By David Bauder, Media Writer
NEW YORK (AP) --The CBS crime series “Instinct” finished first last week in what seems like a race to the bottom.
It was the 20th most-watched program on the Nielsen company’s weekly list, and the only comedy or drama scripted series to make the Top 20. There were no scripted series that were among the 40 most popular cable programs last week, either.
That’s a reflection of the time of year and changing viewing habits. Broadcast networks rarely bother with scripted series when viewership is down over the summer. Cable doesn’t have much, either, and with streaming services getting people in the habit of choosing to watch TV on their own time, there are few series on that people rush to watch when it first airs.
CBS used to thrive on reruns in the summer. But only two reruns last week, “Blue Bloods” and “Bull,” were seen by more than three million people.
Without scripted series, Nielsen’s Top 20 last week was crowded with game shows and, in the wake of Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s testimony before the House, five of Fox News Channel’s primetime programs.
NBC won the week in prime time, averaging 3.4 million viewers. ABC had 3.1 million, CBS had 2.8 million, Fox had 1.6 million, ION Television had 1.5 million, Telemundo had 1.2 million, Univision had 1 million and the CW had 600,000.
Fox News Channel was the week’s most popular cable network, averaging 2.73 million viewers. MSNBC had 1.54 million, HGTV had 1.27 million, Hallmark had 1.26 million and USA had 1.2 million.
ABC’s “World News Tonight” topped the evening newscasts with an average of 8 million viewers. NBC’s “Nightly News” was second with 7 million and the “CBS Evening News” had 4.7 million.
Below are primetime viewership numbers compiled by Nielsen for July 22-28. Listings include the week’s ranking and viewership.
1. “America’s Got Talent,” NBC, 10.13 million.
2. “60 Minutes,” CBS, 6.81 million.
3. “The Bachelorette,” ABC, 6.62 million.
4. “Celebrity Family Feud,” ABC, 5.62 million.
5. “The $100,000 Pyramid,” ABC, 4.81 million.
6. “Hannity” (Wednesday), Fox News, 4.77 million.
7. “American Ninja Warrior,” NBC, 4.74 million.
8. “Bring the Funny,” NBC, 4.33 million.
9. “Big Brother” (Sunday), CBS, 4.302 million.
10. “Tucker Carlson Tonight” (Wednesday), Fox News, 4.3 million.
11. “Hannity” (Thursday), Fox News, 4.15 million.
12. “America’s Funniest Home Videos,” ABC, 4.12 million.
13. “Dateline NBC” (Monday), NBC, 4.04 million.
14. “Big Brother” (Thursday), CBS, 3.896 million.
15. “Big Brother” (Wednesday), CBS, 3.895 million.
16. “The Ingraham Angle” (Wednesday), Fox News, 3.83 million.
17. “Press Your Luck,” ABC, 3.66 million.
18. “Tucker Carlson Tonight” (Thursday), Fox News, 3.48 million.
19. “To Tell the Truth,” ABC, 3.46 million.
20. “Instinct,” CBS, 3.35 million.
ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Co.; CBS is a division of CBS Corp.; Fox is owned by 21st Century Fox; NBC is owned by NBC Universal.
The Many Hires Jeremiah Wassom As Group Creative Director
Independent agency The Many has added Jeremiah Wassom as group creative director.
Wassom most recently worked a decade at Deutsch LA where, as SVP/creative director, he led the Taco Bell account and won new business for the agency. His agency past also includes AKQA and TBWAChiatDay. His creative work has touched the QSR, video games, automotive, fashion, and culture brand sectors. He also served eight years with the United States Marine Corps.
“Throughout his career, Jeremiah has helmed work that has not only made me personally jealous but has consistently pushed brands to show up in memorable and innovative ways,” said Josh Paialii, head of creative at The Many. “One look at his body of work and you will see his passion for storytelling and craft has raised the bar for entire categories, driving participation with many brands’ most loyal fans. Beyond being a world-class creative director and maker, Wassom is a proven team player and strategic thought leader. He’ll be a great addition to the leadership team at The Many working across all accounts. His role will be immediately felt as he guides and supports each of the creative leads in the department.”
A 20-year creative with agency, brand, and freelance experience, Wassom has forged a creative approach which focuses on crafting engaging connections rather than simply make ads. He sees the need for advertising to mean more, not simply do more.
The Many believes that true business growth is made possible by harnessing the power of participation and partners with brands to forge deeper connections with consumers, cultivate trust and loyalty, and maximize marketing spend and execution. The agency is built around a flexible model that offers a suite of capabilities, including... Read More