MAGNA, a “global media forecasting and investment strategy unit” of Mediabrands (itself a “media holding company” and part of Interpublic Group) has released a report detailing the state of comedies on television today. Written by Steve Sternberg and titled, appropriately enough, “Comedies on Television,” the report notes that while the number of comedies currently on the broadcast networks in the United States is low that doesn’t mean viewers aren’t watching comedies. They’re just watching older ones.
Included in the report is the following:
What are the most popular comedies on television today?
Would you believe, the top 15 are Family Guy, George Lopez, Two and a Half Men, Home Improvement, Fresh Prince, Everybody Loves Raymond, Seinfeld, Family Matters, That ‘70s Show, King of Queens, Friends, Frasier, Andy Griffith, Roseanne and M*A*S*H? Of these, only two, Family Guy and Two and a Half Men, will be on a broadcast network this fall.
Helping M*A*S*H is its exposure: it currently airs on two cable channels (TV Land and The Hallmark Channel), a broadcast network (ION) and in broadcast syndication in local markets. Nevertheless, I was very surprised to see the series among the most popular comedies of 2009. The report doesn’t specify how the list was compiled but I would assume Nielsen ratings were compiled for every comedy on the air — likely the aggregate of all airings — and they were simply ranked in order of viewers or household rating.
With M*A*S*H being shown so often, even if every individual episode is only watched by a relatively small number of viewers, the total number of people watching the show is pretty high. Thanks to TVbytheNumbers for linking to the report; the actual report can be viewed here.
