TVGuide Presents Skeet Ulrich

Exclusive Skeet Ulrich interview from TVGuide. Thanks Don.

Tell CBS What You Watch

Become a member of the First Watch! today by taking the survey and answering a few questions about Watch! and yourself. As a thank you for your time, you will be entered to win one of 10 boxed sets of CBS DVDs!

One of the questions asks what you watch on CBS, and although Jericho is not on the list there is a write in space. The survey asks lots of demographic and marketing questions, so this tells CBS a lot about each viewer.

You may also write in the names of your favorite actor/actress on CBS.




"Here's where you come in. CBS needs to know that the serialized and complex nature of Jericho is not a turn-off for the average TV viewer. Beyond that, CBS needs to know that the political nature of the show, and the implications of the show are interesting to a large majority of people, I'd imagine, at the least, to the readers of this here blog.

If you're looking for something to capture your imagination, without having to know physics and math, you might want to give Jericho a try. If you like the pacing of Heroes, but found it just a little too slap-stick and light-hearted, Jericho has what you're looking for.

So, gather here each week as I walk us into the walls of Jericho. Know that every episode you watch on CBS.com will contribute to the cause, and send CBS a clear message, like the Israelites sent Jericho a clear message marching around the walls of the once-great city."

Quincy Smith: Diving In

"The bigger question: What does CBS plan to do with a small company - now around 16 people -- that makes web video? Digital boss Quincy Smith says that deal was meaningful for CBS -- "2006 was the year of experimentation. We're not just touching our toes in the water anymore." -- but is also clear about the big picture: CBS isn't going to shift its core focus from making and distributing broadcast TV shows. We're not quite sure where that leaves the Wallstrip guys -- there's a lot of talk about "infusing their DNA" into CBS, which confuses us a bit -- but we're happy to watch their stuff, regardless."




"The other Tuesday night SF show had much lower numbers by comparison but still showed fair ratings for the LIVE watching crowd. “Jericho” garnered a 1.8/5 share for its efforts, or close to 6 million fans tuning in. While that is nothing to hoop and holler about, this is one particular show that has shown it does much better with the TiVo/DVR crowd and it will be interesting to see what those numbers reveal. After the gripping, and quite shocking conclusion to this Tuesday’s episode, “Jericho” has proven it deserves a third season. We can only hope that CBS is sharp enough to realize that."

Jericho: CBS Numbers

Breaking News: CBS Press Release


"On-Air + Online + On-DVR = Many More Eyeballs and Double Digit Percentage Demo Increases

"Jericho" and "Big Brother" Viewer Engagement Across Multi-Platforms Is Far Greater Than Initial Same Day Ratings Indicate

On-air, online and on-DVR viewing are resulting in many more eyeballs for CBS series JERICHO and BIG BROTHER, according to Nielsen Live Plus 7-Day ratings and new data from CBS Interactive Research."



"CBS, for the first time in six years, will cede its spot as most-watched network. To Fox.

CBS, which uses a strategy of getting total viewers rather than the coveted 18-49 demo, has won the rights to call itself America’s top network many years running.

As a result of the lengthy WGA strike, CBS has suffered because its anchor scripted shows have gone missing. CSI, for example, last ran an original episode on January 10 and will not return with new eps until April 3."

Nielsen: Protecting Numbers

"Hear This: If I report television ratings information here, it’s based on unofficial sources here in the market. Those darn Nielsen folks are pretty protective of their numbers, because they don’t want us media types publicizing numbers that they’re charging the stations good money to get. From what I hear they come down hard on their TV station customers for providing those numbers to media types.

So it comes as no surprise to me that information I received and published last week may have been off by a few points. Sweeps ratings seem to be less important than they used to be, but they’re still the way stations keep score, and the numbers relate directly to what is charged for advertising."



Here are some updates from fans of The Dresden Files.

Saving Jericho: The Right Thing

"So, having spent the last few days laid up in bed, smacked out on NyQuil and Sudafed, watching reruns of "Dr. Who," "Jericho" and "Battlestar Galactica" on SciFi leaves me really qualified to make only these policy pronouncements this week:

Second, saving "Jericho" from cancellation hell is the best decision CBS has made in a very long time.

Seriously, "Ghost Whisperer"? "Cold Case?" CBS doesn't have anything that even comes close to "Jericho's" level. Personally, I've always had a soft spot for post-apocalyptic fiction (like "The Road Warrior") and stories about small groups under extraordinary stress ("Das Boot") and "Jericho" combines both into a compelling, character-driven plot that is dynamic and (as TV fiction so rarely is) unpredictable."

Cable Ratings

"For all the agitation it caused the television industry, the writers strike had an undeniably salubrious effect on cable ratings, as seven of the top 10 ad-supported networks in February saw their primetime deliveries swell by double-digit percentages compared with a year ago.

According to Nielsen Media Research data from January 28-February 24, the 10 leading ad-supported cable networks averaged a 24.9% increase in total viewers in primetime compared with February 2007, a number inflated by CNN's primary-fueled surge of 133%. With CNN pulled out of the mix, the remaining nine still averaged a sizable 15.1% year-over-year increase."




"The Nielsen Co. has formed a national Hispanic/Latino Advisory Council (HLAC), an independent advisory group comprised of community and business leaders, to help the company recruit, measure and accurately report on Hispanic television households in the U.S.

The first meeting of the HLAC is scheduled for March 4 in New York.

“By providing invaluable third-party insight and expertise on the Hispanic community, the Hispanic/Latino Advisory Council will have an important role in helping us successfully achieve these goals,” said Catherine Herkovic, senior VP and managing director of the National Television Client Services at Nielsen.

Jericho: Cultural Learnings

"While I still believe everything I wrote there, the situation gets trickier in the case of Jericho. With Jericho, the premiere ratings do matter, as returning to middling returns will all but sink the show’s chances of gaining a season three if the initial cancellation hasn’t already done so. And Jericho already has a fan base of internet fans, they worked tirelessly to save the show back in June. So the problems facing a new show aren’t quite the same as the problems facing Jericho’s second season, and thus there is some concern that this could sink the show’s chances.

And I’m here to tell you that the answer to that concern?

“Eh, not really.”

And here’s why."

Ratings Erosion

"Network TV already was facing ratings erosion. As Mr. Krehbiel demonstrates, more viewers have switched at least some of their attention to the web and other pursuits. What's more, an increasing number have armed themselves with ad-zapping DVRs -- so even if they watch, there's no guarantee some of them will see the ads. Now the strike threatens to accelerate the trend by removing the very things that draw millions of potential consumers to the tube night after night: glitzy special events and water-cooler shows.

The networks face their strongest test in the weeks ahead -- proving their writer-less offerings can still draw people. "What I'm going to be looking for is how does this stuff do through the end of the first quarter? How are these guys doing year to year? Does 'Dance Wars' over time have as much power as 'Dancing With the Stars'? Does 'Idol' keep going in the same direction?" asked PHD's Mr. Swift. The answers could bolster advertiser confidence or prove broadcast is no longer the biggest piece of the media pie."

Another New Promo: Mimi

Jericho: New Spoilers

Amy at Remote Access has new Season 3 spoilers.

Don't read if you don't want to know.




I hope this doesn't happen in Feb.

"Nielsen has reported another glitch with its A/P (active/passive) coding system. The glitch happened during several New England Patriots games, causing two TV stations to under-report ratings.

In a notice to clients yesterday (Tuesday), Nielsen wrote, “In evaluating ratings for the December 3, 2007, October 1, 2007 and October 30, 2006 New England Patriots games carried on WCVB, WMUR and ESPN Network, determined that a technical problem existed with the stations’ encoding equipment,” writes MediaPost."

Jericho Blogging

Check out Remote Access.

Amy does such a great job. See the new Jericho pics.



"Rich's Great Big Blog Of Everything"
See it at Copywrite Ink.



"European Television Worries Over U.S. TV Shortfall
European television executives are fretting about the slim season in store for them from the U.S. in 2008 due to the writers strike, Daily Variety reports.
U.S. dramas are big business for European channels, and a limited season has execs looking over contingency plans, such as buying stop-gap programming from outside the United States, the newspaper reports."

WGA: Taking A Hit

"CBS Corp., owner of the most-watched television network, probably would take the biggest hit in a prolonged strike by TV and movie writers.

CBS gets two-thirds of its sales and profit from television. The New York-based company relies more on scripted shows such as ``CSI'' than competitors and is vulnerable to advertising losses, said Lehman Bros. analyst Anthony DiClemente."



"A prolonged writers' strike could send regular TV viewers to other media -- particularly print -- and might prompt marketers to reallocate their ad spending, according to a poll conducted by WPP Group's MindShare.

One out of four adults surveyed said the strike will affect or change their viewing habits. That finding was highest among 35- to 44-year-olds and lowest among those 65 or older."



"NBC's late-night schedule may be the first real victim of the ongoing writers' strike, with viewership among advertisers' most-coveted audiences -- viewers between the ages of 18 and 49 -- down in the double-digits for both "The Tonight Show" and "Saturday Night Live," according to media buyers."

Jericho: Veronica Mars Friends

Veronica Mars: Season 4 Clips!
Post by: Sal

"Have you ever thought what the first 10 minutes of the 4th season of Veronica Mars would be life????

Here's your chance!

I found the first 10 minutes of the first episode of what was supposed to be the opening to the 4th season of Veronica Mars. It shows the star of the show and her first day on the FBI Squad. Check it out!

If only the CW had kept this one around. Anyway, ENJOY!"



DVD Review: Veronica Mars - The Complete Third Season

TV: Losing Eyeballs

"At a time when TV is shedding viewers to the Web, the last thing the industry needs is to do something that turns more eyeballs away. Yet that’s precisely what a Hollywood writers’ strike is poised to do.

With the writers’ contract with the studios expiring on Oct. 31 and negotiations yielding little more than acrimony, Tinseltown is in a state of high anxiety. The prevailing sentiment had been that the Writers Guild of America would wait to stage a strike until next summer, when the contracts of the actors and directors guild run out, but a November walkout is looking increasingly likely. And though there's rarely an ideal time for a work stoppage, a fall strike would likely exact irreparable damage on network television, which is having trouble maintaining its relevance even with a full stable of writers at work."



If you're a fan of Hawkins see here.

Thanks kystorms.



"We MUST tell Sci-Fi THANK YOU: The Sci-Fi Channel has FINALLY scheduled reruns/repeats of the Dresden Files!! As was pointed out by a fellow fan/campaigner, they "could be testing the waters for whether or not a lot of people are wanting to watch this show."

Unless we have Nielsen boxes (I don't, I don't know about you folks), the only way the Execs at Sci-Fi/NBC will know we're watching is if we TELL them, and let's not forget - the Execs are interested in QUANTITY! We start NOW:"

Helping Dresden Helps Jericho too. More info here.

Hey! Nielsen: Confusing ?

"Everyone knows Nielsen as the company that measures how many people are glued to their TV sets watching news and sitcoms for what is called Fall Sweeps. The numbers can make or break a new show.

With eyeballs increasingly turning to PCs and mobile devices for entertainment and news, Nielsen is boosting its audience measurement services in those areas."


"With a confusing system and a new form of social networking, the right way to go about getting used to Hey! Nielsen is taking one’s time. You step back, view the situation, and based on that engage the new medium with a fresh eye.

But fan movements aren’t about taking their time: for better or for worse, they are about mass movement and mass impact, something rarely associated with stopping to smell the roses. The result was a huge swarm of Jericho and Supernatural fans as they rose to the top of the charts, which is seemingly “good” based on the site’s attempt at measuring fandom. However, it was clear that in the hustle and bustle there had arisen some hard feelings. Jericho and Supernatural fans were labeled “spammers,” flooding the site with too many opinions and only focusing on a single series."



Post here for Jericho

http://forums.film.com/showthread.php?p=269802#post269802

Jericho Sampler

Confusion For Fans About What To Do


Look What Money Can Buy CBS


Leslie Moonves


Please sign the petition asking CBS to count ALL viewers!!!!!!!!


Go Myles/Memles!!!!


"Nielsen Research Proves Less Than Engaging, Only A Third Of Viewers Recall TV Spots"


This is one of the best websites I've found with an easy explanation of Nielsen ratings. Some of the stories are a bit outdated but then so are Nielsen's.