Numbers tell sad tale for 2008-09 season
Networks' ratings off a collective 16% from year ago
By James Hibberd (hollywoodreporter.com)
At the close of the 2008-09 season, which officially ended Wednesday, the major networks' ratings were down a collective 16% from the 2007-08 campaign.
Fox won the season in the adults 18-49 demographic, averaging 9.8 million viewers and a 3.6 demo rating in the "most current" Nielsen Media Research figures, which include DVR use. CBS won in total viewers, averaging 11.8 million, and was the runner-up with a 3.1 in 18-49.
The win marks Fox's fifth consecutive season victory in the demo. But the network dropped most among the Big Four compared with last season -- 13% in total viewers and 16% in the demo -- mainly because it did not have the Super Bowl and because of softening ratings for "American Idol," television's most popular show.
CBS was the only network to gain a larger audience this season, up 11% in viewers and 3% in the demo. Its gains were aided by new drama "The Mentalist" on Tuesday nights, which were up 33% in the demo this season.
ABC placed third (8.9 million, 2.9), falling 3% in both metrics because of ratings slippage by its popular scripted dramas.
NBC was fourth (7.8 million, 2.8), dropping 3% in viewers and posting a flat rating compared with last season. The network had this year's Super Bowl, though, and fell 8% in adults 18-49 without factoring in sports coverage. NBC was hardest-hit on Wednesdays (-26%) and Fridays (-29%) but showed gains on Tuesdays (9%) with reality hit "The Biggest Loser."
The CW (2 million, 0.9), whose rankings were not factored into the major-networks comparisons, suffered the harshest percentage drops: 22% in viewers and 18% in the demo. Among its target demographic of women 18-34, though, the CW was unchanged (1.4 rating). The network's standings improve further by taking off the board Sundays, where the CW fell 25% this season after outsourcing its programming.
By James Hibberd (hollywoodreporter.com)
At the close of the 2008-09 season, which officially ended Wednesday, the major networks' ratings were down a collective 16% from the 2007-08 campaign.
Fox won the season in the adults 18-49 demographic, averaging 9.8 million viewers and a 3.6 demo rating in the "most current" Nielsen Media Research figures, which include DVR use. CBS won in total viewers, averaging 11.8 million, and was the runner-up with a 3.1 in 18-49.The win marks Fox's fifth consecutive season victory in the demo. But the network dropped most among the Big Four compared with last season -- 13% in total viewers and 16% in the demo -- mainly because it did not have the Super Bowl and because of softening ratings for "American Idol," television's most popular show.
CBS was the only network to gain a larger audience this season, up 11% in viewers and 3% in the demo. Its gains were aided by new drama "The Mentalist" on Tuesday nights, which were up 33% in the demo this season.ABC placed third (8.9 million, 2.9), falling 3% in both metrics because of ratings slippage by its popular scripted dramas.
NBC was fourth (7.8 million, 2.8), dropping 3% in viewers and posting a flat rating compared with last season. The network had this year's Super Bowl, though, and fell 8% in adults 18-49 without factoring in sports coverage. NBC was hardest-hit on Wednesdays (-26%) and Fridays (-29%) but showed gains on Tuesdays (9%) with reality hit "The Biggest Loser."The CW (2 million, 0.9), whose rankings were not factored into the major-networks comparisons, suffered the harshest percentage drops: 22% in viewers and 18% in the demo. Among its target demographic of women 18-34, though, the CW was unchanged (1.4 rating). The network's standings improve further by taking off the board Sundays, where the CW fell 25% this season after outsourcing its programming.
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