What's number one on television on Friday nights? What network is it on? What network is stupid enough to let this show go?
Answers: WWE Friday Night SmackDown, The CW and The CW
Apparently, SmackDown does not fit in with the image of the network as the network has said. So, it is willing to kill itself by losing the only show people watch on this network. The network confirmed that the CW had chosen not to continue the WWE broadcast because the network had redefined its target audience as exclusively 18- to 34-year-old women.
I see that CBS and Warner Bros. (the owners of The CW) do not pay attention to ratings. There is speculation in the industry (including a May 16, 2008 Wall Street Journal article) that the network could face a possible disbandment if its ratings do not improve.
Since June 29, 2007, WWE Friday Night SmackDown has dominated Friday nights. SmackDown helped The CW claim the top spot in the key demographic, Adults 18-49 for Friday. CBS got the overall lead but The CW got top spot for the Adults 18-49 by registering a 1.4 rating followed by CBS and NBC at 1.3, ABC at 1.2, and FOX at 0.9. Then on Friday, July 13, 2007, SmackDown made network history by placing first in the 18-49 demographic and becoming the most watched show at the 9 p.m. hour on network television. This is the first time anything has placed this well on The CW. SmackDown became a hit show on Friday nights winning the demographics for young males, and ranking second on the demographics (18-49) for Friday nights. (Source: Nielsen, Wikipedia)
So, The CW is fine with having the same fate as UPN. Wait, The CW is 50% UPN, no wonder they are making this mistake and the other half was the failing WB Network. As a reminder, UPN had higher ratings than the WB in the final year of the existance of those networks. I wonder why? Could it be that UPN had SmackDown?
Here is what The CW viewers have to look forward to this fall:
Sunday: In Harm's Way -- Surviving Suburbia -- Valentine, Inc. -- Easy Money
Monday: Gossip Girl -- One Tree Hill
Tuesday: 90210 -- Privileged
Wednesday: America's Next Top Model -- Stylista
Thursday: Smallville -- Supernatural
Friday: Everybody Hates Chris -- The Game -- America's Next Top Model
Saturday: CANCELED
What an amazing fall line-up. It is set up for failure. Good luck The CW.
Meanwile, MyNetworkTV may out-rate The CW with only one show next fall. And that is all this network has, one show. WWE Friday Night SmackDown will be more edgier (note the pun) than it was with no-fun The CW.
It's Time To Play The Game...TV that is changing Friday nights.
2 comments:
This is a very accurate stance on The CW's inability to keep programming that is winning viewers. In my opinion, the new 90210 will not replace a show that has a positive history with both UPN and The CW.
Go ahead, strike up the band, another so-called TV station is about to "bite the dust."
I wouldn't think the CW would want to drop their most-watched show, but at the same time, look at their network.
They're failing to get a consistent audience. If it was me, what I'd try to do would be to focus my programming more so that I could maybe attract one group to watch it more consistently. I think that's what the CW is trying to do here, and since many more of their shows cater to young women, they picked that demographic. Unfortunately, that left out wrestling.
At least they've got Top Model.
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