Ratings Clack – VMAs set a record for MTV

by Brett Love

With the broadcast networks quiet as they gear up for the new fall season, the big story was the record setting performance of the 'VMAs' on cable. Finally, something that was able to topple 'Jersey Shore' in the ratings.

CABLE - It was another good week for MTV, but not for the usual reason. Sure, Jersey Shore (8.03m/4.4), even on a special night, performed exceptionally well. But the big news came in the form of the Video Music Awards (12.45m/6.2). That viewer number is a record for MTV. And it makes me all the more curious that the Lady Gaga guest spot didn’t do more for So You Think You Can Dance. Unfortunately, MTV came back to earth the next night, as the premieres of Ridiculousness (3.14m/1.5) and Death Valley (1.86m/1.1) were found lacking when compared to their Jersey-VMA stablemates. Although, I would add that Death Valley is my kind of stupid.

Basic
Leverage (3.22m/.9) Drop Dead Diva (2.53m/.8) Breaking Bad (1.91m/.8) Warehouse 13 (2.29m/.8) Eureka (2.13m/.7) Alphas (1.79m/.6) Rescue Me (1.33m/.6) Burn Notice (4.07m/1.1) Suits (3.96m/1.2) Project Runway (3.22m/1.2)	The Closer (6.83m/1.2) Rizzoli & Isles (6.71m/1.2) Secret Life of the American Teen (2.38m/1.1) Pretty Little Liars (2.98m/1.2) Awkward (1.99m/1) Royal Pains (5.4m/1.3) Necessary Roughness (4m/1.2) Futurama (1.57m/.8) Wilfred (1.32m/.7) Louie (.98m/.6)
Premium
True Blood (5.31m/2.9) Entourage (2.16m/1.3) Curb Your Enthusiasm (1.87m/.9)

NBC - Sunday Night Football (8.4m/2.9) led off the week, but given that is was another pre-season tilt, it wasn’t the big winner. That honor went to America’s Got Talent (11.14m/3.1 – 10.65m/2.6). The rest of the week was rather quiet, including It’s Worth What (4.49m/1.2) and Friends With Benefits (2.51m/.7 – 2.24m/.8).

CBS - Big Brother (7.75m/2.9 – 8.34m/3.3 – 6.25m/2.5) had another solid week, and again made up the entirety of the new programming from the network.

ABC- Another very slow week must have the programming department at ABC counting the days until the new season starts. There was nothing of note to report from Bachelor Pad (6.48m/2), Take The Money And Run (3.87m/1.5), Rookie Blue (4.09m/1.1), or Karaoke Battle USA (2.92m/.7).

FOX - Hell’s Kitchen (6.21m/2.9) remains solid, but it doesn’t look like In The Flow (2.06m/1) and Buried Treasure (3.32m/1) will be rejoining Gordon next summer.

Photo Credit: MTV