 |
 |
[09/29/09 - 12:11 AM]
The 10 Things You Need to Know About the New Season: #2 - Friday Night Is "The Death Slot"
By Brian Ford Sullivan (TFC) |
|
|
Please note: As a courtesy, please do not reproduce these comments to newsgroups, forums or other online places. Links only please.
Welcome once again to "The 10 Things You Need to Know About the New Season," our annual feature about, well... the 10 things you need to know about the new season. The goal of this venture is to address not only common questions people have about television but to also demystify (or potentially reaffirm) stigmas out there about certain networks, time periods, genres and so forth. So with that in mind let us put on our journalistic caps and give you the cold hard truth about what's potentially ahead for some of your favorite new and returning shows...
2. Yup, it's true - Friday night is "the death slot."
No, it's not an urban legend - shows that air on Friday nights are less likely to be renewed than on any other night. Of the 100 shows that have launched on Friday night since the fall of 1999, only 15 - or just 15% - have made it to second seasons. Conversely, of the 69 shows that have bowed on Sunday nights during the same period - a whopping 28 (or 41%) made it to second seasons. Take a look at the numbers:
| day | abc | cbs | fox | nbc | upn | wb | cw | total |
| mondays | 6/22 (27%) | 11/19 (58%) | 8/28 (29%) | 14/32 (44%) | 6/8 (75%) | 1/4 (25%) | 0/2 (0%) | 46/115 (40%) |
| tuesdays | 10/36 (28%) | 6/16 (38%) | 9/19 (47%) | 10/38 (26%) | 3/22 (14%) | 5/8 (63%) | 3/4 (75%) | 46/143 (32%) |
| wednesdays | 16/49 (33%) | 7/19 (37%) | 10/34 (29%) | 4/23 (17%) | 2/11 (18%) | 3/11 (27%) | 1/6 (17%) | 43/153 (28%) |
| thursdays | 6/23 (26%) | 3/10 (30%) | 4/12 (33%) | 8/23 (35%) | 1/2 (50%) | 5/14 (36%) | | 27/84 (32%) |
| fridays | 2/21 (10%) | 6/20 (30%) | 1/23 (4%) | 1/15 (7%) | 0/5 (0%) | 5/16 (31%) | | 15/100 (15%) |
| saturdays | 1/2 (50%) | 3/8 (38%) | | 0/4 (0%) | | | | 4/14 (29%) |
| sundays | 8/13 (62%) | 1/6 (17%) | 5/15 (33%) | 8/14 (57%) | | 5/13 (38%) | 1/8 (13%) | 28/69 (41%) |
| various* | 1/7 (14%) | 4/6 (67%) | 3/10 (30%) | 1/5 (20%) | | 0/1 (0%) | | 9/29 (31%) |
| total | 50/173 (29%) | 41/104 (39%) | 40/141 (28%) | 46/154 (30%) | 12/48 (25%) | 24/67 (36%) | 5/20 (25%) | 218/707 (31%) |
With that in mind, the order from best to worst night to launch a show is Sunday (41%), Monday (40%), Thursday (32%), Tuesday (32%), Saturday (29%), Wednesday (28%) and Friday (15%).
Plus, as usual, said info reveals several interesting trends such as the fact "Dollhouse" is FOX's first Friday newcomer to be renewed for a second season in 10 years while CBS has the standard 30% success rate on the night. Conversely, Sundays have been a trouble spot for CBS (17%) while FOX averages nearly double that (33%) on the night. The night and network with the best track record: Sundays on ABC (62%) and Tuesdays on The WB (63%) and The CW (75%).
TOMORROW: Which time slot is the toughest to launch a new show?
* denotes the series in question either aired as a multi-night stunt or regulared aired in more than one time period
|
|
|
 [september 2009]  |
S |
M |
T |
W |
T |
F |
S |
| | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
[09/02/26 - 12:01 PM]
Top 10 Most-Watched Prime Original Films & Series for the Week of August 24
"Reacher," "Sterling Point," "Off Campus," "Ride or Die," and "The Traitors" led all original series worldwide.
|
[09/02/26 - 12:00 PM]
Judge Judy Gets Candid About Life and Celebrates 30 Years as a TV Icon During "Judge Judy: Unfiltered, Unforgettable," A Primetime Special Airing Tuesday, Sept. 22 on CBS
This groundbreaking special reveals how the last three decades cemented Judy Sheindlin (aka "Judge Judy") as one of television's most iconic personalities.
|
[09/02/26 - 11:31 AM]
"Fan Level Midnight: Devoted to The Office" Makes Its Exclusive Streaming Premiere on Peacock September 7
The six-part docuseries explores the enduring legacy, cultural impact and devoted fanbase behind the beloved series through never-before-heard stories, original interviews with cast and creatives including Kathy Bates, Seth Rogen and Andy Buckley, archival interviews and more.
|
[09/02/26 - 11:31 AM]
BritBox Announces "Ludwig" Christmas Special Starring David Mitchell and Sir David Suchet
Set in Yorkshire, the 60-minute Christmas episode sees John, Lucy and Henry arrive at a remote Christmas themed hotel for what should have been a much-needed escape, when a sudden blackout turns the festivities into a locked-room murder mystery.
|
[09/02/26 - 11:01 AM]
NBC Debuts First Look Images for "Newlyweds"
A later-in-life love story about a free-spirited woman, Jeanie (Téa Leoni), and a buttoned-up professor, James (Tim Daly), who marry impetuously after a whirlwind courtship.
|
[09/02/26 - 11:01 AM]
"Hell's Kitchen" Is Serving Up a Fiery New 25th Season This Fall with an Ambitious New Class of Chefs, All Under 25!
Don't miss the season premiere airing Thursday, September 24 at 8:00/7:00c on FOX and next day Hulu.
|
[09/02/26 - 10:31 AM]
Video: "The Widower: 'Til Death Do Us Part" - Official Trailer - Netflix
In this documentary, a journalist and a detective uncover the truth about a killer whose charm masked a trail of failed marriages and suspicious deaths.
|
[09/02/26 - 10:23 AM]
Video: "Marshals" Season 2 - Official Trailer - CBS
Kayce Dutton is back. "Marshals" returns for Season 2, kicking off CBS Premiere Week, Sunday, October 4.
|
[09/02/26 - 10:02 AM]
Shaquille O'Neal, Authentic Brands & TNT Sports' "Dunkman" to Expand in 2027, Introducing Team Competitions, Junior Division & Global Regional Qualifiers Series
The world's first professional dunk league will officially return in 2027, highlighted by an expanded slate of premium events.
|
[09/02/26 - 10:00 AM]
Video: Starz Releases Explosive Trailer for "S.W.A.T. Exiles"
The spin-off of the fan favorite, hit series "S.W.A.T.," raises the stakes of the legacy series, introducing a bold new era.
|
[09/02/26 - 09:33 AM]
"Pati Jinich Explores Panamericana" Returns For Second Season
The three-part second season continues Jinich's journey, inspired by the Pan-American Highway.
|
[09/02/26 - 09:31 AM]
Drew Binsky Brings His Travels to Netflix September 19
Beginning September 19, members can watch a curated collection pulled from Drew's content library, including his latest episode "Entering The World's Narrowest Island (100 Feet Wide)," with new episodes dropping day-and-date alongside Drew's channels.
|
[09/02/26 - 09:16 AM]
New Series "Playing with Matches" Pits Undercover Couples Against Each Other
In the upcoming unscripted series, a group of undercover couples from all walks of life will compete in the ultimate game of romantic deception.
|
[09/02/26 - 09:01 AM]
Nimesh Patel Makes His Netflix One-Hour Stand-Up Debut with "Buy the Dip"
In this hilarious, no-punches-pulled special, Nimesh takes aim at the absurdity of parenting, the insanity of his Indian family, and the rampant corruption in DC.
|
[09/02/26 - 09:01 AM]
Video: "Being Heumann" - Official Teaser - Apple TV
Judy didn't wait for change. She fought to make it happen.
|
|
|
|
