As more participants jump into the new season’s battle of the syndicated stars, it appears that most of the debuting shows are holding their own so far.
Although early Nielsen Media metered market data can be an indicator of a show’s success even at this stage, a clearer picture will come once programming schedules are solidified and other competitors debut.
Knowing Wednesday would disrupt regular programming due to extended 9/11 anniversary coverage, syndicators nonetheless unleashed three more series last week. NBC Enterprises’ “The John Walsh Show” took the early lead, thanks to some stronger time periods, over other freshmen that also premiered Sept. 9. The series averaged a 1.6 rating, 5 share through Thursday, running even in share with that time period in August but dipping 3 share points from its lead-in. “Walsh” opened in 48 metered markets.
Paramount’s “Life Moments” took in a 1.2/4 average, down a share point from both its lead-in (a 1.5/5) and its August time slot. The series airs in 48 metered markets.
Telco’s run of “We the Jury” aired in 12 metered markets to a 0.3 rating and 1 share. That rating is down from its 0.5/1 lead-in and off from the August time slot (0.6/2.)
Growth in week two
Three new first-run strips entered their second week of programming with all three showing solid growth in key markets but still posting an overall drop-off from their lead-ins.
Buena Vista’s “The Wayne Brady Show” continued to ride a ratings wave thanks to strong clearances, averaging a 2.2/7 in week two vs. a 2.5/8 in week one. “Brady’s” lead-in average is a 3.3/11. However, the show is running even in share with August’s 2.3/7 time period performance. The series has been gaining in San Francisco, where it jumped 13 percent in rating from week one to week two, adding 2 share points in the process. At 3 p.m. the show earned a 2.6/9 in the market.
“The Caroline Rhea Show” continued to be burdened with late-night clearances in seven of the top nine markets but has held up well, considering HUT levels typically decrease with every hour. The strip earned a 1.2/4 score in week two compared with a 1.3/4 during its debut week. Compared with its lead-in, the series is off a share point from a 1.7/5. But it is running even in share with its August time slot (a 1.4/4.) In New York, “Rhea” is up 18 percent in rating week to week with a 1.3/5.
Telepictures’ “Celebrity Justice” ran even in both rating and share from week one to week two with a 1.1/3 average, off a share point from both its lead-in and its August average. However, the newsmagazine has shown solid growth in a number of markets, including Los Angeles, Orlando and Norfolk, Va.