Sibling Show Shoots Up ‘Oprah’ Ratings

Although most of syndication lost ground in the last week of January amid sharply lower PUT levels and, in some cases, preemptions caused by the president’s State of the Union speech, Oprah (CTD) turned up with boffo ratings thanks to Oprah Winfrey’s discovery of her secret half-sister.

Nielsens for the week ending Jan. 30, in which she introduced her new-found sibling, jumped 28% from the week before to a 6.4, Oprah’s highest number since the week ending Nov. 18, 2007.

Ratings for the Jan. 24 interview with her long-lost half-sister scored a 9.8 and approximately 5 million more viewers than her next highest rated show of the week, which featured First Lady Michelle Obama on Jan. 27.

Talk Shows

Among other talkers, Live with Regis and Kelly (Disney-ABC) fell 7% to a 2.8 in the week following Regis’ announcement of his departure. Right behind was Dr. Phil (CTD) which also eased 7% to a 2.7; Dr. Oz (Sony) faded 7% to a 2.6; Ellen DeGeneres (WBDTD) edged ahead 4% to a 2.5; and Maury (NBCU) was flat at a 2.2.

Magazine Shows

Magazines mostly retreated after getting a boost in the prior session covering the news that Regis would be leaving. Leader Entertainment Tonight (CTD) gave back 7% to a 4.1; Inside Edition (CTD), which was the only mag not to benefit from the Regis story in the prior frame, inched up 3% to a 3.2; TMZ (WBDTD) was unchanged at a 2.1; Access Hollywood (NBCU) was off 5% to a 2.0; The Insider (CTD) dipped 5% to a 1.8; and Extra (WBDTD) — which did not air in five markets, including Los Angles, due to the president’s speech — yielded 6% to a 1.7.

Court Shows

Judge Judy (CTD) continued its winning streak among courtrooms, topping the category for the 750^th consecutive week, despite slipping 2% to a 4.6. Judge Joe Brown (CTD) relinquished 9% to a 2.1; People’s Court (WBDTD) weakened 5% to a 1.9; Judge Mathis (WBDTD) was flat at a 1.7; Judge Alex (Twentieth) fell 7% to a 1.4; Divorce Court (Twentieth) was flat at a 1.4; while Judge Jeanine Piero (WBDTD) lost 9% to a last-place 1.0.

Game Shows

Game shows were also quiet with Wheel of Fortune (CTD) flat at an 8.0; Jeopardy (CTD) lost 2% to a 6.4; Who Wants to be a Millionaire (Disney-ABC) was unchanged at a 2.4; Family Feud (Debmar-Mercury) added 6% to a 1.9; and Are You Smarter Than a 5^th Grader? (Twentieth) gained 10% to a 1.1.

First-Run Freshmen

Swift Justice with Nancy Grace (CTD) was the highest-rated rookie in first run for the 20th straight week, holding steady at a 1.3. Nate Berkus (Sony) tumbled 9% to a 1.0, while Don’t Forget the Lyrics (Twentieth), Judge Karen’s Court (Litton) and America’s Court with Judge Ross (Entertainment Studios) were all flat at 0.9, 0.6 and 0.3, respectively.

Meanwhile, newcomer Access Hollywood Live (NBCU), which is cleared in 13 metered markets and not yet nationally rated, scored a 1.2 rating/4 share in households, up 20% over its year-ago time periods, and a 0.7/4 among women 18-49, up 75% over last year for the first two days of the February sweep.

Off-Net Sitcoms

Among off-net sitcoms, leader Two and a Half Men (WBDTD) held steady at a 6.2; Family Guy (Twentieth) was up 10% to a new season high 4.6; Everybody Loves Raymond (CTD) was unchanged at a 3.0; My Wife and Kids (Disney-ABC) grew 7% to a 2.9; while Seinfeld (Sony) stayed at a 2.8.

Off-Net Freshmen

Among the new off-net and off-cable series, How I Met Your Mother (Twentieth) jumped 8% to a new season high 2.7; The New Adventures of Old Christine (WBDTD) remained at a 1.3; Meet the Browns (Debmar-Mercury) dropped 8% to a 1.2; Entourage (WBDTD) and Real Housewives (NBCU) held firm at 0.7 and 0.6, respectively, while Curb Your Enthusiasm (WBDTD) sank 14% to a 0.6.

Off-Net Weekly Hours

Among weeklies, Criminal Minds (CTD) retook the lead with a 10% hike to 3.2. Law & Order: Criminal Intent (NBCU) dropped to second place with a 9% decline to a 2.9; Without a Trace (WBDTD) leaped 14% to a 2.4; The Closer (WBDTD) was up 10% to a 2.2, tying Monk (NBCU), which was down 4% to a 2.2, and Numbers (CTD), which softened 8% to a 2.2.