Syndies Take Post-Sweep Downturn

As PUT levels declined amid unseasonably mild weather, most syndicated shows took a breather in the week ending Dec. 9, following strong performances in late November and the first week after the sweep.

Talk Shows

For example, only three of the 17 talk shows were up from the week before — Ellen, Katie and Rachael Ray. Dr. Phil (CTD) extended its winning streak among the talkers to an even dozen consecutive weeks, despite dipping 3% from the previous frame to a 3.0.

Ellen (WBDTD) maintained its torrid pace, with an 8% improvement to a second-place 2.8, its highest weekly rating in nearly three years, and a 6% gain to a first-place 1.8 among women 25-54. Ellen also had the largest year-to-year increase of any talk show, growing 12% from the same week last year.

Live with Kelly and Michael (Disney-ABC), which has also been enjoying big ratings this season, eased 4% to a 2.5. Oz was flat at a 2.4; Maury (NBCU), another top-tier talker, was off 8% to a 2.2; while Rachael Ray (CTD) was the only other veteran talk show beside Ellen to improve, rallying 8% to a 1.4.

Among the closely watched talk newcomers, only Katie (Disney-ABC) was able to advance from the prior week, gaining 6% to a 1.8. This marks the 13^th straight week that Katie has topped all rookies.

Steve Harvey (NBCU) slipped 13% from its series high to a 1.3; Jeff Probst (CTD) also gave back 13% to a 0.7 after matching its series high in the previous session; Ricki Lake (Twentieth) was flat at a 0.7; while Trisha (NBCU) slimmed 20% to a 0.4.

Court Shows

Judge Judy (CTD) presided over the court shows with a hefty 6.7 rating, despite retreating 4% from the week before. Judge Joe Brown (CTD) was steady at a second-place 2.4; People’s Court (WBDTD) sank 10% to a 1.8; and Judge Mathis (WBDTD) eroded 12% to a 1.5.

Game Shows

In access time periods, game show leader Wheel of Fortune (CTD) skidded 4% to a 7.2; Jeopardy (CTD) was unchanged at a 6.5; Family Feud (Debmar-Mercury) fell 6% to a 4.6; Who Wants to Be a Millionaire (Disney-ABC) was stable at a 2.4; while rookie Baggage (GSN) lost 8% to a 1.1.

Magazine Shows

The magazines were all slightly lower after scoring sharp increases in the prior stanza. Entertainment Tonight (CTD) yielded 7% week to week to a 3.8, but was till up 3% from last year at this time. Inside Edition (CTD) faded 3% to a 3.1; Access Hollywood (NBCU) receded 5% to a 1.8; TMZ (WBDTD) was also off 5% to a 1.8; Extra (WBDTD) and The Insider (CTD) each dipped 6% to a 1.5, while freshman Dish Nation (Twentieth) dropped 10% to a 0.9.

Off-Net Sitcoms

In off-net syndication, Big Bang Theory (WBDTD) remained at a 7.3; Two and a Half Men (WBDTD) tumbled 9% to a 5.2; Family Guy (Twentieth) weakened 8% to a 3.7; and How I Met Your Mother (Twentieth) was down 3% to a 2.8.

Off-Net Weekly Hours

Among off-net weekly hours, Law & Order: SVU (NBCU) opened up a wide lead with a 13% surge to a new season high 4.5. Sister show Law & Order (NBCU) was unchanged at a 3.0; Criminal Minds (CTD) nabbed a 4% increase to a 2.7; and CSI: Miami (CTD) heated up 4% to a 2.6.