Syndies Bounce Back Following Preemptions

Syndication last week rebounded from the prior week’s Trump impeachment trial preemptions in the week ending Feb. 21, according to Nielsen. The boost came despite electrical blackouts and almost around-the-clock weather news on stations in the American South.

For example, several shows soared to multi-week highs in Nielsen’s live-plus-same-day national household ratings. In the closely watched talk show race, Live with Kelly and Ryan and Dr. Phil tied for the lead at a 2.0. Live gained 11% from the previous week to its best number since late 2020, while Phil leapt 43% to its biggest score in 13 weeks.

Maury and Ellen DeGeneres jumped 22% and 10%, respectively, to tie for third place at a 1.1.

Rachael Ray and sophomore Kelly Clarkson both moved up 11% to land in a three-way tie at 1.0 with Ray at a 37-week high and Wendy Williams, which reported a season-to-date record of 1.0, also up 11%.  Sophomore Tamron Hall improved 13% to a seven-week best, landing in a tie with veteran Steve Wilkos, also up 13% to a 0.9.

Newcomer Drew Barrymore gained 20% to a 0.6, its highest rating in 16 weeks.

At the very top of the chart it was a tight race. Jeopardy took over the lead with a 6.1, up 9% from the prior frame, while Judge Judy, Family Feud and Wheel of Fortune tied for second at 5.9s. Judy grew the most, up 23% from the preemption-riddled previous week. Feud and Wheel advanced 5% and 2%, respectively.

The Judy creation Hot Bench took second place among courts with an unchanged 1.8. People’s Court was third in the genre, up 10% to a 1.1.

Most of the magazines also rose or held their ground. Inside Edition led the category, growing 18% to a 2.6. Entertainment Tonight was stable at a 2.4. Access Hollywood took third, up 22% to a 1.1. TMZ picked up 13% to a 0.9. Extra added 14% to a 0.8 and Daily Mail TV powered ahead 17% to a 0.7.

The top talk shows for the week among women 25-54 were:

• Live with Kelly and Ryan (0.9)
• Dr. Phil (0.7)
• Ellen DeGeneres (0.5), tied with Maury (0.5) and Wendy Williams (0.5)

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

Dr. Phil (CMV) 2.0 +43%

Live with Kelly and Ryan (Disney-ABC) 2.0 +11%

Ellen DeGeneres (WBDTD) 1.1 +10%

Maury (NBCU) 1.1 +22%

Rachael Ray (CMV) 1.0 +11%

The Kelly Clarkson Show (NBCU) 1.0 +11%

Steve Wilkos (NBCU) 0.9 +13%

Tamron Hall (Disney-ABC) 0.9 +13%

Dr. Oz (Sony) 0.8 +33%

The Real (WBDTD) 0.4 NC

The Doctors (CMV) 0.3 +50%

Jerry Springer (NBCU) 0.2 NC

FIRST-RUN ROOKIE

Drew Barrymore (CMV) 0.6 +20%

COURT SHOWS

Judge Judy (CMV) 5.9 +23%

Hot Bench(CMV) 1.8 NC

People’s Court (WBDTD) 1.1 +10%

Judge Mathis (WBDTD) 0.8 +14%

Judge Jerry (NBCU) 0.7 +17%

Divorce Court (20th Television) 0.7 NC

Protection Court (Trifecta) 0.3 +50%

GAME SHOWS

Jeopardy (CMV) 6.1 +9%

Wheel of Fortune (CMV) 5.9 +2%

Family Feud (Debmar-Mercury/FMNA) 5.9 +5%

25 Words or Less (CMV) 0.8 NC

Funny You Should Ask(Entertainment Studios) 0.5 +25%

MAGAZINE SHOWS

Inside Edition (CMV) 2.6 +18%

Entertainment Tonight (CMV) 2.4 NC

TMZ (WBDTD) 0.9 +13%

Access Hollywood (NBCU) 1.1 +22%

Extra (WBDTD) 0.8 +14%

Daily Mail TV (CMV) 0.7 +17%

Dish Nation (Trifecta) 0.3 NC

OFF-NET SITCOMS

Big Bang Theory (WBDTD) 2.7 NC

Last Man Standing (Disney-ABC) 1.9 NC

Modern Family (Disney-ABC) 1.1 -8%

Two and a Half Men (WBDTD) 1.1 +10%

The Goldbergs(Sony) 1.0 NC

Family Guy (Disney-ABC) 0.9 NC

Seinfeld (Sony) 0.8 -11%

Mike and Molly (WBDTD) 0.8 NC

Two Broke Girls (WBDTD) 0.8 NC

Black-ish (Disney-ABC) 0.7 +17%

Mom (WBDTD) 0.7 NC

OFF-NET WEEKLY HOURS

Dateline Weekly (NBCU) 3.7 +37%

Law & Order: SVU (NBCU) 1.5 NC

Chicago P.D. (NBCU) 1.5 +36%

NCIS (CMV) 1.1 NC

NCIS: New Orleans (CMV) 1.0 -9%

Law & Order: Criminal Intent (NBCU) 0.8 +14%

Castle (Disney-ABC) 0.8 -11%

American Ninja Warrior (NBCU) 1.0 +67%

Monk (NBCU) 1.0 +25%