ABC's 'Love' misfires in Wednesday debut 
   ABC’s new show “The Ultimate Love Test,” a cross between “The Bachelor” and “Temptation Island,” didn’t tempt many on Wednesday night as it posted a 1.9 average rating in 18-49s. For the night, the most-watched show in the demo was a repeat of “Law & Order” on NBC, which posted a 3.9 average. But it was Fox that finished on top for the night in 18-49s, with a 3.3 average rating and 11 share. NBC was a close second at 3.2/10, while ABC and CBS tied for third at 2.3/7. The WB came in fifth at 1.0/3 and UPN sixth a 0.5/2.
   At 8 p.m. an hour of “That ‘70s Show” on Fox was first with a 3.2 average rating, ahead of an hour of “My Wife and Kids” on ABC, which posted a 2.8. NBC was third that hour with yet another installment of “Outrageous Game Show Moments.”
   At 9 p.m. Fox was on top again with a 3.4 average rating for another hour of “That ‘70s Show.” NBC moved to second with a 3.1 average for “L&O” with CBS in third with a 2.4 average for “The King of Queens” and “Two and a Half Men.”
   At 10 p.m. NBC led with “L&O’s” 3.9 average, followed by a 2.7 average for “48 Hours” on CBS.” ABC finished last that hour with the disappointing 1.9 average for “The Ultimate Love Test.” For the night among households, NBC was on top with a 6.9 average rating and 12 share. CBS came in second at 6.1/11, Fox third at 4.2/8, ABC fourth at 3.9/7, the WB fifth at 1.8/3, and UPN sixth at 1.0/2.

'Miss Universe' lifts NBC atop Tuesday night
   On a fairly lackluster Tuesday, NBC’s “Miss Universe Pageant” was the most-watched program among viewers 18-49. The telecast posted a 4.5 average rating in its last hour, in which Miss Australia Jennifer Hawkins was crowned Miss Universe. NBC finished first overall for the night in 18-49s with a 3.5 average rating and 10 share. ABC finished second at 2.6/7 while the WB and CBS tied for third at 2.0/6. Fox finished fifth at 1.5/5, and UPN was sixth at 1.0/3.
   At 8 p.m. a repeat of “Fear Factor” on NBC led with a 2.7 average rating. A rerun of “Navy NCIS” on CBS was second with a 2.2 average while “8 Simple Rules” and “I’m With Her” on ABC combined for a 2.0 average and finished third.
   At 9 p.m. the first hour of “Miss Universe” on NBC led with a 3.2 average, followed by a 2.9 average for “According to Jim” and “Less Than Perfect” on ABC. The WB’s premiere of “Summerland” did well, with the second hour finishing third during the 9 p.m. slot with a 2.1 average.
   At 10 p.m. the last hour of “Miss Universe” led with its 4.5 average. “Peter Jennings Reporting” on ABC was second that hour with a 2.9 average rating, and a repeat of “Judging Amy” on CBS was third at 2.1. Among households, NBC finished on top with a 6.2 average rating and 10 share. CBS finished second at 5.7/10, ABC third at 4.5/8, the WB fourth at 3.1/5, Fox fifth at 2.2/5, and UPN sixth at 1.7/3.

Passed over for COO, Viacom's Dolgen exits
A day after the abrupt resignation of Viacom president and chief operating officer Mel Karmazin, Jonathan Dolgen, chairman of the entertainment division, resigned. Just a year ago Dolgen was considered a possible successor to chairman and CEO Sumner Redstone, but was passed over this week for Karmazin’s suddenly vacant position. Instead, the duties will be shared by Tom Freston, chairman of MTV Networks, and Les Moonves, chairman of CBS. That leaves Dolgen, who had overseen Paramount Pictures, 59 years old and jobless. Redstone told the New York Post that he didn’t ask for Dolgen’s resignation saying, “It's a sad day for me, it really is. Jonathan has been a wonderful friend and executive.”

Sumner: We're not giving up on radio just yet
One day after teasing that radio could go, Sumner Redstone, Viacom chairman and CEO, told CNBC Wednesday that the chances of selling the radio arm of the media conglomerate are minimal. “The margins are high, the cash flow's great,” Redstone said. Questions murmured about what would happen to Infinity after the resignation of Mel Karmazin, who was most closely affiliated with the radio branch. At Karmazin's resignation announcement, Redstone said Viacom would reconsider its assets with Karmazin's exit. Infinity has been considered somewhat of a weak link in the Viacom chain, reporting a 3 percent revenue growth in the first quarter of this year compared with the company-wide average of 21 percent. Things may change, however, if Howard Stern keeps his promise to leave Infinity after Karmazin’s departure. Stern told a recent caller on his show, “I have a contract and if I walk out they'll sue. I can't leave right today but, believe me, I'll be gone in a month.”

Who has the most smut? Internet, then TV. 
Despite all the fuss about Howard Stern’s potty mouth, most adults don’t believe radio is the most indecent form of media. That’s according to a new survey from Paragon Media Strategies, which asked 401 respondents age 18 to 64 which form of media they believe contains the most indecency. Unsurprisingly, the smut-laden internet topped the list at 51 percent, followed by television at 35 percent, radio at 6 percent, magazines at 4 percent and newspapers at a paltry 1 percent. The survey also inquired as to which types of indecent media participants felt they had been exposed to within the last six months, and 68 percent said they’d viewed something less than savory on a TV program. Following close behind were email solicitations (63 percent) and television ads (60 percent). Another interesting finding: Only 41 percent of adults who responded were personally offended by this year’s Super Bowl halftime show, which featured Janet Jackson’s renegade breast.

NY Post's new Parade will counter News' Life
The New York Post will soon join the ranks of other Sunday newspapers carrying glossy insert Parade. The feel-good magazine will make its debut in the Post beginning July 4, marking the first time in more than a decade that Parade will appear in a major New York City daily, according to the Post’s Keith Kelly. The new partnership will boost Parade’s circulation to more than 36 million a week, as the Post recently recorded its Sunday circulation at 445,094. The announcement comes as Time Inc. plans the re-launch of Life as a weekly newspaper insert this fall. Life reportedly has tentative commitments from the Tribune Company, parent of Long Island-based Newsday, and the Post’s bitter rival New York Daily News, which once carried Parade but switched to No. 2 magazine insert USA Weekend during the early 1990s. Life expects an initial circulation of about 10 million.

CBS moves 'Race' to Saturday leadoff slot
The fall schedules never stay exactly the same for the next four months, and CBS has become the first network to change one. This year’s season victor among households, total viewers and adults 25-54 will rearrange the order of its already announced Saturday schedule. Instead of leading off the night with “48 Hours Mystery” as planned, the network will bump that show to 10 p.m. and move its other two shows up an hour. The reality show “Amazing Race” will lead off the evening at 8 p.m., followed by “Crimetime Saturday,” a rotating rack of reruns of the “CSI” franchise, “Without a Trace” and “Cold Case.” The move is apparently in recognition that “Race” is actually the night’s strongest program and “Hours” the weakest.