More pre-strike scaremongering

We’ve discussed the ramifications and the effects, both short- and long-term, of the impending writers strike.

Well, here’re some pre-strike statistics that have to be worrisome for the networks: Most of them are losing viewers at a fearsome rate, and this is with original scripted programming. If the strike forces them to scramble and cook up all sorts of wan reality shows (over the summer, a lot of the reality programming fared even worse than repeats of shows), these numbers will tumble ever further, and it’ll be increasingly difficult to distinguish the networks’ viewership from cable.

Based upon last week’s ratings, CBS, NBC and The CW are shedding viewers in double-digit percentages from just last year. ABC’s hanging in there, thanks to “Dancing with the Stars” and a handful of successful new series. Fox had the World Series last week, so its numbers are skewed, but it’s not exactly thriving otherwise.

Herewith, last week’s ratings (and how they compare to the same week last year in parentheses).

* Households:
Fox: 8.6 rating/14 share (+32 percent), ABC: 7.4/12 (+ 1), CBS: 7.2/12 (-10), NBC: 4.4/ 7 (-30), CW: 1.9/ 3 (-17)

* Total Viewers:

Fox: 13.78 million (+38), ABC: 11.19 (- 2), CBS: 11.17 (- 9), NBC: 7.00 (-28), CW: 2.96 (-18)

* Adults 18-49:

Fox: 4.6 rating/13 share (+44), ABC: 3.7/10 (- 5), CBS: 3.0/ 8 (-17), NBC: 2.6/ 7 (-26), CW: 1.2/ 3 (-20)

*Adults 25-54:

Fox: 5.2/13 (+41), ABC: 4.3/11 (- 4), CBS: 3.9/10 (-17), NBC: 2.9/ 7 (-27), CW: 1.1/ 3 (-21)

* Adults 18-34:

Fox: 3.9/12 (+39), ABC: 2.9/ 9 (no change), NBC: 2.4/ 7 (-17), CBS: 2.0/ 6 (-20), CW: 1.3/ 4 (-24)


The biggest loser here is The CW, which is hemorrhaging the young viewers that comprise its target audience. One imagines that, strike or no strike, something drastic is going to happen at The CW. Like, maybe, it’ll cease to exist: I can’t imagine its parent company is enjoying dumping all the money it’s spending down that sinkhole.