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Access Atlanta > American Idol Buzz > Archives > 2008 > November > 20
Thursday, November 20, 2008
11/20: Is the recession hurting reality TV? Daughtry on “CSI: NY”
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
He brings up a bunch of shows that have seen their ratings slip off this year while only scripted shows seem to have seen their ratings go up.
His examples:”Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?” is down nearly 50% among 18 to 49 year olds and among all viewers, it has dropped 35% year over year. “Deal or No Deal” is down 29%. “Dancing With the Stars” is down a more modest 9 percent (and given the age of the show, that’s really not unusual). “Survivor” is down 10%, which given that it’s the 17th incarnation, isn’t bad either. He didn’t mention it but “America’s Next Top Model” is down at least 20% year over year, too.
Shows that are up this year? “NCIS,” “How I Met Your Mother,” “Gossip Girl” and “30 Rock,” to name a few.
The evidence in my mind is dubious. I suspect most of these shows are simply getting old. (“5th Grader” is the only one that is relatively young.) But it is true that new concepts for reality TV have been scarce lately, especially on broadcast TV.
It’s interesting that CBS is doing especially well nowadays. Perhaps that older demographic is looking for comfort in shows such as “The Mentalist” and “NCIS.” And I’m glad “Big Bang Theory” and “How I Met Your Mother” are doing so well.
I digress. I’m just wondering how much of a hit “American Idol” will take come January. Ratings dropped off some 10 percent last year. I suspect the show will lose another 10 percent this year but perhaps more if the cast isn’t that interesting. But even if “Idol” loses 20%, it’d still be the No. 1 show by a wide margin. In the fall, not a single show is averaging even 20 million viewers a week.
What’s your prediction on ratings for “Idol” this January? Last year, it was around 27-28 million after averaging 30 million plus seasons five and six. I think it will fall to 23-24 million season eight.
- Last night, I helped out with a Boys & Girls Club cook off as a “celebrity” cook. Five families from around the country were flown in to compete for a trip to Disney and a year’s supply of Kimberly-Clark products. One of the judges? Ruben Studdard’s mom Emily! She was at the opening for “Ain’t Misbehavin’ ” for her son. She said she plans to go to every show when it arrives in his hometown of Birmingham in February. She also helped my team, the Archers, win. Thank you Emily!
-Chris Daughtry was an actor last night on the 100th episode of “CSI: NY.” He plays Mac Taylor, one of several who are there to be protected because a serial killer is killing Mac Taylors.
-First-day sales at hitsdailydouble.com are projecting that David Cook is battling for #2 with Nickelback behind Beyonce in first week sales. Cook is looking to sell 300K the first week. David Archuleta sold about 180K last week, a bit below projections. Taylor Swift sold about 600K.
