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But the Boston Pops special is historically the best of the holiday fare. Last year, the movie Independence Day blew it outta the water.
(from Media Life)
Firecracker Fourth except on television
Expect the usual low turnout for holiday specials
By Toni Fitzgerald
There are holidays where families gather ‘round the TV, but the Fourth of July isn't among them.
Viewership typically hits some of the lowest levels of the year, with fewer than half of the nation’s sets turned on.
But the broadcast networks continue to trot out star-studded Independence Day celebrations nonetheless. It never seems to matter who’s on them, they get about the same ratings.
So expect no different this Sunday when “American Idol” Fantasia Barrino, runner-up Clay Aiken, Sheryl Crow and Donald Trump all try to pump ratings on various July 4 specials.
Last year no fireworks celebration averaged above a 2.5 adults 18-49 rating. It didn’t help that the Fourth was on a Friday, a night that usually has low broadcast viewership levels to start.
Faring much better, in fact, was Fox’s competing movie special “Independence Day,” which averaged a 4.0 and was tops for the week.
CBS’s “Boston Pops Fireworks” managed a 4.8 household rating to tie for 25th for the week, but it was still about 10 percent behind “Independence Day.”
Two years ago, NBC averaged a 2.6 18-49 rating with its “Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks,” but again, that only ranked No. 26 for the week.
Fox was pretty happy with “Independence’s” performance and will rerun the movie again this year. Since it’s the type of escapist film that people will watch year after year, it should do well, but perhaps not as well as last year’s premiere.
As for the fireworks shows, one on CBS and the other on NBC, expect no more than last year. There’s been low viewership this summer even for new shows, so there’s no reason to think that traditionally lukewarm offerings will heat up at all.
And even though the Fourth falls on a Sunday, a strong day for TV viewership, many people won’t be going to work the next day, meaning they can get away from home and television to celebrate.
The only thing that may boost broadcast ratings is a call for scattered thunderstorms along the East Coast Sunday. If the rain lasts into the night and local fireworks displays are canceled, then people may head inside to see them on television.
But if skies are clear, it should be another slow July 4 evening.
(from Media Life)
Firecracker Fourth except on television
Expect the usual low turnout for holiday specials
By Toni Fitzgerald
There are holidays where families gather ‘round the TV, but the Fourth of July isn't among them.
Viewership typically hits some of the lowest levels of the year, with fewer than half of the nation’s sets turned on.
But the broadcast networks continue to trot out star-studded Independence Day celebrations nonetheless. It never seems to matter who’s on them, they get about the same ratings.
So expect no different this Sunday when “American Idol” Fantasia Barrino, runner-up Clay Aiken, Sheryl Crow and Donald Trump all try to pump ratings on various July 4 specials.
Last year no fireworks celebration averaged above a 2.5 adults 18-49 rating. It didn’t help that the Fourth was on a Friday, a night that usually has low broadcast viewership levels to start.
Faring much better, in fact, was Fox’s competing movie special “Independence Day,” which averaged a 4.0 and was tops for the week.
CBS’s “Boston Pops Fireworks” managed a 4.8 household rating to tie for 25th for the week, but it was still about 10 percent behind “Independence Day.”
Two years ago, NBC averaged a 2.6 18-49 rating with its “Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks,” but again, that only ranked No. 26 for the week.
Fox was pretty happy with “Independence’s” performance and will rerun the movie again this year. Since it’s the type of escapist film that people will watch year after year, it should do well, but perhaps not as well as last year’s premiere.
As for the fireworks shows, one on CBS and the other on NBC, expect no more than last year. There’s been low viewership this summer even for new shows, so there’s no reason to think that traditionally lukewarm offerings will heat up at all.
And even though the Fourth falls on a Sunday, a strong day for TV viewership, many people won’t be going to work the next day, meaning they can get away from home and television to celebrate.
The only thing that may boost broadcast ratings is a call for scattered thunderstorms along the East Coast Sunday. If the rain lasts into the night and local fireworks displays are canceled, then people may head inside to see them on television.
But if skies are clear, it should be another slow July 4 evening.
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