With the on-set of Olympic coverage bringing a close to the normal summer schedule, CTV today released data revealing its on-going domination of the Canadian television airwaves.
CTV programs continue to overpower the Top 20 programs in Canada, led by homegrown buzz-maker Canadian Idol, whose surging Wednesday night performance episode is the most watched program in Canada.
Once again, CTV programs have swept all 10 spots in the Top 10 programs in Canada, all 15 of the Top 15 and an incredible 18 of the Top 20 when measuring total audience.
In the younger Adults 18-49 and 18-34 demographics, CTV programs capture nine and eight of the Top 10 shows respectively while taking all 10 of the Top 10 programs in the Adults 25-54 demo. A complete Top 20 list can be found below.
The results are courtesy of BBM, who have released data comparing CTV, Canwest Global and CBC programs from June 7 through August 8, 2004.
Leading the way in Canada television is none other than Canadian Idol, the only program averaging more than 2 million viewers (2.01M, Wednesday nights) per episode. Heading into the home stretch, the program is pacing ahead of last years dizzying pace, even with an expanded roster of 34 episodes and no Top 10 representation from Quebec. The Thursday night results show earns another 1.7 million viewers, good enough for No. 4 in the Top 10. Last night’s episode featuring Lionel Richie was the most watched results program this season, seen by a season-high 1.9 million viewers according to Nielsen Media Research. The program, which is headed for a mid-September finale, has once again captured the imagination of Canadians from coast-to-coast; casting nearly three million votes each week and flooding the show’s Web site. In Toronto, each show is sold out weeks in advance and hundreds of screaming fans camp out for a chance to win rush seats. Major market newspapers are drawing on the Idol finalists for front-page headlines and across the country fans have made household names out of Kalan, Kaleb, Jacob, Theresa, Jason, Shane and Elena. At its current pace, Canadian Idol is gearing up to take a run at breaking its own record for most-watched English Canadian television program since the advent of electronic measurement.
Other CTV schedule highlights:
Amazing Race 5 continues to shine. The No. 2 program in total viewers, the program earns 1.96 million viewers per episode. In the Adults 18-34, 18-49, and 25-54 demo, the program is ranked No. 1.
Paris, Nicole and The Simple Life 2 draw 1.43 million total viewers per episode, ranking No. 5 on the Top 20. Not surprisingly, the show climbs to No. 3 in the younger Adults 18-49 demo.
Newlyweds Nick and Jessica can’t be far behind with 1.2 million viewers per week, sitting in 8th spot on the Top 10 list.
Surgeons Shawn and Christian have made Nip/Tuck a Top 10 show within the Adults 18-49 demographic (No. 8). The Aug. 12 episode attracted 910,000 viewers, the highest-audience to date and 27 per cent better than average.
The Ken Jennings streak has vaulted Jeopardy! into the Top 10 (10th) with 1.04 million viewers nightly. Look for Jennings to return Sept. 6.
The Casino, scheduled to close its doors Aug. 29 remains a Top 20 program in Canada, finishing with audiences in excess of 800,000 per show.
Finally, Corner Gas, even in repeats, draws 920,000 viewers, ranking inside the Top 20 and ahead of any competitors’ first run programs (13th).
The Top 20 Programs in Canada*
1. Canadian Idol (Wed)
2. Amazing Race 5
3. CSI
4. Canadian Idol (Thurs)
5. The Simple Life
6. CSI: Miami
7. CTV Evening News
8. The Newlyweds
9. Law and Order
10. Jeopardy/Access Hollywood
11. Law and Order: SVU
12. Law and Order: CI
13. Corner Gas
14. Cold Case
15. Nip/Tuck
16. The Simpsons (8 p.m.)
17. The Simpsons (8:30 p.m.)
18. The Casino
19. CTV Weekend News
20. CTV News With Lloyd Robertson
*Source: BBM Infosys – National, June 7 to Aug. 8, 2004
Overall, CTV’s ratings domination spells good news and positive momentum for CTV viewers and clients alike as the summer schedule winds down in anticipation of the new Fall line-up. Highly anticipated new dramas like CSI: NY and Desperate Housewives, combined with new reality programs The Benefactor and Wife Swap mixed in with returning heavyweights like Corner Gas, The OC , CSI, Law and Order and others will ensure that CTV remains poised to continue its ratings success story through 2005.