Overnight ratings Recap

Broadcast TV Ratings

A number of shows fell to series lows against the Olympics last week, including "Grey's Anatomy," "Desperate Housewives" and "American Idol." But Spanish-language programs have done pretty well against the Games.

Univision had two big nights last week in which it placed second and third among all broadcasters in adults 18-34, while Telemundo aired the second-most-watched show in network history in the 8 p.m. hour.

The series finale of Univision's telenovela "Sortilegio" boosted the network to No. 3 on Wednesday night, drawing 2.1 million adults 18-34 and 3.7 million adults 18-49, according to Nielsen, and becoming the fifth-most-watched novela in network history.

One night later, Univision's "Premio Lo Nuestro a la Música Latina” awards boosted the network to No. 2 for the night in 18-34s, behind only NBC's Olympic coverage, albeit opposite a lot of repeats.

"Premio" averaged 1.8 million 18-34s and 2.1 million 18-49s, pushing Univision to fourth place for the night in that demo despite declines compared to last year's show.

Meanwhile, the premiere of the new novela "El Clon" on Spanish-language rival Telemundo last Tuesday became the second-most-watched program ever on the network in the 8 p.m. timeslot, drawing 1.4 million total viewers and 770,000 18-49s.

There are likely several reasons for the strong numbers for the Univision and Telemundo shows, and the first is pretty obvious.

Though many Hispanics speak both English and Spanish, some prefer Spanish-language programming, and some only speak Spanish. Thus they're more likely to stick with these channels even when the Olympics are on.

Secondly, the other networks have not been airing much counterprogramming to the Olympics, most notably CBS or the CW, the latter of which targets the same adults 18-34 demographic that Univision does well with.

So for those looking for an Olympic alternative, Univision and Telemundo were easy choices.

Finally, even when the Olympics are on, viewers will still tune in to big events, such as premieres, finales and awards shows, on other networks.

Quite simply, Univision and Telemundo scheduled smartly, taking chances on event programming opposite the Olympics that would have drawn good numbers no matter when they aired.

***

In broadcast ratings for the week ended Feb. 21:

Among adults 18-49, NBC was first with a 6.7 average rating and an 18 share, followed by Fox at 3.2/9, ABC at 2.1/6, CBS at 2.0/5, Univision at 1.5/4, CW at 0.6/2, Telemundo and Telefutura at 0.4/1, Ion at 0.3/1 and Azteca at 0.1/0.

Top five English-language Big Five shows (18-49s): 1. Fox’s “American Idol - Tuesday” 9.2; 2. NBC’s “Winter Olympics Wednesday” 9.0; 3. NBC’s “Winter Olympics Saturday” 7.4; 4. NBC’s “Winter Olympics Monday” 7.1; Tie-5. NBC’s “Winter Olympics Thursday” and Fox’s “American Idol-Wednesday” 7.0.

Top five English-language Big Five shows (total viewers): 1. NBC’s “Winter Olympics Wednesday” 29.42 million; 2. NBC’s “Winter Olympics Saturday” 26.67 million; 3. NBC’s “Winter Olympics Monday” 25.22 million; 4. NBC’s “Winter Olympics Thursday” 24.78 million; 5. Fox’s “American Idol – Tuesday” 23.92 million.

Top five time-shifted English-language Big Five shows (18-49s, by Live+7 playback, week ended Jan. 31): 1. Fox’s “American Idol – Wednesday” 2.9 increase (up 28 percent); 2. Fox’s “American Idol - Tuesday” 2.8 increase (up 28 percent); 3. Fox’s “House” 2.6 increase (up 40 percent); 4. ABC’s “Desperate Housewives” 1.5 increase (up 33 percent); 5. Fox’s “24” 1.5 increase (up 36 percent).

Show on the rise: “The Cleveland Show” Fox, Sunday 8:30 p.m. Even against the Olympics the animated comedy rose 17 percent week-to-week among 18-49s, from a 2.4 rating to a 2.8.

Show on the decline: “The Deep End” ABC, Thursday 8 p.m. The drama tumbled 27 percent week-to-week among 18-49s, from a 1.5 rating to a series-low 1.1. 

TV Cable Ratings Update

In cable ratings for the week ended Feb. 21:

Top five networks in primetime (18-49s): USA, TBS, TNT, FX, History Channel.

Top five networks in primetime (total viewers): USA, TNT, Fox News Channel, Nick at Nite, TBS.

Top movie (18-49s): No movie during the week cracked the top 50 among viewers 18-49.

Top sporting event (total viewers): MSNBC’s “Winter Olympics” (Sunday, 7:45 p.m.) 8.22 million.

Shows making the top 10 among 18-34s, 18-49s and 25-54s: MSNBC’s “Winter Olympics” (Sunday, 7:45 p.m.); MSNBC’s “Winter Olympics Postgame” (Sunday, 9:55 p.m.); E!’s “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” (Monday and Sunday, 10 p.m.).

Show on the rise: E!’s “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” Sunday 10 p.m. The season finale averaged 4.8 million total viewers, making it E!’s most-watched program ever.

Show on the decline: USA’s “Burn Notice” Thursday 10 p.m. The drama no doubt lost viewers to the Olympics, slipping 18 percent week-to-week among viewers 18-49 from 2.27 million viewers to 1.87 million.  

TV Daypart Updates

In dayparts for the week ended Feb. 14, CBS’s “The Late Show with David Letterman” led the week among late night with 5.0 million total viewers, followed by ABC’s “Nightline” at 4.2 million and NBC’s “Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien” with 2.0 million. In late late night, CBS’s “The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson” averaged 2.1 million viewers, ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live 1.8 million, NBC’s “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon” at 1.6 million and NBC’s “Last Call with Carson Daly” at 0.7 million. Among 18-49s, “Late Show” and “Nightline” each averaged a 1.2, with “Tonight” at a 0.8. In late late night, Late Night” averaged a 0.7, “Late Late Show” and “Kimmel” each averaged a 0.6 and “Last Call” a 0.3. “Tonight” and “Last Call” were repeats during the week. Also, Friday's "Tonight" was preempted and "Late Night" was delayed to 12:56 a.m. due to Olympics coverage.  Friday's "Nightline" was re-titled and not counted in the averages, and Monday's "Kimmel" was an encore.

In morning shows, NBC’s “Today” was first for the week with 5.71 million total viewers, followed by ABC’s “Good Morning America” with 4.91 million and CBS’s “The Early Show” at 3.07 million. “Today” averaged a 4.3 household rating and a 15 share, with “Good Morning America” at 3.7/13 and “Early Show” at 2.3/8.

In evening network news, NBC’s “Nightly News with Brian Williams” was first with 11.05 million total viewers and a 2.8 rating among adults 25-54. ABC’s “World News with Diane Sawyer” averaged 9.24 million viewers and a 2.3 rating, followed by CBS’s “Evening News with Katie Couric” with 7.09 million and a 1.8 rating.

In daytime, CBS was first for the week with 3.93 million total viewers, followed by NBC with 3.33 million and ABC with 3.23 million. Among 18-49s, NBC and ABC each posted a 1.3 average rating, while CBS averaged a 1.2.

Toni Fitzgerald is a staff writer for Media Life.

THE TOP 5 ALBUMS FROM THE BILLBOARD CHART
FOR WEEK ENDING 2/20/10

1. Lady Antebellum, Need You Now
NEW - 2. Lil' Wayne, Rebirth
NEW - 3. Nick Jonas, Who I Am 
4. Lady GaGa, The Fame 
5. Various Artists, 2010 Grammy Nominees  
                          
TV WASTELAND, IT'S ONLY TV WASTELAND
WHAT AMERICA'S WATCHING
The Top 5 Network Primetime Report - Based On Nielsen Ratings
Network Primetime Averages by Viewers

Week ending February 7, 2010
[Show, Network, Total Viewers in millions]

1. Super Bowl 44, CBS, 106.4
2. Supert Bowl Post Game, CBS, 75.4  
3. Undercover Boss, CBS, 38.6           
4. American Idol (Tues), Fox, 24.7              
5. American Idol (Weds), Fox, 20.9     

 "Alice in Wonderland" held the golden key to box office receipts, smashing multiple records during its first weekend of worldwide, and easily surpassed the opening stand of all-time champ "Avatar" in North America, distributor Walt Disney Co said on Sunday.

Director Tim Burton's 3D update of the Lewis Carroll tale sold $210.3 million worth of tickets worldwide. Moviegoers in the United States and Canada contributed $116.3 million, the sixth-biggest opening weekend ever, according to research firm Box Office Mojo.

Disney said the better-than-expected North American bow set new records for a film released in both March and the first quarter, traditionally a quiet period for major films.

It is also the best performance by a non-sequel, and established new benchmarks for a 3D and Imax Corp big-screen title. Imax said its screens accounted for less than 2 percent of the total, but 10.5 percent of sales.

Moreover, it is Burton's best debut, surpassing the $68.5 million start for his 2001 remake of "Planet of the Apes."

Pundits had conservatively forecast an opening weekend above $75 million. The last movie to reach that level was "Avatar," which opened at $77 million in December on its way to world domination.

Disney officials declined to predict whether "Alice" would approach the lofty heights of "Avatar," now at $2.6 billion worldwide and counting.

"ALICE" BOUNCES "AVATAR" OVERSEAS

"Alice" also opened in more than 40 foreign countries, earning $94 million and ending the 11-week reign of "Avatar." Top markets included Britain ($16.8 million), Italy ($13.9 million), Russia ($12.3 million), Australia ($9.2 million) and South Korea ($4.9 million). An equivalent comparison with "Avatar" was not immediately available, though James Cameron's hit opened to about twice as much in Russia and South Korea.

Johnny Depp, Burton's frequent collaborator, stars as the Mad Hatter, while Australian actress Mia Wasikowska plays Alice. Burton's girlfriend, Helena Bonham Carter, and Anne Hathaway round out the headliners as the Red Queen and White Queen, respectively.

Reviews were mixed, with critics more enthused by the movie's visual splendor than its narrative essence.

The opening marks a fillip for Disney, whose studio chief was ousted last September after a disappointing spell at the box office. Even with its big Pixar cartoons, Disney spent the last two years at or near the bottom of the big-studio pack in terms of market share. Paradoxically, "Alice" was developed under the previous regime.

Alone among the big studios, Disney does not disclose production budgets, but "Alice" reportedly cost more than $200 million to make.

The only other new release in North America was the cop drama "Brooklyn's Finest," which opened at No. 2 with a solid $13.5 million. The ensemble includes Ethan Hawke, Richard Gere, Don Cheadle and Wesley Snipes. It was released by Overture Films, a unit of Liberty Media Corp.

Martin Scorsese's thriller "Shutter Island," starring Leonardo DiCaprio, fell to No. 3 with $13.3 million after two weeks at No. 1; its total rose to $95.8 million. The film was released by Paramount Pictures, a unit of Viacom Inc.

"Cop Out," a buddy-cop comedy starring Bruce Willis and Tracy Morgan, dropped two to No. 4 with $9.1 million in its second weekend. The total stands at $32.4 million. The film was released by Warner Bros., a unit of Time Warner Inc.

"Avatar" rose one place to No. 5 with $7.7 million in its 12th weekend, taking its total to $720.2 million. The 20th Century Fox film will vie for nine Academy Awards later on Sunday.

The only other Oscar contender in the top 10 was Fox Searchlight's "Crazy Heart," which rose one place to No. 9 with $3.4 million, also in its 12th week. Pundits overwhelmingly favor Jeff Bridges to take home the best actor Oscar for playing a washed-up country star. Both Fox and Fox Searchlight are units of News Corp NWSA.O>.

(Reporting by Dean Goodman; Editing by Paul Simao and Eric Walsh) - Reuters