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‘Insider,’ ‘Danza’ Jump Out to Lead Among New Strips

Sep 20, 2004  •  Post A Comment

Paramount’s “Entertainment Tonight” spinoff “The Insider” led the pack among premiering syndicated shows last week, but only Buena Vista’s “The Tony Danza Show” was able to improve on its year-ago time period average.

According to Nielsen Media Research, “The Insider” had a 2.6 household rating and 5 share weighted meter market average for its first four days of primary runs the week beginning Sept. 13. That was down 11 percent from its year-ago time period average of 2.8/7, and a 14 percent drop from its lead-in (2.9/6).

“It had its best [numbers] where it is running in access and in tandem with `Entertainment Tonight,”‘ said Bill Carroll, VP and director of programming for the Katz Television Group. “Paramount has, at least in the early goings, been able to integrate elements of both shows into each other so that it appears to the viewer as a seamless hour of programming. They are looking at the advantage that they have and [are] making the best use of that advantage.”

“The Tony Danza Show” came in with a 1.8/6 rating and share for its four-day average, up 6 percent over its year-ago time period number but down 18 percent from its lead-in. “Danza” is winning its time period in three of the top five markets, and is up 35 percent in its time period versus year-ago numbers in New York. In addition, the show is up 7 percent from year-ago numbers in Chicago and up 27 percent in Philadelphia.

“We’re showing great compatibility with `Live [with Regis and Kelly]’ and with `Ellen,”‘ said Lloyd Komesar, executive VP of strategic research at Buena Vista.

Telepictures’ “The Larry Elder Show” tied for third among premies with NBC Universal’s “Home Delivery,” with both shows scoring four-day averages of 1.1/4. “Elder” was down 15 percent from its year-ago time period average and down 21 percent from its lead-in. It did grow steadily from its debut rating Monday (0.9) to Thursday’s number (1.2). “Delivery” was down 27 percent from its year-ago time period average and 27 percent off its lead-in.

The national debut of Twentieth TV’s “Ambush Makeover” had a four-day average of 1.0/3, down 23 percent from a year-ago and down from its lead-in. “Ambush” rose from its debut of 0.9 Monday to 1.1 Thursday.

Sony’s “Pat Croce: Moving In” garnered a 0.6/2 while “Life & Style” rounded out the first-run premieres with a 0.6/2.

NBC Universal’s “The Jane Pauley Show” came in with a 1.8/5 four-day average last week, with a spike of 2.1/6 Wednesday thanks to guest Bette Midler.

Among the premiering off-nets, Twentieth’s “Malcolm in the Middle” scored a 2.1/4 in its first four days, down 28 percent from its year-ago time period average and 22 percent off its lead-in. Paramount’s “Girlfriends” got a 1.3/3, while Twentieth’s “Yes, Dear” came in with a 0.8/2. But the real off-net story comes at the end of this week, when “Fear Factor’s” syndication numbers finally come in. Already running on FX, “Fear Factor” is being closely watched by industry analysts. “I’m sure that is going to be an indication to everyone if reality has another life in syndication,” Mr. Carroll said.