The Early Winners and Losers

In my post from September 16th about CBS’s premiere schedule, I wrote:

Because of the Writers’ Strike, FOX was last season’s most watched network, ending CBS’s run. I hope that FOX enjoyed its time at the top because I don’t think it will happen again this year as CBS has put together a pretty strong schedule.

I love it when I’m right…

Now, granted, the TV season is not even a month old yet, but CBS is far outpacing its competition with both old and new shows.

And its #1 show, “CSI,” just premiered...

The biggest surprise has been the stalwart known as “NCIS.” Two weeks ago, it topped “House” in total viewers (although not in the coveted 18-49 demo) and this week it topped “Dancing With the Stars.” I’d like to think my promotion of it had a little something to do with it, but I’d be dreaming…

The success of “NCIS” has led to the success of TV’s #1 new show, “The Mentalist.” I really have no idea why the success of this one seems to have taken everyone by surprise. Good show, good leading man, good timeslot. What’s not to be successful?

CBS does have its problems, however. The new Wednesday night comedy block has not performed as well as the network would have hoped and “Worst Week,” has been leaking “Two and a Half Men” viewers like crazy, which has also caused a ratings drop for “CSI: Miami.” Plus, that pesky Tuesdays at 10 timeslot is still causing trouble as “Without a Trace” is down significantly from its numbers on Thursday; although it did manage to beat “Law & Order: SVU” last week.

But overall, I would have to declare CBS the winner at this early stage of the season.

So if CBS is the winner, who is the loser? That, my friends, would be the once proud network known as NBC…

Now we have to remember that NBC hasn’t even debuted most of its new series yet, but sadly, its returning shows have let them down in the meantime…

“Heroes” has consistently dropped viewers over the last two weeks and Monday night, it even had less viewers than CBS’s “How I Met Your Mother” which is absolutely unheard of. “Chuck” also took a significant drop from its premiere, as did “Life.”

And the new show NBC did premiere has not done all that well. “Knight Rider” premiered to ratings nowhere near the success of the TV-movie that spawned it.

But in NBC’s defense, FOX and ABC both have their share of problems.

Of course, FOX had the first cancellation of the season—although they would never call it that—in “Do Not Disturb.” And “Terminator: Sarah Connor Chronicles” returned to numbers that have many questioning its future. “Prison Break” isn’t faring much better.

On the plus side for FOX, “House” is still strong despite its new timeslot. And “Fringe” overcame its slow start to earn a full season order…

For ABC, its biggest problem is “Opportunity Knocks.” You may have noticed Ashton Kutcher’s presence in last week’s promos which is no doubt a strategy aimed at boosting dismal ratings (Kutcher is an executive producer.). But there is also concern for the returning shows as they have each premiered below last season’s premieres. In fact, “Pushing Daisies” was down a whopping 55%.

On the plus side for ABC is a still strong “Dancing With the Stars” and “Grey’s Anatomy” and the network stepchild, “Boston Legal” is enjoying solid ratings for its final season.

And although it has somewhat cooled, “90210” is still doing okay for The CW and its leadout, “Privileged,” even grew in numbers this week. “Gossip Girl” is also scoring well for the network. But there is some concern about the slowing numbers of “America’s Next Top Model”…

Friday will be an important day for all of the networks because that is when we will find out the ratings for “CSI,” “Life on Mars,” and “Eleventh Hour.” And it may not be an exaggeration to say that Christian Slater may be NBC’s savior if his drama, “My Own Worst Enemy” premieres well on Monday…

As always, Stay Tuned…

Photo Credits: Art Streiber/CBS & NBC & Karen Neal/ABC