'Lost' ratings hit all-time low

[Redguard]

Ouch...

Source:

LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- "Lost" crashed in the ratings this week, hitting an all-time low for a new episode.

ABC's drama about plane crash survivors stranded on a mysterious island drew an estimated 12.8 million viewers Wednesday, according to preliminary figures from Nielsen Media Research. That's well off the peak of more than 20 million for the drama that became an instant sensation when it debuted in September 2004.

ABC has worked hard to try to protect a show that helped turn the network's fortunes around, moving it to 10 p.m. EST Wednesday this year to steer clear of Fox's blockbuster "American Idol" and CBS's increasingly strong "Criminal Minds."

After "Lost" fans complained about reruns interrupting the show's serial flow last season, the network tried an experiment: It split the current season in two, airing six episodes before an extended break and then resuming with 16 additional episodes.

The show's February 7 return was heavily promoted and drew nearly 14.5 million viewers. But the bounce didn't last, with the show slumping this week.

Although protected from top-rated "American Idol" in its new time 10 p.m. time slot, "Lost" now has the disadvantage of trying to draw viewers at an hour when fewer people are watching television. This Wednesday, Valentine's Day put a 7 percent dent in overall TV viewership.

In the show's defense, ABC noted that it beat the competition among the advertiser-favored young adult crowd, drawing 7.3 million viewers age 18 to 49 compared to the 5.8 million that tuned in to CBS' "CSI: New York."

"Lost" also handed ABC nearly 4 million more viewers in the time slot compared to last year, when short-lived drama "Invasion" aired, the network said.

But there's no question that "Lost," once riding big ratings, buzz and cachet, has lost significant ground.
Some fans and critics complain that the story has gotten confusing and unsatisfying. The show, named best drama at the 2005 Emmy Awards, was shut out at the 2006 ceremony.

 

[snoochface]

There were another 5 mil this week that watched the 9:00 repeat. Those numbers should be added to last week's tally when the episode originally aired, and next week's 9:00 viewers should be added to this week's 10:00 tally.

I think the 10:00 time slot is hard for a lot of people. And, I think a lot of people watch online and/or wait for the DVDs to come out so they can watch the whole season at once.

 

[AirPo]

Ouch indeed. But then again, there's no need to panic. As noted it was Valentine's Day, etc.

 

[FatBurger]

There were another 5 mil this week that watched the 9:00 repeat. Those numbers should be added to last week's tally when the episode originally aired, and next week's 9:00 viewers should be added to this week's 10:00 tally.

Not really, because it's not necessarily different people
And it's two different time slots, so you can't really count it that way for advertising purposes.


Lost is still one of ABC's biggest shows. Unless it gets canceled or its funding cut, it makes no difference to us, and I can't see either of those happening.

 

[kimber1]

what i don't get is they're starting to show recaps at 9pm and then the new episode at 10pm. why can't they just show the new episode at 9pm???????????? ARGH!!!!!!!

 

[FatBurger]

what i don't get is they're starting to show recaps at 9pm and then the new episode at 10pm. why can't they just show the new episode at 9pm???????????? ARGH!!!!!!!

 

[kimber1]

no, what i'm saying is that at least where i live anyway, last week and this coming up week they've shown and will show the last week episode at 9pm and then the new episode at 10. if the time slot for 9pm is open to play the recap why can't they just show the new one?

 

[AirPo]

no, what i'm saying is that at least where i live anyway, last week and this coming up week they've shown and will show the last week episode at 9pm and then the new episode at 10. if the time slot for 9pm is open to play the recap why can't they just show the new one?

I think the idea of the recap is so folks can get caught up if they need to before the new episode.

 

[sf49erfan]

The recap is so they don't waste some new show up against American Idol. Basically, they've told Fox we aren't even going to try to compete in that slot, we'll just show a rerun.

 

[MtDoraAngel]

I'd rather watch a new epi at 9 and tape the AI results show. It's not like I can change the outcome of who's going home.

I'm not finding it hard to stay awake to watch at 10:00, tho getting up at 6 is a little more difficult. Oh who am I kidding. It's hard to get up at 6 no matter what.

 

[AirPo]

I'd rather watch a new epi at 9 and tape the AI results show. It's not like I can change the outcome of who's going home.

I'm not finding it hard to stay awake to watch at 10:00, tho getting up at 6 is a little more difficult. Oh who am I kidding. It's hard to get up at 6 no matter what.

There is also the wind down time. Who can go to sleep just after watching LOST?

 

[MtDoraAngel]

Another Key Point to note is that AI doesn't even reveal who's been cut until 2 minutes before the show ends. You could watch the entire episode of Lost and then flip to the results of AI and see who's crying. Then flip back to catch previews for next weeks Lost.

 

[fuzzymel]

I dont think its anything to worry about but why at the media making a big deal? It beat all the other competition in the time slot hands down.

In the UK its lost about half the viewers but thats because its moved to Sky so less people can watch it. Plus Sunday nights are not the ideal showing time.

 

[LovesToRead]

Back in the day, I had a lowly job at a t.v. station...folks, it REALLY is ALL about ratings and advertising dollars.

And that's why they won't put a new show up against AI...just as has been mentioned earlier in this thead.

They aren't thinking about what viewers MIGHT do...they are looking at what their daily numbers tell them people ARE doing.

It's a rough, lightning paced industry, no room for mistakes. I'd come home feeling like I had been in a blender.

Yep, the almighty dollar is the bottom-line.