• Politics
• Entertainment
• Business
• Tech

CW's Sunday shows still on life support

October 07 06:05:02 AM, Yahoo News

Reuters - The CW's move to farm out its Sunday night bridge-to-nowhere primetime block isn't about to cause any seller's remorse.

The lineup programed by production company Media Rights Capital premiered Sunday night, and its ratings matched the numbers that prompted the network to vacate the evening in the first place.

The reality show "In Harm's Way" (676,000 viewers) was on par with "Online Nation" in the slot last season. The drama "Valentine" (1.1 million viewers) matched "Life Is Wild" in the slot. And 9 p.m.'s "Easy Money" (1.1 million) did about half of what an "America's Next Top Model" encore scored in the time period last year.

Promotion is likely one factor. Aside from some CW on-air ads, MRC has had to promote the primetime block on its own, which is more challenging for an independent production company than a network.

Otherwise, ABC edged out competitors to win the night in the preliminary returns, though football-fueled NBC likely will take the lead when the nationals come in on Tuesday. "Desperate Housewives" (15.5 million) was down 17% from last week's premiere, though it was the highest-rated show of the night. "Brothers & Sisters" (10.6 million) fell 12%.

NBC was led by "Sunday Night Football," which saw the Pittsburgh Steelers defeat the Jacksonville Jaguars (12.8 million).

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter

Related articles

• Album review: Guns N' Roses' 'Chinese Democracy'
  The anticipated release is more like a rock opera than an arena-oriented assault.
• 'America's Next Top Model': McKey Sullivan wins
  The leggy Illinios native strutted her way to victory.
• Madonna, Ritchie granted preliminary divorce
  AP - The show-business marriage that began in a Scottish castle came to an end in a drab London courtroom Friday as Madonna and Guy Ritchie were granted a preliminary decree of divorce.
• Ashlee Simpson-Wentz, Pete Wentz have baby boy
  AP - Ashlee Simpson-Wentz and Pete Wentz are the proud parents of a baby boy, and they're celebrating with some Bronx cheer.
• Madonna, Ritchie granted preliminary divorce
  AP - The show-business marriage that began in a Scottish castle came to an end in a drab London courtroom Friday as Madonna and Guy Ritchie were granted a preliminary decree of divorce.
• Kanye West's latest sure to alienate fans
  
• 'American Idol' Daily: Idols everywhere
  After a momentous few days in the history of Idol Nation, the news front fell relatively quiet.
• 'Pushing Daisies,' 'Easy Money,' 'Eli Stone' and others axed
  
• Ann Landers play headed to New York
  
• Teen wins 'Twilight' car on 'Tyra Banks Show'
  AP - Sometimes it pays to have your heart broken.
• 'Bolt' a dog of a comedy
  Rating: 1 1/2 stars (poor-fair) Michael Phillips: "It's a seriously withholding action comedy, stingy on the…
• Did Reese and Vince battle on 'Four Christmases'?
  Rumors of the screen couples' troubles are put to rest.
• Indie band: 'We've done nothing right'
  
• Madonna, Guy Granted Quickie Divorce
  E! Online - On the off chance she wasn't already, Madonna was just given carte blanche-by the British courts, if not her now ex-hubby-to pursue Alex Rodriguez as blatantly as she wants.
• Sienna Miller wins damages from photo agency
  AP - British actress Sienna Miller has won 53,000 pounds ($79,000) from a photo agency she was suing on grounds of harassment.
• Showbiz bulls still abound in battered market
  Reuters - As markets plunged again Thursday, some Wall Street experts were telling about 400 television executives that they are bullish on the entertainment industry.
• Hugh Jackman named 'Sexiest Man Alive'
  NEW YORK (AP) _ Hugh Jackman says wife Deborra-Lee Furness teased him after finding out he'd been named People magazine's "Sexiest Man Alive."
• John Mayer Meets Jennifer Aniston's Dad?
  E! Online - Sounds like things are getting serious between Jennifer Aniston and John Mayer.
• Madonna, Ritchie on London divorce docket Friday
  AP - A judge will likely grant Madonna and Guy Ritchie an initial divorce decree on Friday, according to the schedule for London's High Court.
• "Twilight" publisher sees film boosting book sales
  Reuters - Described in publishing circles as America's answer to Harry Potter, the teen-age vampires of "Twilight" may reach a wider audience when the movie of the book comes out on Friday with the publisher…
• Winona Ryder briefly hospitalized
  LONDON (AP) _ Winona Ryder was briefly hospitalized after falling ill on a flight to London's Heathrow Airport on Wednesday, her publicist said. Mara Buxbaum said the 37-year-old actress was taken to a…
• Guns N' Roses' 'Chinese Democracy': Appetite for excess
  
• Ladies of 'The View' fire back at Rosie O Donnell
  Barbara Walters had some very pointed words on "The View" today.
• Teller speaks!
  Half of the Las Vegas duo Penn & Teller on "The Red Ball."