Nielsen Gives Hope to the Networks

It's true that the Nielsen numbers are not what they used to be ten--or even five--years ago. Alas, network executives, fear not!

Wednesday's numbers--and likely Thursday's too--tell a simple, but powerful story: the viewers are out there. And they will turn to the major broadcast networks in droves if we put out original, quality programming.

It's a simple calculation, really. A Nielsen "share" is the percentage of total TV viewers at any given moment. So for instance, if a show received a 5 rating and a 9 share, that would be about 6.25 million viewers (5 x 1.25M viewers) and 9% of the total viewers who have their TVs on at that specific time.

Looking at Wednesday at 9:30PM, we count among the 6 broadcast networks a total share of 93! That means of all of the TV's on at that time, 93% of them were on a non-cable network.

This, my dear reader, spells hope for the broadcast networks. Theoretically, with more broadcast networks than ever before, competition should produce higher quality shows. (On the dark side, they could go in reverse and it would be a competition for who makes the least objectionable. I prefer to look from the brighter side.)

Most importantly, however, a 93 share is empirical evidence that viewers can (and have) come to broadcast TV. The numbers are right before your eyes.

It bears worth repeating: If you make TV good, they will come.

(At one point in the night, ABC's THE BACHELOR was in 6th place [out of 6], or dead last.)

Notably, this is premiere week when the hype is high, the families are home from vacation, and kids are starting school. It could be just all downhill from here. Or, maybe later in the season, we'll see a 95 share, then a 96 share.

In one month's time, broadcast networks will see if these levels hold up--and so will we.