HOMELAND is the first Showtime drama to earn serious (which is to say HBO-level) acclaim (and very likely Emmy consideration) beyond the acting categories, as well as strong ratings, and the network is hoping to build on that success with its latest ambitious series orders. MASTERS OF SEX is based on the real lives of […]

  NETWORK UPDATE:  Everything remained as-is from the previously reported Wednesday numbers. Ratings in key demos for the Top 25 original cable tWednesday, ratings, spotlight, cable AMERICAN HORROR STORY: FREAK SHOW (FX) returned from its holiday break to easily top Wednesday cable at 1.46.  It was followed by DUCK DYNASTY at 0.87, with lead-out WAHLBURGERS […]

  NOTE TO READERS:  For the remainder of this week, text and responses to Comment requests will be delayed until the night after charts are posted.   NETWORK FINALS:  Since there was no text this morning, a closer look at the finals: CBS:  SUPERGIRL crawled up to 1.27 in finals, allowing it to barely escape […]

        NETWORK FINALS:  There were no significant adjustments to the preliminary ratings.         Broadcast Official Nationals Program Ratings Chart     CABLE HIGHLIGHTS:  ESPN’s NBA doubleheader was at 0.45/0.38.  VH1’s RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE jumped 0.12 to 0.32.  Discovery’s GOLD RUSH was at 0.25/0.25/0.17 compared to last week’s 0.25/0.25/0.12.  Food […]

        NETWORK FINALS:  20/20 gained 0.1 in final numbers, and the rerun MASTERS OF ILLUSION lost the same.         Broadcast Official Nationals Program Ratings Chart     CABLE HIGHLIGHTS:  A&E’s LIVE PD returned after several weeks of reruns to lead Friday cable at 0.64, with the preceding clip show […]

  After 5 seasons, you’d think THE WALKING DEAD would have reached its ratings peak–but no.  We won’t have official numbers until tomorrow, but AMC is reporting that last night’s Season 5 premiere was the show’s most watched episode ever, both in total viewers (17.3M) and in 18-49s (approximately an 8.8 rating, compared to last […]

>NBC used its 9:30 half hour to keep hammering away at the debut of Smash, coming up at long last in mere minutes.  The network devoted 90 seconds — one 30-second spot and one 60-second spot — in a half hour which was peaking with a very strong 7.7 rating.  The full-minute spot focused on […]

>It’s rare that a Saturday night has a huge impact on a sweep race, but last night featured a college football pairing between the #1 and #2 teams in the country on CBS.  In an SEC matchup for the ages, #1 LSU defeated #2 Alabama in overtime 9-6, earning a 6.4 Adult 18-49 rating in […]