In Depth

Syndie Ratings Flash: ‘Doctors’ Leads

Most of the new crop of syndicated first-run shows took the stage for the first time Monday, and CBS Television Distribution’s “The Doctors” posted the highest opening numbers, according to Nielsen Media Research’s weighted metered-market average.

“The Doctors” posted an average 1.6 rating/4 share in 54 metered markets, Nielsen said. That number was off 11% from its average lead-in and down 16 percent from year-ago time-period numbers. In some key markets, the show performed better. In Chicago, “The Doctors” scored a 40% improvement in ratings at 5 p.m. for WCIU with a 2.1/4.

Other debuting syndicated shows turned in solid performances, especially considering the stiff competition they all faced from telecasts of the Men’s U.S. Open Final on CBS.

NBC Universal’s game show “Deal of No Deal” placed second in the ratings with a premiere rating of 1.3/3, which represented a drop of 13% from its lead-in and a decline of 7% from comparable time periods in 2007 in 52 metered markets. “Deal’s” ratings, however, represented the highest game-show premiere since “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” in 2002. “Deal” also came up big in Chicago, where it surged fivefold in ratings numbers over its year-ago time-period average, grabbing a 1.5/5 on WMAQ at noon.

Warner Bros.’ latest talk show, “The Bonnie Hunt Show” took the stage with a 1.1/4 average, reflecting a 21% drop from its lead in, but those numbers held even with the time-period average from 2007. Among the top markets where “Bonnie” fared especially well was Dallas, where it doubled ratings from 2007 with a 1.4/5 on KXAS.

Court shows rounded up the last of the five series to debut this week, with Program Partners’ “Family Court with Judge Penny” opening with a 0.9/3, which was even with its lead-in and up 13% from year ago averages in 34 metered markets. Among major markets, the series opened strongest in Philadelphia with a 1.4/5 on WPSG at 11 a.m., a rise of 27%.

Sony Pictures Televisions’ “Judge Karen” rounded up the pack, averaging a 0.8/2 in 49 metered markets. That score is down 11% from lead in and off 20% from year ago numbers. The series fared best among major markets in Chicago with a 42% rise to a 2.7/8 on WCIU at 2:30 p.m.

Click here for TVWeek's Fall Syndication Preview.

(Editor: Baumann)

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Comments 3

Yvette Henderson

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Hello,

I have a question for your new show called the doctors. I would like to know how are the questions submitted?

Yvette Henderson

Dorothy

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Hello,

I have a question about putting pineapple on your face. You said let it stay on for fifteen minutes, but how often do you apply the pineapple to the face, everyday, once a week or monthly.

Dorothy Sheared

Elizabeth Burton

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Helo Doctors
I was on Prevacid for 7 years, afer I couldn't stop "throwing up Air" my Doctor finally (after six months) was able to perform a Nisan fundalplycation. (spelling I'm sure). Two things,
#1 After having the worst stomach flu of my life
I had to have my stomach pumped. Unable to ever throw up. #2 I am back on Prevacid again due to the cough came back. Yikes!! Do I always have to
have my stomach pumped? What happens if I'm on
vacation and become sick? Thanks Doctors. Elizabeth. Lost my job and see your show right now ever day.