Syndies struggle to score against soccer as summer begins

Review based on a national syndicated rating report for the week ending June 30.

Very few shows were able to make any headway against the FIFA Women’s World Cup in the session ending June 30, which marked the first week of summer.

Ignoring the downtrend, scripted police procedural newcomer Chicago PD (0.9 live plus same day national Nielsen rating, up 13% from the week before) broke out with one of the largest percentage increases among all syndicated strips. But programs gaining ground were few and far between.

For example, all of the big three game shows were lower. Family Feud (6.1, down 3%) led the category for the third week in a row over Jeopardy! (5.6, down 2%), which was without trivia titan James Holzhauer for a third week. “Jeopardy!” stable-mate Wheel of Fortune (5.2, down 5%) slowed, too.

The top three talkers also all lost ground. Dr. Phil (2.3, down 4%) aired reruns on all five days, but nevertheless finished first in the genre for the 147^th week in a row.

Live with Kelly and Ryan (1.9, down 10%) aired only taped and repackaged shows, but still beat Ellen DeGeneres (1.6, down 6%) forthe 18^th consecutive week.

Elsewhere in daytime the season’s No. 1 show in the household ratings, Judge Judy (5.9), was heavily preempted and partially in repeats but held on well, only giving back 3%.

Back in access most of the entertainment magazines managed to hold their own in the household ratings, while leader Entertainment Tonight jumped 11% and Extra shot up 25% in the key W25-54 demographic.