VH1s-Love-Hip-HopWinners and Losers From The Last 7 Days

WINNERS

LOVE AND HIP HOP: I’ve talked frequently here at Remote Patrolled about Vh1’s ratings woes – especially late last year when the network really was in the ratings toilet.

But credit where it’s due the former music network has certainly turned the corner in recent months. Mob Wives is a solid hit for the network and about to launch its first spin-off in the Spring. And then there’s Monday nights, which Vh1 has transformed into a solid ‘urban’ night – powered by standout Love And Hip Hop.

This week Hip Hop attracted 2.78 million viewers and a 1.6 18-49 share, the top rated reality show of the night, ahead of such series as American Chopper, Hoarders and Monster In Laws. Plus not far behind is fellow Vh1 reality show, Basketball Wives, which pulled in 2.26 million and a 1.3 youth share on the same night. I still don’t really know what the Vh1 brand stands for – but at least the network has some solid ratings to crow about…

MODERN FAMILY: To be honest there weren’t many TV winners this week, with the Thanksgiving festivities leading to big drops across the board. ABC in particular had a tough Wednesday night, deciding to run an evening of all originals on the night before Thanksgiving and seeing the likes of Suburgatory, Revenge and The Middle all drop by double digits.

Even comedy champ Modern Family saw big drop offs. So why’s it in our winners’ column? Because even on one of the toughest TV nights of the years Family still pulled in 12.64 million viewers and a still strong 4.5 18-49 share. That’s the mark of a true TV hit. Plus you just know that terrific Thanksgiving special is going to get plenty of repeat business in years to come…

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LOSERS

DANCING WITH THE STARS: Is ABC’s long running dance competition show starting to show its age?

Monday night’s final performance show managed ‘just’ 19.61 million viewers and a 3.5 18-49 share – down over 30% in the demo from last Fall’s finale. And on Tuesday the final Results show of the season was also down, this time over 20% to 19.56 million and a 4.1 youth share.

Sure ABC aren’t going to be sweating too bad over those figures – hardly any shows on broadcast TV these days attract nearly 20 million viewers. But those demo numbers are worryingly low and Dancing With The Stars is largely responsible for pushing ABC’s overall demographics into the 50-year old range.

So what will ABC do next? Expect a buzzier cast next season… Lindsay Lohan are you ready to take to the dancefloor?

HELL ON WHEELS: In TV it’s all about the long game and first week figures should ALWAYS be taken with a hefty pinch of salt. Case in point – Hell On Wheels, which two weeks ago looked like it was well on the way to becoming another winner for AMC after debuting with 4.36 million viewers.

Unfortunately Hell On Wheels has been falling ever since. Week two fell to 3.84 million viewers and then last Sunday’s show fell again – to 3.52 million.

To be fair Hell is still a big deal for the network and undeniably a success – but given that the show also benefits from a hefty lead in from the biggest drama series on cable – The Walking Dead (6.07 million), AMC have to be at least a little worried. How long will the slide continue before Hell On Wheels hits bottom and stabilizes.

TERRA NOVA: It’s time for another old favorite here at the Ratings Roundup – Fox’s Terra Nova.

After launching with great expectations surely it must be time to concede that the Spielberg dinosaur epic has been a disappointment for the network, losing viewers virtually every single week since its September launch.

On Monday Terra Nova limped in with its lowest ratings to date, 6.50 million viewers and a 2.1 18-49 share. That pretty much makes the show Fox’s lowest rated scripted show currently on air – and yet Terra Nova is also the network’s most expensive drama. And with only a handful of first season episodes remaining – and a pressing deadline (Fox has to green-light a second season by the end of the year due to the time consuming effects work the show requires) – the chances of a second season seem to be fading fast!