More New ‘Wendy Williams’ Through Summer

Debmar-Mercury has extended live production of The Wendy Williams Show for the third consecutive summer. The decision by the show’s producer and distributor follows another season in which it posted across-the-board gains. The show, Debmar-Mercury says, was the only daytime talker to grow nationally and led all of its syndicated and network entertainment talk competitors in the local metered markets during the May sweeps.

Wendy, which will continue to air live episodes through July 23, took its place among the top tier of national daytime talk shows this season as it rose 9% season-to-date to a 1.2 rating among women 25-54 and 11% to a 1.0 with women 18-49 through May 17.

In claiming sole possession of fourth place this season, Wendy was the only entertainment talker in the crowded daytime field to gain year-to-year nationally as others finished flat or down in the key daytime demo measurements. Through the corresponding period during the 2013-14 season, Wendy was in a five-way battle for fifth-place with women 25-54 and a two-way race for fourth place in the 18-49 women bracket. 

May to May, Wendy finished in a three-way first-place tie in rating in the major LPM markets alongside Live with Kelly & Michael and Ellen (1.3 rating) in women 25-54. It stood alone in first place among entertainment talk with a 1.0 rating for women 18-49, while improving its share in both categories by 23%  and 24%, respectively (leaping to a 9.7 share from an 8.5 share in 25-54 and to an 8.8 from a 7.1 among 18-49).

Taped live in New York City, Wendy is renewed through 2017, airs in in 52 countries globally and also runs in the U.S. on BET at midnight.