‘Doctors,’ ‘Wilkos’ Post Gains in March Syndie Sweep

“The Doctors” ended the March sweep ratings period with a positive prognosis, while NBC Universal’s “The Steve Wilkos Show” captured the highest year-to-year gain in first-run syndication during the ratings period. “Doctors,” in its first season, is up 46% to a 1.9 household rating average for the March sweep versus its premiere week in September. The top three daily rookie syndication shows made gains from their premiere weeks, including a 7% rise for NBC’s “Deal or No Deal” to a 1.7 and Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution’s “The Bonnie Hunt Show,” which increased by 25% to a 1.0. The rest of the field either held steady from premiere week or dropped, with the largest decline coming from Sony Pictures Television’s “Judge Karen,” off 18% to a 0.9. Disney-ABC’s weekend show “Legend of the Seeker” dropped 38% from its premiere week, averaging a 1.8 rating in March. Veteran syndicated shows generally posted year-to-year declines in this rare March sweep period. Usually set in ... (link)