Good Weather Is Bad News For Some Shows

Good spring weather and daylight savings time are playing their usual havoc with some TV shows.

Big syndication barter shows sank by almost three million viewers for the week ending April 2. Cable shows also sank somewhat from standard time program airings. Viewers typically move outdoors with more daylight hours and spend less time indoors watching television, according to analysts.

For the week ending April 9, only one cable show--USA Network's "WWE Entertainment"--grabbed 5 million or more total average viewers, getting to 5.3 million. Two weeks before, four cable shows made it north of 5 million--Disney Channel's "Cow Belles," the 10 p.m. Wednesday airing on "WWE Entertainment," Disney Channel's "Hannah Montana," and the 9 p.m. Wednesday edition of "WWE Entertainment."

Syndication core daytime afternoon some also took it on the chin. Of the 11 talk shows, only three witnessed gains versus the week before--Buena Vista Television's "Live With Regis and Kelly" grew 3 percent to a 3.3 household rating from a 3.2 household; NBC Universal Television Distribution's "Maury" was up 8 percent to a 2.8 from a 2.6; sister NBC Universal show "Starting Over" improved 10 percent to a 1.1 from a 1.0.

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All seven court shows were down but one--Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution's "The People's Court" rose 8 percent, to 2.8 versus a year ago.

Warner Bros.' "Friends" was somewhat unfriendly this particular week, sinking 30 percent to a 4.6 rating. "Friends" benefited from a big-time TBS weekend marathon that was included in the ratings the week before, where it earned a 6.6 rating. For the year, it's off 12 percent. Also cooling off was Warner Bros.' rookie syndication show "Sex and the City;" it sank to a season low 1.9 rating from a 2.1 the week before.

Some shows bucked the daylight saving time trend.

On the upward swing, Paramount Domestic Television's "Entertainment Tonight" gained 8 percent to a 5.2, now up 2 percent for the year over last year's 5.1 season-to-date numbers. King World's "Everybody Loves Raymond" improved 3 percent to a 6.3--but is still down 7 percent versus last year's season-to-date rating.

Game shows also witnessed climbs--although many are still down versus year-ago numbers. King World's "Jeopardy!" was 1 percent more to a 7.2; Buena Vista's "Who Wants To Be a Millionaire?" saw a 3 percent hike to a 3.4; Tribune Entertainment's "Family Feud" grew 5 percent from a 2.2.

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