Holiday Season Slows Down Syndication

Ratings for most syndication programs were flat or down for the week ending Dec. 12 as many shows went into rerun and many viewers headed out to the malls, according to the weekly Nielsen National Syndication Service.

Still jockeying for talk show dominance, Judge Judy was down 2% and Oprah was flat. Although they tied for the household ratings lead with a 4.5, Judy could declare victory by claiming more viewers, 6.35 million to 6.02 million.

Among other talk shows, Only Live! with Regis and Kelly with original programs was up from the previous week, by 4% to a season high 2.7.

Dr. Phil was unchanged at 2.7, but rose 7% in the key woman’s 25-54 demo.

Ellen DeGeneris was unchanged from prior week’s 2.4, while Dr. Oz dropped 4% to a 2.3.

Finishing second to Judy among court shows was Judge Joe Brown, unchanged at 2.0. People’s Court dropped 5% to a 1.8, which Judge Mathis and Divorce were flat at 1.6 and 1.3, respectively.

Among magazines, Extra jumped 12% to a 1.9 on Dec. 9 for its second highest rating of the season with a report on former Sen. John Edwards’ plans for his family following the tragic death of his wife.

Despite that, Extra managed only to hold steady for the week at 1.7. Extra Weekend, however, scored a 1.3, up 8% from the prior week and up 30% from the same week last year.

Category leader Entertainment Tonight and Inside Edition each slipped 3% to a 3.9 and a 2.9, respectively, although ET Weekend climbed 18% to a 2.0.

Access Hollywood, TMZ and The Insider were all steady at 2.0, 1.9 and 1.8, respectively.

Game shows were mixed.

Wheel of Fortune lost a little air, dropping 1% to 7.3. Jeopardy! fell 2% to a 6.1.

Who Wants To Be a Millionaire rose 5% to a 2.3, while Family Feud was flat at 1.8 and Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader added 11% to 1.0.

Among the rookie first run strips, top newcomer Swift Justice with Nancy Grace gave back 8% to a 1.2, but still led the freshmen by a 33% margin over Don’t Forget the Lyrics and Nate Berkus, which tied for second at an unchanged 0.9.

Judge Karen’s Court tumbled 14% to a 0.6, and America’s Court with Judge Ross was flat at 0.4.

How I Met Your Mother and the New Adventures of Old Christine were even week over week at 2.6 and 1.4, respectively. Meet the Browns was up 8% to a 1.4, while Ugly Betty and True Hollywood Stories were flat at 0.8.

Returning off-net sitcoms were led by Two and A Half Men, although it was down 3% to 6.0.

Family Guy was unchanged at a 4.1, while My Wife and Kids improved 4% to a new season high of 2.9.

Everybody Loves Raymond remained at a 2.8, while Seinfeld slipped 4% to a 2.7.