When the WB and UPN announced they were merging into the new CW last winter, taking the best of both networks and squeezing it onto one, “One Tree Hill” didn’t look like it would make the cut.
The sex-heavy WB teen drama had declined sharply last year and proved unable to help launch a successful new show behind it, despite several tries. When the CW made “Hill” a last-minute pickup last May, it was seen as an indication of weak development.
But "Hill" has really turned around. While hits like “Gilmore Girls,” “7th Heaven” and “Everybody Hates Chris” have been declining, “Hill” is very much on the rise, especially among teenagers.
Last week “Hill” had its best 12-17 rating of the season, averaging a 3.1. That was up 48 percent over the show’s Sept. 27 season premiere, which averaged a 2.1, and 55 percent over last May’s finale, which averaged a 2.0.
It was the CW’s second-highest-rated show in that demo last week, trailing only its highly rated lead-in, “America’s Next Top Model,” and not by much.
“Hill” kept an impressive 97 percent of “Model’s” lead-in last week. It seems as though, for the first time, “Model” may have found a suitable companion. Two other highly regarded dramas, “Kevin Hill” and “Veronica Mars,” both struggled to hold its lead in the past two years.
It’s certainly surprising that “Hill” is succeeding based on its dire prognosis last spring. In a poll posted before May’s upfront, Media Life readers tabbed “One Tree Hill” the least likely on-the-bubble show on UPN or WB to return, well behind “Veronica Mars” and “Everwood.”
But there have been two major factors driving “Hill’s” success. The first is obviously “Model.” In its first two seasons, “Hill” thrived behind “Gilmore Girls,” hanging onto a good portion of its lead-in and sometimes surpassing it among teens.
But the show struggled when the WB moved it to Wednesdays to lead off the night last year. It’s clearly a show that depends on the right lead-in to thrive.
The second factor helping viewership is a surprising plot twist that’s likely bringing back former fans of the fourth-year show.
The third-season finale revealed that one of the “Hill” girls was pregnant but didn’t say which one. Over the summer, a producer even seemed to confirm that it was bad girl Brooke, but it turns out Hayley, Nathan’s wife, is actually with child. It’s added a new dimension to what was becoming a stale teen marriage.
Meanwhile, in broadcast and basic cable ratings for younger viewers for the week ended Oct. 29:
Among teens 12-17: ABC was first with a 2.1 rating, followed by the CW at 1.9, Fox at 1.7, CBS and NBC at 1.4, Univision at 1.0, Telefutura and Telemundo tied at 0.2, and Azteca at 0.0.
Among kids 2-11: ABC lead with a 1.7, followed by Fox at 1.2, NBC at 1.1, CBS at 1.0, Univision at 0.9, CW at 0.8, Telemundo at 0.2, and Telefutura and Azteca last with 0.1.
The top five shows among 9-14s: 1. “Ned Declassified” (Nickelodeon, Sunday 7:30 p.m.); 2. “Zoey 101” (Nickelodeon, Sunday, 8 p.m); 3. “Unfabulous” (Nickelodeon, Sunday, 8:30 p.m.); 4. “Ned Declassified” (Nickelodeon, Friday 6 p.m.) 5. “Zoey 101” (Nickelodeon, Sunday 6 p.m.)
The top five shows among 12-17s: 1. “Desperate Housewives” (ABC, Sunday 9 p.m.); 2. “Flavor of Love 2” (VH1, Sunday, 8 p.m.); 3. “Lost” (ABC, Wednesday 9 p.m.); 4. “Heroes” (NBC, Monday 9 p.m.); 5. “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” (ABC, Sunday 8 p.m.)
The top five shows among 12-24s: 1. “Desperate Housewives” (ABC, Sunday 9 p.m.); 2. “Lost” (ABC, Wendesday 9 p.m.); 3. “CBS NFL Sunday-National” (CBS, Sunday 4:15 p.m.); 4. “Flavor of Love 2” (VH1, Sunday, 8 p.m.); 5. “Heroes” (NBC, Monday 9 p.m.);
Cable shows making the top 30 among 18-24s: 4. “NFL Regular Season” (ESPN, Monday 8:30 p.m.); 5. “Flavor of Love 2” (VH1, Sunday, 8 p.m.); 20. “Real World/Road Rules: The Duel” (MTV, Thursday, 10 p.m.)
|
TOP 30 PROGRAMS - BROADCAST & BASIC CABLE TV
Adults 18-49
Week Ended Oct. 29, 2006 |
|
|
Program |
Net |
Rtg% |
In Millions |
|
1 |
DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES |
ABC |
8.3 |
10880 |
|
2 |
CBS NFL NATIONAL |
CBS |
7.8 |
10243 |
|
3 |
LOST |
ABC |
7.1 |
9236 |
|
4 |
NBC SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL |
NBC |
6.8 |
8844 |
|
5 |
FOX NFL SUNDAY-SINGLE |
FOX |
6.4 |
8321 |
|
6 |
HEROES |
NBC |
6.3 |
8218 |
|
7 |
NFL REGULAR SEASON L |
ESPN |
6.3 |
8187 |
|
8 |
CSI: MIAMI |
CBS |
6.1 |
7914 |
|
9 |
CSI: NY |
CBS |
5.6 |
7273 |
|
10 |
EXTREME MAKEOVER:HOME ED. |
ABC |
5.5 |
7165 |
|
11 |
DANCING WITH THE STARS |
ABC |
5.4 |
7040 |
|
12 |
DANCING W/STARS RESULTS |
ABC |
5.1 |
6703 |
|
13 |
FOX WORLD SERIES GAME 4(S)-10/26/2006 |
FOX |
5.1 |
6690 |
|
14 |
CSI |
CBS |
5.0 |
6546 |
|
15 |
FOX WORLD SERIES GAME 5(S)-10/27/2006 |
FOX |
5.0 |
6497 |
|
16 |
BROTHERS & SISTERS |
ABC |
4.9 |
6423 |
|
17 |
FOX WORLD SERIES GAME 3(S)-10/24/2006 |
FOX |
4.8 |
6255 |
|
18 |
SUNDAY NIGHT NFL PRE-KICK |
NBC |
4.7 |
6116 |
|
19 |
TWO AND A HALF MEN |
CBS |
4.7 |
6092 |
|
20 |
DEAL OR NO DEAL-MON |
NBC |
4.5 |
5839 |
|
21 |
GREY'S ANATOMY-THU 9PM |
ABC |
4.5 |
5824 |
|
22 |
CRIMINAL MINDS |
CBS |
4.4 |
5797 |
|
23 |
NBC NFL SUNDAY POST |
NBC |
4.3 |
5608 |
|
24 |
UGLY BETTY |
ABC |
4.2 |
5506 |
|
25 |
SURVIVOR: COOK ISLANDS |
CBS |
4.2 |
5442 |
|
26 |
60 MINUTES |
CBS |
4.2 |
5415 |
|
27 |
LAW AND ORDER:SVU |
NBC |
4.0 |
5190 |
|
28 |
OLD CHRISTINE |
CBS |
3.9 |
5116 |
|
29 |
AMAZING RACE 10 |
CBS |
3.9 |
5033 |
|
30 |
FOOTBALL NT AMERICA PT 3 |
NBC |
3.8 |
4977 |
|
Source: MTV Networks, based on data from Nielsen Media Research |
|
TOP 30 PROGRAMS - BROADCAST & BASIC CABLE TV
Adults 18-34
Week Ended Oct. 29, 2006 |
|
Rank |
Program |
Net |
Rtg% |
In Millions |
|
1 |
CBS NFL NATIONAL |
ABC |
6.9 |
4628 |
|
2 |
HEROES |
NBC |
6.6 |
4395 |
|
3 |
DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES |
ABC |
6.5 |
4354 |
|
4 |
LOST |
ABC |
6.0 |
4017 |
|
5 |
NFL REGULAR SEASON L |
ESPN |
5.7 |
3800 |
|
6 |
NBC SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL |
NBC |
5.7 |
3786 |
|
7 |
FOX NFL SUNDAY-SINGLE |
FOX |
5.6 |
3715 |
|
8 |
CSI: MIAMI |
CBS |
4.4 |
2947 |
|
9 |
FOX WORLD SERIES GAME 4(S)-10/26/2006 |
FOX |
4.2 |
2814 |
|
10 |
EXTREME MAKEOVER:HOME ED. |
ABC |
4.2 |
2766 |
|
11 |
NBC NFL SUNDAY POST |
NBC |
4.1 |
2761 |
|
12 |
FOX WORLD SERIES GAME 3(S)-10/24/2006 |
FOX |
4.1 |
2705 |
|
13 |
GREY'S ANATOMY-THU 9PM |
ABC |
4.0 |
2674 |
|
14 |
CSI: NY |
CBS |
3.9 |
2583 |
|
15 |
FOX WORLD SERIES GAME 5(S)-10/27/2006 |
FOX |
3.8 |
2538 |
|
16 |
BROTHERS & SISTERS |
ABC |
3.8 |
2533 |
|
17 |
SUNDAY NIGHT NFL PRE-KICK |
NBC |
3.7 |
2491 |
|
18 |
CSI |
CBS |
3.7 |
2470 |
|
19 |
DANCING WITH THE STARS |
ABC |
3.7 |
2465 |
|
20 |
DEAL OR NO DEAL-MON |
NBC |
3.7 |
2454 |
|
21 |
FLAVOR OF LOVE 2 |
VH1 |
3.7 |
2447 |
|
22 |
CBS NFL REGIONAL |
CBS |
3.7 |
2438 |
|
23 |
UGLY BETTY |
ABC |
3.6 |
2403 |
|
24 |
DANCING W/STARS RESULTS |
ABC |
3.6 |
2397 |
|
25 |
PRISON BREAK |
FOX |
3.6 |
2383 |
|
26 |
AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL |
CW |
3.4 |
2277 |
|
27 |
LAW AND ORDER:SVU |
NBC |
3.3 |
2180 |
|
28 |
FAMILY GUY |
FOX |
3.2 |
2114 |
|
29 |
FOOTBALL NT AMERICA PT 3 |
NBC |
3.2 |
2113 |
|
30 |
HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER |
CBS |
3.1 |
2088 |
|
Source: MTV Networks, based on data from Nielsen Media Research |
|
TOP 30 PROGRAMS - BROADCAST & BASIC CABLE TV
Adults 18-24
Week Ended Oct. 29, 2006 |
|
Rank |
Program |
Net |
Rtg% |
In Millions |
|
1 |
CBS NFL NATIONAL |
CBS |
4.7 |
1328 |
|
2 |
DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES |
ABC |
4.5 |
1268 |
|
3 |
LOST |
ABC |
4.2 |
1209 |
|
4 |
NFL REGULAR SEASON L |
ESPN |
4.0 |
1130 |
|
5 |
FLAVOR OF LOVE 2 |
VH1 |
3.9 |
1120 |
|
5 |
NBC SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL |
NBC |
3.9 |
1120 |
|
7 |
AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL |
CW |
3.7 |
1054 |
|
8 |
FOX NFL SUNDAY-SINGLE |
FOX |
3.7 |
1043 |
|
9 |
HEROES |
NBC |
3.6 |
1022 |
|
10 |
GREY'S ANATOMY-THU 9PM |
ABC |
3.3 |
951 |
|
11 |
FAMILY GUY |
FOX |
3.3 |
946 |
|
12 |
FOX WORLD SERIES GAME 3(S)-10/24/2006 |
FOX |
3.1 |
888 |
|
12 |
NBC NFL SUNDAY POST |
NBC |
3.1 |
888 |
|
14 |
UGLY BETTY |
ABC |
3.0 |
841 |
|
15 |
CSI: NY |
CBS |
2.9 |
821 |
|
16 |
FOX WORLD SERIES GAME 4(S)-10/26/2006 |
FOX |
2.9 |
819 |
|
17 |
CSI: MIAMI |
CBS |
2.9 |
812 |
|
18 |
DANCING W/STARS RESULTS |
ABC |
2.8 |
809 |
|
19 |
GREY'S ANATOMY SP-10/26(S)-10/26/2006 |
ABC |
2.8 |
802 |
|
20 |
RW/RR THE DUEL |
MTV |
2.8 |
785 |
|
21 |
CBS NFL REGIONAL |
CBS |
2.8 |
784 |
|
22 |
PRISON BREAK |
FOX |
2.7 |
771 |
|
23 |
BROTHERS & SISTERS |
ABC |
2.7 |
761 |
|
24 |
AMERICAN DAD |
FOX |
2.7 |
760 |
|
25 |
EXTREME MAKEOVER:HOME ED. |
ABC |
2.7 |
757 |
|
26 |
ONE TREE HILL |
CW |
2.6 |
740 |
|
27 |
SIMPSONS |
FOX |
2.6 |
737 |
|
28 |
DANCING WITH THE STARS |
ABC |
2.5 |
724 |
|
29 |
FOX WORLD SERIES GAME 5(S)-10/27/2006 |
FOX |
2.5 |
705 |
|
30 |
LAW AND ORDER:SVU |
NBC |
2.5 |
702 |
|
Source: MTV Networks, based on data from Nielsen Media Research |
TOP 30 PROGRAMS - BROADCAST & BASIC CABLE TV
People 12-24
Week Ended Oct. 29, 2006 |
|
Rank |
Program |
Net |
Rtg% |
In Millions |
|
1 |
DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES |
ABC |
4.4 |
2365 |
|
2 |
LOST |
ABC |
4.1 |
2207 |
|
3 |
CBS NFL NATIONAL |
CBS |
4.1 |
2192 |
|
4 |
FLAVOR OF LOVE 2 |
VH1 |
4.1 |
2179 |
|
5 |
HEROES |
NBC |
3.7 |
1961 |
|
6 |
NFL REGULAR SEASON L |
ESPN |
3.6 |
1921 |
|
7 |
FOX NFL SUNDAY-SINGLE |
FOX |
3.5 |
1887 |
|
8 |
AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL |
CW |
3.5 |
1845 |
|
9 |
NBC SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL |
NBC |
3.3 |
1760 |
|
10 |
EXTREME MAKEOVER:HOME ED. |
ABC |
3.2 |
1694 |
|
11 |
FAMILY GUY |
FOX |
3.1 |
1636 |
|
12 |
GREY'S ANATOMY-THU 9PM |
ABC |
3.0 |
1597 |
|
13 |
ONE TREE HILL |
CW |
2.8 |
1500 |
|
14 |
UGLY BETTY |
ABC |
2.8 |
1462 |
|
15 |
RW/RR THE DUEL |
MTV |
2.7 |
1435 |
|
16 |
FOX WORLD SERIES GAME 3(S)-10/24/2006 |
FOX |
2.6 |
1405 |
|
17 |
FOX WORLD SERIES GAME 4(S)-10/26/2006 |
FOX |
2.6 |
1358 |
|
18 |
DANCING W/STARS RESULTS |
ABC |
2.5 |
1345 |
|
19 |
SIMPSONS |
FOX |
2.5 |
1333 |
|
20 |
PRISON BREAK |
FOX |
2.5 |
1332 |
|
21 |
DANCING WITH THE STARS |
ABC |
2.5 |
1316 |
|
22 |
AMERICAN DAD |
FOX |
2.4 |
1292 |
|
23 |
NBC NFL SUNDAY POST |
NBC |
2.4 |
1281 |
|
23 |
CSI: NY |
CBS |
2.4 |
1281 |
|
25 |
CBS NFL REGIONAL |
CBS |
2.4 |
1261 |
|
26 |
CSI: MIAMI |
CBS |
2.4 |
1260 |
|
27 |
GILMORE GIRLS |
CW |
2.4 |
1258 |
|
28 |
GREY'S ANATOMY SP-10/26(S)-10/26/2006 |
ABC |
2.4 |
1249 |
|
29 |
DEAL OR NO DEAL-MON |
NBC |
2.3 |
1234 |
|
30 |
SOUTH PARK |
CMDY |
2.3 |
1232 |
|
Source: MTV Networks, based on data from Nielsen Media Research |
TOP 30 PROGRAMS - BROADCAST & BASIC CABLE TV
Teens 12-17
Week Ended Oct. 29, 2006 |
|
Rank |
Program |
Net |
Rtg% |
In Millions |
|
1 |
DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES |
ABC |
4.4 |
1097 |
|
2 |
FLAVOR OF LOVE 2 |
VH1 |
4.3 |
1059 |
|
3 |
LOST |
ABC |
4.0 |
998 |
|
4 |
HEROES |
NBC |
3.8 |
939 |
|
5 |
EXTREME MAKEOVER:HOME ED. |
ABC |
3.8 |
937 |
|
6 |
CBS NFL NATIONAL |
CBS |
3.5 |
864 |
|
7 |
FOX NFL SUNDAY-SINGLE |
FOX |
3.4 |
844 |
|
8 |
AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL |
CW |
3.2 |
791 |
|
8 |
NFL REGULAR SEASON L |
ESPN |
3.2 |
791 |
|
10 |
NED DECLASSIFIED |
NICK |
3.2 |
783 |
|
11 |
ONE TREE HILL |
CW |
3.1 |
759 |
|
12 |
WWE ENTERTAINMENT |
USA |
2.9 |
714 |
|
13 |
FAMILY GUY |
FOX |
2.8 |
690 |
|
14 |
WWE ENTERTAINMENT |
USA |
2.7 |
678 |
|
15 |
SPONGEBOB |
NICK |
2.7 |
676 |
|
16 |
GILMORE GIRLS |
CW |
2.7 |
667 |
|
17 |
RW/RR THE DUEL |
MTV |
2.6 |
651 |
|
18 |
GREY'S ANATOMY-THU 9PM |
ABC |
2.6 |
646 |
|
19 |
NBC SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL |
NBC |
2.6 |
641 |
|
20 |
ZOEY 101 |
NICK |
2.6 |
637 |
|
21 |
DEAL OR NO DEAL-MON |
NBC |
2.6 |
633 |
|
22 |
ZOEY 101 |
NICK |
2.5 |
626 |
|
23 |
WAR AT HOME |
FOX |
2.5 |
625 |
|
24 |
UGLY BETTY |
ABC |
2.5 |
622 |
|
25 |
SPONGEBOB |
NICK |
2.5 |
609 |
|
26 |
SPONGEBOB |
NICK |
2.5 |
607 |
|
27 |
FAIRLY ODD PARENTS |
NICK |
2.5 |
606 |
|
28 |
DRAKE & JOSH |
NICK |
2.4 |
597 |
|
28 |
FAMILY GUY |
ADSM |
2.4 |
597 |
|
30 |
SIMPSONS |
FOX |
2.4 |
596 |
|
1 |
DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES |
ABC |
4.4 |
1097 |
|
Source: MTV Networks, based on data from Nielsen Media Research |
|
TOP 30 PROGRAMS - BROADCAST & BASIC CABLE TV
Kids 9-14
Week Ended Oct. 29, 2006 |
|
Rank |
Program |
Net |
Rtg% |
In Millions |
|
1 |
NED DECLASSIFIED |
NICK |
6.3 |
1554 |
|
2 |
ZOEY 101 |
NICK |
5.8 |
1432 |
|
3 |
UNFABULOUS |
NICK |
5.2 |
1285 |
|
4 |
NED DECLASSIFIED |
NICK |
5.0 |
1232 |
|
5 |
ZOEY 101 |
NICK |
5.0 |
1229 |
|
6 |
EXTREME MAKEOVER:HOME ED. |
ABC |
4.8 |
1181 |
|
7 |
DRAKE & JOSH |
NICK |
4.8 |
1179 |
|
8 |
FAIRLY ODD PARENTS |
NICK |
4.7 |
1165 |
|
9 |
SPONGEBOB |
NICK |
4.7 |
1151 |
|
10 |
DRAKE & JOSH |
NICK |
4.5 |
1111 |
|
11 |
SPONGEBOB |
NICK |
4.5 |
1095 |
|
12 |
AVATAR |
NICK |
4.4 |
1078 |
|
13 |
DRAKE & JOSH |
NICK |
4.3 |
1061 |
|
14 |
NED DECLASSIFIED |
NICK |
4.3 |
1053 |
|
15 |
NED DECLASSIFIED |
NICK |
4.3 |
1049 |
|
16 |
ZOEY 101 |
NICK |
4.3 |
1047 |
|
17 |
ZOEY 101 |
NICK |
4.2 |
1023 |
|
18 |
JIMMY NEUTRON |
NICK |
4.2 |
1021 |
|
19 |
DRAKE & JOSH |
NICK |
4.1 |
1018 |
|
20 |
JIMMY NEUTRON |
NICK |
4.1 |
1015 |
|
21 |
SPONGEBOB |
NICK |
4.1 |
1003 |
|
22 |
FAIRLY ODD PARENTS |
NICK |
4.1 |
1002 |
|
23 |
NED DECLASSIFIED |
NICK |
4.0 |
987 |
|
24 |
SPONGEBOB |
NICK |
4.0 |
969 |
|
25 |
NED DECLASSIFIED |
NICK |
3.9 |
958 |
|
26 |
MR MEATY |
NICK |
3.9 |
947 |
|
27 |
DRAKE & JOSH |
NICK |
3.8 |
940 |
|
28 |
DRAKE & JOSH |
NICK |
3.8 |
932 |
|
28 |
NED DECLASSIFIED |
NICK |
3.8 |
932 |
|
30 |
NED DECLASSIFIED |
NICK |
3.8 |
928 |
|
Source: MTV Networks, based on data from Nielsen Media Research |
|
TOP 30 PROGRAMS - BROADCAST & BASIC CABLE TV
Kids 2-11
Week Ended Oct. 29, 2006 |
|
Rank |
Program |
Net |
Rtg% |
In Millions |
|
1 |
FAIRLY ODD PARENTS |
NICK |
6.4 |
2560 |
|
2 |
SPONGEBOB |
NICK |
6.1 |
2453 |
|
3 |
JIMMY NEUTRON |
NICK |
5.8 |
2305 |
|
4 |
SPONGEBOB |
NICK |
5.6 |
2257 |
|
5 |
SPONGEBOB |
NICK |
5.6 |
2248 |
|
6 |
SPONGEBOB |
NICK |
5.4 |
2163 |
|
7 |
SPONGEBOB |
NICK |
5.2 |
2101 |
|
8 |
MR MEATY |
NICK |
|
