In the week ending March 28, programs did well just to hold their own as virtually none of the top-tier strips in any category was able to muster any improvement whatsoever thanks to a number of factors, including March Madness.
WEEKLY SYNDICATION RATINGS ROUNDUP
More Spring Doldrums For Syndie Ratings
The second round of basketball’s March Madness, coupled with preemptions for President Biden’s March 25 press conference and the second week of daylight saving time, kept the lid on syndicated ratings in the session ending March 28. In fact, programs did well just to hold their own as virtually none of the top-tier strips in any category was able to muster any improvement whatsoever.
For example, in access Family Feud made it two weeks in a row at the top of the game shows — and all of syndication — with a steady 5.4 live-plus-same-day national Nielsen rating.
Dr. Oz at the podium of Jeopardy was not the remedy for weakening numbers as the recently high-flying quizzer slipped for a third straight frame, losing 2% to a 5.2. That was the show’s lowest rating since the week of Dec 28, 2020.
Wheel of Fortune, which paired with Jeopardy in many major markets, also hit the brakes, slowing 2% to a 4.9.
Elsewhere, Extra and TMZ were the only Top 5 magazines to avoid the declines, hanging tough at 0.7 and 0.8, respectively.
In daytime, Live with Kelly and Ryan was rock solid at a 1.8 and led the talkers for the 17th time in 18 weeks, including three ties. Season-to-date, Live is No. 1 in talk by all key measures for the first time in its 33 seasons.
BRAND CONNECTIONS
Dr. Phil, a close second, was blown out by basketball, losing its primary run in seven of the top 10 markets and giving back 6% to a 1.5. Further back, conflict talker Maury remained 1.0 for the fifth week in a row, tying Wendy Williams, which rose 11% to a 1.0. Ellen DeGeneres declined 10% to a 0.9, matching its series low.
The top talk shows for the week among women 25-54 were:
- Live with Kelly and Ryan (0.7, -13% from the week before)
- Dr. Phil (0.6, unchanged)
- Wendy Williams (0.5, +25%)
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) 1.8 NC
Dr. Phil (CMV) 1.5 -6%
Maury (NBCU) 1.0 NC
Wendy Williams (Debmar-Mercury) 1.0 +11%
Ellen DeGeneres (WBDTD) 0.9 -10%
Rachael Ray (CMV) 0.8 NC
The Kelly Clarkson Show (NBCU) 0.8 -11%
Steve Wilkos (NBCU) 0.8 +14%
Tamron Hall (Disney-ABC) 0.8 NC
Dr. Oz (Sony) 0.6 -14%
The Real (WBDTD) 0.4 NC
The Doctors (CMV) 0.2 NC
Jerry Springer (NBCU) 0.2 NC
FIRST-RUN ROOKIE
Drew Barrymore (CMV) 0.6 NC
COURT SHOWS
Judge Judy (CMV) 4.9 -6%
Hot Bench(CMV) 1.5 NC
People’s Court (WBDTD) 0.8 NC
Judge Mathis (WBDTD) 0.7 NC
Judge Jerry (NBCU) 0.7 NC
Divorce Court (20th Television) 0.5 NC
Protection Court (Trifecta) 0.2 NC
GAME SHOWS
Family Feud (Debmar-Mercury/FMNA) 5.4 NC
Jeopardy (CMV) 5.2 -2%
Wheel of Fortune (CMV) 4.9 -2%
25 Words or Less (CMV) 0.7 NC
Funny You Should Ask(Entertainment Studios) 0.4 NC
MAGAZINE SHOWS
Inside Edition (CMV) 2.3 -4%
Entertainment Tonight (CMV) 2.1 -13%
Access Hollywood (NBCU) 0.9 -10%
TMZ (WBDTD) 0.8 NC
Extra (WBDTD) 0.7 NC
Daily Mail TV (CMV) 0.6 NC
Dish Nation (Trifecta) 0.3 NC
OFF-NET SITCOMS
Big Bang Theory (WBDTD) 2.5 NC
Last Man Standing (Disney-ABC) 1.8 NC
Modern Family (Disney-ABC) 1.0 +11%
Two and a Half Men (WBDTD) 1.0 NC
The Goldbergs(Sony) 0.9 NC
Family Guy (Disney-ABC) 0.8 -38%
Seinfeld (Sony) 0.8 -11%
Mike and Molly (WBDTD) 0.7 NC
Black-ish (Disney-ABC) 0.7 NC
Two Broke Girls (WBDTD) 0.7 -13%
OFF-NET WEEKLY HOURS
Dateline Weekly (NBCU) 3.9 -5%
Law & Order: SVU (NBCU) 1.9 -14%
Chicago P.D. (NBCU) 1.8 +29%
NCIS (CMV) 1.0 NC
NCIS: New Orleans (CMV) 1.0 +25%
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