syndicated ratings

The new talker FABLife rated ahead of fellow rookies Crime Watch Daily and Crazy Talk in the metered markets during the syndicated programs’ inaugural week ending Sept. 13. The show finished first or second in its time period in five of its top eight markets.

The highly rated early rounds of the Final Four basketball tournament took its toll on syndicated programs during the week ending March 29, with most of the strips winding up sideways or down.

Entertainment Tonight, Inside Edition and Dr. Phil were the only first-run shows to post gains against the London Games in the week ending Aug. 12

After two weeks of its summer test run, the Warner Bros. talk show is posting strong household and demo ratings increases from its year-ago time periods.

The third week of the May sweep (ending May 20) saw most syndicated fare flat or down. The few first-run shows posting week-to-week gains included Maury, Judge Mathis and Jeremy Kyle.

The judge hits a new season high while the doctor holds off a surge by talk competitor Live with Regis and Kelly in the week ending Nov. 13.

Coverage of the end of the 72-day marriage between Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries powers ratings gains for most of the genre, generating new season highs for Extra, Entertainment Tonight, Access Hollywood and TMZ.

The No. 1 court show is also syndication’s top performer as the first week of the November sweep comes to a close on Oct. 30. The strong showing came despite competition from World Series baseball, which preempted Judy and other strips in some markets, and an early snowstorm that knocked out power in parts of the Northeast.

The week ending Oct. 23 was the second straight strong performance for the majority of entertainment magazines and talk shows.

The week ending Oct. 9 saw flat or lower ratings for most syndicated shows, including the new off-net sitcom Big Bang Theory.

The doctor takes top talk honors for the third week in a row, while the judge is No. 1 in courts and tied with Wheel for syndications leader in the week ending Oct. 2.

National numbers for the new off-net sitcoms are much higher than their metered market averages for the week ending Sept. 25.

Last week’s overnight ratings for Dr. Phil’s interviews with Casey Anthony’s parents gave the talker a 64% ratings boost from last year and its best season start since 2004.

While viewers were getting in final rounds of vacations, ratings were also zapped by Irene-fueled power outages. Rachael Ray, Ellen, Peoples Court and Who Wants to Be a Millionaire are among the few shows to post gains in the week ending Sept. 4.

After two days, it’s the No. 1 talker, helped by the interview with Casey Anthony’s parents. Newcomers Anderson and Excused post better numbers on Tuesday, while We the People with Gloria Allred dips from Monday’s premiere.

The Kim Kardashian-Kris Humphries celebrity nuptials boost ratings for syndicated magazine shows despite weather-related preemptions in the week ending Aug. 28.

They were the only two talkers to post ratings gains in the week ending Aug. 21. Judges Joe Brown and Alex were the only two courtrooms to show week-to-week increases.

Most shows turn in lower numbers in the week ending Aug. 7. The slump extends across most genres, with the exception of off-net sitcoms, most of which posted gains.

Even in repeats Judge Judy gains 1% from the week before and holds onto syndication’s crown as well as the No. 1 court show spot. News mags get a ratings boost from coverage of Amy Winehouse’s death. Live with Regis and Kelly and Maury stay Nos. 1 and 2 in the talkers.

Most of the shows in the genre posted big ratings gains in the week ending July 24 as Judge Judy continued to lead both the courtrooms as well as syndication overall once again.

In the Independence Day holiday week, preemptions for the Casey Anthony trial and the Space Shuttle launch combine with vacationing viewers to hold down viewing in many genres.

Wimbledon preemptions and vacationing viewers resulted in sinking PUT levels in the week ending July 3. Many shows were down or flat. One beneficiary was Maury, which emerged as the week’s top-rated talk show.

The genre gets another boost from the former California governor’s troubles. Court shows also do well in the week ending May 22 as does the season’s rookie champion, Swift Justice with Nancy Grace.

William and Kate drive ratings for most entertainment newsmags up from the week before as the May sweep gets underway.

The syndicated AA ratings now include viewing of multiple runs of the same show, resulting in double-digit boosts to numbers in many cases. Among the bigger beneficiaries are Judge Judy, Judge Joe Brown, Swift Justice with Nancy Grace, Don’t Forget the Lyrics, Family Feud and a number of off-net sitcoms.

Six chatfests, led by Oprah, post gains. Also doing well were some court shows, Swift Justice with Nancy Grace  as well as most of the magazine and game shows.

The frame ending Feb. 13 found viewing down across genres, but Oprah managed a strong comeback from the week before.

The interview with Winfrey’s secret half-sister, drove ratings up 28% in the week ending Jan. 30, the show’s highest in just over three years.

Regis Philbin’s retirement announcement was fodder to boost numbers from the previous week for all but one of the shows in the genre.

Syndicated shows in multiple genres set viewing records in the week ending Jan. 16

Most of the genre posts week-to-week ratings gains in the frame ending Jan. 9.

Most shows turn in lower numbers during the holiday frame ending Dec. 22. Among the few gainers were Nate Berkus, Family Feud and some off-net sitcoms and dramas.

Reruns and holiday shopping stifled syndication ratings, keeping most talkers, courtrooms and games down or flat for the week ending Dec. 12.

Many entertainment magazines, courtrooms, games and off-net sitcoms and dramas delivered strong showings in the week ending Dec. 5.

Among the shows taking the top spots in their genres are Oprah, Judge Judy, Wheel of Fortune, ET and Two and a Half Men. Strong newcomers include Swift Justice, How I Met Your Mother and Criminal Minds.

Many syndicated shows hit new season highs with the return to Standard Time in the week ending Nov. 14. Among the gainers are Oprah, which delivered its best ratings in almost three years, many magazine shows, newcomer Swift Justice and mainstay Wheel of Fortune.

Among the gainers in the week ending Nov. 7 are many magazine shows. Others posting week-to-week improvement include Dr. Phil, Dr. Oz, Swift Justice, Judge Judy, Wheel of Fortune.

Despite World Series and other viewing obstacles, Dr. Phil, Live with Regis and Kelly and Ellen all book new season highs in the week ending Oct. 31