Aretha Franklin tribute boosts syndie mags

Review based on a national syndicated rating report for the week ending August 19.

In the otherwise sleepy summer session ending August 19, the entertainment magazines earned the most “respect” from viewers with extensive coverage of legendary singer Aretha Franklin, who died August 16 of pancreatic cancer.

Avoiding the usual declines which come with sinking seasonal PUT levels, Access (1.1 live plus same day national Nielsen rating, up 10% from the week before) jumped into a tie with TMZ (1.1, steady) for third place in the category for the first time in six weeks.

And Entertainment Tonight (2.7, up 4%) raced to a four-week high, finishing just behind Inside Edition (2.8, unchanged), which is not strictly an entertainment magazine.  Meanwhile Extra (1.0, steady) was able to hold its ground even though it was preempted by sports and did not air in numerous markets.

Other access shows in firstrun were all flat to down. Among the quiz and give-away programs, leader Family Feud (6.1, down 2%) was followed by Wheel of Fortune (5.3, unchanged) and Jeopardy (new season low 5.2, down 4%).

In talk show action, reruns of Dr. Phil (2.6, down 4%) topped the chat fests for the 102nd week in a row.  Live with Kelly and Ryan (2.0 steady) captured sole possession of second place for a ninth straight week.

Full 2017-18 season syndication champ Judge Judy (nine week high 6.6, up 3%) was easily the highest rated show of all.