The 21st annual Chicago Underground Film Festival, which will run April 2-6 at the Logan Theater, will be extra special this year. Why? Because Mike Everleth, the Executive Editor of the Underground Film Journal, is sitting on this year’s festival jury! And looking over the fest lineup below, he is incredibly excited to witness this visual extravaganza of revolutionary cinematic madness. (Other jurors are Brian Chankin, Therese Grisham and Alison Cuddy.)
Opening Night Film: What I Love About Concrete is the debut feature by the directing team of Katherine Dohan and Alanna Stewart and is a surreal suburban tale about a teenage girl who believes she is transforming into a swan.
Closing Night Film: Usama Alshaibi will be making his triumphant return to Chicago with his latest documentary, American Arab, a personal and sociological examination of what it means to be an Arab in a post-9/11 United States. This...
Opening Night Film: What I Love About Concrete is the debut feature by the directing team of Katherine Dohan and Alanna Stewart and is a surreal suburban tale about a teenage girl who believes she is transforming into a swan.
Closing Night Film: Usama Alshaibi will be making his triumphant return to Chicago with his latest documentary, American Arab, a personal and sociological examination of what it means to be an Arab in a post-9/11 United States. This...
- 3/28/2014
- by Mike Everleth
- Underground Film Journal
Conan O'Brien is a free agent after his $33 million settlement with NBC was finally completed early Thursday morning -- but his hiatus probably won't last long.As part of the overall payout from the Peacock, worth about $52.6 million with staff severance and shutdown costs, O'Brien will be allowed to join another network Sept. 1. With his demo ratings on "The Tonight Show" and his online popularity soaring during the final two weeks of his seven-month tenure, the comedian already is being courted by a number of networks. Because O'Brien was formally under contract with NBC until Thursday morning, no formal talks have been initiated, but there have been a lot of informal inquiries.Fox is the most logical option as that network has been trying to get into the late-night fray for decades and its brass repeatedly have stated their interest in O'Brien, whose core younger audience is a perfect fit for Fox's target demo.
- 1/22/2010
- backstage.com
Conan O'Brien is a free agent after his $33 million settlement with NBC was finally completed early Thursday morning -- but his hiatus probably won't last long.
As part of the overall payout from the Peacock, worth about $52.6 million with staff severance and shutdown costs, O'Brien will be allowed to join another network Sept. 1. With his demo ratings on "The Tonight Show" and his online popularity soaring during the final two weeks of his seven-month tenure, the comedian already is being courted by a number of networks.
Because O'Brien was formally under contract with NBC until Thursday morning, no formal talks have been initiated, but there have been a lot of informal inquiries.
Fox is the most logical option as that network has been trying to get into the late-night fray for decades and its brass repeatedly have stated their interest in O'Brien, whose core younger audience is a perfect fit for Fox's target demo.
As part of the overall payout from the Peacock, worth about $52.6 million with staff severance and shutdown costs, O'Brien will be allowed to join another network Sept. 1. With his demo ratings on "The Tonight Show" and his online popularity soaring during the final two weeks of his seven-month tenure, the comedian already is being courted by a number of networks.
Because O'Brien was formally under contract with NBC until Thursday morning, no formal talks have been initiated, but there have been a lot of informal inquiries.
Fox is the most logical option as that network has been trying to get into the late-night fray for decades and its brass repeatedly have stated their interest in O'Brien, whose core younger audience is a perfect fit for Fox's target demo.
- 1/21/2010
- by By Nellie Andreeva
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Conan O'Brien has refused to play along with NBC's plan to move "The Tonight Show" and return Jay Leno to late-night, abruptly derailing the network's effort to resolve its scheduling mess.O'Brien said in a statement Tuesday that shifting "Tonight" will "seriously damage what I consider to be the greatest franchise in the history of broadcasting," and he expressed disappointment that NBC had given him less than a year to establish himself as host at 11:35 p.m. Est.O'Brien is in line to make approximately $30 million from NBC if he is replaced on "The Tonight Show" or if the show is canceled, said a source close to the situation who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the person was not authorized to speak about it publicly. However, the source said the sum would not apply just for moving O'Brien to a later time slot.
- 1/12/2010
- Filmicafe
Are Jay Leno's days in primetime numbered?
The future of NBC's "The Jay Leno Show" is in question as Web reports Thursday triggered all sorts of scenarios for the troubled program.
What is clear is that the network is reconsidering its commitment to Leno at 10 p.m., with moving him back to late-night being a credible option.
In such a scenario, Leno would return to 11:35 p.m. for a half-hour program, with Conan O'Brien and Jimmy Fallon shifting back a half-hour to 12:05 a.m. and 1:05 a.m., respectively. If he agrees to the plan, O'Brien would retain the "Tonight Show" name for his show.
TMZ first reported the possibility of a shift, saying the move will happen after next month's Winter Olympics, which pre-empt NBC's primetime programming for two weeks. NBC did not deny such a possibility.
But the time-period shift scenario would require NBC to...
The future of NBC's "The Jay Leno Show" is in question as Web reports Thursday triggered all sorts of scenarios for the troubled program.
What is clear is that the network is reconsidering its commitment to Leno at 10 p.m., with moving him back to late-night being a credible option.
In such a scenario, Leno would return to 11:35 p.m. for a half-hour program, with Conan O'Brien and Jimmy Fallon shifting back a half-hour to 12:05 a.m. and 1:05 a.m., respectively. If he agrees to the plan, O'Brien would retain the "Tonight Show" name for his show.
TMZ first reported the possibility of a shift, saying the move will happen after next month's Winter Olympics, which pre-empt NBC's primetime programming for two weeks. NBC did not deny such a possibility.
But the time-period shift scenario would require NBC to...
- 1/7/2010
- by By James Hibberd
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
With Tiger Woods announcing he's putting his golf career on hold, networks face a potentially crippling blow to the sport's ratings.
Last weekend, Woods skipped the Chevron World Challenge, a tournament he founded. NBC's telecast drew a modest 1.2 million viewers, down 54% compared with last year, when Woods competed in the event.
"Without Woods, televised tournaments are like a major motion picture without a star's name above the title -- rarely do people go to see the flick," said Bill Carroll, vp and director of programming at Katz TV Group. "Now only die-hard golf fans will watch the tournaments."
Golf's best player posted a statement Friday on his Web site admitting to "infidelity," apologizing to his fans and saying he was taking a break from the sport.
"It may not be possible to repair the damage I've done, but I want to do my best to try," Woods wrote.
NBC's viewership...
Last weekend, Woods skipped the Chevron World Challenge, a tournament he founded. NBC's telecast drew a modest 1.2 million viewers, down 54% compared with last year, when Woods competed in the event.
"Without Woods, televised tournaments are like a major motion picture without a star's name above the title -- rarely do people go to see the flick," said Bill Carroll, vp and director of programming at Katz TV Group. "Now only die-hard golf fans will watch the tournaments."
Golf's best player posted a statement Friday on his Web site admitting to "infidelity," apologizing to his fans and saying he was taking a break from the sport.
"It may not be possible to repair the damage I've done, but I want to do my best to try," Woods wrote.
NBC's viewership...
- 12/13/2009
- by By James Hibberd
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Premiere week wasn't a fluke.
Five weeks into the fall season, broadcasters have managed to maintain strong ratings for an eclectic collection of new shows that drew large debut audiences. Fox's "Glee," ABC's "Modern Family," the CW's "The Vampire Diaries" and CBS' "NCIS: Los Angeles" have continued to impress, and that's but a partial list of promising newcomers.
With these freshman success stories, one might think broadcasters would see boosted ratings. But three networks are down compared with last year -- partly because of the effect of DVRs, partly because of top-rated veteran shows losing traction and, in the case of NBC, partly because of the loss of dramas at 10 p.m. and no new breakout hits.
The report card for the fall season so far:
CBS
The pieces of its schedule have snapped into place with precision: Putting "NCIS: La" after "NCIS" -- click. "The Big Bang Theory" with...
Five weeks into the fall season, broadcasters have managed to maintain strong ratings for an eclectic collection of new shows that drew large debut audiences. Fox's "Glee," ABC's "Modern Family," the CW's "The Vampire Diaries" and CBS' "NCIS: Los Angeles" have continued to impress, and that's but a partial list of promising newcomers.
With these freshman success stories, one might think broadcasters would see boosted ratings. But three networks are down compared with last year -- partly because of the effect of DVRs, partly because of top-rated veteran shows losing traction and, in the case of NBC, partly because of the loss of dramas at 10 p.m. and no new breakout hits.
The report card for the fall season so far:
CBS
The pieces of its schedule have snapped into place with precision: Putting "NCIS: La" after "NCIS" -- click. "The Big Bang Theory" with...
- 10/22/2009
- by By James Hibberd
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
"Dollhouse" fans can breathe easier: Fox will air all 13 episodes.
On the heels of impressive DVR data for the "Dollhouse" premiere, network execs said they will run each produced hour of the show's current order despite the Friday drama's modest overall ratings.
"We're going to run all the episodes," Fox scheduling chief Preston Beckman said. "We're not saying we're happy with those numbers, or accept them, but we don't have to overreact."
Premiere-week DVR data released Monday showed that the second-season "Dollhouse" debut climbed 50% from its very modest base of a 1.0 rating in the adults 18-49 demo. Beckman said DVR results have played a role in the show's fate, though he wasn't surprised by the new numbers.
"It's one of the reasons that we brought 'Dollhouse' back; we knew it was DVR-friendly," Beckman said. "Hopefully we'll see the overnight ratings increase from week to week. With some shows,...
On the heels of impressive DVR data for the "Dollhouse" premiere, network execs said they will run each produced hour of the show's current order despite the Friday drama's modest overall ratings.
"We're going to run all the episodes," Fox scheduling chief Preston Beckman said. "We're not saying we're happy with those numbers, or accept them, but we don't have to overreact."
Premiere-week DVR data released Monday showed that the second-season "Dollhouse" debut climbed 50% from its very modest base of a 1.0 rating in the adults 18-49 demo. Beckman said DVR results have played a role in the show's fate, though he wasn't surprised by the new numbers.
"It's one of the reasons that we brought 'Dollhouse' back; we knew it was DVR-friendly," Beckman said. "Hopefully we'll see the overnight ratings increase from week to week. With some shows,...
- 10/12/2009
- by By James Hibberd
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
They say in show business there is no bad publicity, but how will David Letterman's revelations of sexual relations with female employees and of a foiled extortion plot over them affect his "Late Show"?
The still-evolving saga comes at a crucial time for the veteran late-night host, who recently signed a new deal with CBS to stay with the show through the 2011-12 season.
He has been on a roll the past two weeks, celebrating his largest ratings victory over NBC's "The Tonight Show" in 15 years and boasting such A-list guests as Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton.
Then came the bombshell admission on Thursday. The news was so unexpected, the audience at "Late Show" kept laughing through most of Letterman's 10-minute confession, waiting for a punchline to a joke that never came.
But beyond the initial shock, media pundits and ad buyers don't see any long-term effect on...
The still-evolving saga comes at a crucial time for the veteran late-night host, who recently signed a new deal with CBS to stay with the show through the 2011-12 season.
He has been on a roll the past two weeks, celebrating his largest ratings victory over NBC's "The Tonight Show" in 15 years and boasting such A-list guests as Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton.
Then came the bombshell admission on Thursday. The news was so unexpected, the audience at "Late Show" kept laughing through most of Letterman's 10-minute confession, waiting for a punchline to a joke that never came.
But beyond the initial shock, media pundits and ad buyers don't see any long-term effect on...
- 10/2/2009
- by By Nellie Andreeva
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
After two years of new shows opening to middling numbers, broadcast is showing renewed signs of life this fall.
Many veteran series continue to decline, but audiences are checking out new programs in higher-than-expected numbers.
"Viewers have shown an encouraging willingness to sample new shows," said John Rash, senior vp-director of media negotiations at Campbell-Mithun. "It's proving that the death of the scripted series, let along network TV, is greatly exaggerated."
After only a few weeks, broadcasters have rolled out six new shows that generated at least a 4.0 rating among adults 18-49 in their series premiere: NBC's "The Jay Leno Show" (5.3); Fox's "The Cleveland Show" (4.9); CBS' "NCIS: Los Angeles (4.4); and ABC's "Cougar Town" (4.4), "Modern Family" (4.2) and "FlashForward" (4.0).
By comparison, at the same point last year, the highest-rated new show was "Worst Week" (3.8), which benefited from the biggest comedy lead-in on TV in CBS' Monday night block.
"It was really terrific week for network TV,...
Many veteran series continue to decline, but audiences are checking out new programs in higher-than-expected numbers.
"Viewers have shown an encouraging willingness to sample new shows," said John Rash, senior vp-director of media negotiations at Campbell-Mithun. "It's proving that the death of the scripted series, let along network TV, is greatly exaggerated."
After only a few weeks, broadcasters have rolled out six new shows that generated at least a 4.0 rating among adults 18-49 in their series premiere: NBC's "The Jay Leno Show" (5.3); Fox's "The Cleveland Show" (4.9); CBS' "NCIS: Los Angeles (4.4); and ABC's "Cougar Town" (4.4), "Modern Family" (4.2) and "FlashForward" (4.0).
By comparison, at the same point last year, the highest-rated new show was "Worst Week" (3.8), which benefited from the biggest comedy lead-in on TV in CBS' Monday night block.
"It was really terrific week for network TV,...
- 9/28/2009
- by By James Hibberd
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
NBC on Tuesday presented a 2009-10 schedule that included a new shared time-period strategy as well as two high-profile cancellations that sparked controversy.
With "The Jay Leno Show" occupying the 10 p.m. hour five nights a week, all eyes were on how NBC would manage to reconfigure the rest of its returning lineup and new shows into a tighter schedule.
The answer is having more series than ever share time periods, with the shows' half-season runs separated by the network's coverage of the Winter Olympics.
The strategy involves abbreviated orders and will allow for fewer repeats, though if serialized shows are given longer hiatuses to make way for new content, it could also cause waning in audience interest and ratings erosion. (On the flip side, ABC's "Lost" is an example that shorter runs for serialized drama could still work.)
"NBC has picked up more scripted shows than last season even...
With "The Jay Leno Show" occupying the 10 p.m. hour five nights a week, all eyes were on how NBC would manage to reconfigure the rest of its returning lineup and new shows into a tighter schedule.
The answer is having more series than ever share time periods, with the shows' half-season runs separated by the network's coverage of the Winter Olympics.
The strategy involves abbreviated orders and will allow for fewer repeats, though if serialized shows are given longer hiatuses to make way for new content, it could also cause waning in audience interest and ratings erosion. (On the flip side, ABC's "Lost" is an example that shorter runs for serialized drama could still work.)
"NBC has picked up more scripted shows than last season even...
- 5/19/2009
- by By Nellie Andreeva and James Hibberd
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
New York -- It's a sign of just how bad the TV biz has gotten: NBC is exploring cuts to the number of primetime hours it programs.
NBC Universal chief Jeff Zucker said Monday that the entire broadcast industry is facing tremendous challenges because of the changing media landscape, sliding ratings and the economic downturn.
"Can we continue to broadcast 22 hours in primetime? Three of our competitors don't," Zucker told the annual Ubs Global Media and Communications Conference in Manhattan. "Can we continue to broadcast seven days a week? One of our competitors doesn't."
There has been speculation that broadcasters have been looking at the possibility of cutting back on the hours they program, this is the first time a top TV executive has publicly acknowledged that.
The big three networks program 22 hours a week over seven days, but they don't program originals on Saturday, and only CBS runs all-original scripted programming on Fridays.
NBC Universal chief Jeff Zucker said Monday that the entire broadcast industry is facing tremendous challenges because of the changing media landscape, sliding ratings and the economic downturn.
"Can we continue to broadcast 22 hours in primetime? Three of our competitors don't," Zucker told the annual Ubs Global Media and Communications Conference in Manhattan. "Can we continue to broadcast seven days a week? One of our competitors doesn't."
There has been speculation that broadcasters have been looking at the possibility of cutting back on the hours they program, this is the first time a top TV executive has publicly acknowledged that.
The big three networks program 22 hours a week over seven days, but they don't program originals on Saturday, and only CBS runs all-original scripted programming on Fridays.
- 12/8/2008
- by By Paul J. Gough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Sarah Connor might have the struggling economy to thank for not being terminated.
Industry observers say the recent cluster of low-rated shows granted full-season orders might have something to do with network executives watching the plunging Dow rather than their shows' falling Nielsens.
No execs would talk on the record, but the economic crisis, combined with the cost of marketing a new series, the lack of new programming inventory because of the WGA strike and the anticipated difficulty of locking down new advertiser commitments, has networks inclined to play it safe.
"Most years there would be more cancellations then there have been to date," said John Rash, senior vp/director of media negotiations at Campbell Mithun. "But the dual dynamics of schedule stability keeping ad dollars in place is combining with delayed programming development from last season's writers strike."
NBC's "Knight Rider," ABC's "Private Practice" and Fox's "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles...
Industry observers say the recent cluster of low-rated shows granted full-season orders might have something to do with network executives watching the plunging Dow rather than their shows' falling Nielsens.
No execs would talk on the record, but the economic crisis, combined with the cost of marketing a new series, the lack of new programming inventory because of the WGA strike and the anticipated difficulty of locking down new advertiser commitments, has networks inclined to play it safe.
"Most years there would be more cancellations then there have been to date," said John Rash, senior vp/director of media negotiations at Campbell Mithun. "But the dual dynamics of schedule stability keeping ad dollars in place is combining with delayed programming development from last season's writers strike."
NBC's "Knight Rider," ABC's "Private Practice" and Fox's "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles...
- 10/26/2008
- by By James Hibberd
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
It will go down as one of the strangest and most difficult periods in broadcast television history: The 2007-08 season, where a perfect storm of a WGA strike, rocketing DVR penetration and the rapid expansion of the video marketplace resulted in the lowest-rated season on record.
Before the strike even hit, the season launched with worrisome news: Hit shows were returning down an average of about 8% in the ratings from the previous year. Yet as the weeks ticked by, some networks still had positive stories to tell. Fox was gaining traction in the fall and ABC's new shows were finding fans.
"The season got off to a very good start, but what ended up happening was like a car that started picking up speed and then ran into a wall," said Bill Carroll, director of programming at Katz Television Group.
As the season rolled over into 2008, NBC countered the strike with a surge of reality programming. "The Biggest Loser: Couples", a celebrity edition of "The Apprentice" and the debut of "American Gladiators" initially proved effective counter-strike programming.
And once the walkout concluded, there were more upbeat headlines as CBS enjoyed record ratings for the return of its Monday night comedy block. The numbers suggested that, just maybe, things weren't so bad after all.
But then as full schedules returned to the air, viewers held back. Such returning hit dramas as ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" and CBS' "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" hit record lows, with programs with serialized elements being hit especially hard.
Only once networks entered the May sweep did the damage of the strike and fractured viewing become clear: Networks were down double digits during the sweep despite running at full steam on most nights. Even major fare like Fox's "American Idol" were showing clear erosion, with the reality hit down about 10%.
With DVR penetration at 24% (compared with 15% last year), the story improves slightly when looking at the full season and factoring seven days of viewing per show. But not by much.
"The most difficult network television season ever," said John Rash, senior vp at Campbell Mithun. "Every network needs to work so that it doesn't get worse for next year. Almost all are betting the dizzying decline in ratings was the result of the writers strike and not a more fundamental shift away from broadcast."
Wrapping up the season, reality-fueled Fox won by a wide margin based on most current returns (11 million average viewers, 4.2 adults 18-49 rating/11 share). Fox managed a 2% increase among adults 18-49 this season, partly thanks to airing the Super Bowl, and is expected to win among every major demographic.
Fox is followed by CBS (10.5 million, 3.0/8), down 19% in the demo; ABC (9.2 million, 3.0/8) is down 14%; NBC (8.1 million, 2.8/8) is down 10%; the CW network (2.6 million, 1.1/3) is down 15% and MyNet is up 33% (1.1 million, 0.4/1).
Part of the issue is that broadcast viewers are going to cable. Nielsen audience levels show there's just as many viewers watching television programming as last year, if not a little more, and that ad-supported cable is enjoying double-digit overall gains.
The odd, downbeat year made renewing shows especially difficult. A 2.0 rating was the new 3.0 this season; several shows are returning when in previous years that performance would have earned them the heave-ho. ABC's "Oprah's Big Give" (11.2 million, 3.9) was the highest-ranking show that doesn't have a return planned, though ABC has said that production company Harpo elected not to have a second run.
Of the outright canceled shows, NBC's "Bionic Woman" averaged the highest (9.8 million, 4.0). Network-swapping comedy "Scrubs" (6.3 million, 3.3) finished the season with a higher rating than fellow NBC comedy companions "30 Rock" (6.4 million, 3.1) and "My Name Is Earl" (7.3 million, 3.1).
Although "Idol" fell in the ratings this season (Tuesday: 28.8 million, 11.2), it still finished as the top show and managed a finale that matched last year's conclusion (31.7 million, 11.4).
Moreover, Fox put the "Idol" lead-in power to good use, driving two reality shows into the top 10 shows for the season -- freshman series "The Moment of Truth" and the in-season run of "Hell's Kitchen" (11.9 million, 5.5).
Other shows were pushed back until next fall without a spring run -- including such freshman series as NBC's "Chuck" (8.7 million, 3.5) and ABC's "Private Practice" (10.8 million, 4.0). NBC's "Heroes" (13.1 million, 6.2) was the highest-rated show in the demo that the strike pushed all the way until next season.
The push-backs are on the front line of questions about the lasting impact of the current season. With several second-chance shows populating the fall schedule rather than new offerings, TV historian Tim Brooks said the most significant impact of the current season may still be to come.
"This fall will be the leanest season of new programs, perhaps ever," Brooks said. "Networks are reducing their chances for a comeback or stabilization by not putting more on the shelf. What broadcast really needs is the next 'House, ' the next 'Idol.' "
Another factor is whether viewers will return to last year's truncated freshman crop. Will audiences watch shows they barely remember?
"The shows will create a challenge for networks to reintroduce them to the public without the abundant free media that usually accompanies new programs," Rash said. "This is uncharted territory".
2007-08 season wrap chart
Key: New series Returning series Unscripted series Newsmagazine Sports program
Series Net Adults Viewers 1 American Idol (Tues.) Fox 11.2/28 28.8 2 American Idol (Wed.) Fox 10.7/26 27.4 3 Desperate Housewives ABC 7.0/16 18.2 4 House Fox 6.7/16 16.8 5 Grey's Anatomy ABC 6.4/15 15.6 6 The Moment of Truth Fox 6.2/14 14.7 6 Heroes NBC 6.2/14 13.1 8 NBC Sunday Night Football NBC 6.1/15 15.5 9 Lost ABC 5.6/14 13.0 10 Hell's Kitchen Fox 5.5/13 11.9 10 Dancing W/the Stars (fall/Mon.) ABC 5.5/13 21.7 12 Survivor: China CBS 5.1/14 15.2 13 CSI CBS 4.9/12 16.9 13 Dancing W/the Stars (fall/Tues.) ABC 4.9/11 19.6 13 Dancing W/the Stars (spring/Mon.) ABC 4.9/13 19.6 16 Two and a Half Men CBS 4.8/11 13.6 17 Survivor: Micronesia CBS 4.6/13 13.6 17 Extreme Makers: Home Ed. ABC 4.6/11 13.1 19 Terminator: Sarah Connor Fox 4.5/11 10.8 20 The Office NBC 4.2/10 8.0 20 Brothers & Sisters ABC 4.2/10 11.1 20 CSI: Miami CBS 4.2/11 13.8 23 Law & Order: NBC 4.1/11 11.5 23 Dancing W/the Stars (spring/Tues.) ABC 4.1/10 17.5 25 Bionic Woman NBC 4.0/10 9.8 25 Rules of Engagement CBS 4.0/9 10.8 25 Family Guy Fox 4.0/9 7.9 25 Private Practice ABC 4.0/10 10.8 25 The Apprentice 7 NBC 4.0/10 9.8 30 Samantha Who? ABC 3.9/9 11.8 30 Oprah's Big Give ABC 3.9/9 11.2 30 The Amazing Race CBS 3.9/9 11.8 33 The Simpsons Fox 3.8/10 7.9 33 Old Christine CBS 3.8/9 10.4 35 American Gladiators NBC 3.7/9 8.9 35 The Bachelor ABC 3.7/9 9.7 35 ER NBC 3.7/9 9.1 35 The Biggest Loser: Couples NBC 3.7/9 9.0 39 Medium NBC 3.5/9 10.4 39 Chuck NBC 3.5/9 8.7 39 Prison Break Fox 3.5/9 8.1 39 Without a Trace CBS 3.5/9 13.3 43 The Biggest Loser 4 NBC 3.4/9 8.2 43 Criminal Minds CBS 3.4/8 12.7 43 Pushing Daisies ABC 3.4/10 9.5 46 Here Come the Newlyweds ABC 3.3/9 8.1 46 CSI: NY CBS 3.3/9 11.7 46 Scrubs NBC 3.3/8 6.3 46 How I Met Your Mother CBS 3.3/9 8.2 46 The Big Bang Theory CBS 3.3/8 8.3 46 Law & Order NBC 3.3/8 x.x 46 King of the Hill Fox 3.3/8 6.8 53 American Dad Fox 3.2/7 6.6 53 Bones Fox 3.2/9 9.1 53 Big Shots ABC 3.2/8 7.7 56 My Name Is Earl NBC 3.1/9 7.3 56 The Unit CBS 3.1/7 11.2 56 30 Rock NBC 3.1/8 6.4 56 Ugly Betty ABC 3.1/8 9.3 60 Life NBC 3.0/8 8.1 60 NCIS CBS 3.0/8 14.2 60 Dirty Sexy Money ABC 3.0/8 8.1 63 Lipstick Jungle NBC 2.9/8 7.0 63 New Amsterdam Fox 2.9/7 8.9 63 Don't Forget the Lyrics Fox 2.9/7 8.3 63 Kitchen Nightmares Fox 2.9/7 6.2 63 The Bachelor: London Calling ABC 2.9/7 7.8 68 Deal or No Deal NBC 2.8/8 10.6 68 Journeyman NBC 2.8/7 7.1 68 Eli Stone ABC 2.8/8 8.1 68 Supernanny ABC 2.8/7 7.0 72 Cold Case CBS 2.7/6 11.1 72 Dance War: Bruno vs. Carrie Ann ABC 2.7/7 10.2 74 60 Minutes CBS 2.6/7 12.9 74 Boston Legal ABC 2.6/7 9.8 74 Smarter Than a 5th Grader? Fox 2.6/7 9.1 74 Las Vegas NBC 2.6/8 8.5 78 America's Next Top Model 3 CW 2.5/7 5.1 78 Cavemen ABC 2.5/7 6.6 78 Kid Nation CBS 2.5/7 7.8 81 Big Brother CBS 2.4/6 6.6 81 Am. Funniest Home Videos ABC 2.4/7 6.8 81 Ghost Whisperer CBS 2.4/8 8.7 81 Cashmere Mafia ABC 2.4/6 6.1 81 Jericho CBS 2.4/6 7.1 81 Numbers CBS 2.4/7 9.2 81 Cane CBS 2.4/6 8.9 81 Shark CBS 2.4/6 10.3 81 Phenomenon NBC 2.4/7 6.7 90 Wife Swap ABC 2.3/6 6.2 90 Unhitched Fox 2.3/5 4.7 90 Back to You Fox 2.3/7 6.5 90 'Til Death Fox 2.3/6 6.1 94 Welcome to the Captain CBS 2.2/6 6.4 94 Friday Night Lights NBC 2.2/6 6.2 94 AMW: American Fights Back Fox 2.2/6 6.2 94 October Road ABC 2.2/5 5.3 98 Cops Fox 2.1/7 6.1 98 Moonlight CBS 2.1/6 7.5 98 The Singing Bee NBC 2.1/6 6.5 98 Saturday Night Football ABC 2.1/7 6.2 98 American's Next Top Model 4 CW 2.1/6 4.2 98 1 vs. 100 NBC 2.1/6 8.0 104 My Dad Is Better Than Your Dad NBC 2.0/5 6.2 104 Notes From the Underbelly ABC 2.0/5 5.1 104 Women's Murder Club ABC 2.0/6 8.8 104 Carpoolers ABC 2.0/5 5.3 108 20/20 ABC 1.9/6 6.5 108 K-Ville Fox 1.9/4 5.5 110 Dateline NBC NBC 1.8/6 6.5 111 48 Hours Mystery CBS 1.7/5 6.5 111 Men in Trees ABC 1.7/5 6.2 113 According to Jim ABC 1.6/4 4.7 113 Smallville CW 1.6/4 3.8 115 Beauty and the Geek 2 CW 1.5/4 3.0 115 Secret Talents of Stars CBS 1.5/4 4.7 115 Canterbury's Law Fox 1.5/4 6.2 115 Amnesia NBC 1.5/5 5.1 119 Friday Night Smackdown CW 1.4/5 4.6 119 Power of Ten CBS 1.4/4 5.3 119 Just for Laughs ABC 1.4/4 4.9 122 One Tree Hill CW 1.3/3 3.0 123 The Next Great American Band Fox 1.2/4 2.9 123 The Return of Jezebel James Fox 1.2/4 3.3 123 Viva Laughlin CBS 1.2/3 6.5 126 Supernatural CW 1.1/3 2.7 126 Reaper CW 1.1/3 2.4 126 Duel ABC 1.1/3 3.8 129 Gossip Girl CW 1.0/2 2.1 129 Farmer Wants a Wife CW 1.0/2 2.2 131 The Game CW 0.9/2 1.9 131 Pussycat Dolls: Girlicious CW 0.9/2 1.9 131 Beauty and the Geek 3 CW 0.9/2 1.9 134 Crowned CW 0.8/2 1.9 135 Everybody Hates Chris CW 0.7/2 1.7 135 Girlfriends CW 0.7/2 1.6 137 Aliens in America CW 0.5/1 1.2 138 Life Is Wild CW 0.4/1 1.1 139 CW Now CW 0.3/1 0.7 139 Online Nation CW 0.3/1 0.7
Teens Show Net Rating/Share 1 American Idol (Tues) Fox 7.6/24 2 American Idol (Wed) Fox 7.1/23 3 The Moment of Truth Fox 4.8/16 4 House Fox 4.3/14 5 Family Guy Fox 4.1/12 6 Desperate Housewives ABC 3.5/11 6 Heroes NBC 3.5/11 8 American Dad Fox 3.4/10 9 The Simpsons Fox 3.3/11 10 Ext. Makeover: Home Ed ABC 2.9/9 10 Hell's Kitchen Fox 2.9/10 10 King of the Hill Fox 2.9/9 18-34 Show Net Rating/Share 1 American Idol (Tues) Fox 9.5/26 2 American Idol (Wed) Fox 8.8/24 3 House Fox 6.7/17 3 Heroes NBC 6.7/16 5 Grey's Anatomy Fox 6.2/16 6 The Moment of Truth Fox 6.0/17 7 NBC Sun.
Before the strike even hit, the season launched with worrisome news: Hit shows were returning down an average of about 8% in the ratings from the previous year. Yet as the weeks ticked by, some networks still had positive stories to tell. Fox was gaining traction in the fall and ABC's new shows were finding fans.
"The season got off to a very good start, but what ended up happening was like a car that started picking up speed and then ran into a wall," said Bill Carroll, director of programming at Katz Television Group.
As the season rolled over into 2008, NBC countered the strike with a surge of reality programming. "The Biggest Loser: Couples", a celebrity edition of "The Apprentice" and the debut of "American Gladiators" initially proved effective counter-strike programming.
And once the walkout concluded, there were more upbeat headlines as CBS enjoyed record ratings for the return of its Monday night comedy block. The numbers suggested that, just maybe, things weren't so bad after all.
But then as full schedules returned to the air, viewers held back. Such returning hit dramas as ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" and CBS' "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" hit record lows, with programs with serialized elements being hit especially hard.
Only once networks entered the May sweep did the damage of the strike and fractured viewing become clear: Networks were down double digits during the sweep despite running at full steam on most nights. Even major fare like Fox's "American Idol" were showing clear erosion, with the reality hit down about 10%.
With DVR penetration at 24% (compared with 15% last year), the story improves slightly when looking at the full season and factoring seven days of viewing per show. But not by much.
"The most difficult network television season ever," said John Rash, senior vp at Campbell Mithun. "Every network needs to work so that it doesn't get worse for next year. Almost all are betting the dizzying decline in ratings was the result of the writers strike and not a more fundamental shift away from broadcast."
Wrapping up the season, reality-fueled Fox won by a wide margin based on most current returns (11 million average viewers, 4.2 adults 18-49 rating/11 share). Fox managed a 2% increase among adults 18-49 this season, partly thanks to airing the Super Bowl, and is expected to win among every major demographic.
Fox is followed by CBS (10.5 million, 3.0/8), down 19% in the demo; ABC (9.2 million, 3.0/8) is down 14%; NBC (8.1 million, 2.8/8) is down 10%; the CW network (2.6 million, 1.1/3) is down 15% and MyNet is up 33% (1.1 million, 0.4/1).
Part of the issue is that broadcast viewers are going to cable. Nielsen audience levels show there's just as many viewers watching television programming as last year, if not a little more, and that ad-supported cable is enjoying double-digit overall gains.
The odd, downbeat year made renewing shows especially difficult. A 2.0 rating was the new 3.0 this season; several shows are returning when in previous years that performance would have earned them the heave-ho. ABC's "Oprah's Big Give" (11.2 million, 3.9) was the highest-ranking show that doesn't have a return planned, though ABC has said that production company Harpo elected not to have a second run.
Of the outright canceled shows, NBC's "Bionic Woman" averaged the highest (9.8 million, 4.0). Network-swapping comedy "Scrubs" (6.3 million, 3.3) finished the season with a higher rating than fellow NBC comedy companions "30 Rock" (6.4 million, 3.1) and "My Name Is Earl" (7.3 million, 3.1).
Although "Idol" fell in the ratings this season (Tuesday: 28.8 million, 11.2), it still finished as the top show and managed a finale that matched last year's conclusion (31.7 million, 11.4).
Moreover, Fox put the "Idol" lead-in power to good use, driving two reality shows into the top 10 shows for the season -- freshman series "The Moment of Truth" and the in-season run of "Hell's Kitchen" (11.9 million, 5.5).
Other shows were pushed back until next fall without a spring run -- including such freshman series as NBC's "Chuck" (8.7 million, 3.5) and ABC's "Private Practice" (10.8 million, 4.0). NBC's "Heroes" (13.1 million, 6.2) was the highest-rated show in the demo that the strike pushed all the way until next season.
The push-backs are on the front line of questions about the lasting impact of the current season. With several second-chance shows populating the fall schedule rather than new offerings, TV historian Tim Brooks said the most significant impact of the current season may still be to come.
"This fall will be the leanest season of new programs, perhaps ever," Brooks said. "Networks are reducing their chances for a comeback or stabilization by not putting more on the shelf. What broadcast really needs is the next 'House, ' the next 'Idol.' "
Another factor is whether viewers will return to last year's truncated freshman crop. Will audiences watch shows they barely remember?
"The shows will create a challenge for networks to reintroduce them to the public without the abundant free media that usually accompanies new programs," Rash said. "This is uncharted territory".
2007-08 season wrap chart
Key: New series Returning series Unscripted series Newsmagazine Sports program
Series Net Adults Viewers 1 American Idol (Tues.) Fox 11.2/28 28.8 2 American Idol (Wed.) Fox 10.7/26 27.4 3 Desperate Housewives ABC 7.0/16 18.2 4 House Fox 6.7/16 16.8 5 Grey's Anatomy ABC 6.4/15 15.6 6 The Moment of Truth Fox 6.2/14 14.7 6 Heroes NBC 6.2/14 13.1 8 NBC Sunday Night Football NBC 6.1/15 15.5 9 Lost ABC 5.6/14 13.0 10 Hell's Kitchen Fox 5.5/13 11.9 10 Dancing W/the Stars (fall/Mon.) ABC 5.5/13 21.7 12 Survivor: China CBS 5.1/14 15.2 13 CSI CBS 4.9/12 16.9 13 Dancing W/the Stars (fall/Tues.) ABC 4.9/11 19.6 13 Dancing W/the Stars (spring/Mon.) ABC 4.9/13 19.6 16 Two and a Half Men CBS 4.8/11 13.6 17 Survivor: Micronesia CBS 4.6/13 13.6 17 Extreme Makers: Home Ed. ABC 4.6/11 13.1 19 Terminator: Sarah Connor Fox 4.5/11 10.8 20 The Office NBC 4.2/10 8.0 20 Brothers & Sisters ABC 4.2/10 11.1 20 CSI: Miami CBS 4.2/11 13.8 23 Law & Order: NBC 4.1/11 11.5 23 Dancing W/the Stars (spring/Tues.) ABC 4.1/10 17.5 25 Bionic Woman NBC 4.0/10 9.8 25 Rules of Engagement CBS 4.0/9 10.8 25 Family Guy Fox 4.0/9 7.9 25 Private Practice ABC 4.0/10 10.8 25 The Apprentice 7 NBC 4.0/10 9.8 30 Samantha Who? ABC 3.9/9 11.8 30 Oprah's Big Give ABC 3.9/9 11.2 30 The Amazing Race CBS 3.9/9 11.8 33 The Simpsons Fox 3.8/10 7.9 33 Old Christine CBS 3.8/9 10.4 35 American Gladiators NBC 3.7/9 8.9 35 The Bachelor ABC 3.7/9 9.7 35 ER NBC 3.7/9 9.1 35 The Biggest Loser: Couples NBC 3.7/9 9.0 39 Medium NBC 3.5/9 10.4 39 Chuck NBC 3.5/9 8.7 39 Prison Break Fox 3.5/9 8.1 39 Without a Trace CBS 3.5/9 13.3 43 The Biggest Loser 4 NBC 3.4/9 8.2 43 Criminal Minds CBS 3.4/8 12.7 43 Pushing Daisies ABC 3.4/10 9.5 46 Here Come the Newlyweds ABC 3.3/9 8.1 46 CSI: NY CBS 3.3/9 11.7 46 Scrubs NBC 3.3/8 6.3 46 How I Met Your Mother CBS 3.3/9 8.2 46 The Big Bang Theory CBS 3.3/8 8.3 46 Law & Order NBC 3.3/8 x.x 46 King of the Hill Fox 3.3/8 6.8 53 American Dad Fox 3.2/7 6.6 53 Bones Fox 3.2/9 9.1 53 Big Shots ABC 3.2/8 7.7 56 My Name Is Earl NBC 3.1/9 7.3 56 The Unit CBS 3.1/7 11.2 56 30 Rock NBC 3.1/8 6.4 56 Ugly Betty ABC 3.1/8 9.3 60 Life NBC 3.0/8 8.1 60 NCIS CBS 3.0/8 14.2 60 Dirty Sexy Money ABC 3.0/8 8.1 63 Lipstick Jungle NBC 2.9/8 7.0 63 New Amsterdam Fox 2.9/7 8.9 63 Don't Forget the Lyrics Fox 2.9/7 8.3 63 Kitchen Nightmares Fox 2.9/7 6.2 63 The Bachelor: London Calling ABC 2.9/7 7.8 68 Deal or No Deal NBC 2.8/8 10.6 68 Journeyman NBC 2.8/7 7.1 68 Eli Stone ABC 2.8/8 8.1 68 Supernanny ABC 2.8/7 7.0 72 Cold Case CBS 2.7/6 11.1 72 Dance War: Bruno vs. Carrie Ann ABC 2.7/7 10.2 74 60 Minutes CBS 2.6/7 12.9 74 Boston Legal ABC 2.6/7 9.8 74 Smarter Than a 5th Grader? Fox 2.6/7 9.1 74 Las Vegas NBC 2.6/8 8.5 78 America's Next Top Model 3 CW 2.5/7 5.1 78 Cavemen ABC 2.5/7 6.6 78 Kid Nation CBS 2.5/7 7.8 81 Big Brother CBS 2.4/6 6.6 81 Am. Funniest Home Videos ABC 2.4/7 6.8 81 Ghost Whisperer CBS 2.4/8 8.7 81 Cashmere Mafia ABC 2.4/6 6.1 81 Jericho CBS 2.4/6 7.1 81 Numbers CBS 2.4/7 9.2 81 Cane CBS 2.4/6 8.9 81 Shark CBS 2.4/6 10.3 81 Phenomenon NBC 2.4/7 6.7 90 Wife Swap ABC 2.3/6 6.2 90 Unhitched Fox 2.3/5 4.7 90 Back to You Fox 2.3/7 6.5 90 'Til Death Fox 2.3/6 6.1 94 Welcome to the Captain CBS 2.2/6 6.4 94 Friday Night Lights NBC 2.2/6 6.2 94 AMW: American Fights Back Fox 2.2/6 6.2 94 October Road ABC 2.2/5 5.3 98 Cops Fox 2.1/7 6.1 98 Moonlight CBS 2.1/6 7.5 98 The Singing Bee NBC 2.1/6 6.5 98 Saturday Night Football ABC 2.1/7 6.2 98 American's Next Top Model 4 CW 2.1/6 4.2 98 1 vs. 100 NBC 2.1/6 8.0 104 My Dad Is Better Than Your Dad NBC 2.0/5 6.2 104 Notes From the Underbelly ABC 2.0/5 5.1 104 Women's Murder Club ABC 2.0/6 8.8 104 Carpoolers ABC 2.0/5 5.3 108 20/20 ABC 1.9/6 6.5 108 K-Ville Fox 1.9/4 5.5 110 Dateline NBC NBC 1.8/6 6.5 111 48 Hours Mystery CBS 1.7/5 6.5 111 Men in Trees ABC 1.7/5 6.2 113 According to Jim ABC 1.6/4 4.7 113 Smallville CW 1.6/4 3.8 115 Beauty and the Geek 2 CW 1.5/4 3.0 115 Secret Talents of Stars CBS 1.5/4 4.7 115 Canterbury's Law Fox 1.5/4 6.2 115 Amnesia NBC 1.5/5 5.1 119 Friday Night Smackdown CW 1.4/5 4.6 119 Power of Ten CBS 1.4/4 5.3 119 Just for Laughs ABC 1.4/4 4.9 122 One Tree Hill CW 1.3/3 3.0 123 The Next Great American Band Fox 1.2/4 2.9 123 The Return of Jezebel James Fox 1.2/4 3.3 123 Viva Laughlin CBS 1.2/3 6.5 126 Supernatural CW 1.1/3 2.7 126 Reaper CW 1.1/3 2.4 126 Duel ABC 1.1/3 3.8 129 Gossip Girl CW 1.0/2 2.1 129 Farmer Wants a Wife CW 1.0/2 2.2 131 The Game CW 0.9/2 1.9 131 Pussycat Dolls: Girlicious CW 0.9/2 1.9 131 Beauty and the Geek 3 CW 0.9/2 1.9 134 Crowned CW 0.8/2 1.9 135 Everybody Hates Chris CW 0.7/2 1.7 135 Girlfriends CW 0.7/2 1.6 137 Aliens in America CW 0.5/1 1.2 138 Life Is Wild CW 0.4/1 1.1 139 CW Now CW 0.3/1 0.7 139 Online Nation CW 0.3/1 0.7
Teens Show Net Rating/Share 1 American Idol (Tues) Fox 7.6/24 2 American Idol (Wed) Fox 7.1/23 3 The Moment of Truth Fox 4.8/16 4 House Fox 4.3/14 5 Family Guy Fox 4.1/12 6 Desperate Housewives ABC 3.5/11 6 Heroes NBC 3.5/11 8 American Dad Fox 3.4/10 9 The Simpsons Fox 3.3/11 10 Ext. Makeover: Home Ed ABC 2.9/9 10 Hell's Kitchen Fox 2.9/10 10 King of the Hill Fox 2.9/9 18-34 Show Net Rating/Share 1 American Idol (Tues) Fox 9.5/26 2 American Idol (Wed) Fox 8.8/24 3 House Fox 6.7/17 3 Heroes NBC 6.7/16 5 Grey's Anatomy Fox 6.2/16 6 The Moment of Truth Fox 6.0/17 7 NBC Sun.
- 5/22/2008
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
UPDATED: 3:38 PM PST, Feb. 27, 2008
Packed with such highly rated events as the Super Bowl and award shows, February has always been considered an off-kilter sweep month. But in terms of wonky ratings math, few Februarys on record can compare with this one.
With a couple of days left in the sweep, Fox is expected to win with a towering 6.9 average among the key adults 18-49 demographic, up a gibbering 41% from last year. The other networks are down sharply, with percentage drops ranging from 19% (NBC) to 56% (CBS). Among total viewers, the standings are similar, with Fox averaging 17.8 million viewers and the other networks posting declines.
Are there caveats? Heck, there's nothing but caveats: Having the most-watched Super Bowl in eight years dramatically increased Fox's year-over-year comparison, while CBS' decrease was extra steep (because CBS had the Super Bowl last year). The writers strike decimated networks that lean heavily on scripted programming. And, of course, DVRs continue to chip away at live viewing (23% DVR penetration, by the latest count).
"This is unusual, if not unprecedented, so the numbers have to be viewed accordingly," said John Rash, senior vp and director of media negotiations at Campbell Mithun.
Packed with such highly rated events as the Super Bowl and award shows, February has always been considered an off-kilter sweep month. But in terms of wonky ratings math, few Februarys on record can compare with this one.
With a couple of days left in the sweep, Fox is expected to win with a towering 6.9 average among the key adults 18-49 demographic, up a gibbering 41% from last year. The other networks are down sharply, with percentage drops ranging from 19% (NBC) to 56% (CBS). Among total viewers, the standings are similar, with Fox averaging 17.8 million viewers and the other networks posting declines.
Are there caveats? Heck, there's nothing but caveats: Having the most-watched Super Bowl in eight years dramatically increased Fox's year-over-year comparison, while CBS' decrease was extra steep (because CBS had the Super Bowl last year). The writers strike decimated networks that lean heavily on scripted programming. And, of course, DVRs continue to chip away at live viewing (23% DVR penetration, by the latest count).
"This is unusual, if not unprecedented, so the numbers have to be viewed accordingly," said John Rash, senior vp and director of media negotiations at Campbell Mithun.
- 2/27/2008
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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