Syndication in the 2010-2011 season has seen much of the same erosion as in previous years. Many shows this season are under their levels of a year ago. But individually, one show stands out: "Two and a Half Men."
Getting some extra spin and publicity from various Charlie Sheen scandals -- as well as big interest from FX network -- the show has seen a 17% increase in its overall viewership ratings to an average 9.2 million from 7.8 million.
The CBS prime-time show continues to be the second-highest regularly scheduled show in syndication -- next to "Wheel of Fortune." "Wheel" has seen a rare move among syndication shows with its viewership improved -- albeit very slightly -- 1% to 11.45 million from a 11.36 million number of a year ago.
The "Wheel" companion game show, "Jeopardy," climbed slightly as well to 9.15 million from 9.13 million. Another CBS Television Distribution show, "The Oprah Winfrey Show" -- in her last season -- was next, also up a bit, 6.76 million from 6.69 million. CBS' "Judge Judy" was next, but down from a year ago to 6.43 million from 6.505 million.
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One of the bigger losers of the top syndication shows was CBS' magazine "Entertainment Tonight," down 10% to 5.87 million from 6.53 million the year before.
Twentieth Television's "Family Guy" had a 7% gain so far this season, 5.69 million from 5.30 million. Warner Bros.' "My Wife and Kids" grew big-time, more than doubling its numbers from a year ago -- now at 4.1 million from 1.4 million. Much of the rise was due to added coverage on Nick at Nite this past season.
NBC Universal's "The Office" fell to 3.67 million from a 4.55 million number a year ago, a 19% drop.