Syndie Shows Enjoy Viewer Uptick

Through 10 months of the TV syndication season, top game, court and talk shows have generally improved their overall viewership results versus the same period a year ago.

CBS Television Distribution’s “Wheel of Fortune”  -- the No. 1 overall viewer-rated syndication show -- has grown 3%, now averaging 10.7 million viewers for the time period September 9, 2013 through July 20, 2014.

CBS’ “Jeopardy” is up 8% to 9.8 million viewers, the third-best-rated syndication show overall in terms of viewership. Twentieth Television’s game show “Family Feud” is fifth-best at 7.5 million viewers -- 11% higher than a year ago.

Looking at court shows, CBS’ “Judge Judy” is 7% higher to 10.02 million viewers -- second-best overall to “Wheel.”  
Four other court shows also picked up ground: Warner Bros. Brand Networks’ “People’s Court,” 2% higher to 2.5 million; Twentieth's “Divorce Court,” 22% more to 2.13 million; Warner’s “Judge Mathis,” improving 4% to 2.09 million; and Twentieth's “Judge Alex,” gaining 15% to 2.04 million.

The top three talk shows are also higher for the season so far: CBS’ “Dr. Phil” gained 7% to 4.1 million; ABC Syndication’s “Live with Kelly & Michael” is 13% higher to 3.8 million; and Warner Bros.’ “Ellen DeGeneres” is up 11% to 3.58 million.

Many sitcoms -- though still sturdy performers for TV stations and cable networks -- have slipped year-to-year, including top earner Warner Bros.’ “The Big Bang Theory.” The big sitcom sank 14% to 9.34 million viewers -- now fourth-best in viewership overall.

Twentieth’s “Modern Family” garnered the second-best results for sitcoms in its rookie syndication season -- 6.59 million viewers.

Warner Bros.' “Two and a Half Men” was down 27% to 5.29 million; Twentieth’s “Family Guy” gave back 20% to land at 4.3 million; Twentieth’s “How I Met Your Mother” was off 24% to 2.82 million; Sony Pictures Television’s “Seinfeld” was down 17% to 2.65 million. and Warner Bros. “Friends” sank 14% to 2.47 million

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