> DISCLAIMER: These initial impressions are based on the clips (usually 3-5 minutes) released by the networks to use in their Upfront presentations and for promos.  They’re chosen to sell the show, not to accurately represent it.  So take the reactions below with a large satchel of salt–we may well feel differently about these shows […]

Here are the weekend sports ratings for Saturday and Sunday December 9-10, 2017.  Eligible programs include sporting events on broadcast and cable networks (minimum audience size 300K P2+).  Programs are grouped by sport and ranked within each sport by P2+ audience size. For comparison, here is the same chart for the same weekend last year, December 10-11, […]

Monday night features the premiere of NBC’s temporary schedule until The Voice returns.  The Biggest Loser settles into its new night (after a preview tonight featuring the return of trainer Jillian Michaels) from 8-10 pm, followed by the premiere of new drama Deception.  ABC premieres The Bachelor directly against Biggest Loser and follows that up with a new episode of Castle.  FOX’s schedule includes […]

For the 9 days December 16-24, the top 10 films each day in North America have totaled $430 million, nearly identical to last year’s pace and above all other years except 2015, when Star Wars: The Force Awakens dominated the holiday season. With Rogue One last year and The Last Jedi this year, the Star Wars franchise has definitely taken the holiday movie season […]

Ricky who? NBC:  Separately, Amy Poehler and Tina Fey are stars of ratings-challenged (although beloved by fans) sitcoms.  Together, though, they’re a powerhouse hosting duo, and between the two of them, some wild surprises (Argo for Best Drama) and some sheer wildness (Bill Clinton presenting a clip from Lincoln, and of course Jodie Foster’s Lifetime […]

> Hangover Part II and Kung Fu Panda 2 added to the Worldwide gross list in the top 10, both with much more upside to come. Hangover Part II enters the 2011 Worldwide gross list at #5 (and Kung Fu Panda at #7), both having solid openings in only a few markets.  As both films […]

  Other Nielsenwar Network Report Cards:  NBC One massive hit can make up for an awful lot of failure.  Have you met EMPIRE? Full Season To Date (thru May 3) 18-49 Rating Average:  1.53 (#4), down 26.2% from last season (Note:  FOX aired the Super Bowl in 2014-15; with that excluded, the year-to-year drop was […]

        NETWORK FINALS:  There was a significant adjustment (to the next tenth) for WWE SMACKDOWN.         Broadcast Official Nationals Program Ratings Chart     CABLE HIGHLIGHTS:  ESPN’s NBA doubleheader led Friday cable at 0.70/0.50.  Cable news was topped by CNN’s 1PM hour at 0.42/0.54/2.5M, with MSNBC’s RACHEL MADDOW SHOW […]