Post by larue on Feb 20, 2007 21:32:39 GMT 10
Found this on the ER Exchange. It's a 'Media Today' article and.....quite frankly, a Luby wedding in Croatia...and followed by a return to the every day grind in Chicago.... might be an awesome way to end it all.... Leave all of our characters in place for posterity,
For 'ER,' a renewed
bout of ratings flu
NBC drama sinks to some of its lowest numbers
By Diego Vasquez
Feb 15, 2007
A few months ago, it looked as though “ER” was going through a twilight resurgence of sorts. Ratings were up over the previous year, and NBC backtracked on an earlier decision to shelve the 13-year-old show at midseason in favor of a fresh drama.
But with two weeks left in February sweeps, it now seems that the resurgence was merely temporary. Over the last two weeks, “ER” has dropped to season-low and near series-low ratings.
“Media buyers are once again voicing concerns about the show's health, and it feels like this discussion is going to have an impact on ‘ER's’ attractiveness during the next upfronts,” one veteran media buyer tells Media Life.
Tonight’s 10 p.m. episode addresses a moral dilemma Gates and Kovac face while treating a liver patient.
While even a weakened “ER” still outdraws most of NBC’s shows, the ratings decline is not encouraging. Last week’s episode averaged a 4.8, down 16 percent from its season-to-date 5.7 average for originals and 21 percent from last year’s 6.1 average on the same night.
Meanwhile, ratings for the competing “Men in Trees” on ABC and CBS’s “Shark” were both up last week, and the latter beat “ER” in total viewers.
Certainly better competition may explain the show’s recent decline. Last fall, when "ER's" ratings were healthier, “Shark” was not as strong in 18-49s and ABC’s “Six Degrees” was bombing.
But it’s also likely been hurt by its lead-in, the low-rated sitcom “30 Rock.” That show is averaging just a 2.8 rating, down a considerable 22 percent from a 3.6 for “Deal or No Deal,” its lead-in last fall.
Another factor may be the departure of longtime cast member Laura Innes (Kerry Weaver) who left at midseason after more than a decade on the show.
With NBC still rebuilding and its once-promising freshman drama “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip” looking unlikely to return, “ER” may return for a 14th season; it remains a top 20 show. Whether it can remain one next year looks less and less clear.
For 'ER,' a renewed
bout of ratings flu
NBC drama sinks to some of its lowest numbers
By Diego Vasquez
Feb 15, 2007
A few months ago, it looked as though “ER” was going through a twilight resurgence of sorts. Ratings were up over the previous year, and NBC backtracked on an earlier decision to shelve the 13-year-old show at midseason in favor of a fresh drama.
But with two weeks left in February sweeps, it now seems that the resurgence was merely temporary. Over the last two weeks, “ER” has dropped to season-low and near series-low ratings.
“Media buyers are once again voicing concerns about the show's health, and it feels like this discussion is going to have an impact on ‘ER's’ attractiveness during the next upfronts,” one veteran media buyer tells Media Life.
Tonight’s 10 p.m. episode addresses a moral dilemma Gates and Kovac face while treating a liver patient.
While even a weakened “ER” still outdraws most of NBC’s shows, the ratings decline is not encouraging. Last week’s episode averaged a 4.8, down 16 percent from its season-to-date 5.7 average for originals and 21 percent from last year’s 6.1 average on the same night.
Meanwhile, ratings for the competing “Men in Trees” on ABC and CBS’s “Shark” were both up last week, and the latter beat “ER” in total viewers.
Certainly better competition may explain the show’s recent decline. Last fall, when "ER's" ratings were healthier, “Shark” was not as strong in 18-49s and ABC’s “Six Degrees” was bombing.
But it’s also likely been hurt by its lead-in, the low-rated sitcom “30 Rock.” That show is averaging just a 2.8 rating, down a considerable 22 percent from a 3.6 for “Deal or No Deal,” its lead-in last fall.
Another factor may be the departure of longtime cast member Laura Innes (Kerry Weaver) who left at midseason after more than a decade on the show.
With NBC still rebuilding and its once-promising freshman drama “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip” looking unlikely to return, “ER” may return for a 14th season; it remains a top 20 show. Whether it can remain one next year looks less and less clear.