“Judge Judy” ratings juggernaut rolls despite surge for James Holzhauer and “Jeopardy”

Review based on a national syndicated rating report for the week ending November 10.

Quiz show savant James Holzhauer returned to action on Jeopardy (new season high 6.7 live plus same day national Nielsen rating, up 10% from the week before) for the program’s Tournament of Champions in the session ending November 10. But it was not enough to unseat incumbent syndicated ratings leader Judge Judy (new season high 7.1, up 6%).

Courtroom legend “Judy” continued to show all competitors no mercy, running away from the field for the 15^th straight week with its highest rating since the week ending May 19.

Also ringing up its best number in a long time for Judge Judy Sheindlin was her creation, Hot Bench (new season high 2.2, up 10%), which ranked as the third highest show in daytime behind only “Judy” and “Dr Phil.”

Dr. Phil (2.6, steady) remained at its previous season high and led the talk shows for the 166^th week in a row.

Live with Kelly & Ryan (2.1, steady) grabbed the No. 2 spot in talk for the 37^th consecutive week. Ellen DeGeneres (1.9, down 5%) was third. Wendy Williams (1.3, down 7%) was next among the veterans, although behind rookie leader “Kelly Clarkson.”

The hottest newcomers, The Kelly Clarkson Show (1.4, steady), which has already been renewed, and Tamron Hall (1.0, steady) held their ground with sharp growth in many cities.

Clarkson’s biggest overnights in the top ten markets came in Atlanta (2.5/9, up 56% from its year-ago time period average). Hall clicked in multiple markets and was especially hot in Richmond (2.6/7, up 63%).

 In other metered market ratings the test of Central Ave (0.8/2 average, down 27% from both its lead-in and year-ago time periods) completed week two of its five-week try-out, which began November 4.

Back in the national ratings, a third rookie talker, Mel Robbins (0.4, unchanged) remained far behind the leaders.

Among the freshmen court shows, Jerry Springer’s Judge Jerry (1.0, up 11%) flexed some ratings muscle and easily outperformed fellow newcomers Personal Injury Court (0.5, unchanged) and Protection Court (0.3, unchanged).