ABC Brags About Daytime Ratings, But Read Between the Lines

While it may be true that ABC Daytime is doing well in the ratings among young women, 18-34, there's more to be read beneath the surface of what the network is saying in news releases.

ABC announced recently that for the week of October 22nd, it was daytime's top-rated network for the 8th consecutive week in Women 18-34 (0.6 rating/211,000), and for the 4th straight week in Women 18-49 (0.9 rating/584,000 - tie).

The news is not so great among total viewers and for all shows.

For instance, while General Hospital is doing very well in its new 2 p.m. time slot, The View is not doing quite as well as it did last season.  General Hospital tied The View as Daytime's number one program in Women 18-34 (0.7 rating/237,000), spiking to a 22-week high in the demo - since week of 5/21/12.  That's good news for GH, but not for The View.

Ratings for The View dipped by 12% in total viewers (3.66 to 3.23 million) since last year at this time, 23 percent in women 25-54 (993,000 to 768,000) and 15 percent among women 18-49 (745,000 to 631,000). Women 18-34 increased by four percent (228,000 to 237,000).

For the 4th consecutive week, "General Hospital" ranked as the top program in daytime in Women 18-34 (0.7 rating/248,000), posting its largest competitive advantage over Young & the Restless on CBS in 14 months and its second-biggest edge in close to 4-1/2 years (+31% - 248,000 vs. 189,000), since weeks of 8/22/11 and 6/23/08, respectively.  Compared to One Life to Live (in the 2pm time slot last year), General Hospital gained 7% in total viewers and 13% in women 18-34.

While the network said The Chew "soared" to its most-watched week in 23 weeks in Women 18-49 (421,000) - since week of 5/14/12 - and registered season highs in Women 18-34 (149,000) and Women 25-54 (536,000), it only drew 2.27 million total viewers for the week.  That's a 5% increase for the year, but it's not huge compared to The Talk  on CBS which rose 13%.  (The two shows are tied for viewers at the moment.)

Furthermore, year-to-year, The Chew lost 16% among women 18-49 (500,000 to 421,000) and 19% among women 25-54 (658,000 to 536,000).

E! Has Special Programming for Twilight Film Finale

E! is making a big deal about about the final installment of the Twilight films, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn: Part 2, with a look back at the stars and the stories of the series. E! News will focus on the relationship between Kristen Stewart (aka Bella Swan) and Robert Pattinson (aka Edward Cullen) with a 5-part series airing nightly this week.

On November 12th E! will air a half-hour Twilight special, Rob & Kristen: Immortal Love.

Then, during the week of November 12th E! News will spotlight the celebrity fashions of the Twilight cast – tracking the styles of the actors and actresses, including Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner, Ashley Greene and Nikki Reed.

Tonight, E! News will take viewers on a trip back through the rumor mill, focusing on when Pattinson and Stewart attempted to keep their relationship a secret from fans and the paparazzi.

Tomorrow, they'll highlight Kristen’s cheating scandal.

Thursday, it'll be the aftermath, with a rehash of the fans' emotional reaction, Rob's leaving their home, Kristen saying she still loves Rob, and then her public attempts to win him back. 

With reports that the couple has reunited, Friday will bring fans the supposed scoop about where the relationship stands currently.

Vegas and Elementary Given Full Season Run by CBS

Dennis Quaid in Vegas.

CBS has given full season “back nine” orders to television's top two freshman series — VEGAS and ELEMENTARY.

“VEGAS and ELEMENTARY have opened strong, delivering big audiences and winning performances in important time periods,” said Nina Tassler, President, CBS Entertainment. “Each of the shows has rich characters, big stars and a unique visual style that have stood out in the crowd, helping make two of our strongest nights even stronger.”

VEGAS, the #1 new series of the season and ranked sixth overall, wins its Tuesday (10:00-11:00 PM) time period in viewers and key demographics, averaging 14.94 million viewers, 2.7/08 in adults 18-49 and 3.8/09 in adults 25-54. VEGAS has improved the year-ago time period by +8% in viewers.

ELEMENTARY, the #2 new series of the season and ranked ninth overall, also wins its Thursday (10:00-11:00 PM) time period in the key ratings measures, averaging 14.30 million viewers, 3.5/10 in adults 18-49 and 4.6/11 in adults 25-54. Compared to the time period last year, ELEMENTARY is up +17% in adults 18-49 and +10% in adults 25-54.

VEGAS stars Dennis Quaid, Michael Chiklis, Carrie-Anne Moss, Jason O'Mara, Taylor Handley and Sarah Jones. Greg Walker, Nicholas Pileggi, Cathy Konrad, Arthur Sarkissian and James Mangold are executive producers for CBS Television Studios.

ELEMENTARY stars Jonny Lee Miller, Lucy Liu, Aidan Quinn and Jon Michael Hill. Rob Doherty, Sarah Timberman and Carl Beverly are executive producers for CBS Television Studios.

Post-Superbowl Show Announced by CBS: Is it a Big Deal?

CBS announced today that its hit freshman drama ELEMENTARY, which provides a modern take on Sherlock Holmes in New York City, will receive what CBS called the coveted post-Super Bowl slot. A special episode of ELEMENTARY will be broadcast following CBS Sports' coverage of SUPER BOWL XLVII, on Sunday, February 3rd.

Is this a big deal? Does the time slot after the Super Bowl make a difference to a show's success anytime thereafter?

You can decide for yourself.

Here's a list of post-Super Bowl shows from the past 20 years:

Year	Superbowl	Network	Show	Viewers	Share
2012	XLVI	NBC	The Voice	37.6 Million	NA
2011	XLV	Fox	Glee	26.8 Million	NA
2010	XLIV	CBS	Undercover Boss	38.6 Million	NA
2009	XLIII	NBC	The Office	22.9 Million	21%
2008	XLII	Fox	House	29 Million	27%
2007	XLI	CBS	Criminal Minds	26 Million	26%
2006	XL	ABC	Grey's Anatomy	37.8 Million	27%
2005	XXXIX	Fox	The Simpsons	23 Million	22%
			American Dad!
2004	XXVIII	CBS	Survivor: All-Stars	33.5 Million	32%
2003	XXXVII	ABC	Alias	17 Million	20%
2002	XXXVI	Fox	Malcolm in the Middle	21.4 Million	21%
2001	XXXV	CBS	Survivor: The Australian Outback	45 Million	39%
2000	XXXIV	ABC	The Practice	23.8 Million	27%
1999	XXXIII	Fox	Family Guy	22 Million	21%
			The Simpsons
1998	XXXII	NBC	3rd Rock from the Sun	33.6 Million	34%
1997	XXXI	Fox	The X-Files	29 Million	29%
1996	XXX	NBC	Friends	52 Million	46%
1995	XXIX	ABC	Extreme	22.5 Million	25%

As you can see, only Friends, Glee and The Office have been incredible hits. And these shows were not broadcast after the game during their Freshman seasons. So, the answer to me, is no. Hyping a show after the Super Bowl presents only a minimal advantage, if any.

ELEMENTARY, which has won its Thursday (10:00-11:00 PM) time period in key ratings measures in every broadcast against regularly scheduled programming this season, is averaging 14.2 million viewers, 4.6/11 in adults 25-54 and 3.5/10 in adults 18-49. ELEMENTARY ranks as the #2 new series on television this season, only slightly behind CBS’ VEGAS (14.5 million viewers).

The series has also opened strong in international markets. ELEMENTARY is the number one new series in Canada, airing on the Global Network, where it wins its time period in viewers and key demographic categories. In the UK, ELEMENTARY ranks as Sky Living's third highest rated series since 2002, and the top-rated launch of a drama acquisition in the channel's history.

ELEMENTARY stars Jonny Lee Miller as eccentric, mischievous detective Sherlock Holmes and Lucy Liu as Dr. Joan Watson, a former surgeon turned sober companion. Following his fall from grace in London and a stint in rehab, Sherlock escapes to Manhattan where his wealthy father forces him to live with his worst nightmare – a sobriety coach. Now running free in New York solving crimes, it’s simple deduction that he’s going to need someone to keep him grounded, and it’s elementary that it’s a job for Watson.

Also, Aidan Quinn stars as Capt. Thomas Gregson, who knows from previous experience working with Scotland Yard that Sherlock is brilliant at closing cases, along with Jon Michael Hill, who portrays Det. Marcus Bell, a top-notch investigator who is initially skeptical of Holmes and his unorthodox methods.

NBC Hurricane Benefit Concert Brings in $23 Million

The American Red Cross and NBCUniversal announced on Saturday that “Hurricane Sandy: Coming Together,” a live, one-hour benefit telethon, generated nearly $23 million in support of victims impacted by Hurricane Sandy. 

Donations by phone, text and online were accepted by the American Red Cross during the Friday night concert and exceeded previous benefit telethons in support of the American Red Cross over the last five years.

“We are incredibly grateful and humbled by this outpouring of support for those who are suffering as a result of Superstorm Sandy,” said American Red Cross Chief Marketing Officer Peggy Dyer. “Our preliminary results of nearly $23 million raised are an extraordinary example of how the American people pull together in times of disaster. Their generous donations will go directly to those in need, and we urge the public to continue to give. We also thank the dedicated and talented team at NBCUniversal for the millions of people they have helped through this telethon."

Hosted by NBC “Today” anchor Matt Lauer, the live telethon featured performances by Christina Aguilera (NBC’s “The Voice”), Mary J. Blige, Jon Bon Jovi, Billy Joel, Joe Perry, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Sting and Steven Tyler as well as appearances by Kevin Bacon, Jimmy Fallon (NBC’s “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon”), Tina Fey, Whoopi Goldberg, Jon Stewart and NBC News’
Brian Williams.

The benefit telethon was broadcast live from the New York studios of NBC at 30 Rockefeller Plaza across the NBCUniversal networks including: NBC, Bravo, CNBC, E!, G4, MSNBC, NBC Sports
Network, Style, Syfy and USA as well as HBO, Discovery’s Fit & Health and Velocity networks, The Weather Channel and Wealth TV. The NBC Owned and some affiliate television stations live-streamed the telethon on their websites.

Comcast’s xfinity.com/TV, Hulu and more than 100 Gannett-owned websites, including usatoday.com, live streamed the telethon, along with multiple NBCUniversal digital properties, including: NBC.com, Fandango, iVillage, g4tv.com, nbcnews.com and weather.com.

Clear Channel radio stations, along with a number of local radio stations from
across the Tri-State area, simulcast coverage of the event.

The American Red Cross response to Sandy is very large and will be very costly, affecting a massive area spanning much of the eastern half of the country. Financial donations help the American Red Cross provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance to those affected by disasters like Hurricane Sandy. To donate, people can visit www.redcross.org, call 1-800-HELPNOW or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

Last Season for Fringe on Fox

From Fox:

As the Fringe team fights for humanity’s future in the fifth and final season, the imaginative journey toward the end of the series will culminate in a climactic conclusion during the two-hour final-two-episodes event Friday, Jan. 18 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. This milestone date will also celebrate the series’ 100^th episode.

Series Co-Creator and Executive Producer J.J. Abrams reflected on the show’s run: “It has been an absolute honor to have been a part of the weird and wonderful world of FRINGE. I will always owe the cast and crew for pouring their hearts and souls into every dimension of this series. Creating the show with Bob Orci and Alex Kurtzman was a joy, but watching it evolve over the years into such an imaginative, insane and heartbreaking ride is nothing less than a thrill. I am grateful to our blessed fans, and to Kevin Reilly and Peter Rice and everyone at the glorious Fox network for allowing FRINGE to reach its bittersweet conclusion.”

Executive producer and showrunner J. H. Wyman said, “Above all else, from the bottom of my heart, I would like to personally thank everyone involved with FRINGE. From the most amazing fans, to our incredible cast, writers and crew, and our wonderful partners at FOX and Warner Bros. – we would not be here without you. It simply cannot be overstated how grateful I am for the ongoing and unconditional support we have received over the past five seasons. It has been both mind-blowing and humbling. I’ve always been a fan of science fiction, and to be able to tell this story about a family – a family that, through everything, fought together for survival – has been a highlight of my career. As we approach the final chapter, I can hardly believe it, and I’m just truly thankful for this unparalleled experience.”

“FRINGE has truly imagined the impossibilities over its five seasons and will go down in the books as one of FOX’s most riveting and creatively brilliant series,” said Kevin Reilly, Chairman of Entertainment, Fox Broadcasting Company. “It has been a blast to work with J.J., Joel and their masterful creative teams, as well as with Anna, Josh and John and the rest of the most talented cast and crew in the business.”

Throughout FRINGE’s thrilling five seasons, the series has followed Special Agent OLIVIA DUNHAM (Anna Torv), enlisted institutionalized “fringe” scientist WALTER BISHOP (John Noble) and his globe-trotting, jack-of-all-trades son, PETER (Joshua Jackson) as the Fringe team explored mysterious occurrences linked between parallel universes, doppelgängers, Observers and unimaginable threats. The unlikely trio supervised by Special Agent PHILLIP BROYLES (Lance Reddick) and assisted by ASTRID FARNSWORTH (Jasika Nicole) – often led them to science and technological corporation Massive Dynamic, founded by WILLIAM BELL (guest star Leonard Nimoy), and its enigmatic chief executive, NINA SHARP (Blair Brown).

The fifth and final flash-forward season of FRINGE is set in 2036, when the “Observers” have become ruthless rulers of a dystopian society. As the battle for the world’s future continues to unfold, the Fringe team is in the midst of making its final stand to save humanity. In the aftermath of the devastating loss of Peter and Olivia’s daughter, ETTA (guest star Georgina Haig), the intensity escalates as the combat continues and Peter makes a pivotal and game-changing move in the all-new “An Origin Story” episode airing tonight (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX.

Created by J.J. Abrams, Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci, FRINGE is produced by Bad Robot Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television. Abrams, Bryan Burk and J.H. Wyman serve as executive producers, while Akiva Goldsman is a consulting producer. “Like” FRINGE on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Fringe. Follow the series on Twitter @FRINGEonFOX and join the discussion at #fringe.

NBC to Air Hurricane Telethon

Matt Lauer Will Host

In response to the widespread devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy, the networks of NBCUniversal -- including NBC, Bravo, CNBC, E!, G4, MSNBC, Style, Syfy and USA – will join forces to air a one-hour live benefit telethon, “Hurricane Sandy: Coming Together,” on Friday, November 2 (8-9 pm ET).

Hosted by NBC “Today” anchor Matt Lauer, the telethon will be broadcast from the New York studios of NBC at 30 Rockefeller Plaza. It will air live across the East Coast and tape-delayed on the West. Additional networks could join the broadcast of the telethon prior to airtime.

Money collected will be donated to the American Red Cross relief efforts for Hurricane Sandy.

The telethon also will be live-streamed on NBC.com.

The event will feature performances by artists including Christina Aguilera (NBC’s “The Voice”), Jon Bon Jovi, Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen and Sting, and appearances by Jimmy Fallon (NBC’s “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon”) and NBC News’ Brian Williams.

The American Red Cross response to Sandy is very large and will be very costly, affecting a massive area spanning much of the eastern half of the country. Financial donations help the American Red Cross provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance to those affected by disasters like Hurricane Sandy. To donate, people can visit www.redcross.org, call 1-800-RED-CROSS or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.