Average U.S. home gets over 100 channels
According to a study done by Nielsen, the average home in the United State gets 119 channels from their cable provider. The study seems to hint that this is a major factor contributing to the decrease in overall ratings for broadcast television. As a result of this, the networks face a greater amount of competition.
Other interesting finds from the study include:
- In 2007, the average household increased the number of channels it watched (up to 16 channels an average of 10 minutes per week each).
- Scripted television still is the majority of the English-language product (40% of primetime programming) despite all talk of a reality television boom. Variety programs comprise 23%.
- The average U.S. TV home has 2.5 people and 2.8 TV sets.
- 61% of homes have wired cable hookups, down from a high of 68% in 2000, and 27% have satellite or specialized antenna systems to receive signals, up from 19% in 2005.
In short, if you can’t find anything to watch tonight it’s from a lack of quality and not a lack of quantity.
Josh Schwartz vs. Josh Schwartz: A TV Viewer's Dilemma
Dear Kristin,
I just looked at NBC’s newly released fall schedule and they scheduled Chuck at the exact same time as Gossip Girl: Mondays at 8 p.m.! That means that we fans of the great and powerful Schwartz must choose between the deliciously addictive Gossip Girl and the contagiously likable Chuck. I know this is the era of DVR but for a lot of people this will prove to be a problem. We don’t all have the fancy gizmos in our homes just yet. Not to mention it seems like poor planning on the part of both networks. Can you get us the scoop on how Josh Schwartz feels about competing with himself. It’s got to be an awkward situation.
Sincerely, Pete
Whaaat?! Is that true? Erm…checking…checking…YES! OK, Josh Schwartz: What do you think of this scheduling conundrum?
Kristin,
It’s a high class problem, I know, so I shouldn’t be upset…but it definitely makes me slightly anxious. And my parents will have to get a second TiVo.
We start shooting Chuck on Friday and so far the first five scripts are great. I think each one is better than our best episode last year. We’ve had a nice break to recharge and regroup, and it’s going to be a really fun season.
Gossip Girl starts up in a month and we’re just riding the momentum out of the finale and all the stories that it sets up for next year.
These two shows play to different audiences, although I wouldn’t mind some more dudes checking out Gossip Girl, and some older ladies hanging with Chuck.
Best solution: Get a dual DVR. And watch ’em both within the three-hour window allotted by Nielsen to count for ratings!
—Josh
OK, TV fans, I’ll get my husband to watch Gossip Girl if you get your moms to watch Chuck. Cool?
Now, if you are one of the humble TV watchers with just one TiVo, which one will you watch? Post your pick in the comments!
Reaper: The Devil Made Me Love It Now Please Help Me Save It!
Tonight is the night. The last night you have to get everyone you know (especially anyone with a Nielsen box atop their TV set!) to watch one of the best new shows of the season: the CW’s Reaper.
If you saw this series earlier in the season and decided it wasn’t for you, it’s time to give it a second shot, because this dramedy about the devil’s bounty hunter (Bret Harrison) has truly hit its stride in recent episodes. It’s wickedly funny, sincere and even sweet, and it has been serving up some of the best twists anywhere on TV.
So why is tonight your last chance? Because after tonight’s airing at 9 p.m., the suits at the CW will make their decision on whether Reaper will return for a second season, and they'll announce that decision at the New York upfronts next week.
If you’re a fan, you know what a true tragedy it would be to lose this series. So not only should you watch (and get others to watch!), but you can also take part in the Send Socks to Save Reaper Campaign, by mailing any old sock (in honor of the show’s comic relief Bert “Sock” Wysocki) to:
Dawn Ostroff
3300 W. Olive Avenue
Burbank, CA 91505
Meanwhile, to give you more encouragement to love and support this show, I just checked in with the wonderful and talented Ray Wise, who plays the devil with pitch-perfect ease and steals many a scene. Keep reading for the Q&A that follows, and a sneak peek of tonight’s episode…
Thank you for taking the time to talk.
My pleasure. I’m shooting my last scene of the season today, but I have some time now between takes.
The big question fans want to know the answer to, of course, is will you be back? What is your gut telling you about season two?
I feel very optimistic about it. If it goes according to logic, it would seem that we would come back because our shows are getting better than ever. And we’re really clicking on all cylinders. It’s a fine show and good entertainment, and I don’t see why it shouldn’t come back. These last five episodes, I think, have been a real benchmark for the series.
What can you tell me about the final two episodes?
Oh my. Oh, oh, gosh. Oh my. All I can tell you is there’s going to be a great revelation. A great revelation.
Is something the fans will have seen coming?
Yes, actually, if you’ve been thinking about it for a while.
Does it involve the devil?
Of course.
Does it involve Sam?
Yes.
And what about this plot the demons have to overthrow the devil? Will it work?
What fools! What do you think? I’m the No. 2 man. You know that. The only one who can really zap me is the big guy upstairs.
The devil doesn't seem 100 percent evil. Is that how you play him? He’s actually sort of likable.
No, he isn’t all bad. I play him as a charming rather happy-go-lucky kind of a guy who knows how to have a good time, and he takes great pride in the way he looks and acts. He’s that kind of a guy. He’s like a cross between a good used-car salesman and a game-show host. He makes you feel good about yourself, and that’s what a confidence man does.
How do you see Sam and the devil’s relationship evolving?
From the beginning, I think the devil has seen it as a mentor-student relationship, some times a father-son relationship—sometimes just a good friend, and sometimes a teacher who must teach the student. I think it’s all those things. I think Sam is special to him in some way. And perhaps we’ll find out why some day.
You and Brett (Sam) have a lot of scenes together. Have you bonded?
We bonded a long time ago. We could almost finish each other’s sentences. We’re like an old married couple, except that we hardly ever fight.
Will we see more lady friends for the devil?
I hope so. I would like to see the devil’s sexuality come out a little more. I’m not saying that he’s going to do any seminude scenes, but I would like to know that the devil is capable of something like that.
Who should be the devil’s next love conquest?
Oooh…Maybe Cher?
When do you find out about season two?
Not until next Monday…or maybe this Friday, I think. Whenever they choose to let the news loose.
You’re the devil. Can’t you do something?
I can do anything in my own realm, in the realm of my television show, but not with the big network studios. I have no pull. They are untouchable. You’ll have to talk to the guy upstairs.
Now here's a peek at tonight's episode, airing at 9 on the CW. Don't forget to watch, and send in those socks!
Will Eli Survive?
You like it. You really like it. And you're hoping the bubble (aneurysm?) doesn't burst.
As messages pour in about the fate of ABC's fantastic new dramedy Eli Stone—which airs its season finale tomorrow night—it becomes clear how deeply this series has touched its fan base. And for good reason: This story about an impassioned lawyer with a brain aneurysm—who may or may not be a prophet—is one of the most inspiring TV newcomers we've seen in a long while.
So where do things stand as far as a pickup for season two for Eli? Well, I just checked in with executive producer Greg Berlanti, and he sends out this message to you fans: 
"Unfortunately we don't know anything. But I can tell you this: Marc Guggenheim and I—as well as the cast, crew and other writers—are insanely proud of the show. Like any show, there was a learning curve, and our best episodes are clearly the last four or five.
"We just hope anyone who wants the show to come back will let that be known to ABC. And thanks so much to you and to all the fans who have reached out. It's a great show, and it's been immensely rewarding to have put something so unique and, hopefully, inspiring on the air."
You know what that means, right? You gotta have faith. (Cue George Michael!) It also wouldn't hurt if you told your friends (especially those with Nielsen boxes) to tune in to Eli Stone tomorrow night and give the show some much deserved season-finale ratings love.
You can grab a sneak peek and catch up on what you've missed here. And please take a moment to holler at ABC by posting your support for Eli in the comments below…