Analyzing
the second half series Every
year, the networks throw a bunch of new series at viewers once January
rolls around. The reasons are varied- the have to burn off episodes of
series there were embarassed to make in the first place ("Big Man on
Campus"), they're covering for repeats of other series ("BMOC", again),
they have tonnes of holes in their line-ups ("Medium"), or they never
got started in the first place (hello, Fox). Over the next few editions
of TV Talk I'm going to analyze, network by network, the new series
that have premiered since January and assess their chances of coming
back for a second season. First up, the UPN and CBS, the twisted
sisters.
Cuts (UPN, Monday, 8:30)
Premiere
In Viewers
3.5
million
Latest
New Episode In Viewers
3.1
million
Average
in Viewers (rank)
3.22
million (147)
%
Retention of Lead-in
+5.2%
Average
in Adults 18-49 (rank)
1.24
rating (145)
%
Retention of Lead-in
+7.9%
Chance
of Making a Second Season:
100%
The
Final Word:
Just
when the Monday night line-up looked like it was in trouble and "Second
Time Around" flopped, this "One On One" spin off came to the rescue.
Well, not exactely, but it is doing nicely and will live to see many
seasons more.
Wickedly Perfect (CBS,
Saturday, 8)
Premiere
In Viewers
6.8
million
Latest
New Episode In Viewers
5.6
million
Average
in Viewers (rank)
5.57
million (110)
%
Retention of Lead-in
-
Average
in Adults 18-49 (rank)
1.91
rating (126)
%
Retention of Lead-in
-
Chance
of Making a Second Season:
0%
The
Final Word:
CBS
has very few mid season series this year, and this one will not be
making it to a second season.
Num3ers (CBS, Friday, 9)
Premiere
In Viewers
15.5
million
Latest
New Episode In Viewers
10.6
million
Average
in Viewers (rank)
11.79
million (31)
%
Retention of Lead-in
+20.6%
Average
in Adults 18-49 (rank)
3.52
rating (49)
%
Retention of Lead-in
+64.0%
Chance
of Making a Second Season:
100%
The
Final Word:
The
new "Law & Order" series was expected to end this series brief
encounter with success, but fortunately for CBS, it didn't. CBS is
actually winning a timeslot in adults, over NBC, which is rare when
they have two series that drew similar amounts of viewers. The bad
news? Well, for "JAG" fans, that series is alot less crucial to the eye
now that "Num3ers" is a hit, and will likely end in May.
JustTV Talk: April 12,
2005