The Business of Television : Ratings

Leno Goes Out on Top

News — Sat, 30 May 2009 18:20:42 GMT

Jay Leno ended his latenight run by dominating his timeslot one last time. Friday night's final edition of "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" averaged an 8.8 rating in Nielsen's overnight metered market averages, crushing a repeat of CBS's...(read more)

‘American Idol’ Ratings: Lowest Performance Finale Ever

News — Wed, 20 May 2009 17:39:43 GMT

Tuesday night’s “American Idol” was the series’ lowest-rated final performance night ever. Last night’s episode drew an 8.3 rating/24 share among adults 18-49, according to preliminary Nielsen Media Research figures. About 23.1 million viewers tuned in...(read more)

'Natalee Holloway' Draws Lifetime's Top Movie Audience

News — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 00:26:57 GMT

Lifetime Movie Network’s premiere of “Natalee Holloway” Sunday night ranks as the highest rated and most viewed movie in the network’s history. “Holloway,” based on the novel “Loving Natalee: A Mother’s Testament of Hope and Faith,” scored a 1.8 rating...(read more)

Nickelodeon Nabs Ratings Records With Kids' Choice, 'Penguins'

News — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 03:38:46 GMT

Nickelodeon delivered a one-two rating punch over the weekend, as its telecast of the 2009 Kids’ Choice Awards drew the show’s biggest audience ever and “The Penguins of Madagascar” ranked as the most-watched series premiere for the network. Saturday...(read more)

40.4 Million Watched Obama Press Conference

News — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 22:11:18 GMT

President Barack Obama’s primetime press conference Tuesday night drew 40.4 million viewers across 11 broadcast and cable networks. Last night’s press conference was down 18% from President Obama’s first primetime press conference on Feb. 9, which was...(read more)

More Daylight Means Lower Viewership in Syndication

News — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 19:37:17 GMT

CBS Television Distribution’s “Dr. Phil” was the only show to post a week-to-week original syndication rating increase during the first complete week of the March sweep period, ending March 15. “Phil” gained 6% to a 3.8 household rating, the show’s second...(read more)

CBS Seeing Ratings Bounce for March Madness

News — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 18:46:27 GMT

CBS Sports says ratings for the first and second rounds of March Madness are up 6% from last year, based on overnight metered-market ratings from Nielsen. This year’s games are averaging a 5.4 rating and 12 share, compared to a 5.1/12 in 2008. Sunday...(read more)

‘Fallon’ Debut, Kimmel 'Bachelor' Interview Boost Late-Night Ratings

News — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 22:36:42 GMT

NBC had a solid week in late night as viewers tuned in to see the debut of “Late Night With Jimmy Fallon.” Competing networks held their ground, however, leading to win-win results for all. In its first week out, “Fallon” averaged a 0.9 rating/5 share...(read more)

Disney XD Looks Good in Debut

News — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 01:15:08 GMT

The Walt Disney Co. said its new cable channel aimed at boys, Disney XD, got off to a fast start. The show expected to be the cornerstone of the rebranded channel, “Aaron Stone,” drew more viewers than any series premiere on Toon Disney, the network Disney...(read more)

Viewers Give Warm Welcome to Whedon's 'Dollhouse'

News — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 17:34:20 GMT

Weeks of marketing and years of pent-up interest from Joss Whedon fans helped Fox's "Dollhouse" score a solid welcome Friday night. The much-anticipated drama notched a 2.0 rating/6 share among adults 18 to 49 during its 9 p.m. Friday premiere...(read more)

Break to Use Quantcast Tools to Measure Audience

News — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 14:00:00 GMT

Break Media inked a deal with Web measurement firm Quantcast that will give the online media company audience demographics for its male-targeted sites, the companies announced today. Break will use Quantcast’s tools across its network of sites to provide...(read more)

'Greatest Commercials' Shares Ratings Crown

News — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 17:43:30 GMT

CBS’ “Super Bowl’s Greatest Commercials” tied as the No.1 show in its 8 p.m. slot Jan. 31 in anticipation of Sunday’s big game. The show averaged a 2.0 rating/7 share among adults 18-49 for the hour, tying with two episodes of “Cops” on Fox. “Commercials...(read more)

'Burn Notice' Heats Up, Bests 'ER' Rerun

News — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 23:11:29 GMT

USA Network’s “Burn Notice” grew its ratings from last week, so much so that it drew more viewers than a rerun of “ER” on big brother broadcast network NBC Thursday night. USA officials weren't certain whether this was the first time a USA show beat...(read more)

SAG Awards Hits Ratings Low on TBS, TNT

News — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 02:46:23 GMT

Sunday night’s simulcast of the Screen Actors Guild Awards on TBS and TNT drew the smallest audience since the two networks began airing them together in 2006. TNT, which had telecast the show exclusively from 1998 through 2005, posted a 0.9 rating/2...(read more)

Silverman Backs Use of Live-Plus-Seven-Day Ratings

News — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 19:46:41 GMT

NBC's programming chief Ben Silverman has a solution to help broadcasters make more money. They should be able to sell to advertisers against the live-plus-seven-day ratings for shows, Mr. Silverman said during a morning keynote interview at NATPE...(read more)