Several syndies score with Oscar despite smallest aud ever for Academy’s telecast

Review based on a national syndicated rating report for the week ending February 16.

A handful of hot syndicated shows were able to generate ratings steam with special coverage of the 92^nd annual Academy Awards in the session ending February 16, even though the actual network telecast was watched by the smallest audience the Oscars have ever received.

For example, rising rookie Tamron Hall (1.0 live plus same day national Nielsen rating, up 11% from the week before) took viewers behind the scenes at the glittering Hollywood event and was one of less than a handful of strips to clock a double digit weekly increase. Hall had the inside track as she was also the host for the official Oscars red carpet show on the ABC network.

Live with Kelly and Ryan (2.2, up 5%) featured the program’s 9^th annual “After Oscar Show” on February 10 and matched its highest rating of the season.

Dr. Phil (2.6, up 4%) was the talk leader for the 176^th time in the past 180 weeks. Host Phil McGraw was also honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on February 21.

At the top of the Nielsen chart there was no contest as Judge Judy (five week high 6.9, up 6%) was the week’s runaway ratings winner, blowing the doors off all the other shows in national syndication.

The big entertainment magazines had solid ratings despite the record low for the Oscar kudocast. Daily Mail TV (four-week high 0.8, up 14%) scored the largest increase in the category.

Entertainment Tonight (3.0, steady) was the number one magazine for the sixth week in a row and equaled its season high. Access Hollywood (1.4, steady) and Extra (matching season high 1.0, steady) both did well to hold their ground in a very challenging ratings week.