“Drew Barrymore” blossoms 20% in fourth week

Review based on a national syndicated rating report for the week ending October 11, 2020.

In its fourth week on the air rookie talker Drew Barrymore (0.6 live plus same day national Nielsen rating, up 20% from the week before) notched the largest percentage increase of any syndicated strip of any type for the session ending October 11.

“Barrymore,” which premiered September 14 with the third highest debut of any talker since 2017, had to overcome preemptions in various markets for coverage of President Trump’s post-coronavirus release from the Walter Reed Medical Center, French Open Tennis and an NFL game.

Another closely watched series moving up sharply in the talk show ranks was the already renewed for year three sophomore Tamron Hall (0.8, up 14%), which also shrugged off numerous news and sports preemptions.

Live with Kelly and Ryan (1.9, steady) and Dr Phil (1.9, up 6%) were neck and neck at the top of the talkers. 

The embattled Ellen DeGeneres (1.1, down 8%) lost ground in the third week of its 18^th season. Compared to the same week last year “Ellen” is down 39%.

Judge Judy (5.4, steady) easily led the court shows for a remarkable 1,255^th week in row (or every week for more than 24 years) and was the highest rated show in all of syndication for the seventh time in eight weeks.

Among the other gavelers, Judy Sheindlin creation Hot Bench (1.6, steady) was the second highest. People’s Court (1.1, unchanged) and Judge Mathis (0.8, unchanged) followed.  Judge Jerry (0.7, down 13%) was next in line.