Slow Going For Syndies In Sweep Week 2

The combination of milder winter weather across much of the country, which pushed PUT levels sharply lower, and preemptions for President Obama’s Feb. 11 speech on the resignation of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak sent most syndicated shows down in the week ending Feb. 13.

Talk Shows

On the other hand, Oprah (CTD) regained almost half the ratings it lost in the prior session. Bolstered by interviews with Donald Trump, Barbara Walters and the cast of The View, Oprah managed a 6% gain from the week before to a 5.7. Dr. Phil (CTD) slipped 9% to a 3.1; Live with Regis and Kelly (Disney-ABC) was flat at a 3.1; Ellen DeGeneres (WBDTD) lost 4% to a 2.6; and Dr. Oz (Sony) dropped 7% to a 2.5.

Court Shows

Courtroom champ Judge Judy (CTD) dipped 4% to a 4.7 for the week, which included the first full week of the February sweep. Judge Joe Brown (CTD) eased 5% to a 2.1; People’s Court (WBDTD) skidded 10% to a 1.9; Judge Mathis (WBDTD) fell 6% to a 1.7; and Judge Alex (Twentieth) and Divorce Court (Twentieth) both weakened 7% to 1.4s.

First-Run Freshmen

Among rookies, Swift Justice with Nancy Grace (CTD) continued to dominate the first-run newcomers for the 22^nd consecutive week despite being off 7% from its series high set the previous week. Nate Berkus (Sony) tumbled 17% to a 1.0; Don’t Forget the Lyrics (Twentieth) sank 11% to a 0.8; while Judge Karen’s Court (Litton) and America’s Court with Judge Ross (Entertainment Studios) were both flat at 0.6 and 0.3, respectively.

Slow rollout Access Hollywood Live (NBCU) 1.1 rating/4 share in its 13 metered markets for week two of the sweep. That represented an increase of 10% in households over year-ago time periods, while its women 25-54 demos surged 60% to a 0.8/5.

Magazine Shows

Back in the national ratings, Access Hollywood (NBCU) was the only magazine strip to improve week to week, jumping 5% to a 2.1, matching its season high and growing 10% among women 18-49. Leader Entertainment Tonight (CTD) dipped 2% to a 4.3; Inside Edition (CTD) slid 6% to a 3.3; TMZ (WBDTD) was unchanged at a 2.1; The Insider (CTD) was down 5% to a 1.8, although companion The Insider Weekend featured extensive coverage of 94-year-old Zsa Zsa Gabor’s birthday celebration after having her leg amputated last month and skyrocketed 50% to a new season high 1.5, its best rating in more than a year. And Extra (WBDTD) held steady at a 1.7.

Off-Net Sitcoms

Among off-net sitcoms, leader Two and a Half Men (WBDTD) yielded 5% to a 6.1; Family Guy (Twentieth) was down 2% to a 4.0; Everybody Loves Raymond (CTD) and Seinfeld (Sony) were flat at 2.9 and 2.7, respectively, while My Wife and Kids (Disney-ABC) declined 17% to a 2.4, tying The Office (NBCU), which was unchanged at a 2.4.

Off-Net Freshmen

Among the new off-net and off-cable strips, How I Met Your Mother (Twentieth) dipped 4% to a 2.5; The New Adventures of Old Christine (WBDTD) was flat at a 1.3; Meet the Browns (Debmar-Mercury) was down 8% to a 1.1; and Entourage (WBDTD) lost 14% to a 0.6, tying Curb Your Enthusiasm (WBDTD), which was unchanged at a 0.6.

Off-Net Weekly Hours

Among weekly hours, Criminal Minds (CTD) regained sole possession of first place after spiking 17% to a 3.4. Law & Order: Criminal Intent (NBCU) sank 7% to a 2.7; Without a Trace (WBDTD) and Numbers (CTD) both added 5% to 2.3; while Monk (NBCU) was off 4% to a 2.2.