Topic: Ratings

The Blockbuster CBS Ratings for March Madness Are Bad for Your Cable Bill

Reuters

This year's tournament brought Kevin Ware, that Spike Albrecht kid, and the best television ratings in nearly two decades, which only means CBS and Turner's deal was totally worth jacking up your cable bill for — and might be once again.

By Richard Lawson

Apr 8, 2013

Remember: Not That Many People Watch 'Mad Men'

The season six premiere attracted 3.4 million viewers, meaning that more people watched Wife Swap last week than watched Mad Men Sunday night.

Comments | 1,622 Views

By Richard Lawson

Apr 2, 2013

The Call Sheet

'Game of Thrones' Season 4 Is Coming

Today in show business news: HBO has shockingly decided to renew Game of Thrones, NBC gets some good news and some bad news, MTV really needs to pull the plug on Buckwild, plus teasers and trailers and more.

Comments | 2,312 Views

By Richard Lawson

Apr 1, 2013

The Call Sheet

Jesus and 'The Walking Dead' Had a Big Night

Today in showbiz news: Basic cable ratings were huge last night, FX has got a big miniseries in the works, and a look at Teen Wolf season three.

Comments | 1,418 Views

By Richard Lawson

Mar 11, 2013

Might 'The Bachelor' Never Go Away?

The New York Times has a chilling article today about the strangely renewed success of ABC's romance nightmare The Bachelor. After a few seasons of fading ratings, the fiance competition show has surged back, the current season (which ends tonight) posting seven percent growth in the all-important 18-49-year-old demographic over last year.

Comments | 4,081 Views

By Richard Lawson

Feb 25, 2013

Seth MacFarlane Is Oscar Ratings Gold

The numbers are in and, well, you win, MacFarlane. Turns out, if the Academy Awards hope to survive on network television, cultivating a base-level appeal with a "risky" non-traditional host might just do the trick.

Comments | 7,414 Views

By Richard Lawson

Feb 20, 2013

Lessons from the End Times of 'Smash'

Any hopes that Smash would rebound after its disastrous second season premiere two weeks ago have been dashed. NBC's musical backstage drama returned last night after a week off for the State of the Union to even lower numbers than the premiere, with a dismal 0.9 rating.

Comments | 4,337 Views

By Richard Lawson

Feb 18, 2013

Fantasy, We Have a Problem

Once Upon a Time has done well-enough, Fringe hobbled along as long as it could, and Fox's Awake made it to a second season, but so many others — AlcatrazDo No HarmLife On Mars — have tanked. Network television currently has a genre problem.

Comments | 5,150 Views

By Richard Lawson

Feb 12, 2013

The Call Sheet

'The Americans' Is Not Doomed Just Yet

Today in showbiz news: DVR might save FX's new spy drama but not Fox's The Following, Nicolas Cage listens to his agent, and yet another show about Danish murder has been adapted for the American market.

Comments | 12,171 Views

By Richard Lawson

Feb 7, 2013

The Call Sheet

Death of 'The Americans' Dream?

Today in Hollywood news: FX's new spy show took a dive in its second week, American Horror Story shores up more of its cast, and Jacki Weaver makes a bad decision.

Comments | 8,093 Views

By Richard Lawson

Feb 6, 2013

What We Watched

Nobody Likes 'Smash'

Well, it's back. NBC's much-maligned high stakes gamble of a series Smash returned for a second season last night, supposedly repaired after a backstage debacle of a first season, and was, ratings-wise, an unqualified disaster. At a certain point, one has to wonder: Should NBC just throw in the towel? 

Comments | 5,420 Views

By Richard Lawson

Jan 17, 2013

The Call Sheet

Nicki and Mariah Fail to Draw a Crowd

Today in show business news: American Idol's premiere ratings were significantly lower than hoped, a good actress gets a good gig, and Karl Rove will be back for more.

Comments | 2,692 Views

By Richard Lawson

Jan 9, 2013

The Call Sheet

Everyone Is Listening to 'Les Misérables'

Today in show business news: The big movie musical's soundtrack is the hottest disc in the land, Jimmy Kimmel makes a pretty good 11:35 debut, and Days of Our Lives has more sand in the hourglass.

Comments | 2,491 Views

By David Wagner

Dec 31, 2012

Rachel Maddow's Surge Is Fox News' Worst Ratings Nightmare

The last batch of data available in 2012 show Fox News suffering a dramatic ratings decline — and Sean Hannity's viewers in particular keep disappearing, while Rachel Maddow's continue to tune in over at rival MSNBC.

Comments | 14,364 Views

By Alexander Abad-Santos

Nov 29, 2012

Jeff Zucker's CNN Already Has a New Star

After reports surfaced earlier this week, CNN  finally announced Jeff Zucker as its new president on Thursday, which means everyone can officially start telling him how to fix things. We have three words (the O' counts): Soledad O'Brien.

Comments | 1,379 Views

By Richard Lawson

Nov 20, 2012

NBC Is Winning Sweeps, but It Shouldn't Get Too Cocky

To the shock of many and the delight of Rockefeller Center, NBC is finishing November sweeps at the top of the broadcast network ratings heap for the first time there in almost a decade.

Comments | 1,344 Views

By Richard Lawson

Nov 16, 2012

The Call Sheet

CBS Gets a Little Less Gay

Today in showbiz news: CBS has canceled Partners, but its Big Bang Theory is bangier than ever, and two trailers for two promising comedies. 

Comments | 13,602 Views

By Richard Lawson

Nov 5, 2012

The Call Sheet

'Downton Abbey' Is Bigger Than Ever

Today in showbusiness news: The UK is totally bonkers for Downton Abbey, America is not at all into 666 Park Avenue, and CBS hopes everyone will like Elementary. 

Comments | 5,273 Views

By Connor Simpson

Oct 23, 2012

More People Chose to Watch Sports Instead of Last Night's Debate

Last night's debate had more competition than any other this election cycle. Placed firmly the middle of a crowded October night of sports, the third and final Presidential debate put up the lowest numbers of the three. 

Comments | 1,449 Views

By Connor Simpson

Oct 17, 2012

TV and Twitter Numbers Were Down for Last Night's Rematch

Apparently not everyone likes a rematch. Numbers are down across the board for last night's debate. We're a little less than three weeks away from the election's end, but everyone is getting jaded. You can't deny it, either. The truth is in the numbers. 

Comments

By Richard Lawson

Oct 17, 2012

The Call Sheet

'Emily Owens, M.D.' In Critical Condition

Today in showbiz news: A likable new CW show is already in trouble, two deceased Walking Dead actors reunite in the afterlife, and Elizabeth Banks regrets a one-night stand. 

Comments | 4,168 Views

By Richard Lawson

Oct 15, 2012

The Call Sheet

Cable Devours Broadcast TV in Single Night

Last night's season premiere of The Walking Dead was the highest rated show of the fall, on any channel. Also in showbiz news: Lindsay Lohan is interviewed again for some reason, Aaron Paul gets a big lead role, and Christoph Waltz will lead Russia.

Comments | 3,286 Views

By Richard Lawson

Oct 11, 2012

The Call Sheet

Does 'Nashville' Have a Country Prayer?

Today in showbiz news: One of the better shows of the new season did only OK in its debut last night, Tom Hanks is officially headed to Broadway, and Jodie Foster is directing another movie. 

Comments | 2,205 Views

By Richard Lawson

Oct 8, 2012

The Call Sheet

Everyone Still Loves 'Steel Magnolias'

Today in show business news: Lifetime had one of its biggest nights ever last night, ABC had one of its more troubling nights in recent memory last night, and Fox feels bullish about two new shows.

Comments | 2,915 Views

By Richard Lawson

Oct 3, 2012

The Call Sheet

Katie Couric Is Back in Hot Water

Katie Couric's talk show, once so promising, is in trouble. Also today in show business news: Last night was a TV ratings black hole, Cinemax renews a gratuitous but great show, and we finally see Streisand and Rogen in action together.

Comments | 37,245 Views

By Richard Lawson

Sep 26, 2012

The Call Sheet

Getting Stoked for 'Stoker'

A trailer for an upcoming family drama/horror/thriller has us pretty darn excited. Elsewhere in showbiz news: Honey Boo Boo ain't goin' anywhere, Christopher Guest assembles his own version of the Avengers, and Justin Timberlake stretches his acting muscle some more.

Comments | 3,509 Views

By Richard Lawson

Sep 24, 2012

The Call Sheet

Bethenny Frankel Is a Go

A Real Housewife gets her own talk show, surely enraging all the other Real Housewives. Also in show business news today: Emmy ratings are both up and down, The Bachelor feels snubbed, and Justin Bieber wins again. 

Comments | 5,951 Views

By Richard Lawson

Sep 19, 2012

The Call Sheet

The Improbable Rise of NBC

Today in show business news: NBC is doing remarkably well right now, Comedy Central renews a very bad show, and James Gandolfini is heading back to HBO.

Comments | 9,219 Views

By Richard Lawson

Aug 13, 2012

CNN's New Reality TV Lineup (If We Had Our Way)

Yes, as The New York Post detailed this morning, CNN is looking to revolutionize its programming slate by adding a few not-quite-so-newsy shows to its usual droning talking head/news crawl format. What might these shows look like, and who might host them? We have some guesses.

Comments | 1,207 Views

By Adam Martin

Aug 1, 2012

NBC's OIympics Triumph: Not Losing $200 Million

NBC's ratings for the 2012 Olympics have been great, in spite of the complaints about its delayed coverage, and on Wednesday the network announced perhaps its biggest triumph yet: It's going to break even broadcasting it.

Comments | 401 Views

By Richard Lawson

Jul 31, 2012

The Call Sheet

Everyone's Watching the Olympics

Today in showbiz news: The Olympics are doing quite well in the ratings, Michael Douglas and Matt Damon are in love, and the VMA nominations are finally, finally here.

Comments | 3,029 Views

By Connor Simpson

Jul 28, 2012

NBC's Tape-Delay Strategy Is Working, So Far

Apparently NBC's controversial tape-delay strategy is working. The Olympics opening ceremony drew the largest audience ever for an opening ceremony that didn't take place in the U.S., NBC announced on Saturday.

Comments | 5,173 Views

By Alexander Abad-Santos

Jul 19, 2012

Here's How to Fix ESPN's SportsCenter

Too boring, too straight-forward, not creative enough--it isn't lost on us that ESPN's SportsCenter sounds just like a dying newspaper or a sad aggregator. We know how just to fix that, and it starts with taking a page from their Canadian counterparts' book. 

Comments | 918 Views

By Richard Lawson

Jun 25, 2012

The Call Sheet

So-So News for 'The Newsroom'

Today: HBO's newest drama had a decent debut, Maura Tierney gets a juicy new role, and Miley's dad heads to Broadway.

Comments | 4,555 Views

By Connor Simpson

Jun 17, 2012

Everyone Loves to Watch Spectacle Television

The ratings for ABC's tightrope walk are in, and the stunt pulled huge numbers, proving that people will flock to television we can all talk about. 

Comments | 1,035 Views

By Richard Lawson

May 29, 2012

The Call Sheet

The Hatfields and the McCoys Rage

Zac Efron and Goldie Hawn finally team up, and NBC has yet another singing show.

Comments | 7,732 Views

By Richard Lawson

May 24, 2012

The Call Sheet

Nobody Watches 'American Idol' Anymore

Today: America's favorite singing competition isn't its favorite anymore, a comedy actor gets serious, and Bradley Cooper joins the SEALs.

Comments | 2,485 Views

By Richard Lawson

May 23, 2012

The Call Sheet

Not So Fast, 'G.I. Joe'

Today: Paramount pushes a big flick back nine months, no one watches Idol anymore, but everyone loves Adam Lambert.

Comments | 2,069 Views

By Connor Simpson

May 12, 2012

Fitch Changes Its JP Morgan Outlook to 'Negative'

After the news of its $2 billion loss, the outlook for JP Morgan Chase's future has taken a slight turn for the worse. Fitch Ratings announced they've changed their Long-term Issuer Default Rating from "AA-" to "A+" and changed their long-term outlook for the company to Ratings Watch Negative. 

Comments | 2,063 Views

By Connor Simpson

May 5, 2012

Dish Network to Deny Viewers Their 'Mad Men' Fix

A legal battle between Dish Network and AMC is likely what's leading to Dish dropping AMC's channels starting this summer, which could put your Mad Men viewing party plans in serious jeopardy. 

Comments | 1,895 Views

By Richard Lawson

Apr 17, 2012

No One Watches Your Precious Shows

Yesterday we learned that HBO's new series Girls, perhaps more written about than any new show this year, premiered to only so-so numbers. And by "so-so" we mean for premium cable.

Comments | 12,610 Views

By Eric Randall

Apr 16, 2012

Sherri Shepherd, Not Katie Couric, Pushes 'Good Morning America' Past 'Today'

For the first time in 16 years, it appears ABC's Good Morning America may have finally beaten NBC's The Today Show in weekly ratings, but it wasn't the during the Katie Couric-Sarah Palin death-matchThe New York Times's Brian Stelter credits the inimitable Sherri Shepherd, a member of The View's day-time debating panel.

Comments | 2,242 Views

By Richard Lawson

Apr 9, 2012

The Call Sheet

'Game of Thrones' Is Unstoppable

Today: HBO has a real hit on its hands, Zooey Deschanel will be back in the fall, and the Eastwood reality show drops.

Comments | 4,691 Views

By Richard Lawson

Apr 3, 2012

The Call Sheet

'Game of Thrones' Beats 'Mad Men'

Today: A Quality TV victor has been decided, a gang of British teens snubs the White House, and some exciting theater news.

Comments | 4,329 Views

By Richard Lawson

Mar 29, 2012

Women Be Watchin' Downton Abbey'

PBS has released ratings information for the most recent season of hit show Downton Abbey, the British import about post-Edwardian servants and masters swanning about a country estate, and, unsurprisingly, it's a big ol' hit with women.

Comments | 1,978 Views

By Adam Martin

Mar 26, 2012

The Most-Watched 'Mad Men' Was Not Watched by Many

The ratings are out for Mad Men's Season 5 premiere, and it's a good reminder that while many are obsessed with the show, it's still no ratings monster.

Comments | 2,301 Views

By Richard Lawson

Mar 13, 2012

The Call Sheet

Nobody Likes 'The Bachelor' Anymore

ABC's marriage show hits a new low, Bear Grylls is out of a job, and the return of Tempestt Bledsoe.

Comments | 6,380 Views

By Richard Lawson

Feb 13, 2012

Whitney-Tinged Grammys Have Highest Ratings in 28 Years

Who says nobody cares about the Grammys anymore? The music industry's biggest awards ceremony aired last night to a whopping 39 million viewers, the most that have tuned in since 1984.

Comments | 2,107 Views

By Richard Lawson

Feb 7, 2012

Huge Opening Night for 'Smash'

Last night's big premiere of Smash was a boon for NBC and musical lovers, pulling in 11.5 million viewers and a 3.9 ratings in the all-important 18-49 demo. This is big for NBC. Actually, it's big for network TV.

Comments | 2,036 Views

By Alexander Abad-Santos

Feb 3, 2012

Go Ahead, Try and Deny the Puppy Bowl

The Puppy Bowl, which began as a joke between network executives, has blossomed into a counter-programming success garnering more 9.2 million viewers for Animal Planet last year despite going up against the Super Bowl.

Comments | 2,272 Views

By Richard Lawson

Jan 9, 2012

'The Firm' Is Just NBC's Latest Mess

Well, it's another disappointment for NBC. The severely ailing network rolled out one of its big midseason hopes last night, a series adaptation of John Grisham's The Firm, and it's an all-but-certified flop.

Comments | 4,892 Views

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