Coverage of the death of Jett Travolta, son of actor John Travolta, drew viewers to syndicated television, pushing most entertainment news magazines towards season high ratings for the week ending Jan. 11.
Five out of six programs in the entertainment news magazine genre either set or matched their season highs during the week.
CBS Television Distribution’s “Entertainment Tonight’s” ratings rose 32% from the previous week to claim a 4.9 household rating. The company’s “Inside Edition” matched its high with a 3.4 rating, marking a 21% jump.
NBC Universal Television Distribution’s “Access Hollywood” also produced a season high with a 2.3 household rating, up 21% from last week. “Access” set a high in total viewers with nearly 3.3 million, up 15% from the previous week.
Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution’s “Extra” tied a season best with a 1.8 household rating, up 13%. “TMZ” also moved up 6% to a 1.9 household rating.
In talk, CBS Television Distribution’s “The Oprah Winfrey Show” returned back from repeats with its “Best Life Week,” improving 25% week-to-week with a 5.5 rating. “Oprah” also improved over last year by 2% during the week.
The rest of CBS’ offerings didn’t fare as well, as “Dr. Phil” (3.1, down 3%) and “Rachel Ray” (1.8, down 5%) both posted audience losses.
Disney-ABC Domestic Television’s “Live with Regis and Kelly” entered into the high-definition broadcast era during the week, posting a 7% increase to a 2.9 household rating.
Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution’s “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” enjoyed a 15% boost to a 2.3 rating. A visit from actor/director Clint Eastwood on Jan. 9 lifted the show to a week-high 2.7 household rating.
The rest of the talk pack either slid down slightly or held steady, with NBC Universal’s “Maury” (1.7, down 11%) and “The Jerry Springer Show” (1.1, down 8%) stumbling. “The Steve Wilkos Show” stayed flat at a 1.1.
Warner Bros’ “The Tyra Banks Show” also stayed flat with a 1.0.
Twentieth Television’s “The Morning Show with Mike and Juliet” took a 10% dip to a 0.9, and NBC Universal’s “The Martha Stewart Show” declined 13% to a 0.7.
For freshman first-run strips, CBS Television Distribution’s “The Doctors” continued to butt heads with NBC Universal Television Distribution’s “Deal or No Deal,” as both tied for first place in the genre.
“Doctors” lifted itself by 12% to a 1.9, matching “Deal,” which was flat. On Jan. 19, “Doctors” hit a series high in its overnight ratings with a 2.3 rating/5 share.
Sony Pictures Television’s “Judge Karen” fell 9% to a 1.0, tying a flat Warner Bros’ “The Bonnie Hunt Show.” Debmar-Mercury’s “Trivial Pursuit: America Plays” also held steady with a 0.7, while Program Partners “Family Court with Judge Penny” dropped 14% to a 0.6.
The game show genre enjoyed a lift, as CBS’ “Wheel of Fortune” (7.9, up 13%) and “Jeopardy” (6.5, up12%), as well as Disney-ABC’s “Millionaire” (2.7, up 4%) all increased.
Debmar-Mercury’s “Family Feud” was flat with a 1.4.
There wasn’t much movement in the court-show genre, as only CBS’ “Judge Judy” (4.6, up 7%),“Judge Joe Brown” (2.4, up 4%) and Twentieth’s “Judge Alex” (1.6, up 7%) posted increases.
(Editor: Baumann)