Paul Telegdy, head of "Dancing With the Stars" producer BBC Worldwide Prods., is in negotiations with NBC to take over the network's alternative programming division.
Telegdy would replace Craig Plestis, who has led the department since 2004 and last year was upped to executive vp alternative programming, development and specials.
Outside of "Dancing" and its spinoff "Dance Wars," BBC Worldwide Prods. had done most of its unscripted business at NBC, where it produced series "Clash of the Choirs" and "Grease: You're the One That I Want," and is behind the network's upcoming U.S. version of the U.K. hit "Top Gear."
A lot has changed since Telegdy came to Los Angeles from England in 2004 to head BBC's small regional office. He put BBC Worldwide Prods. on the map with "Dancing" and was given free rein, quickly ramping up production on unscripted series and venturing into scripted series through a first-look deal with Sony TV.
Telegdy would replace Craig Plestis, who has led the department since 2004 and last year was upped to executive vp alternative programming, development and specials.
Outside of "Dancing" and its spinoff "Dance Wars," BBC Worldwide Prods. had done most of its unscripted business at NBC, where it produced series "Clash of the Choirs" and "Grease: You're the One That I Want," and is behind the network's upcoming U.S. version of the U.K. hit "Top Gear."
A lot has changed since Telegdy came to Los Angeles from England in 2004 to head BBC's small regional office. He put BBC Worldwide Prods. on the map with "Dancing" and was given free rein, quickly ramping up production on unscripted series and venturing into scripted series through a first-look deal with Sony TV.
- 10/29/2008
- by By James Hibberd and Nellie Andreeva
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Looks like NBC programmers still have one of America's toughest jobs.
The network's first new series to premiere since the conclusion of the Beijing Olympics opened on par compared with other summer reality fare Monday, suggesting that the Peacock's freshman entertainment programming might not enjoy a ratings bump despite weeks of heavy on-air promotion during the most-watched event in TV history.
Thom Beers' reality competition series "America's Toughest Jobs" (7.3 million, 2.7 rating/7 share in adults 18-49) narrowly won the 9 p.m. hour against CBS repeats and nearly matched the season average for the network's recently concluded "The Baby Borrowers."
"Jobs," whose episodes will air between summer and fall, dropped slightly from its lead-in, the season premiere of "Deal or No Deal" (11 million, 2.8/9), the most-viewed and highest-rated show of the night.
"Deal" posted NBC's best performance in the time period since February and was up 12% from its September premiere last year.
The network's first new series to premiere since the conclusion of the Beijing Olympics opened on par compared with other summer reality fare Monday, suggesting that the Peacock's freshman entertainment programming might not enjoy a ratings bump despite weeks of heavy on-air promotion during the most-watched event in TV history.
Thom Beers' reality competition series "America's Toughest Jobs" (7.3 million, 2.7 rating/7 share in adults 18-49) narrowly won the 9 p.m. hour against CBS repeats and nearly matched the season average for the network's recently concluded "The Baby Borrowers."
"Jobs," whose episodes will air between summer and fall, dropped slightly from its lead-in, the season premiere of "Deal or No Deal" (11 million, 2.8/9), the most-viewed and highest-rated show of the night.
"Deal" posted NBC's best performance in the time period since February and was up 12% from its September premiere last year.
- 8/26/2008
- by By James Hibberd
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Going into the homestretch of summer, Fox and ABC are shuffling their reality lineups.
Fox will premiere its Japanese game show "Hole in the Wall" on Thursdays next month, while ABC is giving struggling game show "Wanna Bet" a lead-in from its Tuesday night hit "Wipeout."
"Hole" will debut Sept. 11 in a time period originally reserved for putting "The Moment of Truth" up against CBS' "Survivor." With "Truth" ratings dropping sharply during its summer run, "Hole" likely will stand a better chance of overthrowing CBS' time-period champ.
As for "Bet," the show is being pulled out of ABC's summer sore spot, Monday nights, which have foundered despite the network airing all-original programming. ("High School Musical: Get in the Picture" and "The Mole" are ABC's other Monday shows.)
The moves wind down a summer in which cable programming, reality and scripted, continues to set ratings records, while broadcast effects continue to hit new lows despite airing an unprecedented amount of original programming. The brightest spot: ABC's campy obstacle course reality show "Wipeout," which the network renewed for 16 episodes Wednesday to return next summer.
Fox's "Hell's Kitchen," which launched in-season, is the ratings leader this summer in the adults 18-49 demo, with NBC's "America's Got Talent" tops among total viewers. Newcomers "I Survived a Japanese Game Show" (ABC) and "The Baby Borrowers" (NBC) both edged into the summer's top 10 in the demo, though a pickup for "Japanese Game Show" seems unlikely. NBC has not yet decided whether "Baby" will return.
Fox will premiere its Japanese game show "Hole in the Wall" on Thursdays next month, while ABC is giving struggling game show "Wanna Bet" a lead-in from its Tuesday night hit "Wipeout."
"Hole" will debut Sept. 11 in a time period originally reserved for putting "The Moment of Truth" up against CBS' "Survivor." With "Truth" ratings dropping sharply during its summer run, "Hole" likely will stand a better chance of overthrowing CBS' time-period champ.
As for "Bet," the show is being pulled out of ABC's summer sore spot, Monday nights, which have foundered despite the network airing all-original programming. ("High School Musical: Get in the Picture" and "The Mole" are ABC's other Monday shows.)
The moves wind down a summer in which cable programming, reality and scripted, continues to set ratings records, while broadcast effects continue to hit new lows despite airing an unprecedented amount of original programming. The brightest spot: ABC's campy obstacle course reality show "Wipeout," which the network renewed for 16 episodes Wednesday to return next summer.
Fox's "Hell's Kitchen," which launched in-season, is the ratings leader this summer in the adults 18-49 demo, with NBC's "America's Got Talent" tops among total viewers. Newcomers "I Survived a Japanese Game Show" (ABC) and "The Baby Borrowers" (NBC) both edged into the summer's top 10 in the demo, though a pickup for "Japanese Game Show" seems unlikely. NBC has not yet decided whether "Baby" will return.
- 8/7/2008
- by By James Hibberd
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
"America's Got Talent" overthrew summer chart-topper "Wipeout" to become the highest-rated show last week.
NBC's "Talent" (13.9 million viewers and a 3.7 rating/10 share in the key adults 18-49 demographic) grew 9% this week in the demo to edge out ABC's obstacle-course competition to lead the pack. Among total viewers, the "Talent" episodes this summer mark the seven-most-watched primetime telecasts since the May season finale of "Lost."
"Wipeout" (9.7 million, 3.6/11) was no slouch, either, down only a tenth this round to place second for the week.
NBC came within a tenth of first place. The network won Sunday night thanks to the return of its NFL coverage with a preseason Washington Redskins vs. Indianapolis Colts game (7.5 million, 2.6/8) that posted double-digit gains from a comparable matchup last year. The rising tide seemed to lift "Last Comic Standing" (5 million, 1.9/6), up 12% for the week.
As for NBC's freshman reality series "The Baby Borrowers" (5.4 million, 2.1/6), the show that launched with bang concluded with a relative whimper, matching its season low.
Fox was once again in first place, which it has been for 29 out of the past 30 weeks. Fox was led by dual episodes of "So You Think You Can Dance." Although both shows won their respective nights, the Wednesday outing (8.8 million, 3.0/8) was the lowest-rated episode of the series on that night since 2005.
ABC and CBS tied for third place in the demo, with CBS placing first in total viewers for the eighth time this season.
Shaking up its lineup seemed to help CBS on Thursdays, with "Big Brother" (6.4 million, 2.3/8) and "Flashpoint" (7.7 million, 1.9/6) boasting time-period increases. But displaced shows "Greatest American Dog" (5.2 million, 1.5/5) and "Swingtown" (4.1 million, 1.2/4) fared worse in their new slots.
ABC continues to post overall gains versus last year. Tuesday night's "Primetime" (7.7 million, 2.4/7) paid tribute to "The Last Lecture" author Randy Pausch and made it into the top 10 shows for the week. Monday's new reality lineup continued to limp, with "High School Musical: Get in the Picture" (3.5 million, 1.0/3) and "Wanna Bet" 3.4 million, 1.2/3) up a notch but placing last in their time periods.
Overall, Fox notched 5.1 million viewers and a 1.8 rating/6 share in adults 18-49, followed by NBC (5.7 million, 1.7/6), CBS (6.3 million, 1.5/5), ABC (4.4 million, 1.5/5), the CW (1.5 million, 0.5/2) and MyNet (880,000, 0.3/1).
NBC's "Talent" (13.9 million viewers and a 3.7 rating/10 share in the key adults 18-49 demographic) grew 9% this week in the demo to edge out ABC's obstacle-course competition to lead the pack. Among total viewers, the "Talent" episodes this summer mark the seven-most-watched primetime telecasts since the May season finale of "Lost."
"Wipeout" (9.7 million, 3.6/11) was no slouch, either, down only a tenth this round to place second for the week.
NBC came within a tenth of first place. The network won Sunday night thanks to the return of its NFL coverage with a preseason Washington Redskins vs. Indianapolis Colts game (7.5 million, 2.6/8) that posted double-digit gains from a comparable matchup last year. The rising tide seemed to lift "Last Comic Standing" (5 million, 1.9/6), up 12% for the week.
As for NBC's freshman reality series "The Baby Borrowers" (5.4 million, 2.1/6), the show that launched with bang concluded with a relative whimper, matching its season low.
Fox was once again in first place, which it has been for 29 out of the past 30 weeks. Fox was led by dual episodes of "So You Think You Can Dance." Although both shows won their respective nights, the Wednesday outing (8.8 million, 3.0/8) was the lowest-rated episode of the series on that night since 2005.
ABC and CBS tied for third place in the demo, with CBS placing first in total viewers for the eighth time this season.
Shaking up its lineup seemed to help CBS on Thursdays, with "Big Brother" (6.4 million, 2.3/8) and "Flashpoint" (7.7 million, 1.9/6) boasting time-period increases. But displaced shows "Greatest American Dog" (5.2 million, 1.5/5) and "Swingtown" (4.1 million, 1.2/4) fared worse in their new slots.
ABC continues to post overall gains versus last year. Tuesday night's "Primetime" (7.7 million, 2.4/7) paid tribute to "The Last Lecture" author Randy Pausch and made it into the top 10 shows for the week. Monday's new reality lineup continued to limp, with "High School Musical: Get in the Picture" (3.5 million, 1.0/3) and "Wanna Bet" 3.4 million, 1.2/3) up a notch but placing last in their time periods.
Overall, Fox notched 5.1 million viewers and a 1.8 rating/6 share in adults 18-49, followed by NBC (5.7 million, 1.7/6), CBS (6.3 million, 1.5/5), ABC (4.4 million, 1.5/5), the CW (1.5 million, 0.5/2) and MyNet (880,000, 0.3/1).
- 8/5/2008
- by By James Hibberd
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Wednesday marks the season finale of The Baby Borrowers on NBC at 9/8c and the season premiere of Lewis Black’s Root of All Evil on Comedy Central at 10:30/9:30c. Tonight’s episode is Ultimate Fighting vs Bloggers … Also on tonight: *Season Finale* - The Baby Borrowers - NBC @ 9/8c *Season Premiere* - Lewis Black’s Root of All [...]...
- 7/30/2008
- by theTVaddict
- The TV Addict
Tonight, you will see some thing on TV that will make you rub your eyes in disbelief - old people!
They're the most under-represented group on TV, and the seniors you will meet tonight on the season finale of "The Baby Borrowers" on NBC (9 p.m.) are so appealing they'll make you wonder why TV ignores people like them.
Some of the teens on this show will tell you: The seniors are great company. One of them, Kelly, 18, from Dunwoody, Ga., even remarks on how relaxing and calm her temporary household became when she and boyfriend Austin,...
They're the most under-represented group on TV, and the seniors you will meet tonight on the season finale of "The Baby Borrowers" on NBC (9 p.m.) are so appealing they'll make you wonder why TV ignores people like them.
Some of the teens on this show will tell you: The seniors are great company. One of them, Kelly, 18, from Dunwoody, Ga., even remarks on how relaxing and calm her temporary household became when she and boyfriend Austin,...
- 7/30/2008
- by By ADAM BUCKMAN
- NYPost.com
While reality TV has turned to more outrageous social experiments to bring something new to the table and subsequently raise TV ratings, some may find reality programs to be crying out loud desperate. Social experiments such as Ashton Kutcher’s Beauty and the Geek brought audiences a good number of laughs, while CBS’ Kid Nation received a lot of negative comments from viewers and concerned parents alike. Most recently, another reality series was seen in the negative light, and this time, NBC has yet to comment on the issue.
The Baby Borrowers, which focuses on teaching young adults the lessons of raising and taking care of a child, is a social experiment which takes children and keeps them in the care of teenagers, technically strangers, for three days. Earlier this month, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (Aacap) expressed their concerns for the welfare of the children in this reality series.
The Baby Borrowers, which focuses on teaching young adults the lessons of raising and taking care of a child, is a social experiment which takes children and keeps them in the care of teenagers, technically strangers, for three days. Earlier this month, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (Aacap) expressed their concerns for the welfare of the children in this reality series.
- 7/30/2008
- by BuddyTV
- buddytv.com
ABC was the lowest-rated major broadcast network last week yet continued to air the nation's highest-rated show.
Tuesday's obstacle-course competition series "Wipeout" (10 million viewers, 3.7 rating/12 share in adults 18-49) has been the bright spot for ABC -- and among original programming in general this summer -- while many time periods continue to be ruled by comedy and drama repeats.
Following up "Wipeout" with another new reality hit has proved difficult, however. ABC's new game show "Wanna Bet" (3.1 million, 1.1/3) and the "High School Musical" reality show spinoff "Get in the Picture" ( 3.1 million, 0.9/2 on Monday) stumbled out of the gate.
Airing twice last week, "HSM: Picture" came in fourth place for its Sunday and Monday time periods. With "HSM: Picture" as a lead-in on Mondays, "Bet" premiered in fourth place as well. "Wipeout" lead-out "I Survived a Japanese Game Show" (5.6 million, 2.1/6) sank to a season-low on Tuesday.
Fox won the week in the demo thanks to dual editions of "So You Think You Can Dance" (8.6 million, 3.0/9 on Wednesday) and Sunday night animated repeats.
CBS' repeat-driven lineup tied NBC's original reality-heavy lineup for second place. CBS swapped Friday night's "Flashpoint" and Thursday night's "Swingtown" and, as one might expect, ended up with a slightly better rating last week for "Flashpoint" (6.7 million, 1.7/5) and a slightly lower rating for "Swingtown" (4.2 million, 1.4/5). CBS' Monday repeats continue to lead the network.
On NBC, most reality efforts were on par, but "The Baby Borrowers" (3.2 million, 2.0/6) suddenly dropped 17% to a series low. Tuesday night's "America's Got Talent" (13.2 million, 3.4/10) ranked as the second-highest-rated show for the week.
Overall for the week ending Sunday, Fox notched 5.5 million viewers and a 2.0 rating/7 share), followed by CBS (6.1 million, 1.6/5), NBC (5.4 million, 1.6/5), ABC (4.3 million, 1.4/5) and the CW (1.6 million, 0.6/2).
Tuesday's obstacle-course competition series "Wipeout" (10 million viewers, 3.7 rating/12 share in adults 18-49) has been the bright spot for ABC -- and among original programming in general this summer -- while many time periods continue to be ruled by comedy and drama repeats.
Following up "Wipeout" with another new reality hit has proved difficult, however. ABC's new game show "Wanna Bet" (3.1 million, 1.1/3) and the "High School Musical" reality show spinoff "Get in the Picture" ( 3.1 million, 0.9/2 on Monday) stumbled out of the gate.
Airing twice last week, "HSM: Picture" came in fourth place for its Sunday and Monday time periods. With "HSM: Picture" as a lead-in on Mondays, "Bet" premiered in fourth place as well. "Wipeout" lead-out "I Survived a Japanese Game Show" (5.6 million, 2.1/6) sank to a season-low on Tuesday.
Fox won the week in the demo thanks to dual editions of "So You Think You Can Dance" (8.6 million, 3.0/9 on Wednesday) and Sunday night animated repeats.
CBS' repeat-driven lineup tied NBC's original reality-heavy lineup for second place. CBS swapped Friday night's "Flashpoint" and Thursday night's "Swingtown" and, as one might expect, ended up with a slightly better rating last week for "Flashpoint" (6.7 million, 1.7/5) and a slightly lower rating for "Swingtown" (4.2 million, 1.4/5). CBS' Monday repeats continue to lead the network.
On NBC, most reality efforts were on par, but "The Baby Borrowers" (3.2 million, 2.0/6) suddenly dropped 17% to a series low. Tuesday night's "America's Got Talent" (13.2 million, 3.4/10) ranked as the second-highest-rated show for the week.
Overall for the week ending Sunday, Fox notched 5.5 million viewers and a 2.0 rating/7 share), followed by CBS (6.1 million, 1.6/5), NBC (5.4 million, 1.6/5), ABC (4.3 million, 1.4/5) and the CW (1.6 million, 0.6/2).
- 7/29/2008
- by By James Hibberd
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
New York -- "Hell's Kitchen" fended off a challenge from ABC upstart "Wipeout" to retain the top spot in the adults 18-49 demographic, leading Fox to a demo victory for the week.
"Kitchen" (8.9 million viewers, 4.2 rating/12 share in adults 18-49) remained hot and up from last week's 3.7/11, according to Nielsen Media Research. But ABC's "Wipeout" (10.6 million, 4.0/13) rose 11% compared with last week for a solid second place in the demo.
CBS won the week in viewership, even though the week's most-watched show was NBC's "America's Got Talent" (12.7 million, 3.4/9) and CBS' highest-ranked show was "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" (9.9 million, 2.2/4) in fourth place.
Tied for fifth place in the demo was the premiere of the CBS reality series "Greatest American Dog" (9.5 million, 2.1/8), which won its hour in viewership and tied for the demo lead against Fox's "Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?" (7.2 million, 2.1/7).
ABC saw stronger ratings as well for "The Bachelorette" season finale (9.5 million, 3.4/10), which jumped 41% in a two-hour episode compared with last week's 8 p.m. one-hour episode. Making a night of it, ABC saw better ratings for "The Bachelorette: After the Final Rose" (10 million, 3.7/10) at 10 p.m. It edged NBC out of second place by a tenth of a point in adults 18-49.
NBC stayed steady for the week. "America's Got Talent" was up to a record high this season in its Tuesday spot against "Kitchen" and ABC's "I Survived a Japanese Game Show" (6.7 million, 2.7/7). Wednesday's standout was "The Baby Borrowers" (6.9 million, 2.9/8), which rose week-over-week in viewership and the demo, back to its premiere levels.
The top show for Wednesday and Thursday was Fox's "So You Think You Can Dance" (8.9 million, 3.2/10 and 8.8 million, 3.0/9, respectively). A surprise of sorts came Friday, when Canadian import "Flashpoint" (8.1 million, 1.9/6) gave CBS a strong outing at 10 p.m. to become the highest-rated show of the night.
For the week ending Sunday, Fox (5.8 million, 2.1/7) was the top network in adults 18-49, while CBS (6.9 million, 1.6/5) led in viewership over ABC (5.5 million, 1.8/6), NBC (5.5 million, 1.7/5) and the CW (1.5 million, 0.6/2).
"Kitchen" (8.9 million viewers, 4.2 rating/12 share in adults 18-49) remained hot and up from last week's 3.7/11, according to Nielsen Media Research. But ABC's "Wipeout" (10.6 million, 4.0/13) rose 11% compared with last week for a solid second place in the demo.
CBS won the week in viewership, even though the week's most-watched show was NBC's "America's Got Talent" (12.7 million, 3.4/9) and CBS' highest-ranked show was "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" (9.9 million, 2.2/4) in fourth place.
Tied for fifth place in the demo was the premiere of the CBS reality series "Greatest American Dog" (9.5 million, 2.1/8), which won its hour in viewership and tied for the demo lead against Fox's "Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?" (7.2 million, 2.1/7).
ABC saw stronger ratings as well for "The Bachelorette" season finale (9.5 million, 3.4/10), which jumped 41% in a two-hour episode compared with last week's 8 p.m. one-hour episode. Making a night of it, ABC saw better ratings for "The Bachelorette: After the Final Rose" (10 million, 3.7/10) at 10 p.m. It edged NBC out of second place by a tenth of a point in adults 18-49.
NBC stayed steady for the week. "America's Got Talent" was up to a record high this season in its Tuesday spot against "Kitchen" and ABC's "I Survived a Japanese Game Show" (6.7 million, 2.7/7). Wednesday's standout was "The Baby Borrowers" (6.9 million, 2.9/8), which rose week-over-week in viewership and the demo, back to its premiere levels.
The top show for Wednesday and Thursday was Fox's "So You Think You Can Dance" (8.9 million, 3.2/10 and 8.8 million, 3.0/9, respectively). A surprise of sorts came Friday, when Canadian import "Flashpoint" (8.1 million, 1.9/6) gave CBS a strong outing at 10 p.m. to become the highest-rated show of the night.
For the week ending Sunday, Fox (5.8 million, 2.1/7) was the top network in adults 18-49, while CBS (6.9 million, 1.6/5) led in viewership over ABC (5.5 million, 1.8/6), NBC (5.5 million, 1.7/5) and the CW (1.5 million, 0.6/2).
- 7/15/2008
- by By Paul J. Gough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
New York -- ABC's new reality series "Wipeout" continued to flood the primetime zone, barely skipping a beat in its second week though it bowed to Fox's veteran "Hell's Kitchen" as the week's top show in adults 18-49.
"Wipeout" (9.5 million viewers, 3.6 rating/9 share in adults 18-49) was down only slightly week-to-week after its strong premiere on the battleground that has become summer Tuesdays. But the tide failed to carry its lead-out, "I Survived a Japanese Game Show" (6.3 million, 2.6/7), which was down significantly, according to Nielsen Media Research data released Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Fox's "Kitchen" (8 million, 3.7/11) improved slightly from last week to overcome "Japanese Game Show" and the week's top show in viewership, NBC's two-hour "America's Got Talent" (12 million, 3.3/10). "Talent" was up week-to-week in both measures.
ABC, NBC and Fox finished within a tenth of a point of one another in the demo for Tuesday, while CBS was a distant fourth with repeat dramas and "48 Hours Mystery Tuesday" (7.6 million, 1.7/5). CBS did win the week in viewership, though.
Fox continued its strong run of reality with overwhelming wins Wednesday in the demo with "So You Think You Can Dance" (8.8 million, 3.2/10) and Thursday with "So You Think You Can Dance" (6.8 million, 2.1/8). NBC's "The Baby Borrowers" (6.8 million, 2.8/8) was about even with last week; "Celebrity Family Feud" (6.9 million, 1.9/7) edged Fox's "The Moment of Truth" (4.6 million, 1.8/6) for second place against "Wipeout."
NBC came within two-tenths of a point of first-place Fox in adults 18-49 for the third consecutive week. That's compared to five-tenths of a point a year ago.
Despite "Wipeout," however, ABC found itself in third place in the demo, just ahead of fourth-place CBS. The CBS drama "Swingtown" (4.5 million, 1.3/5) dropped again but was tied for first place at 10 p.m. Thursday with NBC's "Fear Itself" (4.5 million, 1.3/5). ABC's documentary "Hopkins" (4.7 million, 1.2/4) also dropped week-to-week in the same time period.
For the week ending Sunday, Fox (5.4 million, 1.9/7) won in adults 18-49, while CBS (6.2 million, 1.4/5) prevailed in viewership over ABC (4.5 million, 1.5/5), NBC (5.8 million, 1.7/6) and the CW (1.4 million, 0.5/2).
"Wipeout" (9.5 million viewers, 3.6 rating/9 share in adults 18-49) was down only slightly week-to-week after its strong premiere on the battleground that has become summer Tuesdays. But the tide failed to carry its lead-out, "I Survived a Japanese Game Show" (6.3 million, 2.6/7), which was down significantly, according to Nielsen Media Research data released Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Fox's "Kitchen" (8 million, 3.7/11) improved slightly from last week to overcome "Japanese Game Show" and the week's top show in viewership, NBC's two-hour "America's Got Talent" (12 million, 3.3/10). "Talent" was up week-to-week in both measures.
ABC, NBC and Fox finished within a tenth of a point of one another in the demo for Tuesday, while CBS was a distant fourth with repeat dramas and "48 Hours Mystery Tuesday" (7.6 million, 1.7/5). CBS did win the week in viewership, though.
Fox continued its strong run of reality with overwhelming wins Wednesday in the demo with "So You Think You Can Dance" (8.8 million, 3.2/10) and Thursday with "So You Think You Can Dance" (6.8 million, 2.1/8). NBC's "The Baby Borrowers" (6.8 million, 2.8/8) was about even with last week; "Celebrity Family Feud" (6.9 million, 1.9/7) edged Fox's "The Moment of Truth" (4.6 million, 1.8/6) for second place against "Wipeout."
NBC came within two-tenths of a point of first-place Fox in adults 18-49 for the third consecutive week. That's compared to five-tenths of a point a year ago.
Despite "Wipeout," however, ABC found itself in third place in the demo, just ahead of fourth-place CBS. The CBS drama "Swingtown" (4.5 million, 1.3/5) dropped again but was tied for first place at 10 p.m. Thursday with NBC's "Fear Itself" (4.5 million, 1.3/5). ABC's documentary "Hopkins" (4.7 million, 1.2/4) also dropped week-to-week in the same time period.
For the week ending Sunday, Fox (5.4 million, 1.9/7) won in adults 18-49, while CBS (6.2 million, 1.4/5) prevailed in viewership over ABC (4.5 million, 1.5/5), NBC (5.8 million, 1.7/6) and the CW (1.4 million, 0.5/2).
- 7/8/2008
- by By Paul J. Gough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The premiere of ABC's "Wipeout" was the highest-rated show last week, becoming the network's first series to debut in the weekly top spot since 2004's "Desperate Housewives."
"Wipeout" (10 million viewers, 3.7 rating/12 share in the key adults 18-49 demo) gave the network a foothold on what has become the most competitive night of the summer: The three top shows last week all aired Tuesday.
The obstacle-course competition also gave a strong lead-in for the premiere of "I Survived a Japanese Game Show" (8 million, 3.1/9). "Japanese Game Show" ranked seventh for the week and tied NBC's "America's Got Talent" (11.7 million, 3.1/9) for second place at 9 p.m., behind Fox's penultimate episode of "Hell's Kitchen" (7.8 million, 3./6/10). At 10 p.m., the premiere of ABC's "Primetime: The Outsiders" (6.6 million, 2.5/7) was second in the hour but ranked as the top-rated newsmagazine for the week.
ABC's premiere ratings streak was broken Friday night, however, with the debut of the reality series "Dance Machine" (3.6 million, 0.9/4) placing last at 8 p.m.
Overall, ABC came in third place for the week in the demo. Fox won the week led by "Kitchen," "So You Think You Can Dance" (8.3 million, 3.1/10) and "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?" (7.2 million, 1.8/6).
NBC placed second in the demo, driven by "Talent" and the series premiere of "The Baby Borrowers" (8 million, 2.9/9). The child-care reality series held up impressively against the Wednesday edition of Fox's "So You Think You Can Dance" and gave the network its best rating in the time period in six months.
NBC also debuted its game show "Celebrity Family Feud" (8.8 million, 2.3/8) against "Wipeout" and placed second for the hour with a fair debut rating.
CBS' top four shows last week were all Monday night repeats. "Swingtown" (5.6 million, 1.9/6) continued to decline yet still ranked first at 10 p.m. Thursday.
The CW aired repeats, with the Wednesday night finale of "Farmer Wants a Wife" (2.5 million, 1.0/3) spiking slightly.
"Wipeout" (10 million viewers, 3.7 rating/12 share in the key adults 18-49 demo) gave the network a foothold on what has become the most competitive night of the summer: The three top shows last week all aired Tuesday.
The obstacle-course competition also gave a strong lead-in for the premiere of "I Survived a Japanese Game Show" (8 million, 3.1/9). "Japanese Game Show" ranked seventh for the week and tied NBC's "America's Got Talent" (11.7 million, 3.1/9) for second place at 9 p.m., behind Fox's penultimate episode of "Hell's Kitchen" (7.8 million, 3./6/10). At 10 p.m., the premiere of ABC's "Primetime: The Outsiders" (6.6 million, 2.5/7) was second in the hour but ranked as the top-rated newsmagazine for the week.
ABC's premiere ratings streak was broken Friday night, however, with the debut of the reality series "Dance Machine" (3.6 million, 0.9/4) placing last at 8 p.m.
Overall, ABC came in third place for the week in the demo. Fox won the week led by "Kitchen," "So You Think You Can Dance" (8.3 million, 3.1/10) and "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?" (7.2 million, 1.8/6).
NBC placed second in the demo, driven by "Talent" and the series premiere of "The Baby Borrowers" (8 million, 2.9/9). The child-care reality series held up impressively against the Wednesday edition of Fox's "So You Think You Can Dance" and gave the network its best rating in the time period in six months.
NBC also debuted its game show "Celebrity Family Feud" (8.8 million, 2.3/8) against "Wipeout" and placed second for the hour with a fair debut rating.
CBS' top four shows last week were all Monday night repeats. "Swingtown" (5.6 million, 1.9/6) continued to decline yet still ranked first at 10 p.m. Thursday.
The CW aired repeats, with the Wednesday night finale of "Farmer Wants a Wife" (2.5 million, 1.0/3) spiking slightly.
- 7/1/2008
- by By James Hibberd
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
With teen pregnancy rates on the rise for the first time in more than a decade, two new TV series are gaining attention as they tackle the hot-button issue from very different angles.
NBC's "The Baby Borrowers," which debuted last week, is giving teen couples a "Scared Straight"-style introduction to the realities of child rearing, while ABC Family's "The Secret Life of the American Teenager," which premieres tonight, deliberately avoids having a social-message agenda.
The shows arrive following a wave of pregnancy-related media headlines: The unplanned pregnancy story lines of theatrical hits "Juno" and "Knocked Up," the 17 Boston-area teens who supposedly made a pact to become pregnant and the pregnancy of 16-year-old Nickelodeon star Jamie Lynn Spears.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill professor Jane Brown, who runs the Teen Media Project, said the media's portrayal of teen pregnancy is having an impact that some have dubbed "The 'Juno' Effect."
"It may have had a kind of agenda-setting effect, and that's what may have happened with 'Juno,' 'Knocked Up' and the celebrity baby-bump watch we're on -- all that is glamorized pregnancy," Brown said.
The media fascination with pregnancy comes after U.S. teen birthrates rose 3% between 2005 and 2006, marking the first increases after declining 34% between 1991 and 2005, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Experts say it's unclear if the rise in pregnancy rates is tied to any specific societal cause or is just an aberration.
The increased media attention on teen pregnancy has made the topic fertile ground for the networks. NBC's "Borrowers" gave NBC its best new series debut rating all summer. The series has also drawn praise for showing the work required to parent a child.
"The timing has been amazing," "Borrowers" creator Richard McKerrow said. "Obviously it's not good news that there are things such as girls having a pregnancy pact, but it's great that NBC had the courage to commission this. All the research tells us (teen moms having babies) is not emotionally or mentally the best scenario, but that does not mean it's always a bad scenario. This show is saying, 'Don't grow up too fast, just enjoy life, you don't need all that right now.' "
On ABC Family, "American Teenager," from "7th Heaven" creator Brenda Hampton, tells the story of a 15-year-old who falls for what might be the perfect guy -- but gets pregnant from a less-than ideal guy. The show demonstrates the effect of behavioral choices on teens and those around them, though Hampton said "Teenager" has no social agenda other than to tell a compelling story.
"I don't have anything to say about the issue of teen pregnancy," Hampton said. "I'm just telling a story about a girl who happens to get pregnant."
ABC Family intends to air a public service announcement midway through the premiere urging parents to talk to their kids about sex. Hampton said that if her show continued for years it might be viewed as a "cautionary tale" about teen pregnancy, but she doesn't believe that TV significantly alters teens behavior, regardless of the content.
"I think that's kind of a hysterical response," Hampton said. "Did watching 'Friends' make everybody friends? Did 'The Sopranos' make people commit murder? Did '7th Heaven' make anybody a Christian? I don't think that young women are so impressionable if they see a show about pregnancy that will make them go out and get pregnant."
Brown counters that because parents are so reluctant to talk about sex, and since government-approved programs lean so heavily on abstinence, the media has filled the teaching void to become sex educators. That said, she noted that not all teen pregnancy depictions are considered to have a negative effect.
"And we now know that from 50 years of research on the effects of media, if you see a negative consequence of a behavior you are less likely to commit it," she said. "If you see it rewarded or not punished, you are more likely not to imitate it."
For television producers, however, such restrictions are creatively reminiscent of the theatrical Hays Code, where any character who commits unlawful behavior in a film must be shown punished by the closing credits.
"Teens have been getting pregnant for a long time," Hampton said. "And without watching television."...
NBC's "The Baby Borrowers," which debuted last week, is giving teen couples a "Scared Straight"-style introduction to the realities of child rearing, while ABC Family's "The Secret Life of the American Teenager," which premieres tonight, deliberately avoids having a social-message agenda.
The shows arrive following a wave of pregnancy-related media headlines: The unplanned pregnancy story lines of theatrical hits "Juno" and "Knocked Up," the 17 Boston-area teens who supposedly made a pact to become pregnant and the pregnancy of 16-year-old Nickelodeon star Jamie Lynn Spears.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill professor Jane Brown, who runs the Teen Media Project, said the media's portrayal of teen pregnancy is having an impact that some have dubbed "The 'Juno' Effect."
"It may have had a kind of agenda-setting effect, and that's what may have happened with 'Juno,' 'Knocked Up' and the celebrity baby-bump watch we're on -- all that is glamorized pregnancy," Brown said.
The media fascination with pregnancy comes after U.S. teen birthrates rose 3% between 2005 and 2006, marking the first increases after declining 34% between 1991 and 2005, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Experts say it's unclear if the rise in pregnancy rates is tied to any specific societal cause or is just an aberration.
The increased media attention on teen pregnancy has made the topic fertile ground for the networks. NBC's "Borrowers" gave NBC its best new series debut rating all summer. The series has also drawn praise for showing the work required to parent a child.
"The timing has been amazing," "Borrowers" creator Richard McKerrow said. "Obviously it's not good news that there are things such as girls having a pregnancy pact, but it's great that NBC had the courage to commission this. All the research tells us (teen moms having babies) is not emotionally or mentally the best scenario, but that does not mean it's always a bad scenario. This show is saying, 'Don't grow up too fast, just enjoy life, you don't need all that right now.' "
On ABC Family, "American Teenager," from "7th Heaven" creator Brenda Hampton, tells the story of a 15-year-old who falls for what might be the perfect guy -- but gets pregnant from a less-than ideal guy. The show demonstrates the effect of behavioral choices on teens and those around them, though Hampton said "Teenager" has no social agenda other than to tell a compelling story.
"I don't have anything to say about the issue of teen pregnancy," Hampton said. "I'm just telling a story about a girl who happens to get pregnant."
ABC Family intends to air a public service announcement midway through the premiere urging parents to talk to their kids about sex. Hampton said that if her show continued for years it might be viewed as a "cautionary tale" about teen pregnancy, but she doesn't believe that TV significantly alters teens behavior, regardless of the content.
"I think that's kind of a hysterical response," Hampton said. "Did watching 'Friends' make everybody friends? Did 'The Sopranos' make people commit murder? Did '7th Heaven' make anybody a Christian? I don't think that young women are so impressionable if they see a show about pregnancy that will make them go out and get pregnant."
Brown counters that because parents are so reluctant to talk about sex, and since government-approved programs lean so heavily on abstinence, the media has filled the teaching void to become sex educators. That said, she noted that not all teen pregnancy depictions are considered to have a negative effect.
"And we now know that from 50 years of research on the effects of media, if you see a negative consequence of a behavior you are less likely to commit it," she said. "If you see it rewarded or not punished, you are more likely not to imitate it."
For television producers, however, such restrictions are creatively reminiscent of the theatrical Hays Code, where any character who commits unlawful behavior in a film must be shown punished by the closing credits.
"Teens have been getting pregnant for a long time," Hampton said. "And without watching television."...
- 7/1/2008
- by By James Hibberd
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
NBC has slotted two new reality series from Mark Burnett.
The family competition series My Dad Is Better Than Your Dad will succeed American Gladiators in the 8 p.m. Monday slot beginning Feb. 18, while the comedy quiz show Amnesia will take over the 8 p.m. Friday slot Feb. 29, following a Feb. 22 debut at 9 p.m., after the season finale of 1 vs. 100.
NBC's original scheduling plan had another reality series, The Baby Borrowers, airing in the 8 p.m. Monday slot after Gladiators ends its run. But NBC executives are said to have gotten excited about "Dad" following the show's first taping over the weekend. Because of its format as a high-energy competition, it was deemed a better fit out of Gladiators than the social experiment Baby Borrowers.
Hosted by Dan Cortese, "Dad" features fathers and their son or daughter competing against other teams. The show, created by Jon Hotchkiss, is produced by Reveille, Mark Burnett Prods. and Hotchkiss Industries. Burnett, Mark Koops, Howard T. Owens, Mike Nichols and Jon Hotchkiss are the executive producers.
The family competition series My Dad Is Better Than Your Dad will succeed American Gladiators in the 8 p.m. Monday slot beginning Feb. 18, while the comedy quiz show Amnesia will take over the 8 p.m. Friday slot Feb. 29, following a Feb. 22 debut at 9 p.m., after the season finale of 1 vs. 100.
NBC's original scheduling plan had another reality series, The Baby Borrowers, airing in the 8 p.m. Monday slot after Gladiators ends its run. But NBC executives are said to have gotten excited about "Dad" following the show's first taping over the weekend. Because of its format as a high-energy competition, it was deemed a better fit out of Gladiators than the social experiment Baby Borrowers.
Hosted by Dan Cortese, "Dad" features fathers and their son or daughter competing against other teams. The show, created by Jon Hotchkiss, is produced by Reveille, Mark Burnett Prods. and Hotchkiss Industries. Burnett, Mark Koops, Howard T. Owens, Mike Nichols and Jon Hotchkiss are the executive producers.
- 1/29/2008
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
NBC.com is launching new original content tied to such series as Lipstick Jungle, American Gladiators, Celebrity Apprentice, Quarterlife and Baby Borrowers as well as the movie Knight Rider.
NBC Digital Entertainment announced its midseason content slate Tuesday at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.
A Bonfire magazine site for Jungle (named after the fictional magazine on the show) is done in cooperation with iVillage.
The Gladiators site will feature behind-the-scenes and not-seen-on-television footage and photos; The Biggest Loser and Celebrity Apprentice will offer exclusive video, while Knight Rider will showcase the Interactive KITT car and behind-the-scenes interviews. Episodes of all NBC midseason series will be available for streaming.
Additionally, NBC.com will launch the next chapter in the Heroes online mythology with Heroes Evolution.
NBC Digital Entertainment announced its midseason content slate Tuesday at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.
A Bonfire magazine site for Jungle (named after the fictional magazine on the show) is done in cooperation with iVillage.
The Gladiators site will feature behind-the-scenes and not-seen-on-television footage and photos; The Biggest Loser and Celebrity Apprentice will offer exclusive video, while Knight Rider will showcase the Interactive KITT car and behind-the-scenes interviews. Episodes of all NBC midseason series will be available for streaming.
Additionally, NBC.com will launch the next chapter in the Heroes online mythology with Heroes Evolution.
NBC will launch its acquired Web drama Quarterlife on Feb. 18, following the premiere of the new reality series Baby Borrowers.
The drama about six 20-somethings will air in the Monday 9 p.m. time slot, replacing Deal or No Deal. It will be followed by Medium at 10 p.m.
Additionally, Quarterlife, from Marshall Herskovitz and Edward Zwick, will also be streamed on NBC.com.
"The first time Ed and Marshall showed me 'Quarterlife, ' I knew it was something special and I personally could not stop watching it," NBC's programming chief Ben Silverman said. "It was also a great opportunity to explore a new paradigm."
The eight-episode of Quarterlife are comprised of the 36 eight-minute episodes of the Web series, which are running on MySpace, quarterlife.com and a few other sites.
The drama about six 20-somethings will air in the Monday 9 p.m. time slot, replacing Deal or No Deal. It will be followed by Medium at 10 p.m.
Additionally, Quarterlife, from Marshall Herskovitz and Edward Zwick, will also be streamed on NBC.com.
"The first time Ed and Marshall showed me 'Quarterlife, ' I knew it was something special and I personally could not stop watching it," NBC's programming chief Ben Silverman said. "It was also a great opportunity to explore a new paradigm."
The eight-episode of Quarterlife are comprised of the 36 eight-minute episodes of the Web series, which are running on MySpace, quarterlife.com and a few other sites.
- 12/17/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
NBC on Thursday put the final touches on its strike-affected schedule for first-quarter 2008, setting premiere dates for the midseason drama Medium and the new reality series The Baby Borrowers.
The two series join the network's other midseason series -- American Gladiators, 1 vs. 100, The Celebrity Apprentice, Lipstick Jungle, Law & Order and the repurposed Law & Order: Criminal Intent -- for a reality-heavy schedule that will feature as many as 11 hours of unscripted programming, specials or movies a week.
The fourth season of Medium, which will feature Anjelica Huston in a six-episode arc, will premiere in the show's original 10 p.m. Monday slot on Jan. 7, exactly three years after the supernatural drama starring Patricia Arquette emerged as a breakout hit for NBC in its Jan. 3, 2005, debut.
This is the same scheduling strategy NBC is using for The Apprentice, which also is returning to the Thursday time period where it exploded in the ratings four years ago. Both shows have lost some of their luster since, hurt in part by frequent scheduling moves.
In another comeback, Deal or No Deal returns to Mondays where it was a staple at 8 p.m. This time, it will air at 9 p.m.
The two series join the network's other midseason series -- American Gladiators, 1 vs. 100, The Celebrity Apprentice, Lipstick Jungle, Law & Order and the repurposed Law & Order: Criminal Intent -- for a reality-heavy schedule that will feature as many as 11 hours of unscripted programming, specials or movies a week.
The fourth season of Medium, which will feature Anjelica Huston in a six-episode arc, will premiere in the show's original 10 p.m. Monday slot on Jan. 7, exactly three years after the supernatural drama starring Patricia Arquette emerged as a breakout hit for NBC in its Jan. 3, 2005, debut.
This is the same scheduling strategy NBC is using for The Apprentice, which also is returning to the Thursday time period where it exploded in the ratings four years ago. Both shows have lost some of their luster since, hurt in part by frequent scheduling moves.
In another comeback, Deal or No Deal returns to Mondays where it was a staple at 8 p.m. This time, it will air at 9 p.m.
- 12/7/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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