August 31 - September 4, 2009

[Gray Bunny]

It's interesting that Y&R seems to be feeling such a budget crunch, since they're earning numbers that GL was still pulling in 10 years ago. Back then, the network was still giving them the freedom to go to Puerto Rico for the "San Cristobel" scenes, as well as other expensive location shoots. Does Y&R still have 10 years left in them? Or is it declining at a faster rate than GL did?

[Angela]

1.(1) Y&R: Monday: 3.6/4,920,000 (+79,000)

2.(2) B&B: Monday: 2.6/3,400,000 (+330,000)

3.(3) DAYS: Monday: 2,1/2,760,000 (+66,000)

4.(4) GH: Monday: 1.9/2,594,000 (+123,000)

5.(7) AMC: Monday: 1.9/2,517,000 (+226,000)

6.(5) OLTL: Monday: 1.9/2,501,000 (+127,000)

7.(6) ATWT: Monday: 1.8/2,385,000 (+88,000)

8.(8) GL: Monday: 1.6/2,046,000 (+124,000)

1.(1)Y&R: Tuesday: 3.5/4,809,000 (-111,000)

2.(2) B&B: Tuesday: 2.2/3,022,000 (-378,000)

3.(3) DAYS: Tuesday: 2.0/2,617,000 (-143,000)

4.(4) GH: Tuesday: 1.8/2,457,000 (-137,000)

5.(7) ATWT: Tuesday: 1.7/2,243,000 (-142,000)

6.(6) OLTL: Tuesday: 1.6/2,182,000 (-319,000)

7.(5) AMC: Tuesday: 1.7/2,169,000 (-348,000)

8.(8) GL: Tuesday: 1.5/2,160,000 (+114,000)

1.(1) Y&R: Wednesday: 3.5/4,928,000 (+119,000)

2.(2) B&B: Wednesday: 2.4/3,304,000 (+282,000)

3.(3) DAYS: Wednesday: 2.2/3,071,000 (+454,000)

4.(4) GH: Wednesday: 2.0/2,498,000 (+41,000)

5.(6) OLTL: Wednesday: 1.8/2,412,000 (+230,000)

6.(5) ATWT: Wednesday: 1.7/2,340,000 (+97,000)

7.(7) AMC: Wednesday: 1.7/2,317,000 (+148,000)

8.(8) GL: Wednesday: 1.5/1,965,000 (-195,000)

1.(1) Y&R: Thursday: 3.4/4,651,000 (-277,000)

2.(2) B&B: Thursday: 2.3/3,226,000 (-78,000)

3.(6) ATWT: Thursday: 1.7/2,498,000 (+158,000)

4.(3) DAYS: Thursday: 1.9/2,477,000 (-594,000)

5.(4) GH: Thursday: 1.8/2,343,000 (-155,000)

6.(7) AMC: Thursday: 1.7/2,240,000 (-77,000)

7.(5) OLTL: Thursday: 1.7/2,205,000 (-207,000)

8.(8) GL: Thursday: 1.5/2,027,000 (+62,000)

1.(1) Y&R: Friday: 3.4/4,694,000 (+43,000)

2.(2) B&B: Friday: 2.3/3,346,000 (+120,000)

3.(4) DAYS: Friday: 2.0/2,634,000 (+157,000)

4.(3) ATWT: Friday: 1.8/2,525,000 (+27,000)

5.(5) GH: Friday: 1.9/2,393,000 (+50,000)

6.(8) GL: Friday: 1.6/2,293,000 (+266,000)

7.(7) OLTL: Friday: 1.7/2,230,000 (+25,000)

8.(6) AMC: Friday: 1.6/2,158,000 (-82,000)

[JimTolkien]

Well gosh, let's see...in Jan 2008 the show had over 6 million viewers and 4.3 rating...by Jan 2009, they lost almost 700,000 viewers and had a 3.8 rating..and currently they have lost almost another 600,000 viewers and the rating is at 3.5. I don't know, I have a degree in Math so I am going to go with a Yes on this one LOL!! And what makes this sting even more is the fact that this is supposed to be the #1 show. The #1 SHOW..IN WHAT EXACTLY?!!!!

[Y&RWorldTurner]

Y&R is trash, ratings might not always reflect quality, but I don't think it's any coincidence that since Y&R fans have generally been complaining about the horribleness of the show and the egotistical writing regime that doesn't recognize its mistakes, ratings have either fallen every week or remained in the lower region in a very stagnant position. And look at that, they tied their lowest ratings ever in the 18-49 demo this week, that can't be good.

Remember when the show was close to a 4.0 in January and February and the 18-49 demo was close to a 2.0? It's not even close anymore.

I for one hope their horrible little stunt airing later this week bombs in the ratings report next week. They don't deserve any significant ratings spikes for writing stunt driven crap with no substance. A ratings spike would just validate everything this talentless writing regime Y&R has thinks soaps should be about.

At least GH's carnival stunt had sufficient build up, some good family oriented drama, and set up a number of possible storylines for the future. Not to mention, aesthetically, GH has been kicking Y&R's ass in terms of the HD look these days.

Unlike many other shows, Y&R has shown that it can bounce back at times ratings-wise when there's some positive buzz. But not currently and likely never again if the show continues on with these writers and their anti-soap vision.

[Money]

If YR hits 3.0 will anyone still brag the show is number 1? The show hasn't produced quality storytelling for months and the ratings reflect it. Right now YR is basically synonymous with all the crappy plots ABC is currently known for and I'm surprised higher ups aren't doing anything about it. It would be interesting to see how soon changes, if any, are mandated. Color me practical but claiming you're number 1 loses it's luster when viewers are tuning out in droves.

[Jess]

I wonder if it has anything at all do to with accuracy. Like you, to me it seems to be folks who are soap fans who complain, and rating systems are created to establish a fair price for ads. People skim the ads on VCR and on computer. It sounds like the cross-platform approach is being used to capture demographics across platforms -- who watches shows on VCR, on computer ect. I suspect the networks are about to launch some form of multi-platform advertising approach and what data to sell it.

[LeClerc]

I thought this tidbit from a Kim Zimmer interview with Michael Fairman was interesting given the constant debate over which will go first, OLTL or AMC:

http://michaelfairmansoaps.com/article/articleItem.cfm?cms_article_id=116

[brimike]

FV would never, ever, in a million years, admit OLTL is in trouble. Ever. He's as bad as MAB. Not that he couldn't be right in this instance, but take anything he says with a grain of salt.

[Jonathan]

I found this article related to the SOAPnet ratings where it highlights record ratings for AMC and OLTL. I'm wondering how they can use this to sell to advertisers.

http://tvbythenumbers.com/2009/09/01/soapnet-sizzles-with-record-ratings-in-summer-09/26002

Their ratings are pretty much the same. A better question is, "who nets the most profit for the network?"

[marceline]

I thought this tidbit from a Kim Zimmer interview with Michael Fairman was interesting given the constant debate over which will go first, OLTL or AMC:

Every unemployed soap actor on the East coast is going to try to get on OLTL. CBS has been pretty clear that ATWT is history so OLTL is the only game in town.