Why TV Shows Took Ratings Dive

The just-concluded 2006-2007 season will be remembered among other things by the Black Spring that saw all but 13 shows take a dive in the Nielsens - "Desperate Housewives," "LOST," even the freshman drama "Heroes" - you name it. What gives?

According to the networks delayed viewing on DVRs and the early onset of Daylight Saving Time are the top reasons for noticeable ratings losses, although creative difficulties ("24") may have played a role in the declines as well.

The greatest battle of course occurred on Thursday nights where there were casualties everywhere as a relocated "Grey's Anatomy" eroded 9% in the crucial demos and its arch rival "CSI" on CBS went down 21%.

The #1 show on television "American Idol" was also affected as its bloated season finale which angered a number of DVR users plunged 19% as opposed to last year's climax. The show's Tuesday night outing bled from 36 million viewers in January to 23 million in May.

Despite all media coverage about the decline of "LOST" the drama remains very competitive in the 18-49 demo - its ratings among those viewers that advertisers actually care about declined only 3% year-to-year.

One of the most affected shows was ABC's "Desperate Housewives" which sank 26%. NBC's Heroes" on the other hand posted some disappointing results in the final 5 weeks, but remained the season's top freshman drama.

Check out the
Hottest Entertainment News @
TELEVISIONISTA