Among the cable networks that have most benefited from the writers’ strike, one certainly is Bravo.
Since it airs unscripted shows almost exclusively, the strike didn’t hurt its production. And while ratings for the broadcast networks plummeted amid a spate of reruns and low-rated originals, Bravo posted its best-ever February numbers, even with two new primetime shows.
But what really pushed Bravo ahead was the fourth season of “Project Runway,” which wraps up tonight at 10 p.m. The judges will choose from Jillian Lewis, Rami Kashou or Christian Siriano, the finalists who all present collections at New York’s Fashion Week.
Last week the first part of the season finale averaged 3.6 million total viewers and 2.53 million adults 18-49, topping broadcast competitor “Men in Trees” in the latter and placing first for the night on cable. “Runway” should do even better tonight, considering last year’s finale drew a network record 5.4 million, and the show has already grown by 800,000 since last fall’s season premiere.
“Runway” helped fuel Bravo to the network’s highest-rated five weeks in primetime in network history, according to Nielsen. For the month, the network averaged 425,000 in its target 18-49s, up 26 percent over last year’s 338,000.
Promotions airing on “Runway” helped launch two new shows that have also posted strong ratings. “Make Me a Supermodel,” an “America’s Next Top Model” clone with male and female wannabes, has averaged 702,000 18-49s and become the network’s top Thursday 10 p.m. show ever.
And “The Millionaire Matchmaker,” another reality program, has averaged 624,000 18-49s Tuesdays at 10 p.m.
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A look at this week’s top TV draws
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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5
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Time
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Network
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Program
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Description
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7 a.m.
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ABC
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“Good Morning America” (N)
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Among other things, a preview of the new cable show “High School Confidential.”
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7 p.m.
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ESPN2
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“College Basketball” (S)
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Syracuse takes on Seton Hall as both teams try to keep their NCAA Tournament hopes alive.
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8 p.m.
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Fox
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“American Idol” (R)
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Tonight the final eight female performers get their chance.
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8 p.m.
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CW
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“America’s Next Top Model” (R)
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Someone’s bound to have a breakdown after the models all receive makeovers.
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9 p.m.
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Fox
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“Moment of Truth” (G)
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The show didn’t do as well on Monday last week, but it should perk back up behind “Idol.”
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10 p.m.
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NBC
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“Law & Order” (D)
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A counselor who helped – and may have been intimate with – teens turns up dead.
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10 p.m.
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Bravo
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“Project Runway” (R)
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Season finale. Victoria Beckham is a guest judge and helps select this season’s winner.
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THURSDAY, MARCH 6
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Time
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Network
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Program
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Description
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8 p.m.
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CBS
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“Survivor” (R)
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It should get interesting when the fan and favorite tribes are shuffled up.
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8 p.m.
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Fox
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“American Idol” (R)
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Two more males and two more females are eliminated, revealing the 12 finalists.
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8 p.m.
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BET
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“College Hill Reunion” (R)
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First of a two-parter in which cast members from the first three seasons discuss their experiences.
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9 p.m.
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ABC
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“Lost” (D)
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Juliet tries to stop Charlotte and Faraday from finishing their task.
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9 p.m.
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Fox
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“New Amsterdam” (D)
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A flashback to 1941 reveals a secret about Amsterdam.
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10 p.m.
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ABC
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“Eli Stone” (D)
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Eli’s antics put him in danger of being disbarred.
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10 p.m.
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A&E
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“Crime 360” (N)
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Series premiere. Following authorities from the time they arrive at a crime scene until it’s solved.
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FRIDAY, MARCH 7
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Time
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Network
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Program
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Description
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7 a.m.
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NBC
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“Today” (N)
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Figure skaters Jamie Sale and David Pelletier perform at the Rock Rink.
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8 p.m.
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NBC
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“Amne$ia” (G)
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How will it do in its second straight week against “Price is Right?”
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8 p.m.
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CBS
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“The Price is Right” (G)
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Drew Carey gives contestants more chances to win $1 million.
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9:30 p.m.
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HBO
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“In Treatment” (D)
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Kate and Paul get into it when her position in his life is questioned.
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10 p.m.
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History Channel
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“Battle 360” (N)
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The Enterprise’s role in the 1942 Battle of Midway.
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10:30 p.m.
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ESPN
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“NBA Basketball” (S)
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The Nuggets host the Spurs in an important Western Conference matchup.
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SATURDAY, MARCH 8
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Time
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Network
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Program
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Description
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Noon
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CBS
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“College Basketball” (S)
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Huge Big East game between Georgetown and Louisville.
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3 p.m.
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NBC
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“PGA Golf” (S)
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Third round play of the PODS Championship, from Palm Harbor, Fla.
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3:30 p.m.
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ABC
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“College Basketball” (S)
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California takes on fun-to-watch UCLA (keep an eye on them for you office pool).
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8 p.m.
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Fox
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“Cops” (R)
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Street-crime cops in Oregon bust a drug deal in progress at a local park.
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9 p.m.
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ESPN
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“College Basketball” (S)
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Can North Carolina avenge its defeat to Duke from earlier this season?
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9:30 p.m.
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HBO
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“Boxing” (S)
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Heavyweight championship match between Oleg Maskaev and Samuel Peter, live from Cancun.
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SUNDAY, MARCH 9
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Time
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Network
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Program
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Description
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2 p.m.
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CBS
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“College Basketball” (S)
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Missouri Valley Conference tourney final, winner goes to the big dance.
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3 p.m.
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NBC
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“PGA Golf” (S)
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Final round of the PODS Championship, which Mark Calcavecchia won last year.
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3:30 p.m.
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ABC
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“NBA Basketball” (S)
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Parker, Duncan and the Spurs versus Nash, Shaq and the Suns in Phoenix.
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8 p.m.
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Fox
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“The Simpsons” (C)
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Marge gets a hidden-camera reality show to watch over Homer after he cheats on his diet.
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9 p.m.
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ABC
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“Oprah’s Big Give” (G)
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The final nine contestants are each dropped in a city where they don’t know anyone, and they’re tasked with giving away money creatively.
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10 p.m.
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FX
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“Dirt” (D)
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Lucy tries to dig up info on a star who’s released early after a DUI arrest.
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10:30 p.m.
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VH1
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“My Fair Brady” (R)
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Season finale. The couple renews their wedding vows while vacationing in Hawaii.
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A = awards show or special, C = comedy, D = drama, DD = daytime drama, G = game show, K = kids, M = movie, N = news/documentary, R = reality, S = sports, T = talk/variety show.
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