Network Programmer conversation today: “OK, Niagara Falls on a high wire worked–next time, let’s do someone walking on his hands across the Grand Canyon.” “Hopping across the Sahara Desert!” “Swimming across the Atlantic Ocean–one hand tied behind his back.” “Book it for Sweeps!”
ABC: MEGASTUNTS was a big hit for ABC last night, its 2.5 rating almost equaling the other 4 networks combined. Even the COUNTDOWN special that preceded it won its hour with a 1.2.
NBC: The only other original programming on network TV last night was DATELINE, which was in 2d place behind Megastunts.
CBS: The best a night of reruns could do was 0.9 for UNDERCOVER BOSS.
FOX: 0.6s for HOUSE/BONES reruns.
CW: 0.3s for NIKITA/SUPERNATURAL reruns.
ABC/Disney will do some canny self-promotion tonight by airing CARS, which happens to tie in both with the opening of Cars-Land attraction at Disneyland, and the launch of Pixar’s new Brave in theatres on Friday. The night’s ratings, though, will likely be dominated by NBC’s US OPEN coverage, since Tiger Woods has a share of the lead going into Day 3. FOX has MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL, and CBS continues to burn off HOW TO BE A GENTLEMAN. If Tiger stays hot, tomorrow night shapes up as a potentially wild evening of sports programming, with the final round of the Open airing against the very competitive Miami/Oklahoma City NBA FINALS on ABC. Meanwhile, cable provides a veritable feast of season finales and premieres, with GIRLS, NURSE JACKIE, THE BIG C, THE BORGIAS, THE CLIENT LIST and THE KILLING (finally! who the hell killed Rosie Larsen?) departing, and TNT’s FALLING SKIES on its way in.
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