MediaBuyerPlanner: Though it is difficult to predict hits this early in a new season, it is easier to guess which shows are on shaky ground – and this season, more than half of the new series seem doomed, writes Media Life.
Top disasters include Fox’s already-canceled Nashville and ABC’s Tuesday night comedy block, comprised of Cavemen and Carpoolers. The latter two shows premiered to higher numbers than most media watchers expected, but many viewers didn’t return for the second outing.
Fox’s K-Ville is also shaky, having had solid ratings for its premiere but slumping in following weeks. The CW’s unscripted shows, CW Now and Online Nation have failed miserably. Struggling shows include NBC’s Monday drama Journeyman and the CW’s Aliens in America.
The fate of other shows is difficult to predict, including ABC’s Private Practice (the spin-off of Grey’s Anatomy), Dirty Sexy Money, Big Shots and Pushing Daisies.
NBC’s Bionic Woman had the highest premiere rating of any new show (it also had the highest pre-season buzz), but it slipped in the second week. CBS’s Kid Nation, Cane, Moonlight, and NBC’s Life and Chuck will need another few weeks before a clear direction is seen.
CBS’s Big Bang Theory on Mondays has seen stable ratings and is improving on its lead-in. Fox’s Back to You with Kelsey Grammer is also relatively stable and seems to be a modest hit.
Fox’s Kitchen Nightmares had a good premiere, stumbled in its second episode, but picked up steam in its third.
The CW’s Gossip Girl and Reaper are doing well among young viewers.
The Media Life article contains specific details on the ratings of the new shows in their first few weeks.
Related stories:
- Magna to Clients: Don’t Judge the TV Season Too Early
- ABC Wins Opening Week, May Keep Lead throughout Season
- This Year, the CW Is a Network to Watch
