Posted on 10/27/2009 4:22:34 AM PDT by iowamark
Six weeks after Jay Leno moved to primetime, NBC's wait-and-see approach to his sinking ratings is testing the patience of affiliate stations across the country.
The Peacock network maintains that putting Leno on five nights a week will pay off when fresh episodes of his show go up against reruns on other networks, but so far Leno has been a disappointing lead-in for the late newscasts that follow him.
After a strong start, his program at 10 p.m. is down sharply from its premiere week and is drawing one-quarter fewer viewers than its scripted predecessors a year ago. This is having a ripple effect on the local newscast and late night.
Ratings for late newscasts at NBC affiliates in 44 of the top 56 metered markets are down this year, falling an average of 13 percent in the first four weeks of the season compared with a year ago. In 10 of the top 25 major markets, the numbers are worse, with New York down 22 percent, Philadelphia off 37 percent and Miami down 30 percent...
"I give them through February," said the manager, who asked to remain unnamed for fear of reprisal. "I don't think anybody is anxious to pull any triggers. Plan B is to give the 10 p.m. hour back to the affiliates."
The Peacock has been languishing in fourth place for a while...
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
I think highly of Leno and wish him well.....but NBC can tank for all I care. Good riddance to those sell-outs.
Personally,I like Leno,but who thought this was a good idea.
Looks like Leno’s strategy of booking hateful Leftist guests isn’t working out too well.
Who would have thought that comedy would not do well in the already well established “drama hour”?
The losers at NBC, that’s who.
We’re Mad as Hell, and we’re NOT WATCHING ANYMORE !
NBC, take your Polls and Shuv it....sideways with a twist.
If their idea of winning is by putting new episodes against reruns, they are in deep trouble.
Leno's Fault!"
All the late night talk shows s***.
Anyone could have predicted that Leno’s show would do this. From the snippets that I have seen of his show, he has taken his late night format to primetime - and it ain’t flying. Compared to the hype, Leno hasn’t been able to deliver and he hasn’t been able to break away from the Late Night format.
I wish him well (even though he’s an Obama supporter), but this was a dumb move!!
Guess those old Bush-bashing jokes aren’t pulling in the viewers like they did for almost nine years, Leno. You better find another schtick.
They killed Life, one of the best programs on TV, to put Leno on nightly.
Maybe they can quietly resume normal programming.
Yup. They say they did it to save money... maybe... but Leno worked at 11:30, not at Ten.
Heck, they could have kept producing some drama series, say 2 or three nights a week, and put reruns of old Twilight Zones on a couple nights.
Their comedy is also in the dumps... Office is about as lame as it comes, and I have toenails that are funnier than Amy whatsrname Puler, Puker, whatever...
Tina Fey every Thursday is like having bedbugs or something.
Sad, cause over the years, NBC has really done some well acted, well written groundbreaking stuff.
Leno circling the bowl.
I know where the viewers went, they switched to Greta at 10pm.
Who is Jay Leno?
I vaguely recall he had a jet powered motorcycle years ago.
http://adage.com/mediaworks/article?article_id=139963
What NBC Gave Up in Ad Pricing for ‘Leno’ Prime-Time Show
Ad Age Chart Details Difference in 30-Second Spot Prices in ‘09 vs. ‘08
I guess he needs Rush on every night.
Perhaps they can replace Leno w/Global Scamming specials?
Pray for America and Our Troops
They could always resort to their neverending sagas of Law and Order in that slot. They could do some new ones like:
Law and Order: Tax Evasion in the Capitol
Law and Order: Sports World Misfits
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