KTVG PROGRAMMING RESEARCH

FOX/WB/UPN/INDEPENDENT SUMMARY - May 2001

The following summaries are based on the overall average of the top 100 markets in the May ‘01 sweep.  The rankings, which follow this write-up, are based on a program having a minimum of 5 occurrences in a daypart in at least 5 markets. Aside from the daypart program rankings at the end of this write-up, be sure to take a look at the five-year daypart average trends that not only include the key demos, but HUT and PUT levels as well.

 

FOX/UPN/WB/INDEPENDENT DAYTIME                                   

Not only is Regis considered a primetime network “savior” (or so he likes to think), but he is the man who is giving daytime syndication a run for its money.  While the last few seasons have been filled with lackluster performances by new shows trying to make a dent in the ever shrinking broadcast share pie, REGIS perseveres.  Now called LIVE WITH REGIS & KELLY, this new pairing of personalities is #1 in HH’s (3/12), W25-54 (15 share) and ties for #1 with MAURY (2/9) in W18-49 (14 share).  Albeit minimal, LIVE is the only talk show, aside from MONTEL (2/6), which has achieved any time period growth from May ’00 -- up 17% (+2 shares) in W18-49 and up 7% (+1 share) in W25-54.  While LIVE did experience a 4 to 5 share point decline from May ’00 to Nov ’00 (where he had a co-host revolving door), the show has made substantial gains from Nov ’00 to Feb ’01 and though not as large, up-ticks from Feb ’01 to May ’01.  With Kelly coming on board, LIVE has also increased its “younger” demo set, boosting the W18-34 shares by 140% (from a 5 to a 12) from Nov ’00 and versus May ’00, the share levels increased from a 10 to a 12.  Even in teens, LIVE delivered a 9 share this sweep, up 29% (+2 shares) from May ’00 and up 350% (+7 shares) from Nov ‘00.  The #2 talker, MAURY, remains relatively stable versus May ’00 time period, but posts an average 4 share point decline among key women in the twenty-one markets that have kept him in the same time slot as last May.  MAURY is another example of how, over the years, a show can achieve a solid and competitive share performance.  Of the other top performers, JERRY SPRINGER (2/8) ties for #3 in HH’s with JUDGE JOE BROWN (2/8) and ranks 3rd in key women.  While turning in a consistent time period performance, JERRY is down versus his own May ’00 performance by 20% (-3 shares) in W18-49 and by 15% (-2 shares) in W25-54.

 

SALLY JESSY (2/7), though still a top 5 contender in HH’s and W25-54 (8 share) and ranked #6 in W18-49 (9 share) continues to experience the largest time period fall-off of all the veteran talkers from May ‘00.  As you can see from the chart below, SALLY joins MAURY and JERRY in the loss column, posting 3 to 4 share point declines versus her own year ago performance.  RICKI (1/6) turned in a competitive book, ranking among the top 10 in HH’s and placing 4th in both W18-49 (10 share) and W25-54 (8 share), remaining flat versus May ’00 time period and her own year ago performance. The following chart outlines the share deliveries of the returning talkers’ in markets where they have aired in the same time period as last May.  (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

 

 

MAY ‘01

MAY ‘00

%Chg

MAY ‘01

MAY ‘00

%Chg

MAURY (21)

17

21

-19%

14

18

-22%

REGIS (7)

14

12

+17%

15

14

+7%

RICKI (32)

13

13

-

10

10

-

JERRY (31)

12

15

-20%

11

13

-15%

JENNY (29)

11

12

-8%

6

9

-33%

LATIFAH (19)

9

11

-18%

8

9

-11%

SALLY (29)

9

13

-31%

8

11

-27%

MONTEL (10)

9

8

+13%

7

7

-

MARTHA (5)

6

5

+20%

7

6

+17%

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

 

Turning to the courtroom and following the same evidence that was presented in Feb ’01, JUDGE JOE BROWN (2/8) and DIVORCE COURT (2/7) continued to have the strongest cases in May ’01.  Tying for 10th place in W18-49 and 4th place in W25-54, both delivered an 8 share.  Versus their own year ago performances, JOE BROWN (the older of the two shows), exhibited a larger decrease, down 33% (-3 shares) among key women.  PEOPLE’S COURT (2/6), ranking 3rd among all the court shows in key women, held its own this survey, tying overall for 8th place in W25-54 and 15th place in W18-49.  These court vehicles seem to have put in a better showing this sweep when replacing other programming, but tended to fall off farther when they remained in the same time period from year to year.  Freshmen series POWER OF ATTORNEY (1/6) and JUDGE HATCHETT (1/5) tied for 17th in W18-49 (5 share), but the lawyer-based POWER scores a higher rank (11th) in W25-54.  Versus May ’00 time period, HATCHETT posted 29% (-2 shares) declines in key women while POWER was down 44% (-4 shares) in W18-49 and 25% (-2 shares) in W25-54.  Take a look at the chart below, which illustrates the returning court shows’ own year to year 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

 

 

MAY ‘01

MAY ‘00

%Chg

MAY ‘01

MAY ‘00

%Chg

DIV CT (19)

9

10

-10%

9

11

-18%

PEOPLE’S (27)

8

9

-11%

9

10

-10%

JOE (14)

6

9

-33%

6

9

-33%

MATHIS (24)

6

9

-33%

6

10

-40%

MILLS (25)

4

4

-

5

5

-

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

 

Switching gears, the 15th HH ranked 7TH HEAVEN (1/5) continues to turn in a more than competitive performance in key women -- up 125% (from a 4 to a 9 share) in W18-49 (#6T) and up 133% (from a 3 to a 7 share) in W25-54 (#8).  In the game/relationship genre, BLIND DATE (1/5) comes out ahead, especially in the W18-49 demo where it delivers a 9 share and ties for 6th place.    

 

FOX/UPN/WB/INDEPENDENT EARLY FRINGE                            

As it was in Feb ’01, FRIENDS (4/9) and JUDGE JUDY (4/10) are the top two double-digit key women share earners in early fringe.  While JUDGE JUDY takes a slim first place lead in HH’s, the FRIENDS gather together to earn first place honors in key women achieving an 18 share in W18-49 and a 14 share in W25-54.  JUDY ties for 2nd with SALLY (3/8) in W18-49 (12 share) and is #2 in W25-54 (13 share).  In the talk category, all of the gabbers stand among the top 10 performers in key women.  RICKI (2/5), though lower on the totem pole in HH’s, ranks 4th in W18-49 (11 share) and 7th in W25-54 (8 share) and achieves consistent share levels versus May ’00 time period and her own year ago performance.  SALLY, in a very limited sample, takes the biggest hits.  OPRAH, while not meeting the minimum occurrence cut for the early fringe ranking, does show up on three non-traditional affiliated stations (KHON/F/4PM/Honolulu, WALA/F/4PM/Mobile and KTVK/I/3PM/Phoenix) and what a pleasure it is to see a show in the plus column.  Take a look at how these talkers fared versus their own year to year performances. (The time period ranking 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

 

 

MAY ‘01

MAY ‘00

%Chg

MAY ‘01

MAY ‘00

%Chg

OPRAH (3)

28

25

+12%

30

28

+7%

SALLY (4)

12

17

-29%

12

17

-29%

JENNY (7)

11

14

-21%

8

10

-20%

RICKI (21)

11

11

-

8

8

-

JERRY (9)

10

11

-9%

9

10

-10%

MONTEL (5)

10

10

-

9

11

-18%

*Markets that have aired the program in the same time period over the past year.  ROSIE, MAURY and MARTHA did not meet the minimum 3 occurrence cut. 

 

 

In the judicial arena, aside from JUDY, DIVORCE COURT (3/8) is the most popular court show among key women, ranking 4th in W25-54 (11 share) and tying for 5th in W18-49 (10 share).  Of the freshman bunch, none have made much of an imprint in the daypart.  JUDGE HATCHETT (2/4) and POWER OF ATTORNEY (1/4), both rookies to the television courtroom and both renewed for next season, post comparable low single digit shares.  Of the two, HATCHETT is more on target with her year ago time period shares while POWER has dropped considerably, 62% (from an 8 to a 3 share) in W18-49 and 50% (from an 8 to a 4 share) in W25-54.  The chart below outlines the returning courts shows’ May ’00 versus May ’01 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

 

 

MAY ‘01

MAY ‘00

%Chg

MAY ‘01

MAY ‘00

%Chg

JUDY (39)

13

13

-

13

14

-7%

DIV CT (10)

9

9

-

10

9

+11%

JOE (19)

7

8

-12%

8

8

-

PEOPLE’S (7)

7

6

+17%

7

7

-

MATHIS (5)

5

5

-

6

5

+20%

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

 

On to the funnier side of early fringe, none of the sitcoms with any substantial number of clearances in the daypart, with the exception of FRIENDS, has turned in any time period improvements. FRIENDS is the premier performer among key women, upping May ’00 time period by 20-27% (+3 shares) and its own year ago performance by 21-30% (+3 shares).  In the teen and kid category, FRIENDS is the #2 player (tied with SABRINA), delivering a 23 share and a 12 share, respectively.  The only other comedy to achieve a top 10 showing in HH’s and a top 5 performance in key women is FRASIER (3/6).  Of the new crop, SABRINA (2/5), MOESHA (2/5) and JAMIE FOXX (2/4) rank higher among key women.  The following chart takes a look at some of the key returning sitcoms in markets where they have aired in the same time slot in both May ’00 and May ’01.

 

RETURNING OFF-NET/OWN PERFORMANCE*

 

 

W18-49 Shr

W25-54 Shr

Teens Shr

Kids Shr

FRIENDS

MAY ‘01

17

13

22

9

(9 occ.)

MAY ‘00

14

10

17

8

 

% Change

+21%

+30%

+29%

+13%

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

Simpsons

MAY ‘01

12

7

33

17

(71 occurrences)

MAY ‘00

12

8

34

19

 

% Change

-

-12%

-3%

-11%

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

Frasier

MAY ‘01

10

10

7

3

(12 occ.)

MAY ‘00

11

10

12

5

 

% Change

-9%

-

-42%

-40%

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

Home Imp.

MAY ‘01

9

7

16

7

(17 occ.)

MAY ‘00

11

9

21

12

 

% Change

-18%

-22%

-24%

-42%

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

DREW CAREY

MAY ‘01

7

6

10

4

(15 occ.)

MAY ‘00

10

9

11

5

 

% Change

-30%

-33%

-9%

-20%

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

3RD ROCK

MAY ‘01

6

5

14

4

(21 occ.)

MAY ‘00

9

8

14

8

 

% Change

-33%

-37%

-

-50%

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

In the off-network hour category, freshman 7TH HEAVEN continues to receive a push from above, not only ranking 11th in W18-49, 14th in W25-54, 4th in teens and 6th in kids, but posting increases from May ’00 time period across all key demo categories.

 

FOX/UPN/WB/INDEPENDENT ACCESS                                     

Unfortunately, there are really no new stories to tell since Feb ’01.  Most of the key sitcoms that fill up access time periods continue to be flat to up or down a share point or two from year ago across key adults.  The strongest performers are made up of the usual top selections with slight variations in their respective male, female, teen and kid standings.  To break it down, FRIENDS is #1 in key women, achieving a 15 share in W18-49 and a 12 share in W25-54, though in men, the comedy ranks 3rd behind THE SIMPSONS and SEINFELD.  SEINFELD ties for 2nd in key women with THE SIMPSONS in W18-49 and with FRASIER in W25-54.  Note that “the show about nothing’s” share delivery is 33% (-5 shares) lower than that of its closest FRIENDS competitor in W18-49.  SEINFELD now shares the #2 slot with those pesky SIMPSONS in M25-54 (13 share) and pulls in at #2 (14 share) in M18-49.  THE SIMPSONS carry not only M18-49 (17 share), but ride high above the share levels of the competing syndicated fare in teens (31 share) and kids (16 share) as well.  Posting a pair of 9 shares in key women, FRASIER is 4th in W18-49, experiencing an 18% (-2 shares) decline from May ’00 time period.  In key men, the finicky and fastidious FRASIER ties for 6th with SPIN CITY in M18-49 and for 5th with HOME IMPROVEMENT in M25-54, dropping 4 share points in both key demos along the way (from a pair of 12 shares to a pair of 8’s).  DREW CAREY scores in the top 5 with key adults, its stronger delivery among the male faction.  Of the new to syndication sitcoms, MOESHA (3/5) and JAMIE FOXX (3/5) incur a top 10 showing in key women, out-ranking SPIN CITY which is down 2 to 3 shares from year ago time period.  Just the opposite is true with men where SPIN CITY is the ranking victor of the three freshmen comedies, flat in M18-49, but down 29% (-2 shares) in M25-54.  The following diagram charts some of the key returning comedies versus their own year ago performances. (The time period performance chart can be found at the end of this section.)

 

RETURNING OFF-NET/OWN PERFORMANCE*

 

 

W18-49 Shr

W25-54 Shr

M18-49 Shr

M25-54 Shr

Teens

Shr

Kids

Shr

Friends

MAY ‘01

16

12

12

9

21

7

(65 occ.)

MAY ‘00

17

13

14

11

21

9

 

% Change

-6%

-8%

-14%

-18%

-

-22%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seinfeld

MAY ‘01

12

10

16

14

14

5

(35 occ.)

MAY ‘00

13

11

17

15

14

5

 

% Change

-8%

-9%

-6%

-7%

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Simpsons

MAY ‘01

10

7

17

13

31

16

(22 occ.)

MAY ‘00

10

7

15

12

28

16

 

% Change

-

-

+13%

+8%

+11%

-

 

FRASIER

MAY ‘01

10

10

8

8

8

3

(18 occ.)

MAY ‘00

9

10

10

9

8

5

 

% Change

+11%

-

-20%

-11%

-

-40%

 

DREW CAREY

MAY ‘01

8

7

10

9

15

7

(48 occ.)

MAY ‘00

9

8

11

9

15

7

 

% Change

-11%

-12%

-9%

-

-

-

 

HOME IMP.

MAY ‘01

8

7

9

9

14

7

(6 occ.)

MAY ‘00

9

8

9

10

11

7

 

% Change

-11%

-12%

-

-10%

+27%

-

 

3RD ROCK

MAY ‘01

7

7

8

7

9

4

(9 occ.)

MAY ‘00

7

7

8

8

7

4

 

% Change

-

-

-

-12%

+29%

-

 

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

 

As an alternative to the plethora of sitcoms, JUDGE JUDY (4/7) continues to work overtime, putting in a top 5 appearance in HH’s and key women and remaining flat versus May ’00 time period.  In key men, JUDY delivers a top 10 performance where her judgements are down 29% (-2 shares).  JUDGE JOE BROWN (3/5), in a more limited showing, only experiences a top 10 win in W25-54, down 1 to 2 shares across key adults from year ago time period.

 

 

FOX/UPN/WB/INDEPENDENT LATE FRINGE

 

According to the late fringe ranking, the top 10 program draws, separated by specific demo, are reflected in the following chart.  (Keep in mind that some of these programs not only air post midnight, skewing the share delivery to the higher side, but also have a more limited sample.)

 

W18-49

 

W25-54

 

M18-49

 

M25-54

 

GRACE-FIRE           

#1

GRACE-FIRE

#1

HOME IMP

#1

HOME IMP

#1

FRIENDS            

#2

FRASIER

#2

SIMPSONS

#2

SEINFELD

#2T

FRASIER      

#3

FRIENDS

#3

ST: VOYAGER

#3T

ST: VOYAGER

#2T

MARTIN              

#4T

JDG MATHIS

#4T

ANDY GRIF

#3T

FRASIER

#4T

THE NANNY

#4T

MASH

#4T

SEINFELD

#3T

GRACE-FIRE

#4T

3RD ROCK

#6T

3RD ROCK

#6T

3RD ROCK

#6T

MASH

#4T

JDG MATHIS

#6T

MAD ABT U

#6T

FRASIER

#6T

NAT’L ENQ

#4T

MAD ABT U

#6T

THE NANNY

#6T

MASH

#6T

3RD ROCK

#8T

JENNY JONES

#9T

ANDY GRIF

#9T

ST: TNG

#6T

SIMPSONS

#8T

SPRINGER

#9T

JEN JONES

#9T

FRIENDS

#10T

ANDY GRIF

#10T

LIVING SNGL

#9T

LIVING SNGL

#9T

LIVING SNGL

#10T

FRIENDS

#10T

MASH

#9T

MARTIN

#9T

MARTIN

#10T

LIVING SNGL

#10T

ROSEANNE

#9T

SEINFELD

#9T

NAT’L ENQ

#10T

ST: TNG

#10T

SUDD SUSAN

#9T

DREW CAREY

#9T

 

 

 

 

DREW CAREY

#9T

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In reviewing the youth-oriented relationship/game situation, BLIND DATE (2/5) is the top scorer in the genre among key men (#16 in M18-49, #18 in M25-54) while it ties with CHANGE OF HEART (1/5) and STREET SMARTS (1/5) in W25-54 (#29T).  CHANGE OF HEART (1/5) is the top performer in W18-49 (#20T) and 2nd in key men.  HEART exhibits the largest overall time period declines of the three offerings, down 3 shares in key women and down 2 shares in key men from May ’00 time period.  Take a look below at the year to year performances of both BLIND DATE and CHANGE OF HEART.  On the next page are charts reflective of the markets where BLIND DATE and CHANGE OF HEART replaced each other in the time period.

 

BLIND DATE* (14 occurrences)

 

W18-49 Shr

W25-54 Shr

M18-49 Shr

M25-54 Shr

MAY’01 

6

4

7

6

MAY’00

6

5

6

5

% Difference

-

-20%

+17%

+20%

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

 

CHANGE OF HEART* (27 occurrences)

 

W18-49 Shr

W25-54 Shr

M18-49 Shr

M25-54 Shr

MAY’01 

9

7

6

5

MAY’00

10

8

6

5

% Difference

-10%

-12%

-

-

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

 

 

 

 

BLIND DATE Replaces CHANGE OF HEART (8 occurrences)

 

W18-49 Shr

W25-54 Shr

M18-49 Shr

M25-54 Shr

MAY’01 BLIND DATE

5

5

5

5

MAY’00 CHNG-HEART

6

5

8

4

% Difference

-17%

-

-37%

+25%

 

 

CHANGE OF HEART Replaces BLIND DATE (5 occurrences)

 

W18-49 Shr

W25-54 Shr

M18-49 Shr

M25-54 Shr

MAY’01 CHNG-HEART

6

5

3

2

MAY’00 BLIND DATE

5

4

3

3

% Difference

+20%

+25%

-

-33%