“Dr. Phil” saw ratings success with its coverage of “octomom” Nadya Suleman, while the majority of syndication stagnated or declined slightly during the week ending Feb. 15.
CBS Television Distribution’s “Phil” rose 6% from the previous week to a 3.7 household rating, matching its season high. “Phil’s” Feb. 11 show about Ms. Suleman hit a 4.2, 20% better than the previous week.
“Phil’s” gains brought the show within eight-tenths of a ratings point of talk-show leader “The Oprah Winfrey Show.” It’s the closest the shows have been since mid-December.
Major news events did preempt some shows during the week, as President Obama’s speech on Feb. 9 and coverage of a fatal plane crash in Buffalo, N.Y., on Feb. 13 may have affected viewership.
“Oprah” itself dropped 8% to a 4.5 household rating. The rest of the talk show field did not gain ground.
Disney-ABC Domestic Television’s “Live With Regis and Kelly” dropped 7% to a 2.6, while Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution’s “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” held steady at a 2.3.
NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution’s “Maury” fell by 5% to a 1.8 and CBS’ “Rachael Ray” dipped 6% to a 1.7.
The only other show to gain week-to-week was CBS Television Distribution’s “The Insider,” moving the needle up 5% to a 2.0. The increase is due in part to the show’s coverage of the Grammy Awards, which lifted ratings 16% week-to-week.
In court, “Oprah’s” decline benefited “Judge Judy,” as the court show took over as the highest-rated first-run program in daytime for the first time in seven weeks with a 4.6 household rating. That was despite “Judy’s” dip of 2%.
The rest of the field held steady or fell, with the largest dip coming from Warner Bros.’ “People’s Court,” off 14% to a new season low of 1.9.
Game shows all fell from last week, as CBS’ “Wheel of Fortune” led the way with a 7.4 rating, off 6%. Disney-ABC’s “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” matched its season low of a 2.4 with an 8% drop.
There was little movement among the first-year shows, as all of the rookies held steady from last week. The only exception was Warner Bros.’ “The Bonnie Hunt Show,” which dropped 10% to a 0.9.
‘Octomom’ Lifts ‘Phil’ Ratings in Slow Syndie Week
Feb 25, 2009 • Post A Comment
That’s it!
Dr. Phil is the sperm donor. The whole thing was a plot to revive his lagging career. It makes more sense than any other exolanation.
Love all the opinions expressed here! How is everyone? Love how everyone expresses whatr they feel 🙂
I would really like to follow this site with my twitter. Just how can I do that?
Took me moment in time toward explore every single one of the comments, however I actually enjoyed the piece of writing. It proved being in reality helpful to me with I am constructive to every one the commenters here! It’s commonly pleasant whenever you can not just be informed, but in addition entertained! I am helpful you had satisfying writing this write-up.