When Congress voted to move the start of daylight savings time up three weeks last year from April to March, the idea was to save energy. But a side effect has been to put a damper on TV ratings.
The extra hour or so of daylight has the effect of drawing people outside and away from their televisions. The impact was always apparent come April, but now, with daylight savings taking effect so early, the effect on television is much more notable, especially during the first hour of primetime.
On Sunday night, overall household TV usage at 7 p.m. slipped 7 percent week to week, from 60.4 percent to 56.1 percent, according to Nielsen. Among adults 18-49, the dip was even sharper, down 12 percent week to week, from 35.5 percent to 31.1 percent.
On Monday, ratings in that demographic were low across the board on broadcast at 8 p.m. ABC’s “The Bachelor” special had the franchise’s worst-ever rating for an original episode, NBC’s “My Dad is Better Than Your Dad” slipped to a series low, and Fox’s new “Canterbury’s Law” had the lowest premiere this year for a Monday night drama.
Last year, according to a Fox analysis of Nielsen data, the start of daylight savings time resulted in a decline of 6 percent for TV viewing levels among adults 18-49 compared with the same time the previous year, while slipping 9 percent compared to the previous two months.
As the weeks went on, the year-to-year declines diminished, but by that point the networks were already nearing May sweeps.
Certainly other factors affect viewership levels. The writers’ strike, the increased usage of digital video recorders and a generally lackluster crop of midseason programs are also reasons for year-to-year declines.
But these may also serve to worsen the daylight savings crunch. If viewers don’t feel a strong need to catch new shows or are satisfied relying on DVRs to tape their programs, they’ll feel even less pull toward the television when daylight hours stretch later and allow for more time outside, especially when the weather warms up over the coming weeks.
***
Meanwhile, in broadcast ratings for the week ended March 9:
Among adults 18-49, Fox was first with a 4.5 rating and a 12 share, followed by NBC at 2.4/6, ABC at 2.3/6, CBS at 2.2/6, Univision at 1.6/4, CW at 0.9/2, MyNetworkTV at 0.5/1, Telemundo at 0.4/1, TeleFutura at 0.3/1, and Ion and Azteca at 0.1/0.
Among adults 18-34, Fox led with a 3.9 rating and a 12 share, followed by ABC and Univision at 1.8/6, NBC at 1.7/5, CBS at 1.4/4, CW at 1.1/3, Telemundo at 0.5/1, MyNetworkTV at 0.4/1, Telefutura at 0.3/1, and Ion and Azteca at 0.1/0.
Among adults 25-54, Fox was first with a 5.1 rating and a 12 share, followed by NBC and CBS at 2.9/7, ABC at 2.8/7, Univision at 1.5/4, CW at 0.9/2, MyNetworkTV at 0.5/1, Telemundo at 0.4/1, TeleFutura at 0.3/1, Ion at 0.2/0 and Azteca at 0.1/0.
Top five English-language Big Five shows (18-49s): 1. Fox’s “American Idol - Tuesday” 10.6; 2. Fox’s “American Idol - Wednesday” 10.4; 3. Fox’s “American Idol - Thursday” 9.4; 4. Fox’s “Moment of Truth” 6.1; 5. ABC’s “Lost” 5.4.
Top five English-language Big Five shows (total viewers): 1. Fox’s “American Idol - Tuesday” 28.44 million; 2. Fox’s “American Idol - Wednesday” 28.32 million; 3. Fox’s “American Idol - Thursday” 26.5 million; 4. Fox’s “Moment of Truth” 14.72 million; 5. ABC’s “20/20: The Royal Family” 14.14 million.
Top five Live+7 English-language Big Five shows (Households, week ended Feb. 24): 1. ABC’s “Academy Awards” 18.8; 2. Fox’s “American Idol - Tuesday” 16.9; 3. Fox’s “American Idol - Wednesday” 16.8; 4. Fox’s “American Idol - Thursday” 14.0; 5. ABC’s “Oscars Red Carpet” 13.4.
Top five Live+7 English-language Big Five shows (18-49s, week ended Feb. 24): 1. Fox’s “American Idol - Wednesday” 11.9; 2. Fox’s “American Idol - Tuesday” 11.8; 3. ABC’s “Academy Awards” 10.8; 4. Fox’s “American Idol - Thursday” 9.0; 5. ABC’s “Lost” 6.7.
Show on the rise: “The Biggest Loser,” NBC, Tuesday 8 p.m. Even against “American Idol,” NBC’s weight-loss reality program jumped 21 percent week-to-week among 18-49s from a 2.9 rating to a 3.5.
Show on the decline: “Oprah’s Big Give,” ABC, Sunday 9 p.m. Although it still pulled a respectable 4.0 rating among viewers 18-49, “Big Give” was off almost 25 percent from a 5.3 rating for the previous week’s series premiere.
|
PRIMETIME AVERAGES BY NETWORK
Ranked on Households
Week Ending March 9 |
|
Network
|
Households
|
People 2+
|
Adults 18-49
|
|
Rtg%
|
(000)
|
Shr
|
Rtg%
|
(000)
|
Shr
|
Rtg%
|
(000)
|
Shr
|
|
FOX
|
7.1
|
8060
|
11
|
4.2
|
12120
|
11
|
4.5
|
5910
|
12
|
|
CBS
|
5.3
|
5970
|
9
|
2.8
|
8090
|
7
|
2.2
|
2860
|
6
|
|
NBC
|
5.0
|
5590
|
8
|
2.6
|
7540
|
7
|
2.4
|
3080
|
6
|
|
ABC
|
4.8
|
5420
|
8
|
2.6
|
7320
|
7
|
2.3
|
3070
|
6
|
|
UNI
|
1.9
|
2090
|
3
|
1.3
|
3690
|
3
|
1.6
|
2080
|
4
|
|
CW
|
1.5
|
1680
|
2
|
0.8
|
2320
|
2
|
0.9
|
1230
|
2
|
|
MNT
|
0.9
|
1010
|
1
|
0.5
|
1330
|
1
|
0.5
|
590
|
1
|
|
TEL
|
0.6
|
670
|
1
|
0.4
|
1060
|
1
|
0.4
|
570
|
1
|
|
ION
|
0.4
|
410
|
1
|
0.2
|
540
|
0
|
0.1
|
160
|
0
|
|
TF
|
0.4
|
400
|
1
|
0.2
|
640
|
1
|
0.3
|
430
|
1
|
|
AZA
|
0.1
|
100
|
0
|
0.1
|
160
|
0
|
0.1
|
110
|
0
|
|
*
Each rating point is equivalent to
1. 114
million homes
Source: Nielsen Media Research
|
|
SEASON-TO-DATE PRIMETIME AVERAGES BY NETWORK
Ranked on Households
Week Ending March 9 |
|
Network
|
Households
|
People 2+
|
Adults 18-49
|
|
Rtg%
|
(000)
|
Shr
|
Rtg%
|
(000)
|
Shr
|
Rtg%
|
(000)
|
Shr
|
|
CBS
|
6.8
|
7650
|
11
|
3.7
|
10650
|
9
|
3.0
|
3930
|
8
|
|
FOX
|
6.8
|
7620
|
11
|
4.0
|
11500
|
10
|
4.4
|
5710
|
12
|
|
ABC
|
6.0
|
6820
|
10
|
3.3
|
9360
|
8
|
3.1
|
4060
|
8
|
|
NBC
|
5.4
|
6120
|
9
|
3.0
|
8580
|
8
|
3.1
|
4020
|
8
|
|
UNI
|
1.8
|
2040
|
3
|
1.2
|
3530
|
3
|
1.5
|
1980
|
4
|
|
CW
|
1.7
|
1900
|
3
|
0.9
|
2610
|
2
|
1.0
|
1370
|
3
|
|
MNT
|
0.8
|
850
|
1
|
0.4
|
1120
|
1
|
0.4
|
550
|
1
|
|
TEL
|
0.6
|
650
|
1
|
0.4
|
1050
|
1
|
0.4
|
580
|
1
|
|
ION
|
0.4
|
430
|
1
|
0.2
|
550
|
0
|
0.1
|
170
|
0
|
|
TF
|
0.4
|
410
|
1
|
0.2
|
680
|
1
|
0.3
|
430
|
1
|
|
AZA
|
0.1
|
100
|
0
|
0.1
|
150
|
0
|
0.1
|
100
|
0
|
|
*
Each rating point is equivalent to
1. 114
million homes
Source: Nielsen Media Research
|
|
TOP 25 PROGRAMS – BROADCAST
Ranked on Households
Week Ending March 9 |
|
# |
PROGRAMS |
Net |
HOUSEHOLDS |
PERSONS 2+ |
|
Rtg% |
Shr |
(000) |
# |
Rtg% |
(000) |
|
1
|
AMERICAN IDOL-WEDNESDAY
|
FOX
|
16.0
|
25
|
18087
|
1
|
9.9
|
28324
|
|
2
|
AMERICAN IDOL-TUESDAY
|
FOX
|
15.9
|
24
|
17916
|
1
|
9.9
|
28463
|
|
3
|
AMERICAN IDOL THU SP-3/6(S)
|
FOX
|
15.0
|
23
|
16897
|
3
|
9.3
|
26502
|
|
4
|
20/20: THE ROYAL FAMILY(S)
|
ABC
|
9.7
|
15
|
10927
|
5
|
4.9
|
14142
|
|
5
|
MOMENT OF TRUTH
|
FOX
|
8.8
|
14
|
9948
|
4
|
5.1
|
14719
|
|
6
|
NEW AMSTERDAM
|
FOX
|
8.2
|
12
|
9203
|
6
|
4.7
|
13495
|
|
7
|
60 MINUTES
|
CBS
|
7.8
|
14
|
8822
|
10
|
4.1
|
11744
|
|
8
|
LOST
|
ABC
|
7.6
|
12
|
8591
|
7
|
4.5
|
13008
|
|
9
|
OPRAH'S BIG GIVE
|
ABC
|
7.4
|
11
|
8367
|
10
|
4.1
|
11878
|
|
10
|
EXTREME MAKEOVER:HOME ED.
|
ABC
|
7.3
|
12
|
8222
|
9
|
4.3
|
12407
|
|
10
|
SURVIVOR:
MICRONESIA
|
CBS
|
7.3
|
11
|
8233
|
8
|
4.4
|
12638
|
|
12
|
DEAL OR NO DEAL-MON
|
NBC
|
6.7
|
10
|
7593
|
12
|
3.8
|
10821
|
|
12
|
NCIS
|
CBS
|
6.7
|
10
|
7547
|
13
|
3.6
|
10246
|
|
14
|
LAW AND ORDER
|
NBC
|
6.5
|
11
|
7322
|
17
|
3.4
|
9630
|
|
14
|
WITHOUT A TRACE
|
CBS
|
6.5
|
11
|
7342
|
19
|
3.3
|
9568
|
|
16
|
CSI
|
CBS
|
6.4
|
10
|
7168
|
17
|
3.4
|
9712
|
|
16
|
CSI:
MIAMI
|
CBS
|
6.4
|
11
|
7209
|
19
|
3.3
|
9355
|
|
16
|
PRICE IS RIGHT PRIMETIME
|
CBS
|
6.4
|
11
|
7260
|
13
|
3.6
|
10297
|
|
19
|
TWO AND A HALF MEN
|
CBS
|
6.3
|
9
|
7080
|
15
|
3.5
|
9957
|
|
20
|
LAW AND ORDER:SVU
|
NBC
|
6.2
|
11
|
7040
|
21
|
3.2
|
9063
|
|
20
|
NEW AMSTERDAM
SP-3/6 9P(S)
|
FOX
|
6.2
|
10
|
7044
|
15
|
3.5
|
10123
|
|
22
|
CRIMINAL MINDS
|
CBS
|
6.0
|
9
|
6754
|
21
|
3.2
|
9031
|
|
22
|
MEDIUM
|
NBC
|
6.0
|
10
|
6771
|
21
|
3.2
|
9078
|
|
24
|
APPRENTICE 7
|
NBC
|
5.9
|
9
|
6629
|
24
|
3.1
|
8842
|
|
24
|
DEAL OR NO DEAL-WED
|
NBC
|
5.9
|
9
|
6623
|
24
|
3.1
|
8950
|
|
Source: Nielsen Media Research |
|
TOP 25 PROGRAMS – BROADCAST
Adults 18-49
Week Ending March 9 |
|
Rank |
Program |
Net |
Rtg% |
(000) |
|
1
|
AMERICAN IDOL-TUESDAY
|
FOX
|
10.6
|
13844
|
|
2
|
AMERICAN IDOL-WEDNESDAY
|
FOX
|
10.4
|
13591
|
|
3
|
AMERICAN IDOL THU SP-3/6(S)
|
FOX
|
9.4
|
12336
|
|
4
|
MOMENT OF TRUTH
|
FOX
|
6.1
|
7987
|
|
5
|
LOST
|
ABC
|
5.4
|
7076
|
|
6
|
NEW AMSTERDAM
|
FOX
|
4.5
|
5916
|
|
7
|
EXTREME MAKEOVER:HOME ED.
|
ABC
|
4.1
|
5324
|
|
8
|
OPRAH'S BIG GIVE
|
ABC
|
4.0
|
5235
|
|
8
|
SURVIVOR:
MICRONESIA
|
CBS
|
4.0
|
5272
|
|
10
|
20/20: THE ROYAL FAMILY(S)
|
ABC
|
3.7
|
4859
|
|
10
|
FAMILY GUY
|
FOX
|
3.7
|
4912
|
|
12
|
APPRENTICE 7
|
NBC
|
3.5
|
4541
|
|
12
|
BIGGEST LOSER 5
|
NBC
|
3.5
|
4620
|
|
12
|
HERE COME THE NEWLYWEDS
|
ABC
|
3.5
|
4629
|
|
12
|
NEW AMSTERDAM
SP-3/6 9P(S)
|
FOX
|
3.5
|
4580
|
|
12
|
SIMPSONS
|
FOX
|
3.5
|
4595
|
|
17
|
TERMINATOR: SRH CNR CHRON
|
FOX
|
3.3
|
4386
|
|
17
|
TWO AND A HALF MEN
|
CBS
|
3.3
|
4286
|
|
19
|
DEAL OR NO DEAL-MON
|
NBC
|
3.1
|
4110
|
|
19
|
KING OF THE HILL
|
FOX
|
3.1
|
3999
|
|
21
|
MEDIUM
|
NBC
|
3.0
|
3912
|
|
21
|
TERMINATOR:SCC SP-3/3 8P(S)
|
FOX
|
3.0
|
3910
|
|
23
|
LAW AND ORDER
|
NBC
|
2.9
|
3815
|
|
23
|
OLD CHRISTINE
|
CBS
|
2.9
|
3850
|
|
25
|
LAW AND ORDER:SVU
|
NBC
|
2.8
|
3668
|
|
25
|
SUPERNANNY
|
ABC
|
2.8
|
3627
|
|
Source: Nielsen Media Research |
|
SPANISH-LANGUAGE TELEVISION (WEEKLY COLLAPSED)
Ranked on Households
Week Ending March 9 |
|
# |
PROGRAMS |
Net |
NHTI |
P2+ (000) |
|
1
|
AL
DIABLO CON GUAPOS M-F
|
UNI
|
21.4
|
4758
|
|
2
|
DON FRANCISCO PRESENTA WE
|
UNI
|
17.8
|
3455
|
|
3
|
PREMIOS F. MUSICAL 08 3/9(S)-03/09/2008
|
UNI
|
17.5
|
4156
|
|
4
|
PASION M-F
|
UNI
|
17.0
|
3536
|
|
5
|
CRISTINA MON
|
UNI
|
15.1
|
2881
|
|
6
|
YO AMO JUAN QUERENDON M-F
|
UNI
|
14.6
|
2975
|
|
7
|
NUESTRA BELLEZA FRI
|
UNI
|
13.7
|
2929
|
|
7
|
NOCHE ESTRLLS PF MUS 3/9(S)-03/09/2008
|
UNI
|
13.7
|
2929
|
|
9
|
SABADO GIGANTE SAT
|
UNI
|
13.4
|
2923
|
|
10
|
AMAS CASA DESESPERADS THU
|
UNI
|
13.3
|
2596
|
|
11
|
AQUI Y AHORA TUE
|
UNI
|
13.2
|
2413
|
|
12
|
FAMILIA P. LUCHE SUN
|
UNI
|
11.1
|
2159
|
|
13
|
HORA PICO SUN
|
UNI
|
10.6
|
2012
|
|
14
|
VICTORIA M-F
|
TEL
|
8.2
|
1514
|
|
15
|
FAMILIA DE DIEZ SAT
|
UNI
|
7.3
|
1382
|
|
16
|
CHAVO ANIMADO SAT
|
UNI
|
7.0
|
1472
|
|
17
|
PECADOS AJENOS M-F
|
TEL
|
5.1
|
926
|
|
18
|
12 CORAZONES M-F
|
TEL
|
5.0
|
1012
|
|
19
|
FUTBOL LIGA MEX SAT
|
TF
|
4.8
|
1058
|
|
19
|
TRAICION M-F
|
TEL
|
4.8
|
822
|
|
21
|
MARAV MUNDO DISNEY 3/9(S)-03/09/2008
|
TEL
|
4.1
|
874
|
|
22
|
CINE MILLONARIO
|
TEL
|
4.0
|
912
|
|
23
|
CINE EN CASA SAT
|
TEL
|
3.9
|
861
|
|
24
|
CON LA MIGRA ESPLDAS 3/9(S)-03/09/2008
|
TF
|
3.8
|
730
|
|
25
|
CINE DE IMPACTO
|
TEL
|
3.6
|
893
|
|
25
|
CINE DE LAS ESTRELLAS M-THU
|
TF
|
3.6
|
689
|
|
* Nielsen Hispanic Television Index; ratings based on 11.63 million Hispanic TV homes.
Source: Nielsen Media Research |
|
HISPANIC ENGLISH-LANGUAGE VIEWING
Ranked on Households
Week Ending March 9 |
|
# |
PROGRAMS |
Net |
NHTI |
P2+(000) |
|
1
|
AMERICAN IDOL THU SP-3/6(S)-03/06/2008
|
FOX
|
6.7
|
1306
|
|
2
|
AMERICAN IDOL-TUESDAY
|
FOX
|
6.2
|
1172
|
|
3
|
AMERICAN IDOL-WEDNESDAY
|
FOX
|
5.6
|
1172
|
|
4
|
AMW:
AMERICA FIGHTS BACK
|
FOX
|
4.5
|
792
|
|
5
|
MOMENT OF TRUTH
|
FOX
|
4.4
|
960
|
|
6
|
FRIDAY NIGHT SMACKDOWN
|
CW
|
4.2
|
926
|
|
7
|
COPS 2
|
FOX
|
3.8
|
737
|
|
7
|
SIMPSONS
|
FOX
|
3.8
|
613
|
|
7
|
FAMILY GUY
|
FOX
|
3.8
|
652
|
|
10
|
LOST
|
ABC
|
3.7
|
571
|
|
* Nielsen Hispanic Television Index; ratings based on 11.63 million Hispanic TV homes.
Source: Nielsen Media Research |
|
AFRICAN AMERICAN AUDIENCE ESTIMATES
Ranked on Households
Week Ending March 2 |
|
# |
PROGRAMS |
Net |
Rtg |
P2+(000) |
|
1
|
ABC PREMIERE EVENT-2/25
|
ABC
|
27.4
|
5411
|
|
2
|
AMERICAN IDOL THU SP-2/28
|
FOX
|
14.8
|
2892
|
|
3
|
AMERICAN IDOL-TUESDAY
|
FOX
|
14.6
|
2889
|
|
4
|
AMERICAN IDOL-WEDNESDAY
|
FOX
|
14.3
|
2949
|
|
5
|
OPRAH'S BIG GIVE
|
ABC
|
10.7
|
2051
|
|
6
|
DON'T FORGET THE LYRICS
|
FOX
|
10.2
|
1848
|
|
7
|
LAW AND ORDER
|
NBC
|
8.4
|
1442
|
|
8
|
60 MINUTES
|
CBS
|
8.0
|
1472
|
|
9
|
EXTREME MAKEOVER:HOME ED.
|
ABC
|
7.6
|
1386
|
|
10
|
BACK TO YOU SP-2/26 9:30P
|
FOX
|
7.5
|
1473
|
|
* Ratings based on 13.45 million African American TV homes.
Source: Nielsen Media Research |
|
TOP 30 NETWORK SPORTS PROGRAMS
Ranked on Households
Week Ending February 17
|
|
# |
PROGRAMS |
Net |
Episode |
Households |
Persons 2+ |
|
US
Rtg% |
Shr |
(000) |
(000) |
|
1 |
FOX AFC-NFC PRO BOWL(S)-02/10/2008
|
FOX
|
AFC VS NFC
|
6.3
|
12
|
7118
|
9971
|
|
2 |
BUDWEISER SHOOT-OUT(S)-02/09/2008
|
FOX
|
|
5.1
|
9
|
5734
|
8542
|
|
3 |
FOX NASCAR DAYTONA QUAL(S)-02/10/2008
|
FOX
|
|
2.9
|
7
|
3231
|
4435
|
|
4 |
NBA ON ABC-SUN 2
|
ABC
|
|
