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May 26, 2012

Sweeps not as important anymore?

by Brett Love, posted Nov 11th 2006 3:04PM

LostWith the big Lost mini-season finale already out of the way and the Dancing with the Stars finals next week, I'm left wondering just what ABC is up to. With half of sweeps left to go they are going to be without three of the top ten shows on TV. That seems to fly in the face of traditional scheduling. Wouldn't it have made more sense to throw in a break for DWTS to push it two weeks later? And either extend the Lost mini-season or start it so the, self proclaimed, "Best Episode Of The Year" would end sweeps?

I haven't seen Day Break yet, but I've heard mixed reactions. Whichever way it goes, I think it's reasonable to expect it to fall somewhere short of Lost's performance. If they are counting on Lost fans to tune in just to catch the 30 second nuggets that they will be parceling out, I think they are in for a big YouTube flavored surprise. Add to that the fact that the Wednesday at 9 slot is going to be much tougher for Day Break than it was for Lost. They aren't going to have the luxury of a top 5 show as a lead in, but they'll still have to deal with the increasingly popular Criminal Minds. Show Me The Money should premiere with good numbers, just for the shatnerian curiosity factor, but will it match DWTS? It's all very curious.

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Ryan

I'm no expert, but I've read from other TV criticism sites that the networks rely on national data collected throughout the season. Sweeps primarily count for local affiliates (which is why they all presumably bust out the most sensational stuff).

November 12 2006 at 10:48 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Tim

Sweeps are going to continue to be VERY important to ABC stations in non-metered markets for a long time.

If sweeps are less important to ABC, then perhaps it is a reflection of the true value of the affiliates to the network.

November 12 2006 at 3:11 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
David

Commander and Cheif has NOTHING to do with this. CaC was good and then they fired people and the show became bad and that's when it died. Lost this season has been... zzzZZZzzz I thought the Fall finale is one of the worst things I have ever seen. Kate's on an island, I know Jake doesn't know that, but still where is she going to go?! You know what, I don't care, I hope the bitch dies.

November 11 2006 at 9:48 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
AlanVD

I think it might actually be tactics /not/ to run a show during sweeps. The sweeps-months are always very competitive and with good reason, since the advertising cost for the next quarter is depending on it. So if a network fears that their show might suffer during sweeps, it might be wise not to air it during sweeps, so they can base their advertising costs on the ratings the show got pre-sweeps. I'm not sure if this is what ABC is thinking, but I think it makes some sort of sense

November 11 2006 at 7:35 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
alex

ABC is taking a huge chance with Lost. First this season has been incredibly boring, not to mention moving at a snails pace. And I think people have responding by not watching the show. At work, it was the one show we all enjoyed watching. Now everyone is complaining about how the lame the show has become.

From what I understand, if I'm not mistaken, Lost is not returning until February next year?! Are they trying to ruin the show? Having too much of a break can kill a show. Did ABC learn nothing from the Geena Davis hit that went from Top 10 to obscurity in the same year?

November 11 2006 at 6:32 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply

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