Five weeks into the new 2009-10 television season, three of the four major US networks are seeing surprisingly bigger audiences than last year and fewer embarrassing flops. Networks are pulling in guest stars including Jimmy Fallon, Heather Locklear and Mandy Patinkin to boost ratings, and NBC is taking its "The Biggest Loser" weight loss show to the White House for November sweeps, a key period that began on Thursday in which ratings are used to set local advertising rates.
Media-watchers say the big story of the season so far is the rise of News Corp's Fox, up 3 percent in total viewers thanks largely to its new musical comedy "Glee" and the strength of medical drama "House," now in its sixth season. "Fox is used to being badly beaten in the fall and leaving everyone in the dust in the spring when (No 1-rated) 'American Idol' kicks in.
But they are the only broadcaster that is up in all demographics and categories," said Bill Gorman, co-editor of website www.tvbythenumbers.com. CBS Corp has bolstered its position as America's most popular network with 13 of the Top 20 programs, including its three "CSI" crime dramas and new "NCIS: Los Angeles."
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