| Scoreboard |  |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Viewers (million) | 10.39 | 6.32 | 4.51 | 4.50 | 1.05 |
| Rating/Share: Adults 18-49 | 2.4/7 | 2.1/6 | 1.4/5 | 1.4/4 | 0.4/1 |
CBS won the night, and in terms of total viewers, in every hour. But Supernanny narrowly defeated Flashpoint (update, we hear that Flashpoint was a rerun). at 9pm among 18-49 year olds. A repeat episode of Cops outdrew a new episode. Will things change next week when Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles makes its Friday debut and Dollhouse premieres?
Full details:
| Time | Net | Show | Viewers (Millons) | 18-49 Rating/Share |
| 8:00 | CBS | Ghost Whisperer | 11.39 | 2.8/9 |
| ABC | Wife Swap | 5.06 | 1.8/6 | |
| NBC | Howie Do It | 4.69 | 1.3/4 | |
| FOX | Cops | 4.13 | 1.3/4 | |
| CW | Everybody Hates Chris | 1.36 | 0.5/2 | |
| 8:30 | NBC | Howie Do It (R) | 4.02 | 1.2/4 |
| FOX | Cops (R) | 4.67 | 1.5/5 | |
| CW | The Game (R) | 1.18 | 0.5/1 | |
| 9:00 | CBS | Flashpoint (R) | 9.60 | 2.2/6 |
| ABC | Supernanny | 6.52 | 2.3/7 | |
| FOX | America’s Most Wanted | 4.62 | 1.5/4 | |
| NBC | Friday Night Lights | 4.21 | 1.4/4 | |
| CW | 13: Fear is Real | 0.84 | 0.4/1 | |
| 10:00 | CBS | Numb3rs | 10.18 | 2.2/7 |
| ABC | 20/20 | 7.39 | 2.1/6 | |
| NBC | Dateline | 4.93 | 1.4/4 |
Shows are sorted by viewers in each time slot.
Nielsen TV Ratings: ©2009 The Nielsen Company. All Rights Reserved. Source Marc Berman/Mediaweek.
Definitions:
Fast Affiliate Ratings: These first national ratings, including demographics, are available at approximately 11 AM (ET) the day after telecast, and are released to subscribing customers daily. These data, from the National People Meter sample, are strictly time-period information, based on the normal broadcast network feed, and include all programming on the affiliated stations, sometimes including network programming, sometimes not. The figures may include stations that did not air the entire network feed, as well as local news breaks or cutaways for local coverage or other programming. Fast Affiliate ratings are not as useful for live programs and are likely to differ significantly from the final results, because the data reflect normal broadcast feed patterns. For example, with a World Series game, Fast Affiliate Ratings would include whatever aired from 8-11PM on affiliates in the Pacific Time Zone, following the live football game, but not game coverage that begins at 5PM PT. The same would be true of Presidential debates as well as live award shows and breaking news reports.
Rating: Estimated percentage of the universe of TV households (or other specified group) tuned to a program in the average minute. Ratings are expressed as a percent.
Share (of Audience): The percent of households (or persons) using television who are tuned to a specific program, station or network in a specific area at a specific time. (See also, Rating, which represents tuning or viewing as a percent of the entire population being measured.)
Time Shifted Viewing – Program ratings for national sources are produced in three streams of data – Live, Live+Same Day (Live+SD) and Live+7 Day. Time shifted figures account for incremental viewing that takes place with DVRs which are currently in approximately 24.4% of all U.S. TV households. Live+Same Day (Live+SD) include viewing during the same broadcast day as the original telecast, with a cut-off of 3:00AM local time when meters transmit daily viewing to Nielsen for processing. Live+7 Day ratings include incremental viewing that takes place during the 7 days following a telecast.
For more information see Numbers 101.
February 7th, 2009 at 12:30 pm
Flashpoint was a repeat. And the 8:30PM repeat of Cops on Saturday almost always beats the 8PM new episode. Not sure why.
February 7th, 2009 at 12:45 pm
An increase for FNL! We will take it.
February 7th, 2009 at 12:47 pm
I saw that Zap2it said Flashpoint was a rerun, but Berman didn’t and those numbers made it seem like it might not be, but with a new Ghost Whisperer ahead of it, compared to last week’s numbers it makes sense. pulling numbers like that as a rerun (even if it needed a new GW in front of it to do it) is great news for CBS. CBS just keeps looking smarter.
February 7th, 2009 at 12:53 pm
Do u guys think Ghost Whisperer would be as successful on another night?
February 7th, 2009 at 1:06 pm
There’s no increase here. FNL still has the same pathetic demo number as last week’s. It’s time to put this show out of its misery now.
February 7th, 2009 at 1:20 pm
All the listings had Flashpoint as a new episode, but it was definitely a repeat. Episode that was scheduled to run last night is now scheduled next week according to CBS.com.
I guessing maybe a last minute change to run a new episode vs. Dollhouse instead of a repeat. Wouldn’t want DH to break the 5 million mark now would they.
February 7th, 2009 at 1:20 pm
Kate, I’ve never watched the show so it’s hard for me to have a strong opinion or gut feel, but only based on the numbers I’d say 8pm on Fridays is a good place for it and if you moved it to 8pm any other day (save Saturday) there would be more competition.
February 7th, 2009 at 1:22 pm
Mike, your scheduling gamesmanship scenario theory seems plausible…
February 7th, 2009 at 1:45 pm
why is Cops and AMW on Fridays now?
February 7th, 2009 at 2:24 pm
Jason, one time event. Terminator and Dollhouse start next Friday.
February 7th, 2009 at 3:25 pm
NASCAR is on Saturday, I assume better ratings that Cops and AMW.
February 7th, 2009 at 4:03 pm
I think Dollhouse will have a better demo than Flashpoint.
February 7th, 2009 at 4:09 pm
I haven’t seen any of Whedon’s material, but i am interested in Dollhouse. If it doesn’t work out, it would scare the networks into thinking twice about scripted shows on Fridays for a long time. The more scripted shows, the better i say.
February 7th, 2009 at 4:11 pm
I think ghost whisperer would do well on another night, not that CBS need to move it anyway! if it moved it to lets say Wednesdays, viewers might drop to 9/10m but the demo would shoot up!!
February 7th, 2009 at 4:13 pm
^I don’t see Dollhouse maintaining a 2.5 in the demo. I think it will struggle to get a 2.0.
February 7th, 2009 at 4:19 pm
I think it will be an outright miracle for Dollhouse to get a 2.2, like Flashpoint did this week when it was a rerun. But we shall see next week.
February 7th, 2009 at 5:20 pm
FOX running COPS there was a test. They’re trying to evaluate their possible FRIDAY ratings before TSCC and DOLLHOUSE take over. If neither show can do better than COPS or the game shows, they’re screwed. If they can, it’s how much better can they do?
I’m guessing for 4.3M total viewers for DOLLHOUSE this Friday and a 1.7 or 1.8. Anything better in the demo and they’re in good shape if they can build on it.
February 7th, 2009 at 6:13 pm
I point for 5M total viewers for Dollhouse and a 2.0 on demo, at least. I still prefer being optimistic and hope for a 2.5.
February 7th, 2009 at 6:16 pm
i think the premiers of dollhouse will be a surprise us but as the time goes it’s gonna down, of you know what i mean I think dollhouse should premiere after american idol so that the series could get some fixed public
February 7th, 2009 at 7:38 pm
GW doesn’t really *have* any competition, because right now it’s the only scripted show in the timeslot. Maybe I’m wrong but it seems that the shows on the other networks are so different in concept that they will appeal to a very different sort of viewer - they’re on at the same time but not actually competing for the same sets’ of eyes. I wonder if this factored into the decision over at FOX to move TSCC into the slot?
February 7th, 2009 at 8:27 pm
Considering how bad the ratings were for T:SCC, they will be even lower on Friday. I bet T:SCC will pull in 3-4 million with Dollhouse pulling in 4-5 million. Dollhouse looks stupid IMO.
February 7th, 2009 at 8:27 pm
This may be enough to get FNL renewed if it sustained. Over 600,000 people already saw this episode on DirectTV and there should be another 15-20% bump in DVR viewers. Last night’s episode was one of the best they have ever produced.
February 7th, 2009 at 9:41 pm
Rob R, you’re kidding, right? Those FNL numbers are so bad that unless DirecTV (or somebody else) takes out their checkbook again and writes a big number the show’s not coming back. And if they are inclined to write the check, the numbers may not matter at all.
February 7th, 2009 at 11:54 pm
dollhouse will be lucky to get a 2.0 next weekend
February 8th, 2009 at 6:25 am
I think Terminator and Dollhouse will outgun ABC, but underperform CBS.
Random guess, 2.2 for DOllhouse, 1.9 for Terminator. We’ll see.
February 8th, 2009 at 8:24 am
Both Terminator and Dollhouse will definitely do worse than CBS but they can beat the Wife Swap/Supernanny combo. As long as Flashpoint is in repeats, Dollhouse will perform better in the hour. As for COPS, I guess no one really can tell whether or not an episode is new and the audidence will slightly grow in the hour. But atleast it was only a 1 night thing.
February 8th, 2009 at 9:44 am
i think terminator around 6 million and dollhouse around 7-8 million. people will watch the pilot at least.
February 8th, 2009 at 9:48 am
I think FNL has a solid shot at renewal, especially since it’s an NBC production, and one that’s beloved by critics and people with taste. However, it may have seen more of an uptick if NBC had bothered to advertise it even once during the Super Bowl.
February 8th, 2009 at 10:04 am
I could actually see FNL being renewed if these numbers sustain. NBC would split costs again because DTV has stated it was very pleased with FNL’s results, and it’s not like NBC is going to get much bigger ratings on friday and not have to pay for it all. It will be close.
February 8th, 2009 at 10:16 am
I’m sorry, but if FNL is renewed and Life is not it will be a HUGE injustice.
February 8th, 2009 at 10:19 am
how patetic would it be for terminator and dollhouse to be beaten by a crap show like ghost whisperer. and ricardo u are so write please renew life
February 8th, 2009 at 10:53 am
John P, Whether you think it’s pathetic or not, Terminator and Dollhouse are undoubtedly going to get beaten by every show on CBS (in total viewers and the demo). They might have a chance to beat the ABC shows, but I don’t know that I would bet on it.
February 8th, 2009 at 10:58 am
Robert, if they pull those numbers FOX will throw a party. If DOLLHOUSE has 7M viewers it would likely beat GHOST WHISPERER in the demo. They’d likely throw a party, brag in a PR, and market the hell out of the show so it stays there.
February 8th, 2009 at 11:14 am
Really can’t wait till Friday!
I’m thinking Terminator will say around the same: 5.0-5.5 million with around a 2.0 demo. The fans are loyal, they’ll stick around. For Dollhouse I’m thinking 6.0-6.5 million with a 2.5 demo.
February 8th, 2009 at 11:14 am
I think CBS will be, at least, shaken. GW has no scripted competition. When Terminator occupies that slot, of course it’s not gonna win, but GW will be down a bit. Then, Flashpoint, with a weaker lead in, will probably lose, at least in the demo, for Dollhouse.
Maybe Feb 13 won’t be a great night for Fox, one never knows, but if they don’t have great ratings I am confident Dollhous will build up an audience.
February 8th, 2009 at 11:29 am
FOX is actually doing an alright job promoting Dollhouse too. Sure, the previews are senseless, but there are a lot of them airing. Eliza Dushku and Olivia Williams will be on some great talk shows this week too. I think it’ll find an audience.
February 8th, 2009 at 12:03 pm
Bill — I am just related what NBC has said itself. Friday Night Lights is in play for fall, and DirectTV wants to renew the deal because they are so pleased with FNL’s performance. It’s a new world, with a different measuring stick for success on NBC. That’s why, believe it or not, Lipstick Jungle is still in play too. What I hear is that Friday Night Lights has to hit between 4 and 5 million on Friday night and maintain its DVR bump, and it’s in play for renewal.
February 8th, 2009 at 12:15 pm
Rob, ignore what NBC says. Lipstick Jungle will not return to NBC. Whether DirecTV writes another check for FNL or not is entirely a marketing expense decision for them and I am unable to predict what they are thinking.
February 8th, 2009 at 3:16 pm
GW works well because(i read this somewhere) it features a combo of 2 types of shows CBS has done well with in the past: CIS type cop shows and the long running Friday show Touched by an Angel. Joan of Arcadia tried to take TBAA’s place when it finally when off the air. Unfortunatly, JOA didn’t have the CIS aspect and was getting too preachy by its 2nd season(IMO) when it was canncelled.
Fridays and Saturdays are deadzones because I suspect the demos that matter now more than ever tend to go out to concerts/parties/movies/dinner/all of the above rather than stay home and watch TV. Leaving shows to fight over whoever is left on those days.
In that light I can see why the FOX promos are the way they are. Instead of fighting for viewers likely to watch GW, they are trying to interest those likely to go to the movies and watch a sexy action film to stay home and watch 2 sexy action TV series.
At least 2 big excuses that fans of TSCC & DH use will be gone: 1. Lack of Promotion 2. a day that’s crowded with to much competition
I’m sure other reasons/excuses will come up but as far as the nets are concerned, the arguement will be over one way or the other. I can only wonder how these niche shows would have done if they debuted on a net with low expections like the CW or a cable channel like Sci-Fi or Spike.
February 8th, 2009 at 5:56 pm
and just what reasoning do u have to think that TTSCC and Dollhouse will bomb?? i think dollhouse looks really good
February 8th, 2009 at 9:34 pm
DirectTV is ready to write the check again. They are very happy with the FNL deal. It’s all up to NBC now.
February 8th, 2009 at 9:56 pm
Do you have a link to that, Rob?
February 8th, 2009 at 10:04 pm
Indeed Rob, count me as interested too. Let’s see a source for that information about DirecTV.
February 8th, 2009 at 10:09 pm
Admittedly, I’m not the best Googler, but the only thing I can find about a fourth season is that Peter Berg is optimistic because he’s managed to make it this far, despite it looking bad but no info on DirecTV’s thoughts on the matter.
February 9th, 2009 at 12:15 am
CBS is really like safe!
All their drama series are like going to be in the next fall except for The Unit. Which isn’t bad at all.
February 9th, 2009 at 6:07 am
First, It’s great that Numb3rs can consistenly pull in 10MM people. I love that show. I wonder what putting it on at 9 would do?
Second, I am really looking forward to Dollhouse. I am concerned that it is going to go the route of Firefly. I have no doubt it will be a smartly written show but will it have enough appeal?
February 9th, 2009 at 11:09 am
Hmmmm…you know rethinking this - would FOX be happy to have a constant 2ND PLACE amoung the networks on Fri nites with DOLLHOUSE and whatever they pair with it???
Wouldn’t it bring UP their weekly average?
February 9th, 2009 at 12:40 pm
It’s no wonder that CBS is blowing the competition away. No one else even has the least tempting offerings. CBS is merely the lesser of evils on friday evenings.
February 9th, 2009 at 1:46 pm
Bill— My source on the Direct TV information was Michael Auseillo at Entertainment Weekly. He is a big FNL fan and he has been updating fans on the status…..he said FNL has to essentially hold its mid 4 million audience at NBC to get renewed according to his sources, since Direct TV is already wanting to renew.
February 9th, 2009 at 2:13 pm
Rob R, no knock on Ausiello, I just read through all his mentions of FNL’s renewal, and there’s nothing in there that indicates to me that “DirecTV is already wanting to renew”, and even if there were, I’m not buying it yet.
No need to do the searching yourself, here are the links:
http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2009/01/ask-ausiello–2.html
This one may be what you’re talking about, if so I will remain a doubter:
Question: Please tell me that Friday Night Lights will be back next season. — LaToya
Ausiello: FNL will be back provided all (or most) of the 4.6 million people that tuned in for last Friday’s debut on NBC stick around for the entire season. And they’d be fools not to.
http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2009/01/ask-ausiello-sp.html
http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2008/12/exclusive-first.html
February 9th, 2009 at 5:27 pm
I’m struck by the erosion of the overall ratings from 30 years ago. Barney Miller, a low top-20 show during most of its run, averaged a 19.3 season rating over 8 seasons, with its worst season rating being 15.7 (54th place) in its last season (1981-82). Its best rating was 22.8 for 15th place in 1978-79.
Look at the current season’s Top 20 broadcast ratings - either looking at where that season worst rating for Barney Miller (15.7) would place in the Top 20 (from first to third in the current weekly Top 20 ratings charts shown on this site), or by what a 15th place show’s ratings would be (I’ll be generous and say that would average about a 7.0), it says something not too good about television broadcasting today.
I’m wondering if the best thing for ABC to do is air reruns of Barney Miller, Taxi, Charlie’s Angels, and Dynasty on Saturdays - when college football season is not on - they couldn’t do worse than they’re doing now Come to think of it, NBC should move Notre Dame football to Saturday nights as well…and Charlie Weis can be on The Biggest Loser on Mondays too (a huge bonus for the Peacock).
CBS could air whatever they are doing now - they will do okay, no matter what, at least for the foreseeable future. And Fox probably gets public service credit for America’s Most Wanted - and if they had Jeff Foxworthy host Cops, they could have a combined comedy/reality hour worth staying home for.
The CW - well, they may as well air “Plan 9 From Outer Space” or a 1940’s test pattern, since nothing would hurt their ratings, such as they are now. MyNetwork is airing reruns, wrestling, and returning Saturdays to their affiliates (per David Bauder of the Associated Press, as seen on the Minneapolis Star-Tribune), so maybe reruns of classic wrestling too? Good - I’d watch Baron von Raschke and Mad Dog Vachon anyday.
February 9th, 2009 at 5:29 pm
My Network will carry out their plan beginning next season - errare humanum est