- Image by memoflores via Flickr
This is what I’m thinking:
* To be perfectly honest, I’ve hardly watched network television this summer.
I did turn on Miss Universe from Las Vegas on Monday — by mistake.
Well, not exactly by mistake. I turned on NBC’s coverage of the Donald Trump event 10 minutes early because I was waiting for Channel 2’s 11 p.m. news.
That was just in time for the co-hosts to introduce Trump and a couple of other rich people involved in the pageant. Tacky doesn’t do justice to how painful it was to watch this display of self-congratulations.
It also was enough time to see the final five candidates. Without seeing anything in the previous two hours, I thought picking Miss Mexico, Jimena Navarrete (see above), was a no-brainer even before she was announced as the winner. Who knew it was considered an upset?
I bring my lack of interest in network TV this summer as a preface to the local prime time ratings for July that show what network programs Western New Yorkers in the age 25-54 demographic are watching.
Why am I focusing on that demographic rather than households? Because, according to local TV managers, the vast majority of advertising dollars here are spent on that demographic.
Repeats of the CBS comedies “The Big Bang Theory” (which moves to Thursday this fall) and “Two and a Half Men” are the only scripted series to make the Top 10 in the 25-54 demographic. “Bang” is tied for No.1 with Fox’s “Hell’s Kitchen” and “Men” is No. 7.
The Top 10 is loaded with reality shows. “Hell’s Kitchen” made the list in two different timeslots, as does NBC’s “America’s Got Talent.” Three editions of CBS’ “Big Brother” — which just can’t be killed — are on the list. ABC’s “Wipeout” (No.9) fills out the 10.
Fox’s “Lie to Me,” which carried original summer episodes, finished No. 15 in the demographic. ABC’s rookie import from Canada, “Rookie Blue,” was No. 17.
If there was a reality show surprise it was Fox’s “So You Think You Can Dance” was down the reality list at No. 20.
The only program in July to average a double-digit in household ratings was NBC’s “America’s Got Talent,” which also was No. 1 here in the age 18 through 49 demographic.
* Speaking of demographics, Channel 2 General Manager Jim Toellner sent out a memo to his staff noting the morning show “Daybreak” swept the 25-54 and 18-49 demographics over Channel 4’s “Wake Up.” He added that the station also won most of the key demographics at 11 p.m. over Channel 4, which wins all newscasts in the household category. Meanwhile, Channel 4 notes that it won all the demos at 5 p.m. and 6 p.m.
* On the labor front, one of my spies has advised me that behind-the-scenes personnel at Channel 4 represented by NABET ratified an agreement with LIN TV that gives all 64 staffers represented a $1,000 signing bonus and at least 2 percent raises over the next three years.
Sources added that the union had to concede some work-related things that broadcast companies are demanding in these changing television times to give LIN more flexibility in assigning people to do jobs. The union had been working without a contract since March.
My spies tell me that the deal with NABET is expected to lead to renewed negotiations between LIN and AFTRA, which represents on-air personnel at Channel 4 and has had contract terms imposed after talks fell apart.
Alan Pergament was the television critic for The Buffalo News for 28 years. He currently is an adjunct professor at Buffalo State College and Medaille College, teaching courses in communications. He also writes a monthly column on the media for Buffalo Spree magazine.
