Charlie Sheen Set To Become Highest Paid Sitcom Actor September 28, 2006 11:52 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in News, Television.1 comment so far
According to reports, Charlie Sheen, of CBS’s Two and a Half Men, is set to become the highest paid sitcom star.
Sheen began renegotiating his contract about 2 months ago, right about the time Warner Bros., the show’s studio, began entering into deals for the show’s syndication packages (to Tribune Broadcasting stations for the Broadcast rights and to FX for the Cable rights).
The new contract will reportedly pay Sheen $350,000 per episode, the most for any current sitcom star.
The record for highest paid sitcom star of all time was Ray Romano of Everybody Loves Raymond. He was paid almost $2M per episode for that show’s final season back in 2004/2005.
MyNetworkTV Still Having Trouble Attracting Viewers September 28, 2006 11:52 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Broadcast TV Ratings, myNetworkTV, Nielsen Ratings, Television.add a comment
In its second week of operation, the networks two dramas decline from their first week in total households and A18-49.
From September 11 to September 15th
8 PM – Desire – .93M viewers (0.3 A18-49 rating)
- This is down from 1.2M viewers and a 0.4 A18-49 rating
9PM – Fashion House – 1.1M viewers (0.4 A18-49 rating)
- This is down from 1.3M viewers and a 0.5 A18-49 rating.
Mobile ESPN Phone Service Goes Under September 28, 2006 11:52 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in ESPN, News.add a comment
Mobile ESPN, the cell phone service catering to the needs of sports fanatics, will close down service. Sales of Mobile ESPN phones and service will end immediately, while current customers will continue to receive their service until the end of this year.
Mobile ESPN has had a hard time growing its subscriber base, only serving 30,000 in its first year.
ESPN has decided to go in a different route, focusing on licensing out their content to other service providers, instead of running their own network.
Please continue reading for the full press-release:
‘Showbiz Show’ Renewed for Third Season September 28, 2006 11:51 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Renewals, Television.add a comment
The Showbiz Show with David Spade has been renewed by Comedy Central for an additional 13 episodes.
The new season will debut in February of next year.
Broadcast TV Ratings for Wednesday, September 27, 2006 September 28, 2006 1:40 pm
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CBS wins the evening in a close race with ABC. Jericho improves, while Kidnapped dips.
Another Record for MNF on ESPN September 27, 2006 4:46 pm
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For the third week in a row, Monday Night Football delivered the highest ever rating for ESPN.
The third week game that seen the New Orleans Saints return to the Superdome after the Katrina disaster, and defeat the Atlanta Falcons 23-3, attracted 10.8M households (11.8 Rating) and 14.9M viewers, surpassing the previous record holder (Pittsburgh/Jacksonville – 9.81M Households and 13.33M viewers).
This is also the first time that any broadcast on ESPN has reached more than 10M homes.
Broadcast TV Ratings for Tuesday, September 26, 2006 September 27, 2006 4:26 pm
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ABC wins the evening in total viewers but FOX, on the strength of House, wins A18-49.
Broadcast TV Ratings for Monday, September 25, 2006 September 26, 2006 1:01 pm
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Good start for Heroes on NBC, but CBS still able to take the win. Audience Runs Away from Premiere of Runaway.
Fall 2006 TV Review, Part Five (“Heroes” and “Runaway”) September 25, 2006 2:46 pm
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Before we get going on the next part of my Fall 2006 Review feature (here is part one, part two, part three and part four), let’s recap the series premiere ratings from Sunday evening, of which there was only one.
Brothers & Sisters
Averaged a 10.7/17 HH Rating with a 6.2 A18-49 rating (16.10M viewers). So far, this is the best new series premiere of the season. It is of course down from the same time period last season which was held by Grey’s Anatomy (18.98M viewers). However, it is on par, in terms of viewers, with the series launch of Grey’s Anatomy two years ago (16.25M viewers. This is a very good sampling of viewers, and the high A18-49 rating (3rd for the evening) should make ABC happy.
Alright, now let’s move on to my mini-review feature. Two new shows premiere this evening; Heroes and Runaway, and both at the same time; 9PM.
Broadcast TV Ratings for Sunday, September 24, 2006 September 25, 2006 1:17 pm
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Though slipping from last season’s premiere, the ‘Housewives’ put away the competition on Sunday night, leading ABC to a win in HH and A18-49.
Broadcast TV Ratings for Saturday, September 23, 2006 September 25, 2006 12:37 pm
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College Football reigns supreme on first official Saturday of the new Fall season.
Cable TV Ratings for Week Ending 9/17/2006 September 24, 2006 11:32 pm
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Here are the top 15 cable programs for the week ending 9/17/2006 in terms viewers and the top 10 cable programs in A18-34, A18-49 and A25-54.
Total Viewers
A18-34
A18-49
A25-54
Internet TV Downloads Help, Not Hurt, TV DVD Sales September 24, 2006 3:18 pm
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When studios began selling TV shows online on sites such as iTunes, most retailers figured the practice would have a detrimental effect on DVD sales. Well, according to studio reports for a few newly released TV sets, retailers need not worry.
Sales of DVD sets like Lost: Season Two, Desperate Housewives: Season Two and The Office: Season Two sold just as strong, if not stronger than their respective season one sets. The Office in particular did very well, selling nine times more units in the first week, than its first season.
Disney chairman and CEO Bob Iger told investors at the Goldman Sachs Communacopia conference this week that Lost was the top-selling download, but its season-two DVD sales have topped the first season.
“The results have been stunning, much stronger than last year,” he said. “That’s very interesting. It suggests that you didn’t have a cannibalization effect. If anything, maybe it kept Lost more top of mind.”
ABC’s ratings also weren’t hurt by the downloads, and Iger predicted that consumers will watch 10% more hours of TV over the next five to 10 years.
Source: Video Business
G4 TV orders ‘Spaceballs’ Animated TV Series September 24, 2006 3:18 pm
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Set to debut in the fall of 2007, G4 has teamed up with Mel Brooks to create an animated series based on the 1987 cult-favorite Spaceballs. Simply titled Spaceballs: The Animated Series, 14 episodes were ordered. The one-hour pilot has been written by Brooks and Thomas Meehan (who co-wrote the original movie). Meehan will also supervise the 13 half-hour episodes, while Brooks will provide two voices; President Skroob and Yogurt.
The series will be produced by Brooks Films Limited and Berliner Film Company and will be distributed internationally by MGM Studios.
Starz Orders Three New Series September 24, 2006 3:17 pm
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The Starz Movie Network has ordered three new tv series, though only one is a stand-alone (the other two will be used to fill in the time before and after their movie presentations).
The stand-alone series is a half-hour stand-up comedy program executive produced by Martin Lawrence. “Martin Lawrence’s 1st Amendment Stand-Up” will premiere in early 2007 and will showcase young comedians. Starz ordered 12 episodes.
The other two series are; “The Bronx Bunny” a UK import show about celebrities being interviewed by rude puppets (Ten 15-minute episodes have been ordered) and “Head Case”, a scripted original about a celebrity therapist (20 five-minute episodes have been ordered.
Source: TV Week
Broadcast TV Ratings for Friday, September 22, 2006 September 23, 2006 9:43 pm
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CBS takes the win in Households, while NBC settles for a second place and a first place in the key A18-49 demo on a competitive night between the top 3 nets.
Broadcast TV Ratings for Thursday, September 21, 2006 September 22, 2006 12:49 pm
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The Battle Between “Grey’s Anatomy” and “CSI” got off to a great start on Thursday, as both shows did well, but Grey’s comes out ahead to lead ABC to a rare Thursday night win over CBS.
‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Beats ‘CSI’ to Propel ABC to a Thursday Night Victory [Update] September 22, 2006 9:30 am
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As reported by Matt Drudge of the Drudge Report, there is a new Thursday night leader.
In the Overnights, ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy delievered a 17.1/25 share, beating the 14.9/22 share of CSI.
I’ll have more on this when more ratings are released this afternoon.
Update: Here are the fast national ratings for the evening; Grey’s Anatomy delievered a 15.7/23 HH rating and a 10.9/26 A18-49 rating; 25.14M total viewers, easily beating the 13.5/20 HH rating and 7.5/8 A18-49 rating; 22.04M total viewers of CSI.
From the same frame last season (9/22/2005), Grey’s Anatomy was up a strong 32% in viewers (18.98M to 25.14M) and an equally impressive 31% in A18-49 (8.3 to 10.9).
CSI on the other hand had opposite results. From the same frame last season (9/25/2005), CSI was down 24% in viewers (29.02M to 22.04M) and 23% in A18-49 (10.2 to 7.5).
It’ll be interesting to see if the trend holds, and Grey’s Anatomy becomes the new Thursday night winner, or if the crown reverts back to CSI.
Source: Drudge Report and Nielsen Media Research
Fall 2006 TV Review, Part Four (“Shark”) [Update] September 21, 2006 2:17 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Fall 2006 TV, Television, TV Reviews.add a comment
Update: Ratings results for Shark and Six Degrees are at the bottom of this post.
Before I continue on with this feature, let’s recap the series premiere ratings from last evening.
Jericho
Averaged a 7.5/12 HH Rating with a 3.2 A18-49 rating (11.40M viewers). This is better than I had expected and a better launch in terms of total viewers than Smith. However, it did have a slightly lower A18-49 rating, but that is offset by the fact that the show increased in viewers in the second half by roughly 8%. Always a great sign. So a solid, if not a great premiere. The key will be to see if the show holds on to its viewers for an extended amount a time, something Invasion over on ABC was not capable of doing.
For those interested in comparing this show with Invasion’s premiere, here are those numbers: 10.5/17 (7.1)–16.43M viewers.
Kidnapped
Averaged a 5.1/8 HH Rating with a 2.8 A18-49 rating (7.53M viewers). The show dipped in A18-49 from it’s first half hour to second (2.9 to 2.7). Considering what the time-slots former occupant received last year (Law & Order–13.03 million viewers and a 4.0 A18-49 rating) this should not come as good news to NBC. Of course it didn’t necessarily have the best of lead-in’s with The Biggest Loser (7.17M viewers, 3.1 A18-49 rating), so I guess they can look at that and find some positives.
Alright, lets move on to tonight’s new premiere (note: I have yet to see Six Degrees, so I won’t have a review for it); Shark (here is part one, part two and part three).
Broadcast TV Ratings for Wednesday, September 20, 2006 September 21, 2006 1:56 pm
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On the strength of it’s core crime dramas, CBS leads the way in a tight race between it and ABC. Two new premieres have opposite results as “Jericho” premieres well while “Kidnapped” gets off to a sluggish start. Next cycle of America’s Next Top Model officially launches ‘The CW’ to good results, leading the night in A18-34.
“Entourage” Renewed for a Fourth Season September 20, 2006 4:31 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Renewals, Television.1 comment so far
In a decision which should surprise no one, HBO has renewed Entourage for a fourth season. 12 new episodes were ordered.
So far this season, the series has averaged a healthy 2.5M viewers, ahead of other HBO shows like Deadwood (which has been canceled but will supposedly return in the form of TV movie) and Lucky Louie which was also canceled (story here).
New episodes of Season 3 will start up again in March of 2007, with Season 4 expected to begin soon thereafter.
Source: TV Week
Fall 2006 TV Review, Part Three (“Jericho” and “Kidnapped”) September 20, 2006 4:00 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Fall 2006 TV, Television, TV Reviews.add a comment
Before I continue on with this feature, let’s recap the series premiere ratings from last evening.
Smith
Averaged a 7.2/12 HH Rating with a 3.5 A18-49 rating (10.71M viewers). Welcome news to CBS as the show held onto a good majority of its lead-in The Unit, especially in adults 18-49, where retention was at a very excellent 100%. It finished third in the time-slot behind SVU–9.6/16 (5.1)–and Boston Legal–7.8/13 (3.5). As you can see, it tied for second place in A18-49. The Unit’s dip from last season’s premiere–11.6 (5.0)–may have minimized some of Smith’s audience potential.
Alright, now lets continue on to the third part of my Fall 2006 Review feature (here is part one and part two).
Broadcast TV Ratings for Tuesday, September 19, 2006 September 20, 2006 3:45 pm
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Dancing with The Stars delivers in total audience, but the strong performance of House in A18-49 makes for a very competive Tuesday night.
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