The primetime sitcom is in serious trouble, and has been for some time.
Now it's in real serious trouble.
Six weeks into the new season, ratings for every new broadcast sitcom are weak. There’s a real possibility that none of those seven new comedies will make it to a second season.
"Ugly Betty," ABC's 60-minute comedy, is not included in this analysis, as it is more of a romantic dramedy than traditional sitcom.
No new traditional half-hour sitcom is averaging above a 3.5 rating in adults 18-49, about the bare minimum a show needs to survive. The two highest-rated of the seven, ABC’s “Help Me Help You” and CBS’s “The Class,” are both averaging a 3.2 rating in adults 18-49.
The remaining five, Fox’s “Happy Hour” and “’Til Death,” NBC’s “Twenty Good Years” and “30 Rock,” and CW’s “The Game,” the only one with a full-season order, are all well below a 3.0 average.
By comparison, last year’s highest-rated new sitcom, NBC’s “My Name is Earl,” averaged a 4.8. The highest-rated new sitcom the previous year, NBC’s “Joey,” averaged a 4.2.
Even returning sitcoms have been weakening this year. Ratings for “Earl,” CW’s entire sitcom lineup, top sitcom “Two and a Half Men” and No. 2 “The New Adventures of Old Christine” are all down compared with last season.
Thus the much-asked question arises yet again, why is the sitcom dying? There are many theories.
Some point to the outstanding quality of dramas right now on television. Eight of the top nine shows in 18-49s this season are dramas, and media people agree that the selection of dramas has rarely been better.
Viewers are willing to devote only so many hours to television. With so many 60-minute drama must-sees, that leaves little room for sitcoms.
Another reason for sitcoms’ decline may be that reality and game shows are increasingly squeezing them out. Sitcoms require that same sort of mindless viewing without a full investment in the show; viewers can pop in and out week to week.
According to a Magna Global USA report, last season broadcast reality shows drew a 16 household share while comedies drew an 11. It’s the second straight year that reality outdrew comedy, which had its lowest share in the past five years.
Certainly other media are stealing eyeballs from sitcoms as well. TBS and Comedy Central specialize in comedy on cable, and JibJab and YouTube feed funny bones online.
Finally, the definition of what Americans find funny may simply be shifting. Broad sitcoms like “’Til Death,” which is in the “Everybody Loves Raymond” mold, and “The Class,” one of the many “Friends” clones, just don’t have broad appeal anymore.
Instead it’s shows like “The Office,” which find a niche audience and keep them, that are succeeding instead of programs like “Seinfeld,” which appealed to everyone.
Meanwhile, in broadcast ratings for the week ended Oct. 22
Among adults 18-49, ABC led for the fifth straight week with a 4.0 rating and share of 11, followed by Fox at 3.8/11, CBS at 3.8/10, NBC at 3.2/9, CW at 1.5/4, Univision at 1.3/4, Telemundo at 0.4/1, Telefutura at 0.3/1 and Azteca at 0.1/0.
Top five (18-49s): 1. ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy” 9.6; 2. ABC’s “Desperate Housewives” 8.1; 3. CBS’s “CSI” 6.9; 4. ABC’s “Lost” 6.6; 5. ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars” 6.0
Top five (total viewers): 1. ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy” 22.05 million; ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars” 21.25 million; 3. CBS’s “CSI” 20.49 million; 4. ABC’s “Desperate Housewives” 19.71 million; 5. ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars Results” 19.23 million
Bottom five (18-49s): Tie-85. CBS’s “48 Hours Mystery” and NBC’s “Kidnapped” 1.2; 87. CW’s “7th Heaven” 1.1; 88. CW’s “America’s Next Top Model Encore” 0.9; 89. CW’s “Smallville” 0.8
Bottom five (total viewers): 85. CW’s “One Tree Hill” 2.97 million; 86. CW’s “All of Us” 2.83 million; 87. CW’s “The Game” 2.65 million; 88. CW’s “America’s Next Top Model Encore” 1.95 million; 89. CW’s “Smallville” 1.83 million
|
PRIMETIME AVERAGES BY NETWORK
Ranked on Households
Week Ending Oct. 22 |
|
Network |
Households |
People 2+ |
Adults 18-49 |
|
Rtg% |
(000) |
Shr |
Rtg% |
(000) |
Shr |
Rtg% |
(000) |
Shr |
|
CBS |
8.0 |
8970 |
13 |
4.4 |
12570 |
11 |
3.8 |
4960 |
10 |
|
FOX |
7.8 |
8660 |
13 |
4.2 |
11890 |
11 |
3.8 |
4940 |
11 |
|
ABC |
7.3 |
8100 |
12 |
4.0 |
11210 |
10 |
4.0 |
5170 |
11 |
|
NBC |
5.7 |
6380 |
9 |
3.1 |
8880 |
8 |
3.2 |
4160 |
9 |
|
CW |
2.3 |
2530 |
4 |
1.3 |
3560 |
3 |
1.5 |
1930 |
4 |
|
UNI |
1.8 |
1960 |
3 |
1.1 |
3020 |
3 |
1.3 |
1730 |
4 |
|
TEL |
0.5 |
590 |
1 |
0.3 |
830 |
1 |
0.4 |
500 |
1 |
|
PAX |
0.4 |
470 |
1 |
0.2 |
610 |
1 |
0.1 |
190 |
0 |
|
TF |
0.4 |
450 |
1 |
0.2 |
670 |
1 |
0.3 |
430 |
1 |
|
AZA |
0.1 |
90 |
0 |
0.0 |
130 |
0 |
0.1 |
90 |
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 Oct. 22 |
|
Network |
Households |
People 2+ |
Adults 18-49 |
|
Rtg% |
(000) |
Shr |
Rtg% |
(000) |
Shr |
Rtg% |
(000) |
Shr |
|
CBS |
8.4 |
9310 |
14 |
4.6 |
13040 |
12 |
4.0 |
5170 |
11 |
|
ABC |
7.6 |
8460 |
12 |
4.1 |
11680 |
11 |
4.1 |
5410 |
11 |
|
NBC |
6.6 |
7370 |
11 |
3.6 |
10230 |
9 |
3.7 |
4840 |
10 |
|
FOX |
5.6 |
6260 |
9 |
3.0 |
8590 |
8 |
3.0 |
3890 |
8 |
|
CW |
2.2 |
2450 |
3 |
1.2 |
3420 |
3 |
1.5 |
1900 |
4 |
|
UNI |
1.9 |
2100 |
3 |
1.2 |
3340 |
3 |
1.5 |
1950 |
4 |
|
TEL |
0.6 |
620 |
1 |
0.3 |
890 |
1 |
0.4 |
530 |
1 |
|
PAX |
0.4 |
490 |
1 |
0.2 |
630 |
1 |
0.1 |
190 |
0 |
|
TF |
0.4 |
420 |
1 |
0.2 |
620 |
1 |
0.3 |
400 |
1 |
|
AZA |
0.1 |
110 |
0 |
0.1 |
160 |
0 |
0.1 |
110 |
0 |
|
* Each rating point is equivalent to 1. 114 million homes
Source: Nielsen Media Research |
|
TOP 25 PROGRAMS – BROADCAST
Ranked on Households
Week Ending Oct. 22 |
|
# |
PROGRAMS |
Net |
HOUSEHOLDS |
PERSONS 2+ |
|
Rtg% |
Shr |
(000) |
# |
Rtg% |
(000) |
|
1 |
GREY'S ANATOMY |
ABC |
14.4 |
21 |
16043 |
1 |
7.8 |
22050 |
|
2 |
DANCING WITH THE STARS |
ABC |
13.6 |
21 |
15187 |
2 |
7.5 |
21251 |
|
3 |
CSI |
CBS |
12.7 |
19 |
14117 |
3 |
7.2 |
20494 |
|
4 |
DANCING W/STARS RESULTS |
ABC |
12.5 |
20 |
13938 |
5 |
6.8 |
19226 |
|
5 |
DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES |
ABC |
12.4 |
18 |
13848 |
4 |
7.0 |
19709 |
|
6 |
CSI: MIAMI |
CBS |
11.6 |
18 |
12877 |
6 |
6.4 |
18117 |
|
6 |
FOX WORLD SERIES GAME 2(S) |
FOX |
11.6 |
18 |
12872 |
6 |
6.4 |
18165 |
|
8 |
FOX MLB NLCS: GM 7(S) |
FOX |
10.8 |
18 |
12004 |
9 |
5.8 |
16528 |
|
9 |
CRIMINAL MINDS |
CBS |
10.6 |
16 |
11835 |
11 |
5.7 |
16203 |
|
9 |
DEAL OR NO DEAL-MON |
NBC |
10.6 |
16 |
11777 |
8 |
6.2 |
17473 |
|
11 |
CSI: NY |
CBS |
10.5 |
17 |
11679 |
13 |
5.6 |
15993 |
|
12 |
TWO AND A HALF MEN |
CBS |
10.4 |
15 |
11568 |
11 |
5.7 |
16248 |
|
13 |
LOST |
ABC |
9.9 |
15 |
11035 |
9 |
5.8 |
16306 |
|
13 |
NCIS |
CBS |
9.9 |
15 |
11035 |
13 |
5.6 |
15923 |
|
15 |
WITHOUT A TRACE |
CBS |
9.5 |
15 |
10573 |
16 |
5.2 |
14789 |
|
16 |
FOX WORLD SERIES GM2-PRE(S) |
FOX |
9.4 |
15 |
10471 |
16 |
5.2 |
14649 |
|
17 |
COLD CASE |
CBS |
9.3 |
14 |
10369 |
16 |
5.2 |
14811 |
|
18 |
E.R. |
NBC |
9.1 |
15 |
10188 |
19 |
4.8 |
13718 |
|
18 |
SHARK |
CBS |
9.1 |
15 |
10091 |
19 |
4.8 |
13705 |
|
20 |
SURVIVOR: COOK ISLANDS |
CBS |
8.9 |
14 |
9882 |
15 |
5.3 |
15018 |
|
20 |
UGLY BETTY |
ABC |
8.9 |
14 |
9952 |
21 |
4.6 |
13168 |
|
22 |
LAW AND ORDER:SVU |
NBC |
8.7 |
14 |
9671 |
21 |
4.6 |
12977 |
|
23 |
OLD CHRISTINE |
CBS |
8.5 |
13 |
9512 |
21 |
4.6 |
13029 |
|
24 |
OT, THE |
FOX |
8.3 |
14 |
9241 |
26 |
4.5 |
12618 |
|
25 |
60 MINUTES |
CBS |
8.2 |
14 |
9093 |
29 |
4.2 |
11888 |
|
Source: Nielsen Media Research |
|
TOP 25 PROGRAMS – BROADCAST
Adults 18-49
Week Ending Oct. 22 |
|
Rank |
Program |
Net |
Rtg% |
(000) |
|
1 |
GREY'S ANATOMY |
ABC |
9.6 |
12491 |
|
2 |
DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES- |
ABC |
8.1 |
10616 |
|
3 |
CSI |
CBS |
6.9 |
9014 |
|
4 |
LOST |
ABC |
6.6 |
8639 |
|
5 |
DANCING WITH THE STARS |
ABC |
6.0 |
7788 |
|
6 |
FOX WORLD SERIES GAME 2 |
FOX |
5.9 |
7645 |
|
7 |
CSI: MIAMI |
CBS |
5.8 |
7555 |
|
8 |
HEROES |
NBC |
5.7 |
7408 |
|
9 |
E.R. |
NBC |
5.6 |
7292 |
|
10 |
FOX MLB NLCS: GM 7 |
FOX |
5.4 |
7104 |
|
11 |
SURVIVOR: COOK ISLANDS |
CBS |
5.3 |
6930 |
|
12 |
DEAL OR NO DEAL-MON |
NBC |
5.2 |
6840 |
|
12 |
CSI: NY |
CBS |
5.2 |
6745 |
|
14 |
TWO AND A HALF MEN |
CBS |
5.1 |
6721 |
|
15 |
DANCING W/STARS RESULTS |
ABC |
5.0 |
6514 |
|
16 |
LAW AND ORDER:SVU |
NBC |
4.9 |
6392 |
|
16 |
EXTREME MAKEOVER:HOME ED. |
ABC |
4.9 |
6464 |
|
16 |
BROTHERS & SISTERS |
ABC |
4.9 |
6366 |
|
19 |
CRIMINAL MINDS |
CBS |
4.5 |
5941 |
|
20 |
UGLY BETTY |
ABC |
4.4 |
5735 |
|
21 |
COLD CASE |
CBS |
4.3 |
5667 |
|
21 |
WITHOUT A TRACE |
CBS |
4.3 |
5593 |
|
23 |
SHARK |
CBS |
4.2 |
5524 |
|
24 |
OLD CHRISTINE |
CBS |
4.1 |
5385 |
|
24 |
OFFICE |
NBC |
4.1 |
5334 |
|
Source: Nielsen Media Research |
|
SYNDICATION
Ranked on Households
Week Ending Oct. 15 |
|
# |
PROGRAMS |
Syndicator |
Households |
|
US Rtg% |
(000) |
|
1 |
ESPN NFL REGULAR SEASON |
ESP |
9.2 |
10286 |
|
2 |
WHEEL OF FORTUNE |
KIN |
7.9 |
8824 |
|
3 |
OPRAH WINFREY SHOW (AT) |
KIN |
6.7 |
7422 |
|
4 |
JEOPARDY |
KIN |
6.1 |
6744 |
|
5 |
ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT(AT) |
C/P |
5.1 |
5628 |
|
6 |
EVRY LVS RAYMOND-SYN (AT) |
KIN |
5 |
5607 |
|
7 |
CSI MIAMI-SYN (AT) |
KIN |
4.6 |
5179 |
|
8 |
DR. PHIL SHOW (AT) |
KIN |
4.5 |
5063 |
|
9 |
JUDGE JUDY (AT) |
C/P |
4.2 |
4705 |
|
10 |
SEINFELD (AT) |
SPT |
4.1 |
4516 |
|
11 |
EVBDY LVS RAYMOND-WKD-SYN |
KIN |
3.6 |
4046 |
|
12 |
INSIDE EDITION |
KIN |
3.5 |
3892 |
|
13 |
FRIENDS (AT) |
WB |
3.3 |
3703 |
|
14 |
LIVE WITH REGIS AND KELLY |
BV |
3.1 |
3439 |
|
14 |
MILLIONAIRE (AT) |
BV |
3.1 |
3414 |
|
16 |
KING OF QUEENS-SYN (AT) |
SPT |
3 |
3388 |
|
16 |
THAT 70S SHOW-MF-SYN (AT) |
2/T |
3 |
3340 |
|
18 |
WHEEL OF FORTUNE WKND |
KIN |
2.8 |
3089 |
|
19 |
ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT WKD |
C/P |
2.7 |
3063 |
|
19 |
WITHOUT A TRACE (AT) |
WB |
2.7 |
2953 |
|
21 |
JUDGE JOE BROWN (AT) |
C/P |
2.6 |
2934 |
|
21 |
ACCESS HOLLYWOOD (AT) |
NBU |
2.6 |
2915 |
|
21 |
AMERICAN IDOL REWIND (AT) |
TEC |
2.6 |
2890 |
|
24 |
PEOPLE'S COURT (AT) |
WB |
2.5 |
2825 |
|
24 |
INSIDER (AT) |
C/P |
2.5 |
2773 |
|
* Note: The chart for the week ended Sept. 3 was delayed.
Source: Nielsen Media Research |
|
SPANISH-LANGUAGE TELEVISION (WEEKLY COLLAPSED)
Ranked on Households
Week Ending Oct. 22 |
|
# |
PROGRAMS |
Net |
NHTI |
P2+ (000) |
|
1 |
FEA MAS BELLA M-F |
UNI |
20.1 |
4288 |
|
2 |
MUNDO DE FIERAS M-F |
UNI |
15.7 |
3120 |
|
3 |
HERIDAS DE AMOR M-F |
UNI |
15.6 |
3092 |
|
4 |
CRISTINA-MON |
UNI |
14.3 |
2771 |
|
5 |
AQUI Y AHORA-THU |
UNI |
13.5 |
2510 |
|
6 |
VER PARA CREER-TUE |
UNI |
13.1 |
2675 |
|
7 |
DON FRANCISCO PRESENTA-WE |
UNI |
12.9 |
2284 |
|
8 |
REYES DE LA CANCION SUN |
UNI |
12.6 |
2246 |
|
8 |
SABADO GIGANTE-SAT |
UNI |
12.6 |
2374 |
|
10 |
CASOS VIDA R: ED. ESP FRI |
UNI |
12.5 |
2428 |
|
11 |
HORA PICO-SUN |
UNI |
12.0 |
2446 |
|
12 |
CASOS FAMILIA ED ESP SAT |
UNI |
9.8 |
1757 |
|
13 |
TIERRA DE PASIONES M-F |
TEL |
8.2 |
1513 |
|
14 |
MARINA M-F |
TEL |
7.2 |
1365 |
|
15 |
CINE LAS ESTREL2 SUN |
TF |
7.0 |
1589 |
|
16 |
VIUDA DE BLANCO M-F |
TEL |
6.9 |
1240 |
|
17 |
DECISIONES M-F |
TEL |
6.0 |
1080 |
|
18 |
AMORES M-F |
TEL |
5.7 |
1103 |
|
19 |
CINE LAS ESTREL1 SUN |
TF |
4.5 |
1044 |
|
19 |
FUTBOL LIGA MEX SAT |
TF |
4.5 |
884 |
|
21 |
CINE LAS ESTREL1 M-THU |
TF |
3.7 |
743 |
|
22 |
SOLO BOXEO DE MILLER |
TF |
3.6 |
506 |
|
22 |
CINE LAS ESTREL2 SAT |
TF |
3.6 |
661 |
|
24 |
QUINCEANERA |
TEL |
3.5 |
606 |
|
25 |
CINEMUNDO DEL SABADO |
TEL |
3.4 |
565 |
|
* 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 Oct. 22 |
|
# |
PROGRAMS |
Net |
NHTI |
P2+(000) |
|
1 |
FOX MLB NLCS: GM 7(S) |
FOX |
6.9 |
1165 |
|
2 |
GREY'S ANATOMY |
ABC |
6.7 |
1149 |
|
3 |
DANCING WITH THE STARS |
ABC |
6.5 |
1014 |
|
4 |
DANCING W/STARS RESULTS |
ABC |
6.0 |
1019 |
|
4 |
DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES |
ABC |
6.0 |
1049 |
|
6 |
FOX MLB NLCS GAME 6(S) |
FOX |
5.6 |
953 |
|
7 |
FOX WORLD SERIES GAME 2(S) |
FOX |
5.5 |
922 |
|
8 |
LOST |
ABC |
5.3 |
935 |
|
9 |
UGLY BETTY |
ABC |
5.2 |
764 |
|
10 |
FOX MLB NLCS GAME 5(S) |
FOX |
5.0 |
817 |
|
* Nielsen Hispanic Television Index; ratings based on 11.63 million Hispanic TV homes. ** Numbers for the week ended Oct. 22 were not updated by Nielsen at press time.
Source: Nielsen Media Research |
|
AFRICAN AMERICAN AUDIENCE ESTIMATES
Ranked on Households
Week Ending Oct. 15 |
|
# |
PROGRAMS |
Net |
Rtg |
P2+(000) |
|
1 |
CSI: Miami |
CBS |
13.0 |
2449 |
|
1 |
Girlfriends |
CW |
13.0 |
2492 |
|
3 |
Dancing with the Stars |
ABC |
12.8 |
2297 |
|
4 |
Grey’s Anatomy |
ABC |
12.4 |
2319 |
|
5 |
Dancing with the Stars Results |
ABC |
11.6 |
2153 |
|
6 |
All of Us |
CW |
10.9 |
2194 |
|
7 |
The OT |
Fox |
10.8 |
1782 |
|
8 |
The Game |
CW |
10.4 |
2060 |
|
9 |
America’s Next Top Model |
CW |
10.4 |
2204 |
|
9 |
Fox World Series Game 2 |
Fox |
10.4 |
1820 |
|
Source: Nielsen Media Research |
|
NETWORK SPORTS PROGRAMS
Ranked on Households
Week Ending Oct. 15 |
|
# |
PROGRAMS |
Net |
Episode |
Households |
Persons 2+ |
|
US Rtg% |
Shr |
(000) |
(000) |
|
1 |
CBS NFL NATIONAL |
CBS |
VARIOUS TEAMS AND TIMES |
12.5 |
25 |
13924 |
19234 |
|
2 |
FOX NFL SUNDAY-SINGLE |
FOX |
VARIOUS TEAMS AND TIMES |
9.2 |
21 |
10294 |
13933 |
|
3 |
NBC SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL |
NBC |
OAKLAND AT DENVER |
7.9 |
12 |
8830 |
12325 |
|
4 |
CBS NFL REGIONAL |
CBS |
VARIOUS TEAMS AND TIMES |
7.3 |
17 |
8154 |
10685 |
|
5 |
FOX MLB ALCS GAME 2(S)-10/11/2006 |
FOX |
DETROIT AT OAKLAND |
6.8 |
11 |
7534 |
9866 |
|
6 |
FOX MLB NLCS GAME 2(S)-10/13/2006 |
FOX |
ST LOUIS AT NY METS |
6.1 |
11 |
6799 |
9010 |
|
7 |
FOX MLB ALCS GAME 1(S)-10/10/2006 |
FOX |
DETROIT AT OAKLAND |
6.0 |
10 |
6701 |
8587 |
|
8 |
FOX MLB NLCS GAME 1(S)-10/12/2006 |
FOX |
ST LOUIS AT NY METS |
6.0 |
10 |
6659 |
8509 |
|
9 |
FOX MLB NLCS GAME 4(S)-10/15/2006 |
FOX |
NY METS AT ST LOUIS |
5.8 |
9 |
6489 |
8571 |
|
10 |
CBS NFL REGIONAL BONUS(S)-10/15/2006 |
CBS |
HOU AT DALLAS/BUFF AT DETROIT |
5.3 |
11 |
5858 |
7827 |
|
11 |
FOX MLB ALCS GAME 4(S)-10/14/2006 |
FOX |
OAKLAND AT DETROIT |
5.2 |
12 |
5756 |
7724 |
|
12 |
FOX MLB NLCS GAME 3(S)-10/14/2006 |
FOX |
NY METS AT ST LOUIS |
4.9 |
9 |
5447 |
7511 |
|
13 |
LOWE'S 500(S)-10/14/2006 |
NBC |
NASCAR: NEXTEL CUP |
4.7 |
9 |
5262 |
7797 |
|
14 |
ABC COLLEGE FTBL GM-LATE |
ABC |
VARIOUS TEAMS AND TIMES |
4.2 |
10 |
4712 |
5997 |
|
15 |
SAT NIGHT FOOTBALL |
ABC |
MICH AT PENN ST/ARIZ ST AT USC |
3.8 |
7 |
4220 |
6208 |
|
16 |
FOX MLB ALCS GAME 3(S)-10/13/2006 |
FOX |
OAKLAND AT DETROIT |
3.7 |
9 |
4102 |
5022 |
|
17 |
HOME DEPOT CLLG FOOTBALL2 |
CBS |
OLE MISS AT ALABAMA |
2.3 |
5 |
2532 |
3400 |
|
18 |
FRIDAY NIGHT SMACKDOWN |
CW |
|
2.3 |
4 |
2604 |
3833 |
|
19 |
LPGA WORLD CHAMPS-SUN(S)-10/15/2006 |
NBC |
|
1.3 |
3 |
1452 |
1718 |
|
20 |
U.S. F S CAMPBELL'S-10/15(S)-10/15/2006 |
ABC |
|
1.2 |
3 |
1299 |
1663 |
|
21 |
U.S. F S CAMPBELL'S CUP(S)-10/15/2006 |
ABC |
|
1.1 |
3 |
1239 |
