“Kelly Clarkson” climbs to new season high, tying “Ellen”

Review based on a national syndicated rating report for the week ending December 13, 2020.

Sophomore Kelly Clarkson (new season high 1.1 live plus same day national Nielsen rating, up 10% from the week before) was one the very few shows on the upswing in the session ending December 13, 2020. 

“Clarkson,” which was just renewed for two more years, was the only strip of any type to achieve a new season record and moved up to third place among the talkers tying veteran Ellen DeGeneres (1.1, down 8%).

On December 10 host DeGeneres announced that she had tested positive for COVID-19 and that her show would pause production until January. Compared to the same week last year “Ellen” is down 50%.

On the positive side the already renewed for year three sophomore success Tamron Hall (0.9, up 13%) equaled its strongest rating of the season and was the only talker beside “Clarkson” in the plus column.

Live with Kelly and Ryan (1.9, down 5%) and Dr. Phil (1.9, steady) were neck and neck at the top of the talk brigade.

In courtroom action Judge Judy (5.6, down 3%) tied access game show Family Feud (5.6, down 2%) for the overall syndication lead.

Hot Bench (1.8, up 13%) matched its season high and was the No. 2 gaveler, behind only “Judy.” People’s Court (new series low 1.0, down 9%) was third in the genre.

The only magazines in the top five to buck a big category downtrend were leader Inside Edition (2.4, unchanged) and Extra (0.7, steady), which held its season high and tied TMZ (0.7, down 13%).