Daytime Starts Strong In Syndie’s New Season

Daytime shows were hot in the week ending Sept. 2 while many access programs wound up being preempted by the Republican National Convention.

Court Shows

Judge Judy (CTD) was the highest rated show in all of syndication for the week, which marked the beginning of Nielsen’s 2012-13 season, although most shows won’t officially begin their new seasons until the week ending Sept. 16.

Judy, which was the top-rated syndicated program of last season, grew 8%, both week to week and year to year, to a 6.5, despite being in reruns all week.

Other top-tier court shows were also strong. Judge Joe Brown (CTD) gained 4% to 2.5; People’s Court (WBDTD) added 6% to 1.9; and Judge Mathis (WBDTD) tacked on 7% to 1.5.

Talk Shows

Elsewhere in daytime, last season’s talk show champion Dr. Phil (CTD) was in repeats all week, but nonetheless led the talkers with a 2.5, which was up 9% from the week before and up 19% from last year at this time.

Live with Kelly (Disney-ABC) was a strong second, holding steady at a 2.2; Maury (NBCU) inched up 5% to a third-place 2.1, tying Dr. Oz (Sony), which rebounded 11% to a 2.1; while The Ellen DeGeneres Show (WBDTD) improved 7% week to week and year to year to a 1.6.

Meanwhile, last season’s freshman champion Anderson (WBDTD), now no longer a rookie, surged 20% to a 1.2. Latenight dating show Excused (CTD) also heated up, climbing 20% to a 0.6.

Magazine Shows

Most magazines remained on par with the prior week even though they did not air in some markets due to political coverage.

For example, Extra (WBDTD) was preempted more than 40 times by the Republican Convention but held firm at a 1.4, while climbing 8% from last year. Entertainment Tonight (CTD) led the field with a 3.3, followed by Inside Edition (CTD) at a 2.9; TMZ (WBDTD) was unchanged at a 1.9, but scored the largest increase over last year, improving 12. Access Hollywood (NBCU) eased 11% to a 1.6 and The Insider (CTD) was steady at a 1.4.

Game Shows

Game shows were mixed with Wheel of Fortune (CTD) skidding 2% from the previous frame to a 5.5; and Jeopardy (CTD) fading 4% to a 4.5. Family Feud (Debmar-Mercury) was flat at a 3.2, while Who Wants to Be a Millionaire (Disney-ABC) rose 9% to a 2.4.

Off-Net Sitcoms

In off-net, Big Bang Theory (WBDTD) dropped 3 from the week before to a 6.2; Two and a Half Men (WBDTD) dipped 2% to a 4.8; Family Guy (Twentieth) was down 3% to a 3.8; and How I Met Your Mother (Twentieth) dropped 8% to a 2.4.

Off-Net Weekly Hours

Among off-net weekly hours, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (NBCU) ruled the category with a 2.8, up 12% from the week before. Sister show Law & Order (NBCU)  slipped 7% to a 2.7; while Monk (NBCU) made a big move, jumping 18% to a 2.6.