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A new 'Real World'
and a boost in teens
What's new in Old Philadelphia? Two gay guys.
By Diego Vasquez
MTV's “Real World” is the granddaddy of reality
TV, and as it goes one senses the future of the genre overall, fairly or not. Based on the
show's season debut a week ago Tuesday, reality TV will remain healthy for some time, at
least among MTV's core audience of teenagers.
The show's 15th season, set in Old City Philadelphia and involving the usual
assortment of twenty-somethings, premiered to strong numbers, posting a 3.8 national
rating among viewers 12-17.
That's a 15.2 percent increase over last season when the “Real World:
San Diego” premiere in January posted a 3.3 rating among teens. The show was also up
in total viewers in the demo, attracting 940,000 compared with 810,000 for “San
Diego.”
Why the increase?
It's probably too early to say for sure, but two factors come to mind.
One could be the big boost the show got from promotion during the MTV Video
Music Awards, the network's highest-rated program of the year, two weeks before the
premiere. Obviously, airing in January, San Diego didn't get that kind of exposure.
About 2.1 million viewers 12-17 watched this year’s VMAs, and MTV took
full advantage, pushing the Philadelphia season of “Real World” with ads that
promised lots of steamy sexual content.
Just as likely a ratings driver is this year's setting and cast. Judging by
past seasons they appear to be the key factors that affect the show's ratings, and that's
typical for the reality genre in general.
This year’s cast features an interesting new wrinkle, two token gay guys
in place of the usual one.
One is 23-year-old Willie, who in the first episode showed off some
stereotypical gay traits such as an effeminate demeanor, a keen fashion sense, and burning
desire to hit up Philadelphia’s gay club scene.
The other, 23-year-old Karamo, is the more interesting of the two because he
doesn’t fit the gay character mold of past “Real World” seasons or TV in
general. He's into sports, dresses with an urban hip-hop sense of style, and doesn’t
seem to view his sexuality as the single most important part of his overall personality.
Despite the spike in teen viewers, “Real World” is down among 12-34s, one
of its most coveted demos.
This season’s “Philadelphia” premiere posted a 3.7 rating
among viewers 12-34, down 17.8 percent from the 4.5 rating “San Diego” post in
its first week. But it is up 2.1 percent over the 12-34 rating for the “Real World:
Paris” premiere two seasons ago, a 2.8.
Why the dip among slightly older viewers when it's so hot among teens? Again,
it's early to judge, but it's possible that after more than 10 years of "The Real
World," such viewers just aren't that excited about the show anymore. Whereas it
seems fresh and new to teens, it's old hat for those on the upper end of the 12-34 scale.
It could also be that these viewers aren't as impressed by the promise of hot
hook-ups and two gay men as the younger set, having seen it all before from MTV and other
networks.
“Paris” went on to average a 3.0 rating for the season among
12-34s, while “San Diego” averaged a 4.3.
TOP 30
PROGRAMS - BROADCAST & BASIC CABLE TV
Adults 18-49
Week Ending September 12 |
|
Program |
Net |
Rtg% |
In
Millions |
1 |
FOX
NFL SUNDAY-NATIONAL |
FOX |
8.7 |
11.24 |
2 |
JOEY |
NBC |
7.5 |
9.77 |
3 |
NFL
FOOTBALL SPEC OPENER(S)-09/09/2004 |
ABC |
7.2 |
9.29 |
4 |
APPRENTICE
2 |
NBC |
6.6 |
8.53 |
5 |
2004
NFL SHOWCASE(S)-09/09/2004 |
ABC |
5.9 |
7.68 |
6 |
FOX
NFL SUNDAY-POST |
FOX |
5.3 |
6.83 |
7 |
AMAZING
RACE: 5 |
CBS |
5.1 |
6.62 |
8 |
CBS
NFL SINGLE |
CBS |
4.9 |
6.36 |
9 |
NFL
REGULAR SEASON L |
ESPN |
4.6 |
5.94 |
10 |
MEDICAL
INVESTIGATION 9/9(S) |
NBC |
4.5 |
5.87 |
11 |
CSI |
CBS |
4.5 |
5.79 |
12 |
NFL
FTBL SPEC POST GUN(S)-09/09/2004 |
ABC |
4.5 |
5.78 |
13 |
BIG
BROTHER 5-TUE |
CBS |
4.4 |
5.66 |
14 |
FEAR
FACTOR |
NBC |
4.3 |
5.58 |
15 |
FATHER
OF THE PRIDE |
NBC |
4.3 |
5.53 |
16 |
FOX
NFL SUNDAY-REGIONAL |
FOX |
4.2 |
5.44 |
17 |
CSI:
MIAMI SPECIAL(S)-09/06/2004 |
CBS |
4.0 |
5.20 |
18 |
THAT
'70S SHOW |
FOX |
3.9 |
5.11 |
19 |
HAWAII-S(S)-09/06/2004 |
NBC |
3.9 |
5.09 |
20 |
MEDICAL
INVESTIGATION |
NBC |
3.8 |
4.91 |
21 |
LAW
AND ORDER |
NBC |
3.7 |
4.86 |
22 |
BIG
BROTHER 5-THU |
CBS |
3.5 |
4.55 |
23 |
SCRUBS |
NBC |
3.5 |
4.53 |
23 |
SIMPSONS-9/12
7:30P(S) |
FOX |
3.5 |
4.53 |
25 |
ABC
COLLEGE FTBL SPEC-FRI(S)-09/10/2004 |
ABC |
3.5 |
4.49 |
26 |
TRADING
SPOUSES |
FOX |
3.4 |
4.47 |
27 |
WITHOUT
A TRACE |
CBS |
3.4 |
4.46 |
28 |
EVERYBDY
LOVES RAYMND-SPC(S)-09/06/2004 |
CBS |
3.4 |
4.41 |
29 |
BERNIE
MAC |
FOX |
3.2 |
4.16 |
30 |
FOX
MOVIE SPEC-SUN(S)-09/12/2004 |
FOX |
3.2 |
4.12 |
| Source: MTV Networks,
based on data from Nielsen Media Research |
TOP 30
PROGRAMS - BROADCAST & BASIC CABLE TV
Adults 18-34
Week Ending September 12 |
Rank |
Program |
Net |
Rtg% |
In Millions |
1 |
JOEY |
NBC |
7.5 |
4.90 |
2 |
FOX
NFL SUNDAY-NATIONAL |
FOX |
7.4 |
4.84 |
3 |
APPRENTICE
2 |
NBC |
6.5 |
4.26 |
4 |
NFL
FOOTBALL SPEC OPENER(S)-09/09/2004 |
ABC |
6.5 |
4.22 |
5 |
2004
NFL SHOWCASE(S)-09/09/2004 |
ABC |
5.3 |
3.47 |
6 |
CBS
NFL SINGLE |
CBS |
4.9 |
3.21 |
7 |
FOX
NFL SUNDAY-POST |
FOX |
4.9 |
3.17 |
8 |
AMAZING
RACE: 5 |
CBS |
4.3 |
2.84 |
9 |
NFL
REGULAR SEASON L |
ESPN |
4.2 |
2.77 |
10 |
FATHER
OF THE PRIDE |
NBC |
4.2 |
2.75 |
11 |
THAT
'70S SHOW |
FOX |
4.1 |
2.69 |
12 |
FEAR
FACTOR |
NBC |
3.9 |
2.57 |
13 |
MEDICAL
INVESTIGATION 9/9(S) |
NBC |
3.9 |
2.54 |
14 |
NFL
FTBL SPEC POST GUN(S)-09/09/2004 |
ABC |
3.8 |
2.46 |
15 |
FOX
NFL SUNDAY-REGIONAL |
FOX |
3.7 |
2.44 |
16 |
BIG
BROTHER 5-TUE |
CBS |
3.6 |
2.36 |
17 |
SCRUBS |
NBC |
3.6 |
2.32 |
18 |
QUINTUPLETS |
FOX |
3.5 |
2.28 |
19 |
SIMPSONS-9/12
7:30P(S) |
FOX |
3.5 |
2.28 |
20 |
BERNIE
MAC |
FOX |
3.5 |
2.26 |
21 |
TRADING
SPOUSES |
FOX |
3.4 |
2.25 |
22 |
FOX
MOVIE SPEC-SUN(S)-09/12/2004 |
FOX |
3.4 |
2.20 |
23 |
RENOVATE
MY FAMILY |
FOX |
3.3 |
2.14 |
24 |
HAWAII-S(S)-09/06/2004 |
NBC |
3.2 |
2.11 |
25 |
CSI:
MIAMI SPECIAL(S)-09/06/2004 |
CBS |
3.0 |
1.95 |
26 |
ABC
COLLEGE FTBL SPEC-FRI(S)-09/10/2004 |
ABC |
3.0 |
1.94 |
27 |
CSI |
CBS |
3.0 |
1.94 |
28 |
BIG
BROTHER 5-THU |
CBS |
2.8 |
1.85 |
29 |
LAW
AND ORDER |
NBC |
2.7 |
1.77 |
30 |
CHARMED
- WB |
WB |
2.7 |
1.76 |
| Source: MTV Networks,
based on data from Nielsen Media Research |
TOP 30
PROGRAMS - BROADCAST & BASIC CABLE TV
Adults 18-24
Week Ending September 12 |
Rank |
Program |
Net |
Rtg% |
In
Millions |
1 |
JOEY |
NBC |
5.5 |
1.52 |
2 |
FOX
NFL SUNDAY-NATIONAL |
FOX |
4.8 |
1.35 |
3 |
NFL
FOOTBALL SPEC OPENER(S)-09/09/2004 |
ABC |
3.9 |
1.08 |
4 |
FATHER
OF THE PRIDE |
NBC |
3.7 |
1.02 |
5 |
THAT
'70S SHOW |
FOX |
3.6 |
1.01 |
6 |
2004
NFL SHOWCASE(S)-09/09/2004 |
ABC |
3.5 |
0.98 |
7 |
REAL
WORLD XV |
MTV |
3.5 |
0.96 |
8 |
APPRENTICE
2 |
NBC |
3.4 |
0.94 |
9 |
CBS
NFL SINGLE |
CBS |
3.2 |
0.89 |
10 |
QUINTUPLETS |
FOX |
3.1 |
0.87 |
11 |
RENOVATE
MY FAMILY |
FOX |
3.1 |
0.87 |
12 |
SCRUBS |
NBC |
3.0 |
0.84 |
13 |
FOX
NFL SUNDAY-POST |
FOX |
2.9 |
0.81 |
14 |
AMAZING
RACE: 5 |
CBS |
2.9 |
0.81 |
15 |
NFL
REGULAR SEASON L |
ESPN |
2.9 |
0.80 |
16 |
FOX
MOVIE SPEC-SUN(S)-09/12/2004 |
FOX |
2.9 |
0.80 |
17 |
BERNIE
MAC |
FOX |
2.7 |
0.76 |
18 |
SIMPSONS-9/12
7:30P(S) |
FOX |
2.7 |
0.76 |
19 |
FEAR
FACTOR |
NBC |
2.7 |
0.75 |
20 |
TRADING
SPOUSES |
FOX |
2.6 |
0.74 |
21 |
CSI:
MIAMI SPECIAL(S)-09/06/2004 |
CBS |
2.6 |
0.72 |
22 |
FUTURAMA |
TOON |
2.6 |
0.71 |
23 |
NFL
FTBL SPEC POST GUN(S)-09/09/2004 |
ABC |
2.5 |
0.71 |
24 |
NEXT
GREAT CHAMP |
FOX |
2.4 |
0.68 |
25 |
METHOD
AND RED |
FOX |
2.4 |
0.67 |
26 |
BIG
BROTHER 5-TUE |
CBS |
2.4 |
0.66 |
27 |
CSI |
CBS |
2.2 |
0.63 |
28 |
ROAD
RULES XIII |
MTV |
2.1 |
0.59 |
29 |
FOX
NFL SUNDAY-REGIONAL |
FOX |
2.0 |
0.56 |
30 |
ABC
COLLEGE FTBL SPEC-FRI(S)-09/10/2004 |
ABC |
2.0 |
0.56 |
| Source: MTV Networks,
based on data from Nielsen Media Research |
TOP 30 PROGRAMS - BROADCAST & BASIC CABLE TV
People 12-24
Week Ending September 12 |
Rank |
Program |
Net |
Rtg% |
In Millions |
1 |
JOEY |
NBC |
4.6 |
2.41 |
2 |
FOX
NFL SUNDAY-NATIONAL |
FOX |
4.6 |
2.39 |
3 |
THAT
'70S SHOW |
FOX |
3.6 |
1.90 |
4 |
REAL
WORLD XV |
MTV |
3.6 |
1.90 |
5 |
QUINTUPLETS |
FOX |
3.6 |
1.86 |
6 |
NFL
FOOTBALL SPEC OPENER(S)-09/09/2004 |
ABC |
3.5 |
1.83 |
7 |
FOX
MOVIE SPEC-SUN(S)-09/12/2004 |
FOX |
3.4 |
1.77 |
8 |
BERNIE
MAC |
FOX |
3.1 |
1.62 |
9 |
2004
NFL SHOWCASE(S)-09/09/2004 |
ABC |
3.0 |
1.58 |
10 |
FATHER
OF THE PRIDE |
NBC |
2.9 |
1.54 |
11 |
APPRENTICE
2 |
NBC |
2.8 |
1.48 |
12 |
CBS
NFL SINGLE |
CBS |
2.8 |
1.45 |
13 |
METHOD
AND RED |
FOX |
2.8 |
1.44 |
14 |
AMAZING
RACE: 5 |
CBS |
2.7 |
1.43 |
15 |
SIMPSONS-9/12
7:30P(S) |
FOX |
2.6 |
1.36 |
16 |
ROAD
RULES XIII |
MTV |
2.6 |
1.36 |
17 |
TRADING
SPOUSES |
FOX |
2.6 |
1.35 |
18 |
SCRUBS |
NBC |
2.6 |
1.34 |
19 |
RENOVATE
MY FAMILY |
FOX |
2.5 |
1.29 |
20 |
NFL
REGULAR SEASON L |
ESPN |
2.5 |
1.28 |
21 |
FOX
NFL SUNDAY-POST |
FOX |
2.4 |
1.28 |
22 |
FEAR
FACTOR |
NBC |
2.4 |
1.26 |
22 |
CHARMED
- WB |
WB |
2.4 |
1.26 |
24 |
CSI |
CBS |
2.3 |
1.22 |
25 |
JACK
& BOBBY - WB |
WB |
2.3 |
1.20 |
26 |
CSI:
MIAMI SPECIAL(S)-09/06/2004 |
CBS |
2.3 |
1.18 |
27 |
FAMILY
GUY |
TOON |
2.2 |
1.17 |
28 |
FUTURAMA |
TOON |
2.2 |
1.17 |
29 |
NFL
FTBL SPEC POST GUN(S)-09/09/2004 |
ABC |
2.2 |
1.15 |
30 |
FUTURAMA |
TOON |
2.2 |
1.14 |
| Source:
MTV Networks, based on data from Nielsen Media Research |
TOP 30
PROGRAMS - BROADCAST & BASIC CABLE TV
Teens 12-17
Week Ending September 12 |
Rank |
Program |
Net |
Rtg% |
In
Millions |
1 |
FOX NFL SUNDAY-NATIONAL |
FOX |
4.3 |
1.04 |
2 |
QUINTUPLETS |
FOX |
4.0 |
0.99 |
3 |
FOX MOVIE SPEC-SUN(S)-09/12/2004 |
FOX |
4.0 |
0.97 |
4 |
REAL WORLD XV |
MTV |
3.8 |
0.94 |
5 |
JOEY |
NBC |
3.6 |
0.89 |
6 |
THAT '70S SHOW |
FOX |
3.6 |
0.89 |
7 |
BERNIE MAC |
FOX |
3.5 |
0.86 |
8 |
JACK & BOBBY - WB |
WB |
3.3 |
0.81 |
9 |
METHOD AND RED |
FOX |
3.2 |
0.78 |
10 |
ROAD RULES XIII |
MTV |
3.1 |
0.76 |
11 |
YU-GI-OH - WB |
WB |
3.1 |
0.76 |
12 |
CHARMED - WB |
WB |
3.1 |
0.75 |
13 |
NFL FOOTBALL SPEC OPENER(S)-09/09/2004 |
ABC |
3.0 |
0.75 |
14 |
DRAKE & JOSH |
NICK |
2.9 |
0.71 |
15 |
FAMILY GUY |
TOON |
2.9 |
0.70 |
16 |
POKEMON - WB |
WB |
2.8 |
0.68 |
17 |
BATMAN - WB |
WB |
2.7 |
0.66 |
18 |
| | | |
