James Hibberd

The curious survival of Fox’s “On the Lot” has been a topic of conversation in the mainstream entertainment press and at industry lunches alike.

The reality series, from executive producers Mark Burnett and Steven Spielberg, ranks among the lowest-rated new shows of the summer, yet Fox has continued to air the entire season.

Last night, part one of the “Lot” two-part season finale averaged a 0.9 rating among adults 18 to 49—making “Lot” the lowest-rated program of the night among the major broadcasters.

The show’s ratings are particularly anomalous on Fox, which is otherwise doing better than any network this summer, and would presumably have the highest benchmark for a struggling show to continue. Yet Burnett’s other summer reality series, “Pirate Master,” was canceled by longtime Burnett partner CBS weeks ago while averaging a 1.9.

So what’s the story?

Fox is very quiet on this subject, so most of the reasoning as to why “Lot” continues comes from relatively plugged-in sources outside the network and therefore should be considered with skepticism.

No, sources say, there’s no secret advertiser deal keeping the show on the air. Yes, Fox has other shows they could put into the time period if they so desired.

The “Lot” industry reasoning goes like this: In 2004, Burnett had his boxing reality series “The Contender” for NBC. Fox knocked it off with “The Next Great Champ.” Burnett was furious, lost a legal action to stop Fox’s show from getting on the air, and the Burnett-Fox relationship was strained.

Fast forward to spring, 2007: Burnett sells “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader” to Fox, giving the network its only freshman hit of the season.

F-F again to summer: Despite “Grader,” Burnett is getting press wondering, for the hundredth time, if the reality genre is dead and if Burnett, in particular, is losing his edge. CBS canceling “Master” doesn’t help.

Now: What do you do if you’re Fox?

Protect the newly harmonious relationship with the talented reality producer. Shrug off critics and the Nielsens and keep “Lot” going.

Fox’s success this summer, rather than setting a higher bar, actually enables this move: Fox is already winning the summer; they don’t need to win Tuesdays at 8 p.m. At 9 p.m. Fox airs a “House” repeat that doesn’t depend on a lead-in. That Spielberg is also attached, obviously, makes for solid business as well.

As for the rest of the Tuesday ratings, NBC won the night with on par editions of “America’s Got Talent” (3.1), “Singing Bee” (3.2) and a repeat. CBS was second, with “Big Brother” hitting a season high (3.2), bracketed by repeats. ABC was third with a resurgent hour of “Just For Laughs” (both episodes up double-digits from last week to a 2.3 and 2.5), “Primetime Crime” (2.1) and “I-Caught” (1.8). Fox had “Lot” and a repeat. The CW had repeats.