KTVG PROGRAMMING RESEARCH

AFFILIATE SUMMARY - February 2001

The following summaries are based on the overall average of the top 100 markets in the February ’01 sweep.  The rankings, which follow this write-up, are based on a program having a minimum of 5 occurrences in a daypart.

 

AFFILIATE/DAYTIME

 

While the news for February is a little brighter in daytime than it was in November, it still isn’t as positive as we would like.  LIVE WITH REGIS & newest addition KELLY Ripa is the top HH scorer (5/18) and the clear cut #2 player on the charts among key women.  While REGIS took a slight hit in November with his bevy of co-hosts, the 14-year-old show is on the rise again.  Though LIVE is flat to up only one share point from Feb ’00 time period and its own year ago levels, it is up 13-17% (+3 to +4 shares) from Nov ’00 time period and 22-25% (+4 shares) from its own Nov ’00 performance in key women.  Looking at the even younger W18-34 demo, LIVE has boosted both Nov ’00 and Feb ’00 time period by 38% (from a 13 to an 18 share).  ROSIE, the #2 HH performer (4/15) is #1 among her female peers, achieving a 21 share in W18-49 and a 22 share in W25-54.   MAURY (3/12) and JERRY SPRINGER (3/11) fall next in line, both posting shares below year ago time period, below their own year ago levels and 25-47% below the top two performers.  MARTHA STEWART (3/10) and MONTEL (3/10) also earn top 10 status in HH’s and key women.  MARTHA has been cooking up a top 5 performance among key women this sweep, posting a 12 share in W18-49 and a 14 share in W25-54, increasing year ago time period shares by 17-20% (+2 shares).  JENNY (2/9) and SALLY (2/8) have both seen better days with JENNY experiencing the largest fall off among the veteran talkers in W18-49 versus Feb '01 time period and her own year ago performance.  RICKI (2/6), replacing the likes of MARTIN SHORT and AINSLEY HARRIOTT in daytime slots, posts a 57% (+4 shares) time period increase in W18-49.  The freshman talkers haven’t had much of an influence over the daytime viewer with DR. LAURA (2/6) and MARS-VENUS (1/4) falling towards the bottom of the ranking in both HH’s and key women.   Even with its new panel of hosts, MARS-VENUS hasn’t been able to keep up the pace, dropping key female shares among key women not only from Feb ’00 time period, but from its own Nov ’00 performance.

 

Take a look below at the chart reviewing the returning talkers and their own Feb ’01 versus Feb ‘00 performances.  (The time period performance chart can be found at the end of this section.)

 

RETURNING TALK/OWN PERFORMANCE*

 

W18-49 Shr

W18-49 Shr

 

W25-54 Shr

W25-54 Shr

 

 

FEB ‘01

FEB ‘00

%Chg

FEB ‘01

FEB ‘00

%Chg

ROSIE (7)

22

24

-8%

24

26

-8%

REG/KEL (84)

20

19

+5%

22

21

+5%

MAURY (14)

19

22

-14%

18

20

-10%

JERRY (6)

17

20

-15%

15

18

-17%

MONTEL (14)

14

13

+8%

14

14

-

JENNY (9)

12

17

-29%

10

13

-23%

MARTHA (37)

11

10

+10%

13

12

+8%

SALLY (21)

10

13

-23%

10

12

-17%

*Markets that have aired the program in the same time period over the past year.  RICKI and LATIFAH did not meet the minimum 3 occurrence cut.  

 

With far too many judges on the bench (10 in all), the courtroom has been turning in some questionable decisions.  Ranging in time period declines from 1 to 8 share points, the judges (with the exception of MATHIS and MORAL COURT) have not all been keeping up their end of the bargain.  JUDGE JUDY (3/11) and JOE BROWN (2/10) continue to lead the HH pack while JUDGE MATHIS (2/9) (in a very limited five-occurrence sample) ranks higher among key women.  Of the returning court offerings, JOE BROWN exhibits the largest share decline in W18-49 (from a 15 to a 7) and MILLS LANE (2/6) experiences the largest drop-off in W25-54 (from a 12 to a 5).   Look below at how the returning court shows are faring versus their own Feb ’01 and Feb ‘00 performances.  (The time period performance chart can be found at the end of this section.)

 

RETURNING COURT/OWN PERFORMANCE*

 

W18-49 Shr

W18-49 Shr

 

W25-54 Shr

W25-54 Shr

 

 

FEB ‘01

FEB ‘00

%Chg

FEB ‘01

FEB ‘00

%Chg

JUDY (3)

15

13

+15%

18

15

+20%

MATHIS (4)

12

8

+50%

13

10

+30%

J.BROWN(12)

8

10

-20%

10

11

-9%

PEOPLE’S (10)

7

8

-12%

7

10

-30%

*Markets that have aired the program in the same time period over the past year.  DIVORCE COURT and MILLS LANE did not meet the minimum 3 occurrence cut.

 

On the freshman docket, POWER OF ATTORNEY (2/7) made the weakest case for itself, exhibiting a 54% decline in W18-49 (from a 13 to a 6 share) and a 46% down turn in W25-54 (from a 13 to a 7 share) versus Feb ’00 time period.  Though not a court vehicle, ARREST & TRIAL’s (2/8) six occurrence dose of reality registered a 1 to 2 share point drop among key women from year ago time period, just placing among the top 20 in the daypart.

 

Though not always in direct competition for time period clearances, the network programs are still a key part of the daytime landscape.  While PRICE IS RIGHT (5/18) would tie for #1 in HH’s along with REGIS & KELLY; it is THE VIEW (3/11) which has the advantage among key women, achieving a 16 share in W18-49 and an 18 share in W25-54.  While all three programs fall into the top 5 category, TODAY 2 (3/12 HH, 14 share in W18-49, 15 share in W25-54) is next in line followed by PRICE (13 share in W18-49, 14 share in W25-54).  Though the third hour of TODAY drops a substantial amount (-6 to -7 shares) in key women from its TODAY SHOW lead-in, based on Feb ’00 shares, it has exhibited marked improvement over it’s LATER TODAY (+5 shares) predecessor.  While THE VIEW is flat to down a share in key women versus Feb ’00 time period and its own performance, this lively chat/news/entertainment series presents a united front in direct airings opposite TODAY 2, winning the hour by 23-25% (+3 shares).  

 

AFFILIATE/EARLY FRINGE

 

Overall, the majority of programs are once again not living up to their potential, posting time period declines across the board.  Of the freshman offerings, all deliver only single digit shares and fall toward the bottom of the rankings in HH’s and across key demos.  The HUTS for early fringe are down a mere 2%, while the key women PUTS, as in daytime, remain consistent versus Feb ’00.  (Refer to the daypart trend charts at the back of the program rankings.)

 

 While the top three HH programs are JEOPARDY (7/17), OPRAH (6/17) and JERRY SPRINGER (5/13), it is OPRAH, JERRY and ROSIE (3/9) who rate among key women 18-49 and 25-54.  Maybe there is something to all that spirituality that OPRAH practices, after all her crown keeps shining after all these years.  Not only is Miss OPRAH #1 in key women, but she out paces her closest #2 and #3 competitors by a considerable margin.  OPRAH garners a 25 share in W18-49, 39% higher than SPRINGER’s 18 and 56% higher than ROSIE’s 16 share.  In W25-54, OPRAH’s 27 share is 59% above SPRINGER’s 17 share and 69% above ROSIE’s 16.  Versus year ago time period and her own performance, the afternoon queen remains relatively stable.  JERRY, who has been plummeting over the last season, has actually posted 2 to 3 share point increases over year ago time period in key women and is flat to up 2 shares over his own Feb ’00 performance.  ROSIE, on the other hand, while down only slightly from year ago time period has experienced 20% (-4 shares) declines over her own year ago performance.  MONTEL (4/12) and MAURY (4/11) are the next talkers to fall in line.  While MONTEL continues to turn in a consistent performance versus Feb ’00 time period and his own year ago levels, MAURY has actually posted a 2 to 3 share point drop in the markets that have kept him in the same time period over the past year.  Of all the veteran talk shows, SALLY (3/9) has experienced the most substantial declines among key women.

 

Below is a chart outlining the returning talk shows’ performance where they have remained in the same time period over the past year. (The time period performance chart can be found at the end of this section.) 

 

RETURNING TALK/OWN PRFORMANCE*

 

W18-49 Shr

W18-49 Shr

 

W25-54 Shr

W25-54 Shr

 

 

FEB ‘01

FEB ’00

%Chg

FEB ‘01

FEB ‘00

%Chg

OPRAH (93)

25

26

-4%

27

27

-

RICKI (4)

19

16

+19%

13

14

-7%

JERRY (9)

17

17

-

17

15

+13%

ROSIE (59)

16

20

-20%

16

20

-20%

MONTEL (42)

16

16

-

16

16

-

MAURY (18)

15

18

-17%

13

15

-13%

JENNY (3)

12

15

-20%

10

11

-9%

SALLY (16)

11

16

-31%

11

15

-27%

MARTHA (3)

9

10

-10%

11

12

-8%

*Markets that have aired the program in the same time period over the past year.  LATIFAH did not meet the minimum 3 occurrence cut. 

The outcome isn’t any more positive in the court arena.  JUDGE JUDY (5/11), JUDGE JOE BROWN (4/11) and JUDGE MATHIS (4/9-in a much more limited sample) lead the pack and are the only three jurists to deliver double digit rulings.  Of the freshman court cases, JUDGE HATCHETT (2/6) and POWER OF ATTORNEY (2/6) have both reduced their time period share levels from double to single digits and have placed 20th and below in HH’s and key women.

 

Take a look at how the returning court shows are faring versus their own Feb ’01 and Feb ‘00 performances.  (The time period performance chart can be found at the end of this section.)

 

RETURNING COURT/OWN PERFORMANCE*


 

W18-49 Shr

W18-49 Shr

 

W25-54 Shr

W25-54 Shr

 

 

FEB ‘01

FEB ‘00

%Chg

FEB ‘01

FEB ‘00

%Chg

JUDY (47)

14

15

-7%

16

17

-6%

MATHIS (3)

13

13

-

15

14

+7%

J.BROWN(17)

11

11

-

12

12

-

DIV CT. (7)

8

8

-

8

8

-

PEOPLE’S (8)

6

9

-33%

7

10

-30%

*Markets that have aired the program in the same time period over the past year.  MILLS LANE did not meet the minimum 3 occurrence cut.

 

Of the magazines, INSIDE EDITION (5/12) and E.T. (4/9) are among the top 10 players in key women with the latter posting time period increases across the board from Feb ’00 in its limited five occurrence sample.  In the game show category, HOLLYWOOD SQUARES (4/12) is the ranking winner yet drops off 1 to 2 shares in key women from year ago time period.  Following closely behind is FAMILY FEUD (3/7) follows closely behind and then TO TELL THE TRUTH (2/5), both of which turn in a fairly even performance versus year ago time period. 

AFFILIATE/ACCESS

 

Some things just never change and like the energizer bunny, WHEEL (11/19), JEOPARDY (11/18) and INSIDE EDITION (8/13) continue as the 1-2-3 punch in access HH’s.  Among key women, INSIDE ranks 3rd while WHEEL and JEOPARDY tie for 4th in W25-54 and tie for 5th in W18-49.

 

Below is a chart illustrating the returning games’ own Feb ‘01 to Feb ‘00 performance in markets that have aired the programs in the same time period over the past year.  (The time period performance chart can be found at the end of this section.)

 

RETURNING GAME/OWN PERFORMANCE*

 

W25-54

W25-54

 

M25-54

M25-54

 

 

FEB ‘01

FEB ‘00

%Chg

FEB ‘01

FEB ’00

%Chg

WHEEL (97)

13

14

-7%

10

11

-9%

JEOP (60)

13

15

-13%

11

13

-15%

SQUARES (42)

7

8

-12%

6

6

-

*Markets that have aired the program in the same time period over the past year, minimum 3 occurrences. 

 

Not to be out-scooped, but overall, it was the magazines that had the better stories to tell in access, maintaining an upswing which began in November due, in part, to the expanded election coverage.  SURVIVOR and the like “fever” may have been the catalyst the magazines needed this sweep to find some renewed vigor.  E.T. remains the mag of choice among key women, placing 2nd in both W18-49 (14 share) and W25-54 (15 share), posting a 1 to 2 share point increase over Feb ’00 time period and its own year ago performance.  REAL TV, in a much more limited sample, attracts more of the men, tying for 3rd in M18-49 (11 share) and placing 3rd in M25-54 (12 share). 

 

Looking at the magazine chart below, all of the offerings experienced an uptick in W25-54 versus their own Feb ’00 performances and were flat to up in M25-54. (The time period rankings can be found at the back of this section.)

 

RETURNING MAGAZINE/OWN PERFORMANCE*

 

W25-54

W25-54

 

M25-54

M25-54

 

 

FEB ‘01

FEB ‘00

%Chg

FEB ‘01

FEB ’00

%Chg

E.T. (70)

15

14

+7%

11

10

+10%

INSIDE (17)

14

13

+8%

10

10

-

ACCESS (12)

13

10

+30%

9

7

+29%

EXTRA (24)

10

8

+25%

7

7

-

REAL TV (5)

10

9

+11%

12

10

+20%

*Markets that have aired the program in the same time period over the past year.

 

FRIENDS (7/12) and SEINFELD (6/11) continue to reign supreme as the top two sitcoms, and the top two programs overall, across key adults.  Achieving an 18 share in W18-49 and a 16 share in W25-54, FRIENDS is the #1 choice among key women and the #2 player in key men (14 share).  SEINFELD is #1 among key men (15 share), but only ties for 3rd among W18-49 (12 share) and for 6th among W25-54 (12 share).  FRASIER (6/10) is the next highest-ranking sitcom across key women while DREW CAREY (4/7) holds that distinction in M18-49.  In M25-54, DREW and FRASIER are in a tie.  Overall, the sitcoms are performing on a relatively even keel from Feb ’00 with freshman SPIN CITY posting the largest time period declines among key women (–3 to -4 shares). 

 

As you can see from the chart on the following page, FRASIER experiences a 15-17% (-2 shares) drop-off versus his own year ago performance while all of the other returning sitcoms are flat to off by a share point.

 

 

 

 

RETURNING SITCOMS/OWN PERFORMANCE*

 

 

W18-49 Shr

W25-54 Shr

M18-49 Shr

M25-54 Shr

FRIENDS

Feb ‘01

18

16

14

14

(21 occ.)

Feb ’00

17

15

15

13

 

% Change

+6%

+7%

-7%

+8%

SEINFELD

Feb ‘01

12

12

15

15

(17 occ.)

Feb ’00

12

12

15

15

 

% Change

-

-

-

-

FRASIER

Feb ‘01

10

11

9

11

(18 occ.)

Feb ’00

12

13

10

11

 

% Change

-17%

-15%

-10%

-

DREW CAREY

Feb ‘01

9

9

11

10

(8 occ.)

Feb ’00

10

9

10

10

 

% Change

-10%

-

+10%

-

HOME IMP.

Feb ‘01

8

9

7

8

(4 occ.)

Feb ’00

8

9

7

9

 

% Change

-

-

-

-11%

*Markets that have aired the program in the same time period over the past year.

 

The HUTS in the access daypart have remained flat versus Feb ’00 and every February since 1997.  The female PUTS (W18-49 and W25-54) have dropped 3% since year ago while the M18-49 PUTS are down 10% and the M25-54 PUTS remain flat.

 

AFFILIATE/LATE FRINGE           

 

With network fare the mainstay of traditional affiliate late fringe; the choices for syndicated programming are much more limited than what can be found on FOX/WB/UPN and Independent stations.  These programs generally air post network late night, lending to lower ratings and higher shares in the daypart.  Late night HUTS and W25-54 PUTS remain flat from Feb ’00, while W18-49 PUTS are down 8% and M18-49 and M25-54 PUTS are down 10%. 

 

So, before we look at the syndication picture, let’s review what’s happening on the network.  As we can see from the chart below, Leno wins the race by a considerable margin -- up over Letterman by 5 to 7 shares across HH’s and key adult demos.

 

Head-to-Head Competition (98 occ.)

 

HH RTG

HH SHR

W18-49 Shr

W25-54 Shr

M18-49 Shr

M25-54 Shr

LENO

5

16

16

18

16

18

LETTERMAN

4

10

10

11

11

12

Leno Adv.

+25%

+60%

+60%

+64%

+45%

+50%

 

Looking at the year to year performance of the earlier late night vehicles, THE TONIGHT SHOW remains relatively consistent while Letterman’s LATE SHOW posts a 3 share point decline among key women and a 2 share point drop among key men.  Both NIGHTLINE and POLITICALLY INCORRECT remain relatively stable across the board.

 

TONIGHT SHOW with Jay Leno* (100 occurrences)

 

HH RTG

HH SHR

W18-49 Shr

W25-54 Shr

M18-49 Shr

M25-54 Shr

Feb ‘01

5

16

16

18

16

18

Feb ‘00

6

16

16

17

16

17

%Change

-17%

-

-

+6%

-

+6%

 

LATE SHOW with David Letterman* (101 occ.)

Feb ‘01

4

10

10

11

11

12

Feb ‘00

4

12

13

14

13

14

%Change

-

-17%

-23%

-21%

-15%

-14%

 

NIGHTLINE* (97 occ.)

Feb ‘01

4

10

7

9

7

8

Feb ‘00

4

11

8

9

7

8

%Change

-

-9%

-12%

-

-

-

 

POLITICALLY INCORRECT* (88 occ.)

Feb ‘01

2

9

8

9

8

9

Feb ‘00

2

9

8

8

7

8

%Change

-

-

-

+13%

+14%

+13%

* Specific history.

 

 

Turning to the other skirmish -- Conan versus Craig -- among the “later” late night network offerings, CONAN takes first place honors, more than doubling THE LATE LATE SHOW’s key adult shares.  (It doesn’t hurt CONAN any to have an extremely strong lead-in and a higher clearance percentage.)

 

Head-to-Head Competition (73 occ.)

 

HH RTG

HH SHR

W18-49 Shr

W25-54 Shr

M18-49 Shr

M25-54 Shr

CONAN

2

10

14

13

19

19

CRAIG

1

6

6

6

6

7

Conan Adv.

+100%

+67%

+133%

+117%

+217%

+171%

 

CONAN O’BRIEN* (99 occ.)

Feb ‘01

2

10

14

13

19

18

Feb ‘00

2

10

13

12

20

14

%Change

-

-

+8%

+8%

-5%

+29%

 

CRAIG KILBORN* (85 occ.)

Feb ‘01

1

6

6

6

6

7

Feb ‘00

1

7

5

6

7

8

%Change

-

-14%

+20%

-

-14%

-12%

* Specific history.

 

 

On the syndication front, here is a listing of where the top 10 performers across key adults stand.

 

W18-49

 

W25-54

 

M18-49

 

M25-54

 

FRASIER           

#1

FRASIER        

#1

SEINFELD     

#1

FRASIER    

#1

CHEERS            

#2

CHEERS

#2

FRASIER       

#2

CHEERS      

#2

SPIN CITY       

#3

MAD ABT U       

#3T

CHEERS

#3

SEINFELD   

#3

DREW               

#4T

E.T.     

#3T

SPIN CITY    

#4T

SPIN CITY  

#4T

SEINFELD       

#4T

SPIN CITY    

#5

DREW    

#4T

DREW

#4T

MAD ABT U    

#6

DREW         

#6

REAL TV      

#6T

REAL TV    

#6

EXTRA            

#7T

SEINFELD

#7

BLIND DATE       

#6T

HOME IMP      

#7T

BLIND DATE 

#7T

INSIDE ED      

#8T

HOME IMP

#8

MAD ABT U    

#7T

INSIDE ED   

#7T

EXTRA      

#8T

MAD ABT U     

#9T

JOE BROWN  

#9T

E.T.                

#10T

ARR & TRIAL    

#8T

ARR & TRIAL   

#9T

BLIND DATE

#9T

REAL TV

#10T

REAL TV

#8T

 

 

 

 

ST. SMARTS

#10T

ST. SMARTS

#8T