Syndication Tightens As Programming Steadies

Syndicated shows returned to normal after two tumultuous weeks, starting with the Trump impeachment trial. The week ending Feb. 28 was a mixed bag with most shows relatively stable or making only small moves up or down, according to national Nielsen household ratings.

Of note, after 13 weeks in a tie as No. 2 or in a tie with Live with Kelly and Ryan, Dr. Phil returned to the top of the chat pack despite giving back 5% to a 1.9, besting Live’s 1.8.

Other significant movers in talk included Rachael Ray (0.8 -20%), Dr. Oz (0.7 -13%) and The Doctors (0.2 -33%).

The top game shows were mostly slightly off with Jeopardy 3% less dangerous at a 5.9, Wheel of Fortune breaking 2% to a 5.8 and Family Feud 4% less contentious at a 5.7

Judge Judy led the court shows once again despite giving back 3% to a 5.7, while Judy Sheindlin’s Hot Bench remained stable at a 1.8.

There was a tie at the top of the magazine rack with Entertainment Tonight remaining steady at a 2.4, while sister show Inside Edition retreated 8% to a 2.4. Most others were down but Daily Mail TV held its own at a 0.7.

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

• Live with Kelly and Ryan (0.8)
• Dr. Phil (0.7)
• Ellen DeGeneres (0.5), tied with Maury and Wendy Williams

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) 1.9 -5%

Live with Kelly and Ryan (Disney-ABC) 1.8 -10%

Ellen DeGeneres (WBDTD) 1.0 -10%

Maury (NBCU) 1.0 -10%

Wendy Williams (Debmar-Mercury) 1.0 NC

The Kelly Clarkson Show (NBCU) 1.0 NC

Tamron Hall (Disney-ABC) 0.9 NC

Rachael Ray (CMV) 0.8 -20%

Steve Wilkos (NBCU) 0.8 -11%

Dr. Oz (Sony) 0.7 -13%

The Real (WBDTD) 0.4 NC

The Doctors (CMV) 0.2 -33%

Jerry Springer (NBCU) 0.2 NC

FIRST-RUN ROOKIE

Drew Barrymore (CMV) 0.6 NC

COURT SHOWS

Judge Judy (CMV) 5.7 -3%

Hot Bench(CMV) 1.8 NC

People’s Court (WBDTD) 1.0 -9%

Judge Mathis (WBDTD) 0.7 -13%

Judge Jerry (NBCU) 0.7 NC

Divorce Court (20th Television) 0.7 NC

Protection Court (Trifecta) 0.3 NC

GAME SHOWS

Jeopardy (CMV) 5.9 -3%

Wheel of Fortune (CMV) 5.8 -2%

Family Feud (Debmar-Mercury/FMNA) 5.7 -4%

25 Words or Less (CMV) 0.8 NC

Funny You Should Ask(Entertainment Studios) 0.4 -20%

MAGAZINE SHOWS

Inside Edition (CMV) 2.4 -8%

Entertainment Tonight (CMV) 2.4 NC

Access Hollywood (NBCU) 1.0 -9%

TMZ (WBDTD) 0.8 -11%

Extra (WBDTD) 0.7 -13%

Daily Mail TV (CMV) 0.7 NC

Dish Nation (Trifecta) 0.3 NC

OFF-NET SITCOMS

Big Bang Theory (WBDTD) 2.7 NC

Last Man Standing (Disney-ABC) 1.8 -5%

Modern Family (Disney-ABC) 1.1 NC

Two and a Half Men (WBDTD) 1.0 -9%

The Goldbergs(Sony) 0.9 -10%

Family Guy (Disney-ABC) 1.0 +10%

Seinfeld (Sony) 0.8 NC

Mike and Molly (WBDTD) 0.8 NC

Two Broke Girls (WBDTD) 0.8 NC

Black-ish (Disney-ABC) 0.7 NC

Mom (WBDTD) 0.7 NC

OFF-NET WEEKLY HOURS

Dateline Weekly (NBCU) 3.8 +3%

Law & Order: SVU (NBCU) 1.6 +7%

Chicago P.D. (NBCU) 1.3 -13%

NCIS: New Orleans (CMV) 0.9 -10%

NCIS (CMV) 0.9 -18%

Castle (Disney-ABC) 0.8 NC