Syndie Rivalry: 'Phil' Leads, 'Ellen' Chases

Dr.-PhilWith nearly the first month of the TV season completed for syndication, CBS Television Distribution's "Dr. Phil" remains the leading syndication talk show among all viewers -- but the race is tightening up.

"Dr. Phil" is now averaging a Nielsen 3.8 million viewers -- but this is down versus the 4.3 million average of a year ago. Two talk shows are gaining: Disney-ABC Domestic Televison's "Live with Kelly & Michael" at 3.4 million viewers -- at 3.2 million a year ago -- and Warner Bros. Brand Networks' "Ellen DeGeneres" at 3.2 million, versus 3.1 million in 2011.

In looking at key women 25-54 viewers so far this season, "Dr. Phil" is now tied with "Ellen" at a 1.6 rating.

A year ago, "Dr. Phil" was at a leading 1.7 rating (tied with Sony Pictures Television's "Dr. Oz"). "Ellen" was at a 1.4. Right behind "Dr. Phil" and "Ellen" is "Kelly & Michael," now at a 1.5 (up from a 1.3) and NBCUniversal Television Distribution's "Maury" at the same 1.5 (this against a 1.4 number a year ago).

"Dr. Oz" has lost ground, too -- but is still very competitive in fourth place among all viewers at 3.1 million, and fifth place among women 25-54 -- now at a 1.3 rating. A year ago, "Oz" was at 3.9 million viewers and a 1.7 rating among women 25-54.

After "Oz" comes NBC's "Maury" at 2.99 million viewers. It was at 3.2 million a year ago.

Disney-ABC's "Katie" remains the best of the new talkers -- 2.4 million (sixth among all syndie talk shows) and at a 1 rating among women 25-54 (seventh place). Another new effort -- NBCUniversal's "Steve Harvey" -- is at 1.8 million viewers and 0.9 rating among women 25-54. CBS's "Jeff Probst" is at 880,000 viewers and a 0.4 rating among women 25-54.

Other talkers: NBC's "Jerry Springer" with 1.92 million viewers (versus 2.15 million in 2011); CBS' "Rachael Ray" at 1.89 million (1.94 million in 2011); NBC's "Steve Wilkos," 1.88 million (1.94 million); CBS's "Doctors,"1.66 million (1.99 million in 2011); Debmar-Mercury's "Wendy Williams," 1.33 million (1.35 million in 2011); and WB's "Anderson Live," 1.32 million (1.68 million in 2011).

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