PUT levels fell markedly as college hoops and more daylight conspire to lower syndicated viewing. While all the genres took hits, talk shows recorded a number of new season lows.
WEEKLY SYNDICATED RATINGS ROUNDUP
Syndies Hurt By Basketball, Switch To DST
The onset of Daylight Saving Time, coupled with numerous preemptions for the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, pushed PUT levels sharply lower and dragged most syndicated shows down in the week ending March 20.
Talk Shows
Talk shows were especially hard hit, with leader Oprah (CTD) sinking 8% from the week before to a new season low 3.4. Live lost 4% to a 2.6; Dr. Phil (CTD), which offered mostly repeats, was preempted on multiple days in 21 metered markets and slipped 25% to a new season low 2.1; Dr. Oz (Sony) also fell to a new season low, losing 9% to a 2.1; Maury (NBCU) faded 5% to a 1.9; and Ellen DeGeneres (WBDTD) dropped 22% to a new season low 1.8.
Court Shows
Judge Judy (CTD) was daytime syndication’s top-rated show for the second week in a row, beating the soon-to-conclude Oprah by more than 1.3 million viewers, despite giving back 9% from the prior week to a 4.1. Judge Joe Brown (CTD) and People’s Court (WBDTD) each dipped 5% to a 1.8; Judge Mathis (WBDTD) declined 6% to a 1.5; Judge Alex (Twentieth) was flat at a 1.2; and the verdict on Divorce Court (Twentieth) was a new season low mark after weakening 8% to a 1.1.
First-Run Freshmen
BRAND CONNECTIONS
Among the rookies, Swift Justice with Nancy Grace (CTD) extended its streak at the top of the chart to 27 consecutive weeks, holding firm at a 1.2. Nate Berkus (Sony), Don’t Forget the Lyrics (Twentieth) and Judge Karen’s Court (Litton) were all unchanged, at 0.9, 0.7 and 0.6, respectively; while America’s Court with Judge Ross (Entertainment Studios) advanced 50% to a 0.3.
Game Shows
Among the game shows, Wheel of Fortune (CTD) skidded 1% from the week before to a 7.2; Jeopardy (CTD) eroded 8% to a 5.5; while Who Wants to be a Millionaire (Disney-ABC), Family Feud (Debmar-Mercury) and Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? (Twentieth) were all flat at 2.3, 1.7 and 0.9, respectively.
Magazine Shows
In magazine action, Access Hollywood (NBCU) held steady at its season high 2.1 and was the only mag up from last year at this time, improving 5% year to year. Entertainment Tonight (CTD) led the category, although it eased 3% to a 3.9; Inside Edition (CTD) tumbled 10% to a 2.8; TMZ (WBDTD) softened 9% to a 2.1; Extra (WBDTD) held firm at a 1.7; while The Insider (CTD) relinquished 12% to a 1.5.
Off-Net Sitcoms
Off-net sitcom leader Two and a Half Men (WBDTD) had an off week and stumbled 10% to a 5.3. Family Guy (Twentieth) grew 11% to a 4.1; Everybody Loves Raymond (CTD) and My Wife and Kids (Disney-ABC) were unchanged at 2.6s; and Seinfeld (Sony) slid 12% to a 2.3.
Off-Net Weekly Hours
Among weekly hours Criminal Minds (CTD) remained at a 3.0 and continued to lead. Law & Order: Criminal Intent (NBCU) declined 15% to a 2.3; Without a Trace (WBDTD) jumped 21% to a 2.3, tying Criminal Intent; and there was a three-way tie for third with Monk (NBCU) leaping 16% to a 2.2; Bones (Twentieth) adding 5% to 2.2; and Numbers (CTD) subtracting 4% to 2.2.
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