With the end of 2007 came not only a new year but what promises to be a new era for the broadcast networks.
After two months of coasting through the writers’ strike with a stockpile of highly rated dramas and comedies filmed well in advance, the networks enter January with only a few remaining new episodes of hits like “Grey’s Anatomy” and “CSI.”
The networks are about to see their collective ratings slip, despite the upcoming premieres of a few strong reality shows, a handful of returning hits, and the end of what have been an exciting pro and college football seasons. Those may well prevent massive ratings losses, but they can't make up for the lack of scripted programming.
Season to date, the Big Four broadcasters’ combined adults 18-49 average rating has fallen 5 percent, from 14.2 to 13.5. Only Fox has seen improvements over last year, rising 10 percent over 2006 to a fourth-place 3.2 average.
Those averages include only live and same-day digital video recorder viewership, and the networks credit DVRs for much of the year-to-year erosion. Indeed, this year Nielsen doubled its DVR sample compared with the 2006-’07 season, and seven-day playback averages are more encouraging.
But all that said, it's not been a strong season, and things are about to get worse.
The networks simply don’t have much left in terms of original scripted episodes.
ABC airs its final fresh “Desperate Housewives” this Sunday, using it as a lead-in to launch the new “Sex and the City” wannabe drama “Cashmere Mafia.” The network also has its final filmed “Grey’s Anatomy” airing a week from tonight. But after that the network will be without fresh originals of its top two dramas.
“Grey’s” and “Housewives” repeats draw dismally low ratings, losing up to two-thirds of the originals’ audience. So do those of "Pushing Daisies" and "Private Practice," two solid new dramas that are also out of episodes.
CBS has only two original “CSIs” left and none of “Two and a Half Men,” broadcast’s top sitcom. Its one consolation is that its dramas tend to repeat better than the other networks.
NBC ran out of original episodes of “Heroes” and “The Office,” its top-rated drama and sitcom, before the new year. NBC and CBS do have NFL postseason games the next four weeks, but only about half of those will air in primetime.
Network executives have said they believe the flush of new reality shows and cable retreads they're rolling out will stem much of the decline, but few media buyers would agree. Their sense is that we'll soon begin to see a lot more weeks like the one before Christmas, when only a handful of originals aired and just one broadcaster, NBC, managed a weekly average rating higher than 2.5.
Only Fox’s ratings seem likely to remain steady or even increase in the coming weeks. It has a new season of “American Idol” and new dramas “Canterbury’s Law” and “Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles.” In addition, its animated comedies have stockpiled a number of unaired episodes, and top-rated drama “House” also has a few new episodes.
|
PRIMETIME AVERAGES BY NETWORK
Ranked on Households
Week Ending December 30 |
|
Network
|
Households
|
People 2+
|
Adults 18-49
|
|
Rtg%
|
(000)
|
Shr
|
Rtg%
|
(000)
|
Shr
|
Rtg%
|
(000)
|
Shr
|
|
CBS
|
5.3
|
5990
|
10
|
3.0
|
8560
|
8
|
2.3
|
2980
|
7
|
|
NBC
|
5.1
|
5740
|
9
|
2.9
|
8210
|
8
|
2.7
|
3570
|
8
|
|
FOX
|
3.6
|
4070
|
7
|
2.1
|
6060
|
6
|
2.2
|
2870
|
7
|
|
ABC
|
3.3
|
3750
|
6
|
1.8
|
5210
|
5
|
1.6
|
2040
|
5
|
|
UNI
|
1.5
|
1700
|
3
|
1.1
|
3190
|
3
|
1.4
|
1790
|
4
|
|
CW
|
1.1
|
1210
|
2
|
0.6
|
1660
|
2
|
0.6
|
740
|
2
|
|
MNT
|
0.7
|
820
|
1
|
0.4
|
1130
|
1
|
0.4
|
470
|
1
|
|
TEL
|
0.5
|
540
|
1
|
0.3
|
930
|
1
|
0.4
|
520
|
1
|
|
ION
|
0.4
|
460
|
1
|
0.2
|
610
|
1
|
0.1
|
150
|
0
|
|
TF
|
0.3
|
340
|
1
|
0.2
|
660
|
1
|
0.3
|
430
|
1
|
|
AZA
|
0.1
|
80
|
0
|
0.0
|
130
|
0
|
0.1
|
80
|
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 December 30 |
|
Network
|
Households
|
People 2+
|
Adults 18-49
|
|
Rtg%
|
(000)
|
Shr
|
Rtg%
|
(000)
|
Shr
|
Rtg%
|
(000)
|
Shr
|
|
CBS
|
7.4
|
8310
|
12
|
4.1
|
11620
|
10
|
3.3
|
4360
|
9
|
|
ABC
|
6.8
|
7620
|
11
|
3.6
|
10410
|
9
|
3.4
|
4480
|
9
|
|
NBC
|
5.5
|
6210
|
9
|
3.0
|
8710
|
8
|
3.3
|
4270
|
9
|
|
FOX
|
5.2
|
5900
|
8
|
3.0
|
8450
|
7
|
3.1
|
4110
|
8
|
|
UNI
|
1.8
|
2060
|
3
|
1.2
|
3520
|
3
|
1.5
|
1970
|
4
|
|
CW
|
1.8
|
2040
|
3
|
1.0
|
2810
|
2
|
1.1
|
1500
|
3
|
|
MNT
|
0.7
|
790
|
1
|
0.4
|
1030
|
1
|
0.4
|
500
|
1
|
|
TEL
|
0.5
|
610
|
1
|
0.3
|
980
|
1
|
0.4
|
540
|
1
|
|
ION
|
0.4
|
440
|
1
|
0.2
|
570
|
1
|
0.1
|
160
|
0
|
|
TF
|
0.4
|
400
|
1
|
0.2
|
670
|
1
|
0.3
|
420
|
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 December 30 |
|
# |
PROGRAMS |
Net |
HOUSEHOLDS |
PERSONS 2+ |
|
Rtg% |
Shr |
(000) |
# |
Rtg% |
(000) |
|
1
|
NBC SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
|
NBC
|
9.7
|
16
|
10994
|
1
|
5.5
|
15802
|
|
2
|
NFL SAT NIGHT SPECIAL(S)
|
CBS
|
8.7
|
15
|
9864
|
1
|
5.5
|
15679
|
|
3
|
60 MINUTES
|
CBS
|
7.7
|
13
|
8645
|
4
|
4.3
|
12393
|
|
3
|
NBC NFL SPECIAL 12/29(S)
|
NBC
|
7.7
|
13
|
8674
|
3
|
4.6
|
13228
|
|
5
|
CSI
|
CBS
|
7.0
|
12
|
7852
|
5
|
3.7
|
10686
|
|
6
|
WITHOUT A TRACE
|
CBS
|
6.9
|
12
|
7821
|
5
|
3.7
|
10543
|
|
7
|
SUNDAY NIGHT NFL PRE-KICK
|
NBC
|
6.3
|
11
|
7154
|
7
|
3.6
|
10381
|
|
8
|
CSI: NY THURSDAY 8PM SP(S)
|
CBS
|
6.0
|
10
|
6762
|
10
|
3.3
|
9492
|
|
9
|
AMAZING RACE 12
|
CBS
|
5.9
|
9
|
6648
|
8
|
3.4
|
9685
|
|
9
|
CRIMINAL MINDS - 8PM SPC(S)
|
CBS
|
5.9
|
10
|
6650
|
11
|
3.1
|
8970
|
|
9
|
LAW & ORDER:SVU10P12/26(S)
|
NBC
|
5.9
|
11
|
6666
|
13
|
3.0
|
8692
|
|
12
|
DEAL OR NO DEAL 12/25(S)
|
NBC
|
5.8
|
12
|
6537
|
8
|
3.4
|
9778
|
|
13
|
OT, THE
|
FOX
|
5.7
|
10
|
6376
|
11
|
3.1
|
8790
|
|
14
|
LAW AND ORDER:SVU 9P12/26(S)
|
NBC
|
5.1
|
9
|
5740
|
18
|
2.6
|
7534
|
|
15
|
COLD CASE
|
CBS
|
5.0
|
8
|
5654
|
18
|
2.6
|
7547
|
|
16
|
LAW AND ORDER:SVU 12/25(S)
|
NBC
|
4.9
|
10
|
5560
|
15
|
2.7
|
7595
|
|
17
|
FOOTBALL NT
AMERICA PT 3
|
NBC
|
4.8
|
8
|
5454
|
15
|
2.7
|
7715
|
|
18
|
NBC NFL SP PRE-KICK 12/29(S)
|
NBC
|
4.7
|
9
|
5336
|
14
|
2.8
|
7983
|
|
19
|
ABC SUN MOVIE OF WK-12/30(S)
|
ABC
|
4.6
|
8
|
5211
|
15
|
2.7
|
7651
|
|
19
|
SHARK
|
CBS
|
4.6
|
8
|
5136
|
23
|
2.4
|
6858
|
|
21
|
NUMB3RS
|
CBS
|
4.5
|
8
|
5038
|
23
|
2.4
|
6735
|
|
22
|
NCIS - SPECIAL(S)
|
CBS
|
4.4
|
9
|
5000
|
20
|
2.5
|
7157
|
|
23
|
GREY'S ANATOMY-THU 9PM
|
ABC
|
4.3
|
7
|
4885
|
31
|
2.1
|
6081
|
|
23
|
MOST OUTRAG MOMNTS8P12/26(S)
|
NBC
|
4.3
|
7
|
4833
|
23
|
2.4
|
6837
|
|
23
|
WOMEN'S MURDER CLUB
|
ABC
|
4.3
|
8
|
4850
|
27
|
2.3
|
6605
|
|
Source: Nielsen Media Research |
|
TOP 25 PROGRAMS – BROADCAST
Adults 18-49
Week Ending December 30 |
|
Rank |
Program |
Net |
Rtg% |
(000) |
|
1
|
NBC SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
|
NBC
|
5.9
|
7672
|
|
2
|
NFL SAT NIGHT SPECIAL(S)
|
CBS
|
5.3
|
6925
|
|
3
|
NBC NFL SPECIAL 12/29(S)
|
NBC
|
4.7
|
6112
|
|
4
|
SUNDAY NIGHT NFL PRE-KICK
|
NBC
|
3.7
|
4905
|
|
5
|
OT, THE
|
FOX
|
3.5
|
4534
|
|
6
|
FAMILY GUY
|
FOX
|
3.2
|
4143
|
|
6
|
SIMPSONS
|
FOX
|
3.2
|
4216
|
|
8
|
AMAZING RACE 12
|
CBS
|
2.9
|
3775
|
|
9
|
AMERICAN DAD
|
FOX
|
2.8
|
3651
|
|
9
|
FOOTBALL NT
AMERICA PT 3
|
NBC
|
2.8
|
3659
|
|
11
|
60 MINUTES
|
CBS
|
2.6
|
3415
|
|
11
|
CSI
|
CBS
|
2.6
|
3373
|
|
11
|
DEAL OR NO DEAL 12/25(S)
|
NBC
|
2.6
|
3392
|
|
11
|
KING OF THE HILL
|
FOX
|
2.6
|
3377
|
|
11
|
WITHOUT A TRACE
|
CBS
|
2.6
|
3423
|
|
16
|
HOUSE SP-XMAS 9P(S)
|
FOX
|
2.5
|
3220
|
|
17
|
FOX MOVIE SP-12/26 8P(S)
|
FOX
|
2.4
|
3164
|
|
17
|
LAW & ORDER:SVU10P12/26(S)
|
NBC
|
2.4
|
3210
|
|
17
|
NBC NFL SP PRE-KICK 12/29(S)
|
NBC
|
2.4
|
3187
|
|
20
|
CSI: NY THURSDAY 8PM SP(S)
|
CBS
|
2.1
|
2808
|
|
20
|
FOX MOVIE SP-12/27 8P(S)
|
FOX
|
2.1
|
2775
|
|
20
|
LAW AND ORDER:SVU 12/25(S)
|
NBC
|
2.1
|
2691
|
|
23
|
ABC SUN MOVIE OF WK-12/30(S)
|
ABC
|
2.0
|
2624
|
|
23
|
AMW:
AMERICA FIGHTS BACK
|
FOX
|
2.0
|
2560
|
|
23
|
GREY'S ANATOMY-THU 9PM
|
ABC
|
2.0
|
2611
|
|
Source: Nielsen Media Research |
|
SPANISH-LANGUAGE TELEVISION (WEEKLY COLLAPSED)
Ranked on Households
Week Ending December 23 |
|
# |
PROGRAMS |
Net |
NHTI |
P2+ (000) |
|
1
|
PASION M-F
|
UNI
|
16.8
|
3437
|
|
2
|
AMAR SIN LIMITES M-F
|
UNI
|
15.9
|
3407
|
|
3
|
YO AMO JUAN QUERENDON M-F
|
UNI
|
15.1
|
3233
|
|
4
|
BAILANDO CAMP INTER SUN
|
UNI
|
14.4
|
3147
|
|
4
|
DON FRANCISCO PRESENTA WE
|
UNI
|
14.4
|
2666
|
|
6
|
CRISTINA MON
|
UNI
|
14.3
|
2827
|
|
6
|
NAVIDAD P. LUCHE 12/21(S)-12/21/2007
|
UNI
|
14.3
|
3259
|
|
8
|
SABADO GIGANTE SAT
|
UNI
|
13.2
|
2562
|
|
9
|
VER
PARA CREER-TUE
|
UNI
|
13.1
|
2359
|
|
10
|
AQUI Y AHORA THU
|
UNI
|
12.5
|
2310
|
|
11
|
HORA PICO SUN
|
UNI
|
8.8
|
1938
|
|
11
|
PARODIA SAT
|
UNI
|
8.8
|
1711
|
|
13
|
FAMILIA DE DIEZ SAT
|
UNI
|
8.6
|
1676
|
|
14
|
VICTORIA M-F
|
TEL
|
6.7
|
1311
|
|
15
|
MADRE LUNA M-F
|
TEL
|
5.5
|
982
|
|
16
|
PECADOS AJENOS M-F
|
TEL
|
4.4
|
895
|
|
17
|
12 CORAZONES M-F
|
TEL
|
4.2
|
809
|
|
18
|
CINE MILLONARIO
|
TEL
|
3.7
|
1065
|
|
19
|
CINE DE IMPACTO
|
TEL
|
3.6
|
768
|
|
20
|
CINE DE LAS ESTREL SUN
|
TF
|
3.5
|
841
|
|
21
|
CINE DE LAS ESTRELLAS M-THU
|
TF
|
3.4
|
755
|
|
22
|
SOLO BOXEO TECATE FRI
|
TF
|
3.1
|
577
|
|
22
|
CINE DE LAS ESTREL SUN 2
|
TF
|
3.1
|
789
|
|
24
|
QUE DICE LA GENTE M-F
|
TF
|
2.9
|
548
|
|
25
|
CINE EN CASA
|
TEL
|
2.7
|
670
|
|
25
|
ATREVETE A SONAR-LR 12/22(S)-12/22/2007
|
TEL
|
2.7
|
398
|
|
* 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 December 23 |
|
# |
PROGRAMS |
Net |
NHTI |
P2+(000) |
|
1
|
FRIDAY NIGHT SMACKDOWN
|
CW
|
5.0
|
1003
|
|
2
|
NBC SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
|
NBC
|
4.5
|
744
|
|
3
|
CBS NFL NATL POST GUN
|
CBS
|
4.4
|
795
|
|
4
|
COPS 2
|
FOX
|
4.0
|
800
|
|
4
|
CSI:
MIAMI
|
CBS
|
4.0
|
683
|
|
6
|
AMW:
AMERICA FIGHTS BACK
|
FOX
|
3.8
|
734
|
|
7
|
BIGGEST LOSER 4
|
NBC
|
3.7
|
647
|
|
8
|
CANE
|
CBS
|
3.5
|
629
|
|
8
|
WONDERFUL WRLD DISNEY SPL(S)-12/23/2007
|
ABC
|
3.5
|
695
|
|
8
|
TWO AND A HALF MEN 930 SP(S)-12/17/2007
|
CBS
|
3.5
|
529
|
|
* 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 December 23 |
|
# |
PROGRAMS |
Net |
Rtg |
P2+(000) |
|
1
|
NBC SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
|
NBC
|
11.7
|
2188
|
|
2
|
CSI:
MIAMI
|
CBS
|
10.4
|
1809
|
|
3
|
CLASH OF CHOIRS 12/20
|
NBC
|
9.3
|
1695
|
|
4
|
CLASH OF CHOIRS 12/17
|
NBC
|
9.2
|
1746
|
|
5
|
CSI: NY
|
CBS
|
8.7
|
1344
|
|
5
|
CLASH OF CHOIRS 12/19
|
NBC
|
8.7
|
1599
|
|
7
|
60 MINUTES
|
CBS
|
8.6
|
1561
|
|
8
|
WITHOUT A TRACE
|
CBS
|
8.3
|
1443
|
|
9
|
CLASH OF CHOIRS 12/18
|
NBC
|
7.9
|
1523
|
|
9
|
SUNDAY NIGHT NFL PRE-KICK
|
NBC
|
7.9
|
1369
|
|
* Ratings based on 13.45 million African American TV homes.
Source: Nielsen Media Research |
|
TOP 30 NETWORK SPORTS PROGRAMS
Ranked on Households
Week Ending December 9 |
|
# |
PROGRAMS |
Net |
Episode |
Households |
Persons 2+ |
|
US
Rtg% |
Shr |
(000) |
(000) |
|
1 |
CBS NFL NATIONAL
|
CBS
|
VARIOUS TEAMS AND TIMES
|
18.4
|
32
|
20804
|
30257
|
|
2 |
CBS NFL NATL POST GUN
|
CBS
|
CLEVELAND
AT NY JETS/OAK AT GB
|
13.2
|
22
|
14858
|
21445
|
|
3 |
FOX NFL SUNDAY-SINGLE
|
FOX
|
VARIOUS TEAMS AND TIMES
|
12.9
|
27
|
14595
|
20315
|
|
4 |
NBC SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
|
NBC
|
INDIANAPOLIS
AT
BALTIMORE
|
8.1
|
13
|
9107
|
12734
|
|
5 |
CBS NFL REGIONAL
|
