MyNetworkTV Off to Slow Start With Desire, Fashion House

Marc Berman

SEPTEMBER 06, 2006 -

As expected, serialized dramas Desire and Fashion House limped out of the starting gate on the launch of MyNetworkTV, with double-digit percent losses from both the lead-in and year-ago time period averages (WB, UPN and other outlets).

Based on prime-time periods only, Desire at 8 p.m. debuted with a mere 1.1 rating/2 share (in 46 metered markets), according to Nielsen Media Research data. Comparatively, that was a loss of 42 percent in the overnights and one share point from the lead-in average, and a more significant 56 percent in the overnights and two share points from the year-ago time period average.

Take a look:

September 2005 time period: 2.5/ 4
Lead-in average: 1.9/ 3
Desire: 1.1/ 2

Although campy lead-out Fashion House picked up some steam at 9 p.m., a 1.3/ 2 in the overnights (also based on 46 markets in prime time) was still off by a staggering 43 percent in the overnights and one share point from the year-ago time period average.

September 2005 time period: 2.3/ 3
Lead-in average: 1.0/ 2
Fashion House: 1.3/ 2

Both Desire and Fashion House aired opposite predominantly repeat programming last night.

http://www.mediaweek.com/mw/news/recent_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003117335

There is no point in commenting on these early overnight ratings, for a variety of reasons. First episodes are no indication of future ratings, these are overnights and nationals will not be released until next week, and I doubt every MyNetwork affiliate was actually airing the programs.

But really, the preview episodes I watched were awful. Just awful. I cannot imagine why anyone would want to watch.

I knew from the get-go that this was nothing but Grade-A, 100% pure garbage!!!

Why even bother w/ this network? It's just another network for sex and other crap I don't really care for on regular networks on a regular basis. :sleep:

1961: "The Dick Van Dyke Show" FLOPS!
1982: "Cheers" FLOPS!
1989: "Seinfeld" FLOPS!

I'm not saying that MNTV will be a HUGE hit, I'm just saying that it's ridiculous that these people are labeling it a flop after only one night of programming.

Thats no worse than the ratings PAX got every week... :lol:

None of the shows they are showing (its only 2 right?) appeal to me.
Maybe when they switch, anyone know what the other shows coming later are?

Not a shock to me.

I knew they'd be flops. The first shows are usually the highest rated especially for Soaps and they are airing against mostly repeats. Wait until the full fall lineup comes on. Ratings will be worst.

I think the reason My Network TV Flop is because they not airing Sitcoms

In my opinion, they need more variety for prime-time programming. Airing the
same soaps during the daytime five days a week may cut it but not in the
evenings. There should be a mix of sitcoms and dramatic stories that can be
told in one hour. Unless they are willing to change their format, I see a bleak
future for this new network myself.

You know I was thinking The Same thing they should have More Programming each Night do you think that will have happen

I think they will have to, eventually. Cable/satellite channels can specialize
in one genre (Sci-Fi Channel, Cartoon Network, etc.). There's a network for
game shows and a network for westerns, and so forth. But that's a pretty
drastic step to take for a broadcast network. If they want to pull in a bigger
audience, they will have to diversify a bit.

It could get better, but it's for them to get ratings. Number one, shows that are on every night won't keep viewers, people might want to watch other things on other channels and Number two, this isn't 1985 where nighttime soap operas were at their peak, there isn't a really big demand for them.

1961: "The Dick Van Dyke Show" FLOPS!
1982: "Cheers" FLOPS!
1989: "Seinfeld" FLOPS!

I'm not saying that MNTV will be a HUGE hit, I'm just saying that it's ridiculous that these people are labeling it a flop after only one night of programming.

What is the significance of the above programs? Is this a joke as I presume? These were all great hits. OR is the premise that they didn't do well until after the first telecast.

Jack

What is the significance of the above programs? Is this a joke as I presume? These were all great hits. OR is the premise that they didn't do well until after the first telecast.

Jack

All those shows had bad ratings the first year and were almost cancelled, however theey became critical successes...

The whole thing was nothing but an attempt by Murdoch to keep some key affils with some nice viewerships in various markets from going independent, as a counter to CW.

Seriously, these shows barely had to lift a finger to improve on UPN's numbers - hell, shows on cable get bigger numbers - and they failed miserably. If I turn out to be wrong a few years down the line, feel free to show this post to me so I can eat my words, but I just do NOT see this thing lasting very long (and if it does, it'll be in a painful, sad way - like UPN the last few years)

A network like this can't last. As mentioned above, nobody wants to commit to watching the same show six nights a week, unless they have the help of a DVR.

Within a year, they'll either re-tool the network, or they'll pull a DuMont.

It'd be kind of a sad if the latter happens, because a lot of LP and DT stations were launched for the sole purpose of carring MNTV. Those stations would be left high and dry.

what is Dumont like an Indepent Station

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DuMont_Television_Network

Dumont was the original "fourth network." Read more here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DuMont_Television_Network).

Thanks for The Info Seth and AKA.

I actually thought DuMont was before ABC.

I actually thought DuMont was before ABC.
Yea actually Dumont was the second tv network after NBC.

i can't watch these because in my area they are at 1130pm and midnight on my FOX channel and i just can't stay up that late..

i can't watch these because in my area they are at 1130pm and midnight on my FOX channel and i just can't stay up that late..
Hmm ... that's interesting. My area is somewhat the opposite: the former WB
channel is showing MyTV network shows from 8:00 p.m. to 10 p.m. and the WB
shows from 11:00 p.m. to 12 a.m. Of course, once the new CW is launched,
the WB shows will be moved there at their normal times.

I do not watch My TV Network Programming I only watch my Local My 54 Syndication Programming such as Benson for Example

1961: "The Dick Van Dyke Show" FLOPS!
1982: "Cheers" FLOPS!
1989: "Seinfeld" FLOPS!

I'm not saying that MNTV will be a HUGE hit, I'm just saying that it's ridiculous that these people are labeling it a flop after only one night of programming.
1966: "Star Trek" FLOPS!
1986: "Star Trek: The Next Generation" FLOPS!-(but, to be fair, "Next Gen." was TERRIBLE that first season)

Also remember though, those were all on major networks ( except TNG). These new shows are trying to jump start a new network. I really don't think Cheers or Seinfeld would be given the chance to become hits today. Networks aren't willing to wait for a show to become successful as much as they used to.

Well this format sucks. It needs changed.

Well this format sucks. It needs changed.
I can't even get the network. :lol:

It was launched as a digital subchannel in Youngstown. We never had a UPN affialliate.
The Cleveland UPN station became MNTV.

I think the reason My Network TV Flop is because they not airing Sitcoms
Exactly.

Overall on network TV though, they have ran away from the sitcom. There i way more dramas on now than 10-15 years ago. pissed:

It was launched as a digital subchannel in Youngstown. We never had a UPN affialliate.
The Cleveland UPN station became MNTV.
I'm pretty sure my UPN affiliate is going to the CW. On the tv grid it still lists the UPN schedule for that channel. That would give me 2 CW channels.

maybe its going independant?

maybe its going independant?
Now I would like that.

I wish My Televison Network could air Sitcoms on There Prime Time Schedule Some Day

This isn't even a network.

What do you mean by it isn't a Network

It's a shame that this network calls itself "MyNetworkTV" when it only relates to less with 0.000005% of its audience.

The network could have been great if it were put in the hands of the creaters of YouTube and MySpace with the help of some up and coming filmmakers, writers, fans etc.

The problem with My Network TV is that it was put together so quickly as a replacement for the WB/UPN affiliates that didn't get the CW affiliation.

They're just taking Spanish telenovas, translating them, and filming them in English. I don't see how that is going to work.

They should have just put these shows together in a syndication block. That way, they'd probably find a timeslot in daytime or late night, which would be more suited for these types of shows. The first one, "Desire," leaves a LOT to be...desired, but "Fashion House" is very good, I think, in a campy sort of way. They could have easily retooled that and made it into a regular primetime drama for one of the big networks.

I think MyNetworkTV was a waste. I don't even get the network in my area. I'd watch if I did, maybe.

They should of not even bothered to do this and instead the telenovelas could of easily been syndicated or sold to SoapNet or Lifetime or something ... it's more or less a waste of money, IMO.

I agree big time. It's just plain crazy to take a format like the telenovela and put it in US primetime and expect it to be a hit. They should have went with the original plans and put them on during the summer to see if they would have hit off, and even if they did hit off, basing an entire "network" around it still doesn't make any sense. They could have easily put these shows in daytime and had a variety of programming for primetime.

If they want this to be a true network they need to make sure it's not airing at midnight.... I mean in my area we only had a UPN affilate so there was no WB affailate to become mynetworktv so instead these shows are airing at midnight on FOX and i'm sure it's happening in other areas as well.... so how can a network be successful if some areas are airing the shows in the midnight slot? i think these shows could have been halfway decent as syndicated shows or something to that affect.

1961: "The Dick Van Dyke Show" FLOPS!
1982: "Cheers" FLOPS!
1989: "Seinfeld" FLOPS!

I'm not saying that MNTV will be a HUGE hit, I'm just saying that it's ridiculous that these people are labeling it a flop after only one night of programming.

I wouldn't put MyNetwork soaps in the same league as Cheers, Seinfeld and Dick Van Dyke.

The soaps will only last for 13 weeks, 65 episodes.

MyNetwork want to be different and new to watch.

All those shows had bad ratings the first year and were almost cancelled, however theey became critical successes...

You can say the same about Three's Company after it's first episode. Ranked #28 overall. Critics also thought that would be a disaster and wouldnt last after its first season of six episodes, and look what happened with that series. I dont think MNTV will be that big of a success either (especially comparing it to the bigger networks), but it is unfair to base a network's future on overnight ratings.

I agree the stuff is horrible, tho I thought the two women beating each other up on Fashion House was kind of erotic. However the music was so loud you could barely hear the dialouge. I had to turn on the Closed Captioning to find out what they were saying.

What I think would be interesting is if Murdoch turned this into FOX Network-2 and show classic programming from FOX.

Channel 59 (cable 9) should just turn it's license into the FCC. They should just ship all their syndicated programming over to Tribune @ FOX 61/CW 20.

What do I watch on MY TV 9?

Montel Williams - only on Wednesdays when Sylvia Browne is on.

King of Queens.

The Insider.

Home Improvement.

The Nanny.

The New York Yankees.

I don't watch the new network called "My Network TV". It's on WWOR-TV (Channel 9) when it took over from UPN-9 to become My-9 over the last few months before the network launched 2 weeks ago. I should give "My Network TV" a big thumbs down.

If only MyNetworkTV didn't premiere, WWOR might of had the chance to redeem its popularity when it was indpendent. Now, 50% of the weekends are infomercials from 6AM-3PM, and they took away the sitcoms like Who's The Boss?, Charles In Charge, Coach, The Nanny, etc. WCTX in New Haven is very bad now.

MyNetworkTV sucks

If you dont mine me asking what do you think WWOR should have been The CW Affiliate or an Indepdent Station

WCTX in New Haven is very bad now.

All 3 stations FOX 61 WTIC, CW 20 WTXX, and MY TV 9 WCTX/59 are horrible. They need to do something creative in the mornings.

I'm only doing the schedules for those not familar with CT TV.

FOX 61 Monday-Friday
5AM-6AM Religious Program
6AM-9AM Infomercials

CW20 Monday-Friday
5AM-9AM Infomercials/Religious Programming
9AM-10AM Roseanne (which is good)
10AM-11AM Infomercials/Religious Programming (BAD)

MY TV 9
5AM-630AM Jewlery Television
630AM Infomercials
7AM-8AM WTNH News on MY TV 9
8AM-9AM Infomercials
9AM-930 Jack Hannna (Good)
930AM-12PM Religious Progamming/Infomercials

Saturdays are bad too.

FOX 61
5AM-7AM Infomercials

CW 20
5AM-7AM Religious Programming/Infomercials
10AM-12PM Religious Programming/Infomercials (instead of CW KIDS. The other half of CW Kids airs on Sundays)

MY TV 9
5AM-6AM Jewlery Television
6AM-12PM Infomercials

I think my local MNTV affiliate (KCOP) gave up on itself. They've stop airing the episodes on high definition.

I kind of wish that WUPL would have become an Independent Station.