Syndie Weeklies Lose Ground

Weekly syndicated programming lost considerable ratings ground year-to-year during the November sweep, according to Nielsen Media Research weekly syndication data published Thursday.

The only exception to the general downturn was top-rated weekly hour "Entertainment Tonight Weekend's" 3.6 rating, up 3% from the previous November household data.

"Stargate SG-1" (2.6) was down 10%, and "The X-Files" and "ER" tied with a 2.4 rating apiece. "The X-Files" dipped 14% from last year, while "ER" fell 4%.

There was a three-way tie for fifth place between "Mutant X," "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "The Practice" — all with a 2.3. "Mutant X" was off 23% from last year, "Buffy" dropped 18%, and "Practice" was down 15%. All three are in their second syndication seasons.

Another three-way tie was between "She Spies," "Gene Roddenberry's Andromeda" and the off-network reality "World's Wildest Police Videos," which were deadlocked at a 2.1. "Andromeda" was down 32% from November 2001, and "World's Wildest Police Videos" was off 9%. It was the first November sweep for "She Spies."

At No. 11 among the weeklies, "Adventure Inc." averaged a 2.0 rating in its first November outing. "Extra Weekend" averaged a 1.9 rating, down 5% year-to-year.

The off-network "Providence" averaged a 1.5 rating in the No. 15 slot in its first November sweep. The action hour "Starhunter" posted a 0.7 rating.

Analysts pointed out that more people were probably home watching TV in November 2001, the immediate aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks. This November, analysts speculated that more people may have been holiday shopping with renewed consumer confidence.

Meanwhile, Monday-Friday rookie syndicated programs posted mixed results for the third week of the November sweep. "Dr. Phil" (4.3) was down 10%, "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" (2.9) gained 7%, "Pyramid" (1.9) was up 6%, "Celebrity Justice" (1.4) posted an 8% gain, "The John Walsh Show" (1.3) was flat week-to-week, "The Rob Nelson Show" (1.0) was down 9% and "Life Moments" (0.9) was down 10%.