NATPE kicks off
with one concern: Oprah
Other shorts: Nielsen adding online data to TV numbers
By Louisa Ada Seltzer
Jan 25, 2010
NATPE kicks off with one concern: Oprah
Last year the big story at NATPE (National Association of Television Program Executives) was the economy. It overshadowed just about everything, from the limited number of new launches to how deals were made to attendance at the annual convention. This year the economy is still a concern -- many first-run shows are being offered on a barter basis, meaning distributors keep big chunks of ad time -- but the overwhelming theme is what next, as in what comes next after Oprah Winfrey leaves syndication next year for her own cable network. Sure, she will be around for another year, but stations will be shopping for future potential Winfrey replacements, as she is the all-important local news lead-in in markets across the country. First-year success "Dr. Oz" is a candidate to inherit that slot in many markets, but so is "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," which many believe Winfrey herself favors. There's also a rumor circulating that Rosie O'Donnell, who ended her hugely successful talk show run earlier this decade, could relaunch a show with Winfrey's blessing. Outside of the Oprah drama, there will be a lot of cable programs, such as Bravo's "The Real Housewives" series and E!'s "True Hollywood Story," being made available, as well as a large number of court shows, including a nontraditional offering from HLN's Nancy Grace. NATPE kicks off today.
Nielsen adding online data to TV numbers
Finally we may be getting a more accurate read on what type of boost individual TV shows get from online viewing. Nielsen said Friday that it plans to incorporate data from its new internet meters into its television ratings, including the C3 (live-plus-three-day-DVR-playback commercial) ratings that are used as the currency for ad buys. Those new numbers will become available in September, though they will be issued on a delayed basis and be categorized as evaluation data. "Nielsen believes that it is critical for our measurement services to continue to evolve to reflect the changing ways in which people consume media," says Sara Erichson, Nielsen's president of media client services North America, in a letter to clients. "The inclusion of online viewing in the TV ratings currency reflects our commitment to innovation."
What's up next for Conan: Perhaps Pago Pago?
Conan O'Brien may be gone for NBC but offers are pouring in, and if indeed Fox wants the comic to host a late night show on its network, it may need move quickly. O'Brien has already received an offer from a Fargo, N. D., radio station, and now comes word that a radio station in American Samoa is recruiting O'Brien, and the offer sounds pretty appealing. Fargo is cold, and Fox may prove chilly, but American Samoa offers always-fair weather and warm hospitality. Indeed, KKHJ-FM VP/GM Joey Cummings makes it seem quite inviting in a letter he sent to the former "Tonight” host. We are talking about Pago Pago, which Cummings notes offers palm trees palm trees, lovely Polynesian women (some with grass skirts), barbecue, year-round sunshine and the Pacific ocean. Cummings also mentions Tisa’s Tattoo Festival ("perhaps you could get the NBC peacock tattooed on your buttocks") and a living wage by Pago Pago standards. He writes: "Although we can’t pay much (minimum wage in American Samoa is $4.35 per hour), it’s quite possible you could get a job at the StarKist tuna cannery to supplement your income. You’ll eventually come to appreciate the fine aroma."
Saturday overnights: Fox dominates again
On Saturday night Fox’s law enforcement lineup led it to first place among viewers 18-49, according to Nielsen overnights, as the network finished with a 1.9 average overnight rating and a 6 share. Univision was second at 1.2/4, CBS third at 1.0/3, NBC fourth at 0.8/3 and ABC fifth at 0.6/2.
As a reminder, all ratings are based on live-plus-same-day DVR playback. Seven-day DVR data won’t be available for several weeks. Thirty-four percent of Nielsen households have DVRs.
Also, ratings for NBC’s coverage of the “U.S. Figure Skating Championships” are approximate as fast nationals measure timeslot and not actual program data.
At 8 p.m. Fox led with a 2.1 for “Cops,” followed by Univision with a 1.1 for “Sabado Gigante's” Haitian relief benefit. CBS was third with a 0.6 for a repeat of “CSI,” ABC fourth with a 0.5 for a “Grey’s Anatomy” rerun and NBC fifth with a 0.4 for a repeat of “Mercy.”
Fox was first again at 9 p.m. with a 1.8 for “America’s Most Wanted,” while Univision remained second with a 1.2 for more “Sabado.” CBS was third with a 1.1 for a repeat of “Criminal Minds,” NBC fourth with a 0.8 for its first hour of “U.S. Figure Skating Championships” and ABC fifth with a 0.5 for a repeat of “The Deep End.”
At 10 p.m. NBC, CBS and Univision all tied for first at 1.3, NBC for figure skating, CBS for “48 Hours Mystery” and Univision for “Sabado,” with ABC fourth with a 0.8 for a “Castle” rerun.
CBS led the night among households with a 3.7 average overnight rating and a 6 share. Fox was second at 3.5/6, NBC third at 2.7/5, and ABC and Univision tied for fourth at 1.8/3.
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