Daylight Saving Time Takes A Toll On Top Access Games

It was either Daylight Saving Time, which began March 12, or March Madness, or both, that took a bite out of the top syndicated access games in the week ending March 19, according to Nielsen Syndication Service national ratings.

Hardest hit was Wheel of Fortune, which tumbled 12% to a third-place 4.5 from a second place 5.2. Leader Jeopardy gave back 7% to 5.1, while Family Feud leapfrogged into second with a 4.6 (down 6%) by losing less than Wheel of Fortune.

All the rookie shows were unchanged in households except for Sherri, which relinquished 13% to 0.7. Warner Bros.’ Jennifer Hudson was stable at 0.6 and soared 50% among the key women 25-54 demo to land at 0.3. Sherri was unchanged in the demo at 0.4.

The established chat fests continued to be led by the unchanged Live with Kelly and Ryan, which posted a 1.6 in households and 0.6 in the key demo. Dr. Phil lost 8% in households to a season low 1.1 but was steady in the key demo at 0.4, landing in a tie with Sherri. Next in line were Kelly Clarkson (flat) and Drew Barrymore tied at 0.9 in households and 0.3 in the key demo. Barrymore was up 13% in households and down 25% in the demo.

The courtrooms were led by Judge Judy with a 3.9, off 3%, with an unchanged Hot Bench (1.2) and People’s Court (0.8) taking place and show.

Magazines seemed to be largely immune to the contagion that hit the top games. Entertainment Tonight (2.3, up 6%) jumped over Inside Edition (2.3, down 4%) for the lead, while Access Hollywood (0.8, up 13%) was third. The rest of the genre was unchanged.

Off-net sitcoms were largely stable. Leader Big Bang Theory took a 6% breather to 1.8. Last Man Standing was second with a steady 1.1. There was a three-way tie at 0.7 for third place with Modern Family (down 13%), and the unchanged Young Sheldon and Two and a Half Men.

Dateline Weekly led the off-net weekly hours with a 12% jump to 3.7, while Law & Order: SVU rose 6% to 1.9, continuing in second place.

In the household rating rankings that follow, % change is from the previous week; * indicates a new season-high rating; ** indicates a new season low; NC indicates no change from the previous week; NA means not applicable.

TALK SHOWS

Live with Kelly and Ryan (Disney-ABC) 1.6 NC

Dr. Phil (CMV) 1.1 -8%

The Kelly Clarkson Show (NBCU) 0.9 NC

Drew Barrymore (CMV) 0.9 +13%

Tamron Hall (Disney-ABC) 0.7 NC

X. Rachael Ray (CMV) 0.7 NC

Steve Wilkos (NBCU) 0.6 NC

Maury (NBCU) 0.5 NC

Jerry Springer Combo (NBCU) 0.4 +33%

FRESHMAN SHOWS

Sherri (CMV) 0.7 -13%

Jennifer Hudson (WBDTD) 0.6 NC

iCrime with Elizabeth Vargas (Trifecta) 0.5 NC

Pictionary (CMV) 0.4 NC

Karamo (NBCU) 0.4 NC

We the People with Judge Lauren Lake (CF Entertainment) 0.3 NC

COURT SHOWS

Judge Judy (CMV) 3.9 -3%

Hot Bench(CMV) 1.2 NC

People’s Court (WBDTD) 0.8 NC

Judge Mathis (WBDTD) 0.5 NC

Divorce Court (Fox First Run) 0.5 NC

Relative Justice (EW Media Group) 0.3 NC

GAME SHOWS

Jeopardy (CMV) 5.1 -7%

 Family Feud (Debmar-Mercury/FMNA) 4.6 -6%

Wheel of Fortune (CMV) 4.5 -12%

You Bet Your Life (Fox First Run) 0.7 NC

25 Words or Less (Fox First Run) 0.7 NC

Funny You Should Ask (Entertainment Studios) 0.3 NC

MAGAZINE SHOWS

Inside Edition (CMV) 2.2 -4%

Entertainment Tonight (CMV) 2.3 +5%

Access Hollywood (NBCU) 0.8 +14%

TMZ (Fox First Run) 0.7 NC

Extra (WBDTD) 0.6 NC

Dish Nation (Fox First Run) 0.2 NC

OFF-NET SITCOMS

Big Bang Theory (WBDTD) 1.8 -6%

Last Man Standing (Disney-ABC) 1.1 NC

Young Sheldon (WBDTD) 0.7 NC

Modern Family (Disney-ABC) 0.7 NC

Two and a Half Men (WBDTD)

The Goldbergs(Sony) 0.6 NC

Family Guy (Disney-ABC) 0.6 NC

Seinfeld (Sony) 0.6 NC

The Neighborhood (CMV) 0.6 NC

Black-ish (Disney-ABC) 0.5 NC

American Housewife (Disney-ABC) 0.4 NC

Mom (WBDTD) 0.3 -25%

OFF-NET WEEKLY HOURS

Dateline Weekly (NBCU) 3.7 +12%

Law & Order: SVU (NBCU) 1.9 +6%

Chicago Fire (NBCU) 1.2 +20%

Chicago P.D. (NBCU) 1.1 NC

Magnum P.I. (CMV) 0.7 NC

9-1-1 (Disney-ABC) 0.7 +17%