KATZ PROGRAMMING
RESEARCH
FOX/WB/UPN/INDEPENDENT SUMMARY - OCTOBER 1999
The following summaries are based on the overall average of all 25 markets in the October '99 sweep. The rankings, which follow this write-up, are based on a program having a minimum of 3 occurrences in a daypart. Since there are much fewer occurrences in October, programs that usually show up in a daypart may not. October gives us an early indication on how the programs are faring demographically, but we will have to wait until November for a more complete review.
NEWSLETTER TABLE OF CONTENTS | DAYTIME | EARLY FRINGE | ACCESS | LATE FRINGE
FOX/UPN/WB/INDEPENDENT DAYTIME
JUDGE JUDY (3/13), JUDGE JOE BROWN (3/10), and DIVORCE COURT (2/10) deliver a 1-2-3 punch to daytime HH's. JUDGE JUDY is also #1 in key women, posting a pair of 16 shares, up 23% (+3 shares) in W18-49 and 14% (+2 shares) in W25-54 from year ago time period. JUDY'S fellow arbitrator, JUDGE JOE BROWN snagged 2nd place in HH's and 5th in key women, delivering a pair of 11 shares, a 38% increase (+3 shares) versus Oct '98 time period. When compared to his own year ago performance (4 markets), JUDGE JOE grew by 40% (+4 shares) in W18-49 to a 14 share and 30% (+3 shares) to a 13 share in W25-54. As for the #3 HH player, DIVORCE COURT joins the ranks of the honorable, increasing Oct '98 time period by 38% (+3 shares) in W18-49 and 50% (+4 shares) in W25-54, to deliver an 11 share and 12 share, respectively, as well as garner top 5 showings. Double run in most markets, DIVORCE COURT brought double digit shares to Los Angeles (KTTV/9AM), Chicago (WFLD/10AM), Philadelphia (WTXF/11AM), and Dallas (KDFW/1230PM). Finishing in the top 20 in HH's and key women, the other new magistrate, JUDGE MATHIS (2/5) mirrored year ago time period's 5 share in W18-49 while increasing W25-54 by 50% (+2 shares). Rounding out the genre, THE PEOPLE'S COURT (2/8) saw 1-2 share point increases versus year ago time period in key women, scoring a 7 share in W18-49 and an 8 share in W25-54, while boosting its own year ago performance (5 markets) by 44% (+5 shares) to a 13 in W18-49 and +27% (+3 shares) to a 14 in W25-54. JUDGE MILLS LANE (2/5) was flat to down when compared to Oct '98 time period and his own year ago delivery.
MAURY is the greatest gabber this sweep, with 2nd place showings in W18-49 and W25-54, delivering a 14 (+3 shares) and 13 (+4 shares), respectively, compared to Oct '98 time period. MAURY is on fire versus his own year ago performance as well: in 5 markets, he shot up by a whopping 58% (+7 shares) in W18-49 to deliver a 19, while increasing W25-54 by 45% (+5 shares) to a 16 share. Though SALLY grabs the #2T and #3T positions in W18-49 and W25-54, respectively. She has seen significant losses (-4 shares) versus her own year ago performance. It may be a good thing that JERRY SPRINGER is doing those specials in England, considering that his reign may be winding down, posting 12-15% (-2 shares) declines in key women (to a 14 in W18-49 and an 11 in W25-54) versus Oct '98 time period. Against the 7 markets where JERRY aired in the same time period a year ago, he lost 3 shares each in W18-49 (16 share) and W25-54 (13 share). MONTEL WILLIAMS (1/7), JENNY JONES (2/6), RICKI LAKE (2/6), and DONNY & MARIE (1/5) remained relatively stable versus year ago time period in key women. In the 3 markets where they appeared last year, the Osmond's garnered increases in W18-49 by 43% (+3 shares) to post a 10 and W25-54 by 38% (+3 shares) to an 11 share. Of the new yappers, QUEEN LATIFAH (1/5), a top 20 player in HH's, was the only one to increase year ago time period by 60% (+3 shares) in W18-49 (#9) to an 8 share and by 40% (+2 shares) in W25-54 (#2) to a 7 share. LATIFAH is treated like royalty in the following markets, where she was up versus year ago time period: Dallas (KDAF/10AM), Detroit (WJBK/10AM), Cleveland (WUAB/2PM), Baltimore (WNUV/10AM), and Cincinnati (WXIX/2PM). Falling to the bottom third of the HH ranking, DREAMMAKER (1/4) was down 33% (-2 shares) and DR. JOY BROWNE (1/3) was flat in key women from Oct '98 time period.
Among the other freshman fare, the off-net offerings -- IN THE HOUSE (1/4), THE PARENT 'HOOD (1/4), CAROLINE IN THE CITY (1/3), THE WAYANS BROS. (1/3), and the SCREEN GEMS NETWORK (1/2) were relatively flat versus year ago time period, with a share loss or two to speak of, in key women. The same can be said of FAMILY FEUD (1/5) and BLIND DATE (1/4), posting a share point gain in W18-49. However, the survey says "FEUD" in Chicago (WPWR/11AM), where the game show enjoyed 5-7 share point gains in key women versus year ago's MATCH GAME.
See the FOX/UPN/WB/INDEPENDENT Rankings
NEWSLETTER TABLE OF CONTENTS | DAYTIME | EARLY FRINGE | ACCESS | LATE FRINGE
FOX/UPN/WB/INDEPENDENT EARLY FRINGE
JUDGE JUDY presided over a 2 share increase in W18-49 (to a 13) and W25-54 (to a 14) when compared to Oct '98 time period. The other two court shows to make it to the top 10 in HH's are JUDGE JOE BROWN, who is up 50% (+4 shares) in key women to a pair of 12 shares, and the freshman DIVORCE COURT, which increased year ago time period by 67% (+4 shares) in key women to deliver a 10 share. DIVORCE COURT awakened some dormant time periods in Pittsburgh (WNPA/6PM & 6:30PM) and Hartford (WTXX/6PM) while more than doubling the key women delivery in Kansas City (WDAF/3:30PM) and New Orleans (WVUE/5:30PM). JUDGE MATHIS is attempting to make a name for himself in early fringe, becoming a top 20 performer in his first sweep. Posting a pair of 8 shares in key women, MATHIS increased year ago time period by a whopping 167% (+5 shares), not surprisingly since it replaced WB kids in most instances.
JERRY SPRINGER didn't exhibit any monstrous increases this October, but he did post substantial losses versus his own Oct '98 performance. In those 4 markets, SPRINGER averaged a pair of 15 shares, down 32% (-7 shares) in W18-49 and 17% (-3 shares) in W25-54. Though slightly off year ago time period levels, ROSIE O'DONNELL (3/9) is #1 in key women, achieving a high 17 share in W18-49 and 16 share in W25-54. The remaining talkers -- JENNY JONES (3/8), MONTEL WILLIAMS (2/8), FORGIVE OR FORGET (3/7), and RICKI LAKE (3/6) -- posted no major changes, either flat or fluttering around 1-2 share point improvements or declines in key women. Newcomer QUEEN LATIFAH helped year ago time period somewhat, improving W18-49 by 60% (+3 shares) to an 8 and W25-54 by 40% (+2 shares) to a 7 share.
The old off-net favorites remain the viewer preferences in early fringe. FRIENDS, tying with ROSIE in W18-49 with a 17 share, increased that demo by 55% (+6 shares) versus year ago. FRIENDS delivered a 12 share (+4 shares) in W25-54 and a 19 (+6 shares) in teens as well. THE SIMPSONS, THE FRESH PRINCE, and HOME IMPROVEMENT are still top 10 in HH's and remained relatively stable versus year ago time period. Of the new sitcom fare, THE DREW CAREY SHOW (3/7) makes the top 10 in HH's, followed closely by #13 3RD ROCK FROM THE SUN (2/6). Including DREW and 3RD ROCK, not one of the first-year comedies -- WAYANS BROS. (3/6), THE PARENT 'HOOD (2/5), IN THE HOUSE (2/4), CAROLINE IN THE CITY (1/3), and UNHAPPILY EVER AFTER (1/2) -- improved any of the key adult demos versus year ago time period. Yet, DREW and 3RD ROCK ranked among the top 10 and top 15, respectively, in key women.
THE NATIONAL ENQUIRER, representing magazine shows in this ranking, isn't creating any hot gossip, as it posted 43-57% (-3 to -5 shares) decreases versus year ago time period in key women. BLIND DATE is basically flat versus Oct '98, yet doubled its teen delivery to a 14 share.
Possibly because most of the freshman funnies aren't particularly kid-friendly, STEP BY STEP is the #1 choice of the younger set. THE SIMPSONS, THE FRESH PRINCE, SISTER, SISTER, THE WAYANS BROS., BOY MEETS WORLD, FULL HOUSE, and FAMILY MATTERS are also among teen and children favorites.
See the Nielsen FOX/UPN/WB/INDEPENDENT EARLY FRINGE Rankings
NEWSLETTER TABLE OF CONTENTS | DAYTIME | EARLY FRINGE | ACCESS | LATE FRINGE
Of the returning shows, FRIENDS is the viewer's choice in HH's (6/10), W18-49 (17 share), and W25-54 (13 share). SEINFELD ties with FRIENDS in HH's, yet triumphs in key men. THE SIMPSONS is behind SEINFELD in key men and comes out on top among teens, boosting year ago time period up 21% (+5 shares) to a 29 share in the latter. Aging comedy HOME IMPROVEMENT has experienced losses of a couple of shares, as most of the vets have, with upwards of 4-5 share losses in key men, though still ranking in the top 5 in key adult demos. THE FRESH PRINCE makes strides in M18-49 (up 133% from a 3 to a 7 share) and M25-54 (up 50% from a 4 to a 6) for 7th place finishes. This Will Smith vehicle is a favorite among teens and kids, jumping 100% to a 10 share and 80% to a 9 share, respectively. As one of the few non-sitcoms to make the ranking, JUDGE JUDY (in a limited sample) developed decreases of up to 2-3 shares in key adults, something relatively new for this strong show. Versus her own time period performance in 3 markets, JUDY also saw declines of 2-3 shares in key women and 3-4 shares in key men. Even though most of the more seasoned shows are downtrending (with minimal share growth), they are found to be among the top 10 HH performers in access. With the old-timers also occupying high positions among the key demos as well, they are still viable players, facing no real competition from the newcomers as of yet.
Speaking of those freshman, THE DREW CAREY SHOW (4/7), with 26 occurrences, cracked the top 10 in HH's, yet didn't bring much to the time period except a share increase in key men. DREW may not have sparked any time period growth, but it delivers competitive adult shares that rank in the top 10. IN THE HOUSE (3/6) places 8th in HH's, with its only meaningful impact felt on kids, boosting year ago time period 63% (+6 shares) to a 13 share. The remainder of the fresh off-net product falls to the bottom half of the ranking. For the most part, they all lost or gained 1-2 shares across all demos. The only noteworthy changes are, unfortunately, decreases, brought upon by 3RD ROCK FROM THE SUN declining 43% (-3 shares) in M25-54 to a 4 share and STAR TREK: VOYAGER, plunging 57% (-4 shares) in teens to a 3 share. The updated FAMILY FEUD fell to the bottom of the list and brought key men down by 50% to deliver a pair of 3 shares.
See the Nielsen FOX/UPN/WB/INDEPENDENT ACCESS Rankings
NEWSLETTER TABLE OF CONTENTS | DAYTIME | EARLY FRINGE | ACCESS | LATE FRINGE
FOX/UPN/WB/INDEPENDENT LATE FRINGE
JUDGE JUDY's (6/13) word is law in late fringe as the top HH show. JUDY is status quo versus year ago time period (in a limited 3 market sample), with no major increases or decreases. While a top 10 performer in key women, JUDY falls a little farther down in key men, though still in the top 20. SEINFELD experienced 2-3 share point increases across all key adults, proving that there is still some steam left in it. Contrasting JUDY, JERRY and friends are more popular with the men, placing 3rd. An honorable mention must go out to JUDGE MATHIS, the only new program to crack the top 10 in HH's though it didn't bring any significant changes to its new time slots. MATHIS did tie SEINFELD's 14 share in W18-49 (where it lost a couple of shares versus year ago time period) and JUDY'S 15 share in W25-54, (where it was flat). Another courtroom compadre, JUDGE JOE BROWN (2/6), is #29 in HH's yet rose 5 shares in W25-54 (11 share, #11) and M18-49 (8 share, #16) when compared to Oct '98 time period.
3RD ROCK FROM THE SUN (3/8) just fell short of the top 10 by tying for #11 in HH's. In 19 occurrences, the Solomons posted 9 shares in key women, down a point in W18-49 and flat in W25-54. The sitcom also lost 1-3 share points in the male demos, yet snagged the 8th position in M18-49 (10 share). While THE DREW CAREY SHOW (4/7) fell farther down in HH's, it increased key women by a share point each versus Oct '98 to rank 19th. DREW also brought the men up by 29% (+2 shares) to deliver 9 shares and was 12th in M18-49 and 7th in M25-54. In head-to-head competition in Chicago, DREW (WGN) wins the 10:30PM duel, outdelivering 3RD ROCK (WLFD) by 2-5 shares in key adults. In St. Louis, where they meet again at 10:30PM, DREW (KPLR) wins the battle over 3RD ROCK (KTVI) by 4-11 shares in key adults. CAROLINE IN THE CITY (2/5) brought some more female companions to late fringe versus Oct '98 time period, going up 40-50% (2-3 shares).
Of some of the other new crop, QUEEN LATIFAH (2/7) was flat in key women, where it was a top 20 choice, versus Oct '98 time period. FAMILY FEUD's (1/6) best story was in W25-54, where it doubled year ago time period to a 6 share. Inquiring minds didn't want to know about NATIONAL ENQUIRER, which dropped off 57-83% (-3 to -5 shares) in key adults from year ago time period.
Taking a look at the relationship category, CHANGE OF HEART (2/6) slightly altered the key women audience, increasing 2 shares versus year ago time period, yet it was flat(lined) with men. The break up/make up program was 19th in W18-49 and fluttered around the top 20 in the remaining adult demos. BLIND DATE (2/5) wasn't a top demo performer and fluctuated from Oct '98 time period delivery. When running against each other in 2 markets, BLIND DATE (WATL/12AM) was actually the victor in Atlanta, beating CHANGE OF HEART (WUPA/12AM) by as much a 7 shares in M18-49. BLIND DATE (WNOL/12AM) also outdelivered CHANGE OF HEART (WBDC/12AM) in New Orleans by 1-2 shares in key adults, except for M25-54, where the latter won by 4 share points.
Other strong options for key adults include: ROSEANNE, MARTIN, GRACE UNDER FIRE, LIVING SINGLE, and STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION. The ladies like MURPHY BROWN, MONTEL WILLIAMS, THAN NANNY, and FORGIVE OR FORGET. Exclusive to most of the men are CHEERS, MASH, FRASIER, THE SIMPSONS, NEWSRADIO, and STAR TREK: VOYAGER.
See the Nielsen FOX/UPN/WB/INDEPENDENT LATE FRINGE Rankings
NEWSLETTER TABLE OF CONTENTS | DAYTIME | EARLY FRINGE | ACCESS | LATE FRINGE
