While TV viewership has been down this season, reality programming is showing its strength as the public turns to unscripted fare in the tough economic climate, USA Today reports. ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars” returned Monday night to its biggest debut ever with 22.8 million viewers, while NBC’s “The Biggest Loser” is posting gains for the season to date compared with last year, the newspaper says. Even “American Idol,” which has been down 9%, has increased its lead over TV’s top scripted shows, suggesting viewers are turning to TV as “escapism,” ABC’s co-head of unscripted programming Victoria Dummer said, according to USA Today.
—Sergio Ibarra