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False Idolatry
January 25
In comes American Idol, fresh off moving
it's nights to Wednesday and Thursday. So how do they fare? Was it a
smart more to do so? Will they still be the #1 show in the land? Did the
numbers decrease to dangerous levels? And what about the other shows not
named American Idol (yes, we do have some of those, believe it or not).
Let's sing the praises of the numbers this week...
Monday, January 17, 2011
The Bachelor (ABC)
January 3: 9.7 million Viewers (#2 in it's time slot) / 3.3 for A18-49
(#1 in it's Time Slot)
January 10: 8.4 million Viewers (#2 in it's time slot) / 2.8 for A18-49
(#1 in it's Time Slot)
January 17: 8.76 million Viewers (#2 in it's time slot) / 2.7 for A18-49
(#2 in it's Time Slot)
Now that the CBS comedies are back, The Bachelor will lose the 18-49
ratings #1 slot to them. However, the number, despite being lower than
usual, is still more than good enough to be successful, and, to the
chagrin of Chico, more than good enough for a renewal - if they keep it
at that pace.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
The Biggest Loser: Couples 4 (NBC)
January 4: 8.95 million (#2) / 2.8 for A18-49 (#1)
January 11: 8.67 million (#2) / 3.1 for A18-49 (#2)
January 18: 8.19 million (#2) / 2.8 for A18-49 (#2)
Just like the contestant's waistlines, the numbers are starting to
shrink. It's still doing a heck of a lot better than the Fall version,
but you'd like to see these numbers stabilize. The introduction of the
two new trainers were not nearly as charismatic as Bob or Jillian, and I
think though it won't be a factor this season, could spell trouble for
next season.
Million Dollar Money Drop (FOX)
January 4: 3.71 million (#4), 1.2 for A18-49 (#4)
January 11: 5.13 million (#4), 1.8 for A18-49 (#4)
January 18: 5.27 million (#4), 1.9 for A18-49 (#4)
The numbers on this show are going up, which is good as a barely
registering blip on the tv screen. The question for FOX: Do they want to
keep a show that can pull a 5 paired up with it's hot new cash cow when
the cow comes back for new episodes?
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
American Idol (FOX)
January 19: 26.1 million Viewers (#1) / 9.7 for A18-49 (#1)
Now 26 million is a huge number for any show. however, it's still a 13%
drop from last year. The big test though isn't tonight, or even
tomorrow. It's the live shows a month from now, which is where the
erosion has been gaining momentum. Now one of the reasons why people
watch even when the singing is rotten is to see Simon Cowell's reaction
to it. Now if none of the judges have that same sort of acerbity (and
right now it looks like they don't), they better hope that the 'amazing'
talent they have wasn't prominent on the first episode. Now where do you
suppose those gawdy numbers came from?
Live to Dance (CBS)
January 4: 10.25 million Viewers (#1) / 2.5 for A18-49 (#2)
January 5: 7.79 million Viewers (#2) / 1.8 for A18-49 (#3)
January 12: 6.22 million Viewers (#2) / 1.3 for A18-49 (#3)
January 19: 5.32 million Viewers (#3) / 1.0 for A18-49 (#4)
It came from here. Paula's show got absolutely flattened by the Idol
Machine. I don't see the numbers getting any better, and I think this
show is going to turn into street pizza.
Minute to Win It (NBC)
January 5: 6.82 million Viewers (#4) / 2.2 for A18-49 (#2)
January 12: 5.05 million Viewers (#3) / 1.4 for A18-49 (#2)
January 19: 5.10 million Viewers (#3) / 1.6 for A18-49 (#2)
It also came form here. However, I don't think MTWI is going to be in as
much trouble as the ratings suggest. This is filler, just like Deal or
No Deal during their runs against Idol. MTWI's real showing will be in
the Summer, where it should be. Even a weakened Idol is going to grind
all opposing shows into the ground for now.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
American Idol (FOX)
January 19: 26.1 million Viewers (#1) / 9.7 for A18-49 (#1)
January 20: 22.6 million Viewers (#1) / 7.7 for A18-49 (#1)
You're not going to poo poo 22+ million viewers, but that's an over 25%
drop from the 30 million people who showed up last year. And you're not
going to like the same drop with the 18-49 viewers. If they stay at 8pm,
they should be fine, but the real test is going to be how those 2 hour
performance shows fare against CSI / Grey's Anatomy / The Office Combo.
It could get under 20 million viewers, and it could open the door for
Dancing With the Stars to be the #1 show on TV, ending Idol's 8 year
reign of dominance.
Wipeout (ABC)
January 6: 11.58 million Viewers (#1) / 3.7 for A18-49 (#1)
January 13: 10.53 million Viewers (#1) / 3.6 for A18-49 (#1)
January 20: 8.25 million Viewers (#3) / 2.6 for A18-49 (#3)
I thought it was going to do a lot worse, but it did hold it's own
against Idol and Big Bang Theory / (Bleep) My Dad Says. If it stays at
8, or even drops to over 7, that has to be considered a success for
ABC's programming.
Next Week: What will the networks do with Barack Obama's State of the
Union Address? And how will the game shows fare against more shows that
come out of repeat hibernation? Join us in 7 days as we process more
numbers.
Source: Nielsen Media Research
Gordon "G-Money" Pepper is the lost
member of the boyband Gameboyz. E-mail him at
gordon@gameshownewsnet.com.
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