The Jay Leno Show -- Premieres 9/14/09 -- 5 nights a week/46 weeks a year

[spamurai]

“NIGHTLINE” BESTS “TONIGHT SHOW” FOR 19th CONSECUTIVE WEEK
“NIGHTLINE” TIES “TONIGHT” FOR FIRST PLACE IN A18-49 RATING
“NIGHTLINE” GROWS +9% AMONG TOTAL VIEWERS YEAR TO YEAR WHILE “TONIGHT SHOW” DECLINES -50%

ABC News “Nightline” is #2 among Total Viewers and Adults 25-54 for the week of October 26, 2009, according to Nielsen Media Research. This marks the nineteenth consecutive week “Nightline” beat NBC’s “The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien” among Total Viewers. The last time “Nightline” beat “Tonight” nineteen consecutive weeks was in 1994. “Nightline” also tied “Tonight” in the A18-49 rating (1.0).

“Nightline” continues to experience growth compared to last year. The program grew +9% among Total Viewers versus the same week last year as “Tonight” in comparison declined -50%.

Season to date, “Nightline” is up +8% among Total Viewers while “Tonight” in comparison has declined -47%.

Last week, “Nightline” aired a special about the H1N1 virus, a report on the Arizona sweat lodge tragedy, and an inside look at a medevac unit saving lives in Afghanistan.

ABC News’ “Nightline” is anchored by Cynthia McFadden, Terry Moran and Martin Bashir. John Donvan and Vicki Mabrey are correspondents. James Goldston is the executive producer. The program airs weeknights at 11:35 p.m., ET on the ABC Television Network.

(Week of October 26, 2009)

TOTAL VIEWERS A25-54(000)/ Rtg A18-49(000)/ Rtg

ABC “Nightline” 3,960,000 1,530,000/ 1.2 1,280,000/ 1.0

CBS “Late Show” 4,000,000 1,630,000/ 1.3 1,240,000/ .9

NBC “Tonight” 2,440,000 1,360,000/ 1.1 1,300,000/ 1.0

LOL?

[Drop]

Conan isn't the problem, everyone going in expected him to lose Leno's audience, same thing happened when Carson left. But Conan will build up his ratings, and he would've had an easier time doing it if Leno either never started a new show or waited a little longer. Even before Conan started NBC basically said don't worry Leno fans Jay will still be on the air. They sent really mixed signals.

[Quatermass]

Originally Posted by RichC2

If anything, this hurts Conan and Fallon the most, but again, cheap to produce so I don't think they're sweating it. Pulling better than CW ratings on a nightly basis at least

I know that NBC's official line is "It's cheap to produce", but that's a pretty weak excuse IMO. By that logic, they should be showing infomercials in prime time. It's sort of like hanging onto a stock that is not likely to appreciate in value and saying "at least it's not losing money." By keeping that money (or in NBC's case, time) tied up in a loser, they are missing out on gains elsewhere. When the ad rates are recalculated after this sweeps period and the advertisers find out they can reach more viewers on Comedy Central than NBC in this time slot, NBC will have to cut their advertising rates, which will affect the profitability.

[Quatermass]

Looks like he's back to the old format. He has a desk again and they moved the Headlines back to the beginning of the show.

Edit: Never mind, I guess the desk was just for the headlines.

[William Fuld]

Diablo Cody. No, seriously, Diablo Cody.

[Chew]

Originally Posted by Quatermass

Looks like he's back to the old format. He has a desk again and they moved the Headlines back to the beginning of the show.

There have been a number of subtle changes over the last week that are starting to bring the old Tonight Show format back.

The next one I would make would be to get rid of 10@10.

[Double_Oh_7]

Originally Posted by Quatermass

I know that NBC's official line is "It's cheap to produce", but that's a pretty weak excuse IMO. By that logic, they should be showing infomercials in prime time. It's sort of like hanging onto a stock that is not likely to appreciate in value and saying "at least it's not losing money." By keeping that money (or in NBC's case, time) tied up in a loser, they are missing out on gains elsewhere. When the ad rates are recalculated after this sweeps period and the advertisers find out they can reach more viewers on Comedy Central than NBC in this time slot, NBC will have to cut their advertising rates, which will affect the profitability.

NBC has pretty much given up on programming to compete, and is basically programming for the bottom line. Cheap and profitable is in over there no matter what the ratings.

[leacha]

Originally Posted by Double_Oh_7

NBC has pretty much given up on programming to compete, and is basically programming for the bottom line. Cheap and profitable is in over there no matter what the ratings.

But if the ratings are low the advertisers will balk at what NBC wants to charge. Then your profits shrink.

[DRG]

I wonder if when the time comes that NBC decides to make a programming change with this show, what their most likely course of action would be?

Their choices seem to be:
1. Cancel the show.
2. Move it to another timeslot.
3. Cut back on days its airs (M-W-F only, for instance).

[riley_dude]

Originally Posted by DRG

I wonder if when the time comes that NBC decides to make a programming change with this show, what their most likely course of action would be?

Their choices seem to be:
1. Cancel the show.
2. Move it to another timeslot.
3. Cut back on days its airs (M-W-F only, for instance).

About a Monday and Friday airing.