The Big Bang Theory Moving To 8:00

[Superbowl]

From CBS :

02.20.2008 "THE BIG BANG THEORY" AND "HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER" TO SWAP TIME PERIODS

CBS's Hit Freshman Comedy "The Big Bang Theory" To Lead Off Television's

Number One Comedy Block When It Returns With New Episodes

On Monday, March 17



"How I Met Your Mother" Shifts To 8:30 PM



CBS's hit freshman comedy THE BIG BANG THEORY will lead off television's Number One comedy block when it moves to Mondays at 8:00 PM, beginning March 17 when it returns with all new episodes.



THE BIG BANG THEORY, which was recently renewed for next season, is averaging 8.36 million viewers. With original episodes, it has improved last year's Monday (8:30-9:00 PM) time period by +15% in adults 18-49 and +5% in viewers.



The critically acclaimed HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER, averaging 8.02 million viewers, will shift to THE BIG BANG THEORY'S former Monday 8:30 PM time period when it returns with new episodes on the same night.



Mondays, Effective March 17

8:00-8:30 PM THE BIG BANG THEORY (NTP)

8:30-9:00 PM HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER (NTP)

9:00-9:30 PM TWO AND A HALF MEN

9:30-10:00 PM THE NEW ADVENTURES OF OLD CHRISTINE*

10:00-11:00 PM CSI: MIAMI

http://www.cbspressexpress.com/div.php/cbs_entertainment/release?id=17980

[Scoobiedoo30]

Thanks for the news

[JulieSomoski]

I think it's great that CBS has enough faith in this show to lead off the night. Afterall, HIMYM's ratings have been slacking this season.

But, I think it was a bad move. How I Met Your Mother already has a fanbase, so they'll watch the show no matter what. I think CBS should have given more time for Big Bang Theory to grow an even bigger audience at 8:30 (it is afterall coming off from a long hiatus), and maybe start it off at 8pm next season. Just my opnion - either way, I'll still be watching.

[Superbowl]

My feeling is if ain't broke than don't fix it. It was doing very well where it was. I really wish they would have left it there. The ratings will naturally go down now, because less people are watching TV at 8:00.

However, I do think that CBS is really showing some real confidence in The Big Bang Theory if it is asking it to lead off the night already. Generally speaking the strong show will be at 8:00, because the 8:30 show needs some help. Obviously, CBS think BBT is stronger than
HIMYM.


I think the analysis from Variety puts it very well.

From Variety :

Nonetheless, timeslot change could help "Mother," which now gets the benefit of airing a bit later in the evening, when viewership levels are higher. It might also benefit from the halo of 9 p.m. hit "Two and a Half Men."

Shift will also give "Big Bang" a risk-free way to prove itself as a possible breakout player for CBS. Eye execs had been impressed with the show's Nielsen momentum in the weeks leading up to the strike.

[Stuck In The '70's]

My feeling is if ain't broke than don't fix it. It was doing very well where it was. I really wish they would have left it there. The ratings will naturally go down now, because less people are watching TV at 8:00.

However, I do think that CBS is really showing some real confidence in The Big Bang Theory if it is asking it to lead off the night already. Generally speaking the strong show will be at 8:00, because the 8:30 show needs some help. Obviously, CBS think BBT is stronger than HIMYM.
It will especially be lower in the spring because it will be daylight longer at that time too.

[JulieSomoski]

My feeling is if ain't broke than don't fix it. It was doing very well where it was. I really wish they would have left it there. The ratings will naturally go down now, because less people are watching TV at 8:00.

However, I do think that CBS is really showing some real confidence in The Big Bang Theory if it is asking it to lead off the night already. Generally speaking the strong show will be at 8:00, because the 8:30 show needs some help. Obviously, CBS think BBT is stronger than
HIMYM.


I think the analysis from Variety puts it very well.

From Variety :

I had the exact impression when I first read this post. They need to give this show to time to grow an every larger, and more stable audience. Like I said before, Mother doesn't need to show itself, because it already has its core audience at 8pm.

I have a feeling this may be bad news for this show. Maybe if ratings get an lower than 8 million (which isn't a good sign from te 9 million it was doing) they'll move it back.

[Superbowl]

I had the exact impression when I first read this post. They need to give this show to time to grow an every larger, and more stable audience. Like I said before, Mother doesn't need to show itself, because it already has its core audience at 8pm.

I have a feeling this may be bad news for this show. Maybe if ratings get an lower than 8 million (which isn't a good sign from te 9 million it was doing) they'll move it back.

I sort of have mixed emotions. Would you rather have network confidence or higher ratings ? Obviously, CBS is showing a lot of faith in the show by moving it to the 8:00 anchor spot, and they already renewed it for next season. However, the ratings will definitely drop. I really think CBS sees this show as a future benchmark show for them. The 8:00 and 9:00 shows are always CBS's big shows. See Two and Half Men, Everyone Loves Raymond, King of Queens, etc., while the 8:30 and 9:30 are the filler shows. So CBS by moving it to 8:00 really shows us something. Sacraficing a little bit ratings may be worth it. Sort of a short term loss for a long term gain.

By the way, it did about 8 million for repeats. Do you really think it will drop below 8 million for new shows just because of the time change ?

[FrankCostanza]

I like this new time. 9:00 PM never worked great for me anyways because that's a little late for a meal with some caffeine. It also gives me 30 minutes to do something until The Sarah Conner Chronicles comes on at 9:00 PM.

[Pavan]

Frank, by the time Big Bang comes back on March 17, Sarah Connor will be over for the season. Only 9 episodes were made.

[JulieSomoski]

I sort of have mixed emotions. Would you rather have network confidence or higher ratings ? Obviously, CBS is showing a lot of faith in the show by moving it to the 8:00 anchor spot, and they already renewed it for next season. However, the ratings will definitely drop. I really think CBS sees this show as a future benchmark show for them. The 8:00 and 9:00 shows are always CBS's big shows. See Two and Half Men, Everyone Loves Raymond, King of Queens, etc., while the 8:30 and 9:30 are the filler shows. So CBS by moving it to 8:00 really shows us something. Sacraficing a little bit ratings may be worth it. Sort of a short term loss for a long term gain.

By the way, it did about 8 million for repeats. Do you really think it will drop below 8 million for new shows just because of the time change ?

You have a great point, but I still think I'd rather see high ratings than network confidence, at least for the rest of this season. After all, it is BBT's freshman season, and moving to an anchor slot does show a lot out of CBS, but it may have been a better move ratings-wise to leave the show where it was.

Starting with the second season, they could have moved it to 8pm, where people would know to watch it then at the start of the season. I guess there is 2 different sides to this. We'll just have to wiat and see.