Nielsen has issued a year-end look at the most popular trends among Americans during 2008, covering everything from the top TV programs to the most popular consumer packaged goods.
FOX’s “American Idol” was the top TV program of 2008, according to Nielsen. Tuesday night broadcasts of “American Idol,” through December 7, drew 15.5% of U.S. TV households, on average, while Wednesday night “American Idol” broadcasts drew an average of 15.3% of all TV households.
Viewers with DVR access gave NBC’s “Heroes” the biggest bump any primetime program received in 2008. The average TV audience for “Heroes” increased by 35% when timeshifted viewing within seven days of a program’s original air date was factored into Nielsen’s ratings. FOX’s “Fringe” and ABC’s “Lost” also drew large audience boosts — +26% and +25%, respectively — from DVR viewers.
The 2008 Superbowl, which drew 43.1% of all U.S. TV households, was the most popular single telecast of 2008.
Top 10 TV Programs – Regularly Scheduled
| อันดับ | รายการโปรแกรม | เครือข่าย | % of Homes In U.S. (Rating) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | AMERICAN IDOL-TUESDAY | ฟ็อกซ์ | 15.5% |
| 2 | AMERICAN IDOL-WEDNESDAY | ฟ็อกซ์ | 15.3% |
| 3 | DANCING WITH THE STARS | เอบีซี | 12.3% |
| 4 | DANCING W/STARS RESULTS | เอบีซี | 11.4% |
| 5 | MENTALIST, THE | ซีบีเอส | 10.0% |
| 6 | ฟุตบอลคืนวันอาทิตย์ของ NBC | เอ็นบีซี | 10.0% |
| 7 | CSI | ซีบีเอส | 8.1% |
| 8 | เอ็นซีไอเอส | ซีบีเอส | 8.0% |
| 9 | 60 นาที | ซีบีเอส | 7.6% |
| 10 | SURVIVOR: GABON | ซีบีเอส | 7.6% |
| Source: The Nielsen Company (January 1 – December 7, 2008). | |||
| Note: Household Ratings include Live and Same Day timeshifted viewing. Data excludes telecasts under five minutes. |
Top 10 TV Programs – Single Telecast
| อันดับ | Telecast | เครือข่าย | Date Aired | % Of Homes In U.S. (Rating) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | FOX SUPER BOWL XLII | ฟ็อกซ์ | 2/3/2008 | 43.1% |
| 2 | FOX SUPER BOWL POST GAME | ฟ็อกซ์ | 2/3/2008 | 30.1% |
| 3 | FOX NFC CHAMPIONSHIP | ฟ็อกซ์ | 1/20/2008 | 29.0% |
| 4 | SUMMER OLYMPICS TUE PRIME 1 | เอ็นบีซี | 8/12/2008 | 20.0% |
| 5 | FOX NFC PLAYOFF-PST-SUN | ฟ็อกซ์ | 1/13/2008 | 18.8% |
| 6 | SUMMER OLYMPICS OPEN CEREM | เอ็นบีซี | 8/8/2008 | 18.8% |
| 7 | ACADEMY AWARDS | เอบีซี | 2/24/2008 | 18.7% |
| 8 | SUMMER OLYMPICS SUN PRIME 1 | เอ็นบีซี | 8/10/2008 | 18.1% |
| 9 | AFC DIVISIONAL PLAYOFF | ซีบีเอส | 1/12/2008 | 17.9% |
| 10 | SUMMER OLYMPICS THU PRIME 1 | เอ็นบีซี | 8/14/2008 | 17.9% |
| Source: The Nielsen Company (January 1 – December 7, 2008). | ||||
| Note: Household Ratings include Live and Same Day timeshifted viewing. Data excludes telecasts under five minutes. |
Top 10 “Timeshifted” Primetime TV Programs
| อันดับ | รายการโปรแกรม | เครือข่าย | % Increase In Viewership |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | HEROES | เอ็นบีซี | 35% |
| 2 | FRINGE | ฟ็อกซ์ | 26% |
| 3 | LOST | เอบีซี | 25% |
| 4 | BONES | ฟ็อกซ์ | 21% |
| 5 | GREY’S ANATOMY-THU 9PM | เอบีซี | 20% |
| 6 | HOUSE | ฟ็อกซ์ | 18% |
| 7 | SURVIVOR: GABON | ซีบีเอส | 18% |
| 8 | AMERICAN IDOL-TUESDAY | ฟ็อกซ์ | 13% |
| 9 | MENTALIST, THE | ซีบีเอส | 13% |
| 10 | AMERICAN IDOL-WEDNESDAY | ฟ็อกซ์ | 12% |
| Source: The Nielsen Company (January 1 – November 23, 2008). | |||
| Note: Percent Increase in viewership is based on absolute difference between Live Household Ratings and Live+7. |
View the press release.
Relive the greatest hits of 2008 — stay tuned on Nielsen Wire for more Tops In 2008 coverage.
Look ahead to the new year with Nielsen Wire’s 2009 Industry Outlook series.
