Summer Doldrums Plague Syndication

Most syndicated shows posted ratings declines for the week ending Aug. 26 from the prior week with many people outside enjoying the last days of summer vacation or shopping for back-to-school supplies. Some shows suffered declines as local TV stations shifted coverage on Aug. 24 to the Empire State Building shootings.

Even syndication’s most popular first-run and off-network shows — Judge Judy and The Big Bang Theory, respectively — couldn’t push into positive territory.

Here’s the week-versus-prior-week ratings in total households:

Talk Shows

Dr. Phil (CTD) was down 5% to a 2.3, just ahead of Live! with Kelly (Disney-ABC), which was up 5% to a 2.2.

Maury (NBCU) slipped 9% to a 2.0. Dr. Oz (Sony) was down 14% to a 1.9. The Ellen DeGeneres Show was down 6% to a 1.5. Rachael Ray (CTD) was up 8% to a 1.4. The Doctors (CTD) was unchanged at a 1.4.

Court Shows

Daytime’s top-rated show Judge Judy (CTD) was down 3% to a 6.0. Judge Joe Brown (CTD) was flat at 2.4; People’s Court (WBDTD) slipped 5% to a 1.8.

Magazine Shows

Among magazines, Entertainment Tonight (CTD) was down 6% from the week before to a 3.3. Inside Edition (CTD) was up 4% to a 2.9. TMZ (WBDTD) was up 6% to a 1.9.

Game Shows

Games were weak. Wheel of Fortune (CTD) had a 5.6, which was down 3% from the week earlier. Jeopardy (CTD) was down 6% to a 4.7. Family Feud (Debmar-Mercury) was flat at a 3.2; Who Wants to Be a Millionaire (Disney-ABC) was down 4% to 2.2.

Off-Net Sitcoms

Among off-net comedies, Big Bang Theory (WBDTD) continued to lead but with a 3% week-to-week dip to 6.4. Two and a Half Men (WBDTD) was slightly up at a 4.9; Family Guy (Twentieth) was up 5% to a 3.9.

Off-Net Weekly Hours

On the weekend, Law & Order (NBCU) advanced 21% to a 2.9. Criminal Minds (CTD) also did well, up 4% to a 2.8. Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (NBCU) slipped 4% to a 2.5. Without a Trace (WBDTD) was up 9% to a 2.5.