News Flashes: Ratings and MIPTV Updates

Nothing big today…just a few small updates.

*The syndication season is winding down so ratings are in their normal dwindling period.  The only show to rise is Jeopardy! which has been having one hell of a season.   It went up 4% for the week ending April 4th, to a 5.6.  It’s sister show Wheel of Fortune stuck at a 6.4.  I can’t remember a time when Wheel and Jeopardy! were this close and it didn’t involve the words Ken or Jennings.  The other shows that are flat are Family Feud at a 1.3 and Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader stuck at a 1.5.  Who Wants to be a Millionaire shrunk by 4% to 2.3.  In a phrase all too common this season Deal or No Deal was the biggest loser, down 9% to a 1.0.  It’s definitely going out with a whimper.

*MIPTV in Cannes is taking place and we’re getting a taste of some formats being tossed around.  One emailed to us is a reality concept called The Frame which, at least based on the reading of the information, sounds interesting.  Eight couples from around the country compete against each other from their homes.  The catch is they are regulated to one camera frame.  The camera will be set up and, as the tagline they provided states, if you’re out of The Frame, you’re out of the game. I’m trying to get a video preview of it (having difficulties there for some reason) but, again, just based off the writing it sounds interesting.  I heard the actual video of the show isn’t so hot so we’ll see.

*A few other general happenings are going on with MIPTV.  NBC announced that the a cappella singing show The Sing Off, which aired last Winter, has been renewed for season two.  Color me surprised it succeeded, but there we go.  The UK game show Push The Button which we showed off a while ago is being shopped around by Fremantle along with some other formats like Look Who’s Cooking, Young Professionals of the Year, My Name is Michael and She’s Got the Look.  Another British show, Treasure Tag, is being shopped around as well.