Here are the weekly TV ratings, by number of viewers.
Last week I mentioned that Lost had dropped a lot in the ratings. This week they're not even in the top 20.
Looking over this list, it becomes apparent what it takes to get on it. If you're FOX, keep pumping out reality shows and reality competitions shows. If you're ABC, it's dancing and doctors. And if you're CBS, the answer is clear: create another police procedural show. It doesn't matter who's in it or where it's set, just make sure it's about a team of investigators who investigate something that needs investigation.
1. American Idol - Tues (FOX)
2. American Idol - Weds (FOX)
4. CSI (CBS)
5. Dancing with the Stars - Tues (ABC)
6. Desperate Housewives (ABC)
7. Grey's Anatomy (ABC)
8. NCIS (CBS)
9. House (FOX)
10. CSI: Miami (CBS)
11. Criminal Minds (CBS)
12. Without A Trace (CBS)
13. Two and a Half Men (CBS)
14. Law and Order: SVU (NBC)
15. Survivor (CBS)
16. Hell's Kitchen (FOX)
17. CSI: NY (CBS)
18. Cold Case (CBS)
19. Extreme Makeover (ABC)
20. Brothers & Sisters (ABC)
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
5-06-2008 @ 6:54PM
Frank said...
If you're ABC, it's dancing and doctors. And if you're CBS, the answer is clear: create another police procedural show.
And if you're NBC, create 8 more different versions of "Law & Order".
Reply
5-06-2008 @ 7:22PM
Jeff N. said...
If Lost was on at 9PM it would still be in the Top 20. Also I would say LOST is one top show that is recorded and watched later on people's DVR's.
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5-06-2008 @ 10:51PM
lucyfan62 said...
That's exactly what I said when last week's ratings came in. People complained the minute ABC said the show would move to 10:00, and they're showing ABC what they think of that decision. For me, it's an issue of working late on Thursday but I always watch the recording that night, sometimes several hours later. I'm sure there were plenty of holes in the ABC schedule that could have accommodated LOST at an earlier time - Tuesday at 8:00 for example. Do we really need an hour of According to Jim? Or move DWTS Results to Tuesday at 8:00 (why is it at 9:00 anyway) and put LOST on at 9:00. It would have a great lead-in (although maybe not so compatible but the GREY'S lead-in doesn't seem to be helping). Hopefully when the show returns in 2009, they can pair it with PUSHING DAISIES.
5-06-2008 @ 9:02PM
slutty_whore said...
The reason Lost isn't in the Top 20 is because the show is too confusing, requires fans to remember things over the course of long hiatuses, and takes too many hiatuses(save the writer's strike) during the year. You can't require fans to put together a puzzle and not hardly be around to dole out clues. People have moved on to more episodic fare, or the reality shows, where there is a more clear beginning, middle, and end.
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5-06-2008 @ 9:01PM
Bill G said...
More detail on the weekly broadcast ratings for those interested:
http://tvbythenumbers.com/2008/05/06/idol-still-tops-but-cbs-shows-dominate-weekly-nielsen-top-20/3644
Reply
5-06-2008 @ 9:04PM
mj said...
I agree that Lost is a show that we TIVO. I need to look at some scenes more than once, (yes, I'm a geek,) and I prefer to watch it in the morning. I really don't believe in the ratings, because so many people TIVO things, or watch it at a different time, (shows like Monk, that are on more than once,) and that isn't taken into consideration.
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5-07-2008 @ 1:30AM
Will said...
Though I watch a number of shows in the top 20, it sucks that Lost isn't there because it's been really great this season. You couldn't pay me to watch Dancing with the Stars. Get some decent singers on AI & I might watch, but the last couple of years have been pathetic. It's great that people Tivo Lost, but until Neilson recognizes those veiwers, it won't really matter. Jericho was the most Tivo show & it still got canceled.
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