medialifemagazine.com
On 'Big Brother,' nasty exit lifts ratings
By Toni Fitzgerald
Aug 12, 2009 - 1:10:44 AM
Of all the qualities that distinguish reality TV shows from scripted series, right up there is their wonderful ability to spring to life over some incident or personality clash that suddenly has diehard fans and even casual viewers buzzing.
It works even for shows that have been on for years.
And the most sure-fire buzz-builder is what you might call the reality show rat, a personality so arrogant, so obnoxious, so loathsome that folks tune in just for the pleasure of despising him or her. Early on there was “Survivor’s” Richard Hatch and then came “The Apprentice’s” Omarosa.
Now there's Ronnie on “Big Brother,” or was.
The video game geek and all-around back-stabber was evicted last Thursday after spinning lie after lie, but not before causing an upsurge in rating that's continued after his exit.
“Brother,” which airs Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, hit a season-high 2.6 adults 18-49 rating on Sunday, up 18 percent over the previous week’s 2.2 rating.
The Sunday episode also hit season highs in adults 18-34 (2.1), 25-54 (3.0) and total viewers (7.15 million), the show’s best numbers for any night of the week so far this year.
Last week's two earlier episodes were also up compared to the previous week among 18-49s, averaging a 2.4 and 2.3, respectively, both also season highs.
The bumps came after a slow start to the season for the 11th-year show, which had been averaging a 2.0 on Sunday and Tuesday and a 2.2 on Thursday.
And if there had been no Ronnie those ratings would have held.
Ronnie earned the ire of viewers for his manipulative style. He formed alliances and broke them, told lies to work things to his advantage, and trashed former teammate Michele during his exit speech on Thursday, calling her the “worst human being I have ever had the misfortune of meeting.”
This season “Brother” shook things up by putting the housemates into high school-like cliques such as jocks and brains, and early on Ronnie and Michele were lumped together as brains.
But the clash was inevitable. Ronnie claimed that Michele had begun saying mean things about his family, leading to his outburst following his ousting. Others in the house pointed out that Ronnie had treated Michelle poorly and could not be trusted.
Viewers who hadn’t watched the show in some time tuned back in after hearing the buzz about Ronnie online.
“I haven’t watched BB in years, but had to watch the episode where Ronnie left the house,” says one poster on People.com. “It made my summer to see him leave the show!”
Ronnie will leave a dubious legacy. During his four-week stint, he earned one of the geekiest nicknames in all of reality television from online posters, who dubbed him the “Square Root of All Evil.”
***
In broadcast ratings for the week ended Aug. 9:
Among adults 18-49, Fox was first with a 2.0 average rating and a 7 share, followed by NBC at 1.7/6, CBS at 1.5/5, Univision at 1.2/4, ABC at 1.1/4, MyNetworkTV at 0.5/2, CW, Telefutura and Telemundo at 0.4/1, 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 1.3/5, NBC at 1.2/5, CBS at 1.0/4, ABC at 0.8/3, Telemundo at 0.5/2, MyNetworkTV at 0.4/2, Telefutura and CW at 0.4/1, and Azteca at 0.0/0.
Among adults 25-54, CBS, NBC and Fox all tied for first with a 2.1 average rating and a 6 share, followed by ABC at 1.3/4, Univision at 1.2/3, MyNetworkTV at 0.5/2, CW, Telemundo and Telefutura at 0.4/1, and Azteca at 0.1/0.
Top five English-language Big Five shows (18-49s): 1. NBC’s “America’s Got Talent-Tuesday” 3.6; 2. Fox’s “So You Think You Can Dance-Thursday” 3.5; 3. Fox’s “Hell’s Kitchen” 3.2; Tie-4. NBC’s “America’s Got Talent–Wednesday” and “NFL Preseason” 2.9.
Top five English-language Big Five shows (total viewers): 1. NBC’s “America’s Got Talent-Tuesday” 12.96 million; 2. NBC’s “America’s Got Talent-Wednesday” 10.67 million; 3. CBS’s “NCIS” 9.89 million; 4. Fox’s “So You Think You Can Dance-Thursday” 9.57 million; 5. CBS’s “60 Minutes” 9.50 million.
Top five time-shifted English-language Big Five shows (18-49s, by Live+7 playback, week ended July 19): 1. Fox’s “So You Think You Can Dance-Wednesday” 1.64 million (up 39 percent); 2. Fox’s “So You Think You Can Dance - Thursday” 1.39 million (up 35 percent); 3. CBS’s “Big Brother-Sunday” 1.20 million (up 43 percent); 4. CBS’s “Big Brother-Thursday” 1.14 million (up 39 percent); 5. ABC’s “The Bachelorette” 1.06 million (up 28 percent).
Show on the rise: “Big Brother-Tuesday,” CBS, Tuesday 9 p.m. The Tuesday edition posted a 2.4 rating among viewers 18-49, up 14 percent from the previous week’s 2.1.
Show on the decline: “Dating in the Dark,” ABC, Monday 10 p.m. With no “Bachelorette” lead-in, the new dating show slipped 33 percent week-to-week among 18-49s, from a 2.4 to a 1.6.
|
WEEKLY PRIMETIME AVERAGES BY NETWORK
Ranked on Households
Week Ending August 9 |
|
Network
|
Households
|
People 2+
|
Adults 18-49
|
|
Rtg%
|
(000)
|
Shr
|
Rtg%
|
(000)
|
Shr
|
Rtg%
|
(000)
|
Shr
|
|
CBS
|
4.1
|
4660
|
7
|
2.1
|
6150
|
6
|
1.5
|
2040
|
5
|
|
NBC
|
3.8
|
4340
|
7
|
2.0
|
5930
|
6
|
1.7
|
2210
|
6
|
|
FOX
|
3.2
|
3720
|
6
|
1.8
|
5290
|
5
|
2.0
|
2620
|
7
|
|
ABC
|
2.2
|
2540
|
4
|
1.2
|
3480
|
4
|
1.1
|
1430
|
4
|
|
UNI
|
1.6
|
1800
|
3
|
1.0
|
2970
|
3
|
1.2
|
1570
|
4
|
|
MNT
|
0.9
|
1030
|
2
|
0.5
|
1430
|
1
|
0.5
|
600
|
2
|
|
CW
|
0.7
|
770
|
1
|
0.3
|
970
|
1
|
0.4
|
510
|
1
|
|
ION
|
0.4
|
510
|
1
|
0.2
|
660
|
1
|
0.2
|
220
|
1
|
|
TEL
|
0.4
|
500
|
1
|
0.3
|
870
|
1
|
0.4
|
520
|
1
|
|
TF
|
0.4
|
500
|
1
|
0.3
|
830
|
1
|
0.4
|
470
|
1
|
|
AZA
|
0.1
|
140
|
0
|
0.1
|
210
|
0
|
0.1
|
120
|
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 August 9 |
|
Network
|
Households
|
People 2+
|
Adults 18-49
|
|
Rtg%
|
(000)
|
Shr
|
Rtg%
|
(000)
|
Shr
|
Rtg%
|
(000)
|
Shr
|
|
CBS
|
6.3
|
7230
|
11
|
3.5
|
10010
|
9
|
2.5
|
3350
|
7
|
|
FOX
|
4.9
|
5600
|
8
|
2.8
|
8160
|
7
|
3.0
|
3910
|
9
|
|
ABC
|
4.8
|
5460
|
8
|
2.6
|
7480
|
7
|
2.4
|
3120
|
7
|
|
NBC
|
4.3
|
4870
|
7
|
2.3
|
6810
|
6
|
2.3
|
3010
|
7
|
|
UNI
|
1.9
|
2150
|
3
|
1.3
|
3730
|
3
|
1.5
|
1950
|
4
|
|
CW
|
1.1
|
1250
|
2
|
0.6
|
1640
|
1
|
0.7
|
910
|
2
|
|
MNT
|
1.0
|
1130
|
2
|
0.5
|
1580
|
1
|
0.5
|
690
|
2
|
|
TEL
|
0.6
|
670
|
1
|
0.4
|
1160
|
1
|
0.5
|
670
|
1
|
|
ION
|
0.4
|
490
|
1
|
0.2
|
630
|
1
|
0.2
|
210
|
0
|
|
TF
|
0.4
|
410
|
1
|
0.2
|
700
|
1
|
0.3
|
410
|
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 August 9 |
|
# |
PROGRAMS |
Net |
HOUSEHOLDS |
PERSONS 2+ |
|
Rtg% |
Shr |
(000) |
# |
Rtg% |
(000) |
|
1
|
AMERICA
'S GOT TALENT-TUE
|
NBC
|
7.8
|
13
|
8916
|
1
|
4.5
|
12957
|
|
2
|
NCIS
|
CBS
|
6.5
|
12
|
7496
|
3
|
3.4
|
9889
|
|
3
|
AMERICA
GOT TALENT-WED 9P
|
NBC
|
6.3
|
11
|
7183
|
2
|
3.7
|
10668
|
|
4
|
60 MINUTES
|
CBS
|
6.1
|
12
|
7040
|
4
|
3.3
|
9496
|
|
4
|
TWO AND A HALF MEN
|
CBS
|
6.1
|
10
|
7037
|
4
|
3.3
|
9460
|
|
6
|
SO YOU THINK CN DANCE-THU
|
FOX
|
5.7
|
10
|
6560
|
4
|
3.3
|
9566
|
|
7
|
CSI: NY
|
CBS
|
5.6
|
10
|
6371
|
8
|
2.8
|
7986
|
|
8
|
BIG BANG THEORY, THE
|
CBS
|
5.4
|
9
|
6184
|
7
|
2.9
|
8394
|
|
9
|
CSI:
MIAMI
|
CBS
|
5.3
|
9
|
6044
|
10
|
2.7
|
7915
|
|
9
|
MENTALIST, THE
|
CBS
|
5.3
|
10
|
6012
|
13
|
2.6
|
7670
|
|
11
|
DATELINE NBC-MON
|
NBC
|
4.9
|
9
|
5568
|
15
|
2.4
|
7061
|
|
11
|
NBC NFL PRE-SEASON 8/9(S)
|
NBC
|
4.9
|
9
|
5667
|
10
|
2.7
|
7920
|
|
13
|
CSI
|
CBS
|
4.8
|
8
|
5464
|
15
|
2.4
|
7066
|
|
13
|
SO YOU THINK CN DANCE-WED
|
FOX
|
4.8
|
9
|
5508
|
10
|
2.7
|
7784
|
|
15
|
AMERICA
GOT TALENT-TUE 8P
|
NBC
|
4.4
|
8
|
5082
|
15
|
2.4
|
6914
|
|
15
|
MILLIONAIRE-8/9(S)
|
ABC
|
4.4
|
8
|
5032
|
15
|
2.4
|
7000
|
|
15
|
WIPEOUT
|
ABC
|
4.4
|
8
|
4994
|
8
|
2.8
|
8020
|
|
18
|
BIG BROTHER 11-SUN
|
CBS
|
4.2
|
8
|
4834
|
14
|
2.5
|
7146
|
|
18
|
CRIMINAL MINDS
|
CBS
|
4.2
|
7
|
4820
|
22
|
2.1
|
6191
|
|
20
|
BIG BROTHER 11-THU
|
CBS
|
4.1
|
8
|
4649
|
20
|
2.2
|
6437
|
|
21
|
BIG BROTHER 11-TUE
|
CBS
|
4.0
|
7
|
4544
|
20
|
2.2
|
6397
|
|
21
|
HELL'S KITCHEN
|
FOX
|
4.0
|
7
|
4526
|
19
|
2.3
|
6739
|
|
23
|
COLD CASE
|
CBS
|
3.8
|
7
|
4403
|
23
|
2.0
|
5806
|
|
23
|
DATELINE FRI
|
NBC
|
3.8
|
7
|
4361
|
26
|
1.9
|
5557
|
|
23
|
DATELINE SUN-7PM
|
NBC
|
3.8
|
7
|
4359
|
23
|
2.0
|
5799
|
|
Source: Nielsen Media Research |
|
TOP 25 PROGRAMS – BROADCAST
Adults 18-49
Week Ending August 9 |
|
Rank |
Program |
Net |
Rtg% |
(000) |
|
1
|
AMERICA
'S GOT TALENT-TUE
|
NBC
|
3.6
|
4689
|
|
2
|
SO YOU THINK CN DANCE-THU
|
FOX
|
3.5
|
4555
|
|
3
|
HELL'S KITCHEN
|
FOX
|
3.2
|
4253
|
|
4
|
AMERICA
GOT TALENT-WED 9P
|
NBC
|
2.9
|
3762
|
|
4
|
NBC NFL PRE-SEASON 8/9(S)
|
NBC
|
2.9
|
3805
|
|
6
|
SO YOU THINK CN DANCE-WED
|
FOX
|
2.8
|
3654
|
|
6
|
TWO AND A HALF MEN
|
CBS
|
2.8
|
3675
|
|
6
|
WIPEOUT
|
ABC
|
2.8
|
3677
|
|
9
|
BIG BANG THEORY, THE
|
CBS
|
2.7
|
3613
|
|
10
|
BIG BROTHER 11-SUN
|
CBS
|
2.6
|
3380
|
|
11
|
BIG BROTHER 11-TUE
|
CBS
|
2.4
|
3114
|
|
12
|
BIG BROTHER 11-THU
|
CBS
|
2.3
|
2973
|
|
13
|
FAMILY GUY
|
FOX
|
2.2
|
2882
|
|
14
|
CSI:
MIAMI
|
CBS
|
2.0
|
2685
|
|
14
|
DATELINE NBC-MON
|
NBC
|
2.0
|
2598
|
|
14
|
MANANA
PARA SIEMPRE THU
|
UNI
|
2.0
|
2622
|
|
14
|
MANANA
PARA SIEMPRE TUE
|
UNI
|
2.0
|
2687
|
|
18
|
AMERICAN DAD
|
FOX
|
1.9
|
2512
|
|
18
|
MANANA
PARA SIEMPRE MON
|
UNI
|
1.9
|
2560
|
|
18
|
RULES OF ENGAGEMENT
|
CBS
|
1.9
|
2488
|
|
21
|
AMERICA
GOT TALENT-TUE 8P
|
NBC
|
1.8
|
2310
|
|
21
|
MORE TO LOVE
|
FOX
|
1.8
|
2321
|
|
21
|
NCIS
|
CBS
|
1.8
|
2371
|
|
21
|
SIMPSONS-SUN 8:30P
|
FOX
|
1.8
|
2389
|
|
25
|
AMW:
AMERICA FIGHTS BACK
|
FOX
|
1.7
|
2246
|
|
25
|
COPS 2
|
FOX
|
1.7
|
2303
|
|
25
|
CSI: NY
|
CBS
|
1.7
|
2272
|
|
25
|
MANANA
PARA SIEMPRE FRI
|
UNI
|
1.7
|
2284
|
|
25
|
MANANA
PARA SIEMPRE WED
|
UNI
|
1.7
|
2286
|
|
25
|
MENTALIST, THE
|
CBS
|
1.7
|
2253
|
|
Source: Nielsen Media Research |
|
SPANISH-LANGUAGE TELEVISION (WEEKLY COLLAPSED)
Ranked on Households
Week Ending August 2 |
|
# |
PROGRAMS |
Net |
Rtg |
P2+ (000) |
|
1
|
MANANA
PARA SIEMPRE M-F
|
UNI
|
20.2
|
4540
|
|
2
|
EN NOMBRE DEL AMOR MON
|
UNI
|
16.1
|
3539
|
|
3
|
EN NOMBRE DEL AMOR M-F
|
UNI
|
14.7
|
3197
|
|
4
|
AQUI Y AHORA TUE
|
UNI
|
14.4
|
2990
|
|
5
|
DON FRANCISCO PRESENTA WE
|
UNI
|
13.4
|
2593
|
|
6
|
MUJERES ASESINAS THU
|
UNI
|
12.1
|
2645
|
|
6
|
CRISTINA MON
|
UNI
|
12.1
|
2394
|
|
8
|
GANCHO AL CORAZON M-F
|
UNI
|
12.0
|
2622
|
|
9
|
ROSA
DE GUADALUPE THU-FRI
|
UNI
|
11.0
|
2263
|
|
10
|
SABADO GIGANTE SAT
|
UNI
|
9.5
|
1932
|
|
11
|
FAMILIA P. LUCHE SAT
|
UNI
|
7.0
|
1541
|
|
12
|
BETTY LA FEA M-F
|
TF
|
6.7
|
1423
|
|
13
|
HAZME REIR MILLONARIO SUN
|
UNI
|
5.8
|
1157
|
|
14
|
MAS SABE EL DIABLO M-F
|
TEL
|
4.7
|
963
|
|
15
|
VICTORINOS M-F
|
TEL
|
4.6
|
1156
|
|
16
|
CINE DE LAS ESTREL SUN 2
|
TF
|
4.5
|
1022
|
|
17
|
NINOS RICOS M-F
|
TEL
|
4.2
|
939
|
|
18
|
FUTBOL LIGA MEX WED
|
TF
|
4.1
|
833
|
|
19
|
FUTBOL ESTELAR
|
TEL
|
4.0
|
798
|
|
20
|
CINE MILLONARIO
|
TEL
|
3.8
|
867
|
|
21
|
MARAV MUNDO DE DISNEY 8/2(S)-08/02/2009
|
TEL
|
3.7
|
798
|
|
22
|
CINE DE LAS ESTRELLAS M-THU
|
TF
|
3.5
|
726
|
|
23
|
12 CORAZONES M-F
|
TEL
|
3.4
|
684
|
|
24
|
CINE DE LAS ESTREL SAT 2
|
TF
|
3.3
|
| |
