1
|
90
|
0
|
|
*
Each rating point is equivalent to
1. 145
million homes
Source: Nielsen Media Research
|
|
SEASON-TO-DATE PRIMETIME AVERAGES BY NETWORK
Ranked on Households
Week Ending July 19 |
|
Network
|
Households
|
People 2+
|
Adults 18-49
|
|
Rtg%
|
(000)
|
Shr
|
Rtg%
|
(000)
|
Shr
|
Rtg%
|
(000)
|
Shr
|
|
CBS
|
6.5
|
7410
|
11
|
3.5
|
10280
|
9
|
2.6
|
3450
|
7
|
|
FOX
|
5.0
|
5740
|
8
|
2.9
|
8380
|
8
|
3.0
|
4010
|
9
|
|
ABC
|
4.9
|
5640
|
8
|
2.7
|
7730
|
7
|
2.4
|
3220
|
7
|
|
NBC
|
4.3
|
4940
|
7
|
2.4
|
6910
|
6
|
2.3
|
3090
|
7
|
|
UNI
|
1.9
|
2180
|
3
|
1.3
|
3790
|
3
|
1.5
|
1970
|
4
|
|
CW
|
1.1
|
1290
|
2
|
0.6
|
1680
|
1
|
0.7
|
930
|
2
|
|
MNT
|
1.0
|
1140
|
2
|
0.5
|
1590
|
1
|
0.5
|
690
|
2
|
|
TEL
|
0.6
|
680
|
1
|
0.4
|
1170
|
1
|
0.5
|
680
|
1
|
|
ION
|
0.4
|
490
|
1
|
0.2
|
630
|
1
|
0.2
|
210
|
0
|
|
TF
|
0.3
|
400
|
1
|
0.2
|
680
|
1
|
0.3
|
400
|
1
|
|
AZA
|
0.1
|
120
|
0
|
0.1
|
180
|
0
|
0.1
|
110
|
0
|
|
*
Each rating point is equivalent to
1. 145
million homes
Note: Season-to-date estimates are a weighted average of pre-TSV and Live+SD data.
Source: Nielsen Media Research
|
|
TOP 25 PROGRAMS – BROADCAST
Ranked on Households
Week Ending July 19 |
|
# |
PROGRAMS |
Net |
HOUSEHOLDS |
PERSONS 2+ |
|
Rtg% |
Shr |
(000) |
# |
Rtg% |
(000) |
|
1
|
FOX MLB ALL-STAR GAME(S)
|
FOX
|
8.9
|
15
|
10165
|
1
|
5.0
|
14593
|
|
2
|
AMERICA
'S GOT TALENT-TUE
|
NBC
|
8.0
|
13
|
9215
|
2
|
4.7
|
13513
|
|
3
|
FOX MLB ALL-STAR PRE(S)
|
FOX
|
7.0
|
13
|
8039
|
4
|
3.9
|
11224
|
|
4
|
AMERICA
GOT TALENT-WED 9P
|
NBC
|
6.9
|
12
|
7951
|
3
|
4.0
|
11639
|
|
5
|
NCIS
|
CBS
|
6.7
|
12
|
7724
|
5
|
3.6
|
10451
|
|
6
|
TWO AND A HALF MEN
|
CBS
|
5.8
|
10
|
6635
|
6
|
3.1
|
9120
|
|
7
|
MENTALIST, THE
|
CBS
|
5.6
|
10
|
6434
|
7
|
2.9
|
8372
|
|
8
|
CSI:
MIAMI
|
CBS
|
5.4
|
9
|
6148
|
8
|
2.8
|
8012
|
|
9
|
BACHELORETTE, THE
|
ABC
|
5.3
|
9
|
6111
|
8
|
2.8
|
8013
|
|
10
|
BIG BANG THEORY, THE
|
CBS
|
5.2
|
9
|
5958
|
8
|
2.8
|
8226
|
|
10
|
CSI: NY
|
CBS
|
5.2
|
10
|
6011
|
8
|
2.8
|
8010
|
|
12
|
CBS NEWS:REMEMBR CRONKITE(S)
|
CBS
|
5.0
|
10
|
5675
|
13
|
2.6
|
7646
|
|
12
|
CRIMINAL MINDS
|
CBS
|
5.0
|
9
|
5731
|
13
|
2.6
|
7477
|
|
12
|
CSI
|
CBS
|
5.0
|
9
|
5735
|
13
|
2.6
|
7673
|
|
15
|
AMERICA
GOT TALENT-TUE 8P
|
NBC
|
4.7
|
8
|
5350
|
13
|
2.6
|
7473
|
|
15
|
LAW AND ORDER:SVU
|
NBC
|
4.7
|
8
|
5377
|
17
|
2.5
|
7110
|
|
17
|
SO YOU THINK CN DANCE-THU
|
FOX
|
4.6
|
8
|
5314
|
17
|
2.5
|
7200
|
|
18
|
SO YOU THINK CN DANCE-WED
|
FOX
|
4.4
|
8
|
4997
|
19
|
2.4
|
6951
|
|
19
|
PRIMETIME: FAMILY SECRETS
|
ABC
|
4.3
|
7
|
4908
|
22
|
2.1
|
6159
|
|
19
|
WIPEOUT
|
ABC
|
4.3
|
8
|
4911
|
12
|
2.7
|
7690
|
|
21
|
AMERICA
GOT TALENT-WED 8P
|
NBC
|
4.2
|
8
|
4778
|
20
|
2.2
|
6504
|
|
22
|
COLD CASE
|
CBS
|
4.1
|
7
|
4736
|
20
|
2.2
|
6331
|
|
22
|
DATELINE FRI
|
NBC
|
4.1
|
8
|
4710
|
22
|
2.1
|
5948
|
|
24
|
WITHOUT A TRACE
|
CBS
|
4.0
|
7
|
4550
|
25
|
2.0
|
5932
|
|
25
|
BIG BROTHER 11-TUE
|
CBS
|
3.9
|
6
|
4433
|
22
|
2.1
|
6158
|
|
25
|
DATELINE NBC-MON
|
NBC
|
3.9
|
7
|
4497
|
26
|
1.9
|
5532
|
|
Source: Nielsen Media Research |
|
TOP 25 PROGRAMS – BROADCAST
Adults 18-49
Week Ending July 19 |
|
Rank |
Program |
Net |
Rtg% |
(000) |
|
1
|
FOX MLB ALL-STAR GAME(S)
|
FOX
|
4.7
|
6196
|
|
2
|
AMERICA
'S GOT TALENT-TUE
|
NBC
|
3.7
|
4837
|
|
3
|
FOX MLB ALL-STAR PRE(S)
|
FOX
|
3.3
|
4368
|
|
4
|
AMERICA
GOT TALENT-WED 9P
|
NBC
|
3.0
|
3897
|
|
5
|
BACHELORETTE, THE
|
ABC
|
2.7
|
3569
|
|
5
|
BIG BANG THEORY, THE
|
CBS
|
2.7
|
3544
|
|
5
|
TWO AND A HALF MEN
|
CBS
|
2.7
|
3579
|
|
8
|
SO YOU THINK CN DANCE-THU
|
FOX
|
2.6
|
3375
|
|
8
|
SO YOU THINK CN DANCE-WED
|
FOX
|
2.6
|
3430
|
|
8
|
WIPEOUT
|
ABC
|
2.6
|
3463
|
|
11
|
BIG BROTHER 11-TUE
|
CBS
|
2.1
|
2821
|
|
11
|
LAW AND ORDER:SVU
|
NBC
|
2.1
|
2715
|
|
13
|
FAMILY GUY
|
FOX
|
2.0
|
2620
|
|
13
|
MANANA
PARA SIEMPRE TUE
|
UNI
|
2.0
|
2634
|
|
13
|
SIMPSONS-SUN 9:30P
|
FOX
|
2.0
|
2639
|
|
16
|
AMERICA
GOT TALENT-TUE 8P
|
NBC
|
1.9
|
2566
|
|
16
|
BIG BROTHER 11-SUN
|
CBS
|
1.9
|
2442
|
|
16
|
BIG BROTHER 11-THU
|
CBS
|
1.9
|
2554
|
|
16
|
HERE COME THE NEWLYWEDS
|
ABC
|
1.9
|
2493
|
|
16
|
MANANA
PARA SIEMPRE MON
|
UNI
|
1.9
|
2546
|
|
16
|
NCIS
|
CBS
|
1.9
|
2521
|
|
16
|
RULES OF ENGAGEMENT
|
CBS
|
1.9
|
2513
|
|
23
|
CSI:
MIAMI
|
CBS
|
1.8
|
2421
|
|
23
|
CSI: NY
|
CBS
|
1.8
|
2361
|
|
23
|
HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER
|
CBS
|
1.8
|
2334
|
|
23
|
MANANA
PARA SIEMPRE WED
|
UNI
|
1.8
|
2343
|
|
23
|
PREMIOS JUVENTUD 09 7/16(S)
|
UNI
|
1.8
|
2363
|
|
23
|
PRIMETIME: FAMILY SECRETS
|
ABC
|
1.8
|
2439
|
|
Source: Nielsen Media Research |
|
SPANISH-LANGUAGE TELEVISION (WEEKLY COLLAPSED)
Ranked on Households
Week Ending July 12 |
|
# |
PROGRAMS |
Net |
Rtg |
P2+ (000) |
|
1
|
CUIDADO CON EL ANGEL M-F
|
UNI
|
20.2
|
4351
|
|
2
|
MANANA
PARA SIEMPRE M-F
|
UNI
|
19.1
|
4253
|
|
3
|
COPA ORO 2009 12 UNI(S)-07/09/2009
|
UNI
|
17.4
|
3637
|
|
4
|
CRISTINA MON
|
UNI
|
16.9
|
3617
|
|
5
|
EN NOMBRE DEL AMOR
|
UNI
|
15.5
|
3323
|
|
6
|
AQUI Y AHORA TUE
|
UNI
|
14.5
|
2959
|
|
7
|
DON FRANCISCO PRESENTA WE
|
UNI
|
14.2
|
2731
|
|
8
|
ROSA
DE GUADALUPE THU-FRI
|
UNI
|
13.3
|
3115
|
|
9
|
COPA ORO 2009 18 UNI(S)-07/12/2009
|
UNI
|
12.8
|
2861
|
|
10
|
GANCHO AL CORAZON M-F
|
UNI
|
12.5
|
2717
|
|
11
|
SABADO GIGANTE SAT
|
UNI
|
8.9
|
1820
|
|
12
|
HAZME REIR MILLONARIO SUN
|
UNI
|
6.5
|
1312
|
|
12
|
COPA ORO 2009 10 TF(S)-07/08/2009
|
TF
|
6.5
|
1359
|
|
14
|
NINOS RICOS M-F
|
TEL
|
5.7
|
1399
|
|
14
|
ROSTRO DE ANALIA M-F
|
TEL
|
5.7
|
1333
|
|
16
|
CINE MILLONARIO
|
TEL
|
4.9
|
1090
|
|
16
|
VICTORINOS M-F
|
TEL
|
4.9
|
1207
|
|
18
|
BETTY LA FEA M-F
|
TF
|
4.7
|
984
|
|
19
|
MAS SABE EL DIABLO M-F
|
TEL
|
4.6
|
1025
|
|
20
|
COPA ORO 2009 15 TF(S)-07/11/2009
|
TF
|
4.5
|
965
|
|
21
|
CINE DE IMPACTO II
|
TEL
|
4.3
|
983
|
|
21
|
COPA ORO 2009 16 TF(S)-07/11/2009
|
TF
|
4.3
|
899
|
|
21
|
CINE DE LAS ESTREL SUN 2
|
TF
|
4.3
|
951
|
|
24
|
COPA ORO 2009 14 TF(S)-07/10/2009
|
TF
|
4.1
|
766
|
|
25
|
CINE DE LAS ESTREL SUN
|
TF
|
4.0
|
820
|
|
Source: Nielsen Media Research |
|
HISPANIC ENGLISH-LANGUAGE VIEWING
Ranked on Households
Week Ending July 12 |
|
# |
PROGRAMS |
Net |
Rtg |
P2+(000) |
|
1
|
PRIMETIME: FAMILY SECRETS
|
ABC
|
3.6
|
641
|
|
2
|
AMERICA
GOT TALENT-WED 9P
|
NBC
|
3.4
|
654
|
|
2
|
AMERICA
'S GOT TALENT-TUE
|
NBC
|
3.4
|
673
|
|
4
|
WIPEOUT
|
ABC
|
3.1
|
638
|
|
5
|
CSI:
MIAMI
|
CBS
|
3.0
|
545
|
|
6
|
DATELINE NBC 7/7(S)-07/07/2009
|
NBC
|
2.8
|
534
|
|
7
|
TWO AND A HALF MEN
|
CBS
|
2.7
|
492
|
|
8
|
FAMILY GUY
|
FOX
|
2.6
|
546
|
|
9
|
BIG BANG THEORY, THE
|
CBS
|
2.5
|
485
|
|
9
|
SIMPSONS-SUN 9:30P
|
FOX
|
2.5
|
566
|
|
9
|
WWE FRIDAY NIGHT SMACKDWN
|
MNT
|
2.5
|
506
|
|
Source: Nielsen Media Research |
|
AFRICAN AMERICAN AUDIENCE ESTIMATES
Ranked on Households
Week Ending July 12
|
|
# |
PROGRAMS |
Net |
Rtg |
P2+(000) |
|
1
|
PRIMETIME: FAMILY SECRETS
|
ABC
|
8.5
|
1479
|
|
2
|
AMERICA
GOT TALENT-WED 9P
|
NBC
|
6.5
|
1208
|
|
3
|
20/20 SP EDITION-7/7
|
ABC
|
6.3
|
1135
|
|
4
|
NCIS
|
CBS
|
6.2
|
1162
|
|
5
|
48 HOURS MYSTERY TUESDAY
|
CBS
|
6.1
|
1090
|
|
5
|
DATELINE NBC 7/7
|
NBC
|
6.1
|
1196
|
|
7
|
CSI: NY
|
CBS
|
6.0
|
988
|
|
8
|
MENTALIST, THE - TUESDAY
|
CBS
|
5.4
|
978
|
|
9
|
CSI:
MIAMI
|
CBS
|
5.3
|
969
|
|
10
|
60 MINUTES
|
CBS
|
5.2
|
928
|
|
* Ratings based on 13.65 million African American TV homes.
Source: Nielsen Media Research |
|
TOP 20 NETWORK SPORTS PROGRAMS
Ranked on Households
Week ending July 12
|
|
# |
PROGRAMS |
Net |
Episode |
Households |
|
US
Rtg% |
Shr |
(000) |
|
1 |
FOX SATURDAY BASEBALL-07/11/2009
|
FOX
|
NYY AT LAA/STL AT CHI CUBS
|
2.0
|
5
|
2297
|
|
2 |
COPA ORO 2009 12 UNI-07/09/2009
|
UNI
|
MEXICO
VS
PANAMA
|
2.0
|
4
|
2282
|
|
3 |
WWE FRIDAY NIGHT SMACKDWN-07/10/2009
|
MNT
|
|
1.7
|
3
|
1895
|
|
4 |
JOHN DEERE CLASSIC-SUN-07/12/2009
|
CBS
|
|
1.6
|
4
|
1803
|
|
5 |
COPA ORO 2009 18 UNI-07/12/2009
|
UNI
|
MEXICO
VS
GUADELOUPE
|
1.5
|
3
|
1705
|
|
6 |
US WOMENS OPEN-SUN-07/12/2009
|
NBC
|
|
1.2
|
3
|
1417
|
|
7 |
US WOMENS OPEN-SAT-07/11/2009
|
NBC
|
|
1.1
|
3
|
1276
|
|
|
