Big bucks are on the line next week as the TV networks pitch advertisers and agencies for upfront commitments for next season. More than 8.5 billion is expected to be at stake. This horse race is a little easier to handicap than the Kentucky Derby, since there's no Giancomo waiting to outrun the favorites. CBS is hoping to surpass NBC for the first time in total dollars booked, based on the Eye network's current #1 position overall and strong #2 in the lucrative 18-49 demo. Fox, which is #1 18-49, expects a record take, but has less programming to sell spots on than its three big competitors. ABC is likely to be the most improved over last year, based on its improved ratings. Likewise, NBC is expected to book less upfront money than last year due to its ratings decline. We've put the Nielsen numbers together for you in a Scorecard. Tomorrow: A preview of who's hot and who's not.
Network primetime season-to-date
9/22/04 through 5/8/05 (Week 33)
|
Households
|
|
|
|
Network
|
Rating
|
Share
|
Rating
|
Share
|
|
CBS
|
8.3
|
13
|
8.5
|
14
|
|
NBC
|
6.6
|
11
|
7.3
|
12
|
|
ABC
|
6.5
|
11
|
5.9
|
10
|
|
Fox
|
6.1
|
10
|
6.0
|
10
|
|
UPN
|
2.3
|
4
|
2.3
|
4
|
|
WB
|
2.2
|
3
|
2.4
|
4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adults 18-49
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fox
|
4.1
|
11
|
4.0
|
11
|
|
CBS
|
4.0
|
11
|
3.9
|
11
|
|
ABC
|
3.7
|
10
|
3.3
|
9
|
|
NBC
|
3.6
|
10
|
4.3
|
12
|
|
WB
|
1.4
|
4
|
1.5
|
4
|
|
UPN
|
1.4
|
4
|
1.4
|
4
|
Source: Nielsen Media Research
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