Summer is not usually a time for massive TV ratings, but this year is looking even worse than normal: last week, the networks combined for the worst ratings in the 18-49 demographic ever. Yeah, ever.
Even the buzzed-about I'm a Celebrity . . . Get Me Out of Here! wasn't a hit, and made-for-Summer reality shows like The Superstars on ABC aren't raking in viewers, either. Maybe even worse, original scripted shows have been posting abysmal ratings — like Tuesday's return of Better Off Ted, only seen by 1.9 million viewers. There are some bright spots (So You Think You Can Dance does fine, and America's Got Talent had a decent if not spectacular premiere), but they're the exceptions.
Since many of you fall into that 18-49 demographic, I'm wondering if your viewing habits have changed this Summer. Are you turning off the TV altogether (maybe heading outside, where — contrary to what this picture suggests — cable hookups don't come standard)? Or are you watching the same amount of TV, but more of it on cable or online?
Thomas Pink
I'm only watching less b/c there is less worth watching. The only things I'm watching on network TV this summer are the episodes of Bones I haven't seen, SYTYCD, and Better Off Ted. Otherwise, thank goodness for Netflix and cable.
1I'm pretty much watching nothing right now. I watch Weeds and True Blood, but otherwise I've been Netflixing a lot.
2The only show I basically watch in the summer is So you think you can dance and i just started getting into The Listener.
3There is nothing on TV! I don't understand why there aren't any good summer TV shows when a lot of kids and teachers are out on summer break. Ugh.
The only shows I'm watching are Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List, Tori and Dean: Home Sweet Hollywood, and Wipeout. I can't wait for Big Brother to start!
4I'm only watching The Bachelorett; and even that, I usually watch on ABC.com long after it airs.
5I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that I don't own a TV anymore. I know I can watch stuff online but I am usually too preoccupied to watch TV.
6There is nothing interesting on TV in the summer, so it's really a toss-up between watching DVDs and recorded shows - which isn't reflectd in the viewer numbers. If they gave me a show like Young Americans to watch again, I would try to tune in...
7definitely less.
i've been watching the listener, the bachelorette, real housewives and using netflix and hulu.
8I too am watching less because there aren't as many shows on that I want to watch.
9nope - i think that i'm watching the same amount. granted there are more reality shows on so it's not like i'm watching the most high quality programming but still..it's the same amount of TV
10There is not much to watch that I like and I'd rather read a good book instead.
11I voted 'no' because I don't usually watch that much in the summer anyway because there's nothing on. I always follow SYTYCD, and I've been watching 'chopped' on food network, and 'obsessed' on a&e. but summer is a good time for me to catch up on reading, since I have so many good daylight hours after work to sit outside with a book.
12Absolutely. Only new shows I watch are True Blood and Top Chef Masters. Although my movie rental percentage has probably gone up a lot as a result of the lack of summer shows. I'm kind of midding Swingtown now that it's summer again.
13ugh, *missing*
14I clicked on the wrong one. I am watching less tv now. I catch SYTYCD, Royal Pains, True Blood, and just two to three others.
15Better of Ted and True Blood are all I'm watching.. and downloading them both from the Internet.
16I only watch SYTYCD and Better Off Ted... I can't remember EVER being this bored with television. ever.
17I have 2 agree w/all of the posters here. Can't think of anything 2 watch this summer, unless its a movie on TV.
18Yes, I agree with a lot of other people. There just aren't many good shows on this summer!
19I HATE Summer TV!! It drives me nutso...The only shows I watch are Tori & Dean (I know :rollseyes: ) and Nurse Jackie! Oh but I am sooo excited Big Brother is back I got really spoiled last year when it was on twice because of the writers strike
20Yes, and I usually don't watch that much. Most of the shows on TV now are just ridiculous and a huge waste of time.
21My TV watching habits definitely have changed drastically. Add together the introduction of TiVO into my life and the fact that this summer's TV is kind of, well, bad, and I really find myself not watching TV as much as a used to. I imagine it's the same for lots of people out there.
22Not really. I'll watch the same amount.
23less nowadays. nothing much to watch anyway..
24I'm not a big fan of reality TV and there aren't many good shows I'd like to watch like Scrubs or Family Guy or even House on. Not to mention since the weather is gorgeous I'd like to get as much of that I can in before it snows - where I'll be spending the majority of my time on my butt inside watching shows.
25i watch less network, and mostly cable.
26Tv is boring. Maybe no one can afford it anymore.
27Although I watched Jillian on the Bachelorette...(Ummm, how do you spell that word?! I've tried several times, none look right!)
28And I don't usually watch those, I have been watching alot less tv this summer.
There's nothing good to watch on tv or the theatres.
29Most of today's movies and tv programs are crap.
Except for True Blood and The Closer, all the shows I've been watching are older/on DVD...
Reality TV bites...and I feel like everything else has become so predictable...so generic.
30I'm following Entourage. Summer is just not the season for TV.
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