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First-Run Syndie Strips Rebound; Off-Net Comedies Mixed

Jul 26, 2005  •  Post A Comment

After weeks marked by widespread pre-emptions and programming disruptions, most syndicated strips saw growth for the week ended July 17, with most of the top-rated first-run strips up. The ratings for the top-rated off network comedies were mixed.

The top-rated show in syndication, King World’s “Wheel of Fortune,” scored a 7.7 national household rating, according to Nielsen Media Research. “Wheel” was up 10 percent for the week but down 10 percent for the year. The No. 2 show in syndication, King World’s “Jeopardy!,” was up 7 percent for the week but down 37 percent for the year with a 6.4.

Rounding out the top three was King World’s “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” which grew 11 percent for the week and declined 3 percent for the year to a 6.1. Among the other talk strips, “Dr. Phil” grew 2 percent for the week and 18 percent for the year to a 4.5, while Buena Vista’s “Live With Regis and Kelly” was up 3 percent for both the week and the year to hit a 3.5. NBC Universal’s “Maury” scored a 3.1, a 7 percent increase over the previous week and a 6 percent decrease over the same week last year.

Among the courtroom strips, Paramount’s “Judge Judy” grew 4 percent for the week and 9 percent for the year to a 4.8. Paramount’s “Judge Joe Brown” was up 6 percent for the week and flat with last year to a 3.3. Twentieth’s “Divorce Court” grew 8 percent for the week and 17 percent over last year to a 2.8, while Warner Bros.’ “People’s Court” was even for the year and up 8 percent for the week to a 2.7.

In the newsmagazine genre, Paramount’s “Entertainment Tonight” increased 5 percent for the week but was down 4 percent for the year with a 4.4, while King World’s “Inside Edition” was up 3 percent for the week and declined 11 percent for the year to a 3.1. “ET’s” first-year spinoff “The Insider” was up 4 percent for the year with a 2.5. NBC Universal’s “Access Hollywood” dropped 5 percent for the week and 13 percent for the year to a 2.1.

Among the off-network sitcom strips, King World’s “Everybody Loves Raymond” grew 4 percent for the week and declined 2 percent for the year to a 5.5. Sony’s “Seinfeld” was down 2 percent for the week and 6 percent for the year to a 5.1. Warner Bros.’ “Friends” was even for the week and down 10 percent for the year to a 4.6., while Twentieth’s “That ’70s Show” increased 7 percent for the week and declined 6 percent for the year to a 2.9. Twentieth’s “King of the Hill” was down 4 percent for the week and 10 percent for the year to a 2.7.