Syndicated television shows rang in the New Year with ratings gains for the week ending Jan. 4, with rookie programs and talk shows posting the biggest gains.
With the first-run freshmen, all shows trended upwards. NBC Universal Television Distribution’s “Deal or No Deal” led the group with a 12% ratings increase to match its series high of a 1.9 household rating. CBS Television Distribution’s “The Doctors” increased by 6% to a 1.7, followed by Sony Pictures Television’s “Judge Karen,” up 10% to a 1.1.
Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution’s “The Bonnie Hunt Show” posted a series ratings high with an 11% improvement to a 1.0.
Both Debmar-Mercury’s “Trivial Pursuit: America Plays” and Program Partners’ “Family Court With Judge Penny” increased audiences 17% to a 0.7. For “Penny,” that’s a series high.
In the talk-show genre, CBS Television Distribution’s “The Oprah Winfrey Show” led the group with a 4.4 rating, increasing 13%. CBS’ “Dr. Phil” also improved 10% to a 3.2.
CBS’ “The Rachael Ray Show” matched its season high with a 1.9, up 6%, tying NBCU’s “Maury,” which also improved 6%.
NBCU’s “The Steve Wilkos Show” moved upward 22% to a 1.1, while Twentieth Television’s recently canceled “The Morning Show With Mike and Juliet” increased 11% to a season-high 1.0.
Both Warner Bros.’ “The Tyra Banks Show” (1.0) and NBCU’s “Martha” (0.8) were flat.
Not all the talk shows prospered. Disney-ABC Domestic Television’s “Live With Regis and Kelly” stumbled 16% to a 2.7, while Warner Bros.’ “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” dipped 5% to a 2.0.
Among entertainment newsmagazines, CBS’ “Entertainment Tonight” led the way with a 16% increase to a 3.7 rating. “ET” enjoyed a solid bump in ratings on Dec. 29 to a 4.2 with a retrospective on the stars who died in 2008.
CBS’ “Inside Edition” boosted its audience 8% to a 2.8, while NBCU’s “Access Hollywood” held steady with a 1.9.
Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution’s “TMZ” dipped 10% from the week prior to a 1.8. One possible explanation points to multiple preemptions due to college football bowl games, interrupting some of “TMZ’s” double runs in certain markets.
CBS’ “The Insider” (1.7) and Warner Bros’ “Extra” (1.6) improved 6% and 7%, respectively.
The top four court shows improved, while the rest of the pack held steady. CBS’ “Judge Judy” rose 5% to a 4.3. “Judge Joe Brown” also improved 5% to a 2.3. Warner Bros.’ “The People’s Court” boosted 10% to a 2.2, while “Judge Mathis” moved the needle up 12% to 1.9.
In game shows, the entire group made small upward strides, led by CBS’ “Wheel of Fortune” (7.0, up 4%).
(Editor: Baumann)