For May Sweeps, Networks Are Getting Back To The Basics

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For May Sweeps, Networks Are Getting Back To The Basics

April 30th, 2008

May sweeps. The very mention of them conjures up images of whacked-out reality shows, personality spectaculars and Geraldo Rivera peeking into somebody’s closet.

This season, however, it looks like things will be different. Instead of trying to get a ratings boost during this key ratings period with another “Brady Bunch Reunion” or “After Hours With The Penthouse Playmates,” the networks are going to…are you ready for this…stick with their meat-and-potatoes programming.

This decision really is a result of the writer’s strike earlier this season. Since the strike ended, it’s no secret that television viewership has not rebounded to its pre-strike levels. And with fresh episodes of network favorites in the can, executives at ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC are placing their bets that it’ll be these viewer favorites that will return the masses to the fold. What we won’t see are the stunts, major specials or mini-series like sweeps of past. What we will see is the return of the proven programming that we all know and love. Programs that we make sure we are home in time to watch or at least set our DVRs to record.

What is going on with your favorite program you ask? Well, here is a quick synopsis by network:

• ABC is concerned this May with “getting viewers back into the ABC fold”, said JeffBader, Executive VP of Program Planning and Scheduling at ABC to Mediaweek Magazine. This means returning favorites like Grey’s Anatomy and Lost which will now air on Thursdays at 9:00 pm and 10:00 pm respectively. And Extreme Makeover: Home Edition and Desperate Housewives are back together again airing on Sunday’s at 8:00 pm and 9:00pm.

• CBS, which was quick to return new programming after the strike ended with Two & A Half Men, How I Met Your Mother and other Monday night comedies in March, is all about getting as many original episodes of the network’s series back on air as possible in May. Look for new episodes of CSI, Criminal Minds and NCIS to name a few.

• Fox will be airing four original episodes of its hit drama House which has been moved to Monday’s at 9:00. The first of the four new episodes aired just Monday. And of course May will be anchored by the powerhouse Fox property American Idol which although down in viewership over last season, still draws around 25 million viewers each night.

• This May NBC will bring back new episodes of their 10:00 pm dramas except for Heroes Those of you who were waiting for Heroes to come back this May will unfortunately have to wait until the fall. With only four episodes produced right now, the network feels like the complicated weaving story line will be better told with more new episodes. Do look for all new episodes of the Thursday night lineup of The Office, 30 Rock and My Name is Earl.

The verdict after the first few days of sweeps: it looks like the network’s plans are working. This last Sunday, according to www.medialifemagazine.com, ABC’s Desperate Housewives crawled out of its two week ratings slump when it finally had its faithful lead-in show Extreme Makeover: Home Edition back.

I say thank goodness for May sweeps. Personally, my couch and DVR will be getting a real workout this May. I’m excited for new episodes of my favorite programming. Except I really want to know what Syler from Heroes is up to.

Posted by Teresa