"Must Flee TV" -- NBC Falls To Fifth Place In TV Ratings

[Auggie]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com

More bad news for NBC: The one-time No. 1 network has fallen to fifth place in the Nielsen TV ratings during the important February sweeps period, according to Deadline.com.

Sweeps occurs three times for four-week periods each year, when networks inundate TV audiences with hairpin plot turns, tear-inducing weddings, jaw-dropping deaths and more major moments all in the hopes of giving their ratings a vital boost during the critical periods when Nielsen surveys the country's TV viewing habits.

The Peacock network started the TV season off strong with hits like "Revolution" and "The Voice" and even won November sweeps. But once those shows went into hiatus in November and December respectively, NBC's numbers quickly crumbled. Deadline reports that during the February sweeps period, NBC has averaged a 1.2 rating in the key 18-49 advertising demographic, while Univision has brought in a 1.5 rating. It's a far cry from NBC's reign at the top in November, which was the network's first time in the lead since 2003.

"This is a great thing for our morale, if nothing else," Bob Greenblatt, chairman of NBC Entertainment, told the Associated Press in November. "But I'm the first one to say there will be ups and downs for the next few years."

MORE: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/21/nbc-sweeps-fifth-place-ratings-univision_n_2735466.html

"Must Flee TV" is the headline on the HP landing page. I think it's hilarious ... NBC execs, probably not.

[dsc]

1. I watch much more tv that I should

but I find myself watching relatively little network tv. On NBC I watch Deception, Law and Order SVU, Chicago Fire, The New Normal. On ABC I watch Modern Family, Body of Proof, the sunday night stuff, and Happy Endings. On Fox, the Following, Glee. On CBS, the Amazing Race and Elementary.

[Robbins]

2. TV

I watch less since they keep doing reality crap and CSi and NCIS type shows which I hate.Shows I watch are

ABC-Once Upon a Time,Revenge
CBS-Elementary
NBC-Nothing
Fox-The Simpsons(I refuse to watch anything else on Fox)
The CW-Arrow,The Vampire Diaries,Nikita

Plus on cable(I don't have HBO or pay channels) TNT-Dallas ABC Family-Pretty Little Liars,The Lying Game FX-The Americans,Anger
Management

[oregonjen]

3. I don't like the weird schedules they have for different series

I only watch Grimm and Parenthood on NBC, but the way they stop and start during the year, it's hard to keep track of when the series you're watching will be on again. Grimm went on a long hiatus, originally to be back at the beginning of January. Then, the powers that be decided it would be better to have them start in March. Parenthood, a wonderful show, had the season end in January. Not sure if it will be renewed, but the season finale sure had the smell of a series finale.

I'm sure they lose viewers who lose patience in their illogical scheduling.

[RockaFowler]

4. Fifth Place - great job NBC

I'm not even sure who to blame for this

Last year we had the Super Bowl, so the ratings were expected to go down. But at least we had The Voice to fall back on if anything else failed. But everything failed in Feb Sweep. Why didn't they bring back Grimm for the sweep?? Why did they pick up shows that they did already?? Do No Harm is just like My Own Worst Enemy - a show that failed in 2008. The Office is flailing to the finish line. It should have ended last season when Steve Carrell left. 30 Rock while still funny should have ended last season as well. They brought in new comedies that no-one wanted to watch - too niche. Go On may be the only show that survives this season. And poor Community - the loss of both their EP and Chevy Chase was too much for one show. Chicago Fire is the only show on the air currently doing well for NBC. Smash is a disaster. I can only imagine when THe Voice and Revolution come back. Monday and Tuesdays may be the only nights of Prime left for NBC.

At least our 11p ratings are OK - despite NBC!!

[Auggie]

5. I may be the only one who thinks Smash is better than last season

My wife and I had also been watching The New Normal, but after a few episodes it became so cliche and the story structure so expected that I can't stand watching it.

Glad to hear you're doing okay locally RockaFowler.

[RockaFowler]

6. I really tried with the New Normal

I so agree with you Auggie. That show became one sterotype after another. And Ellen Barkin's character has no redeeming qualities - NONE. She even is horrible to her great-granddaughter.

[ceile]

7. I only watch Go On and SVU now

everything else is crap. Waiting for Grimm- love that show, but it seems the network doesn't know what to do with it...