PERFORMANCE/SCHEDULE ANALYSIS
(Updated as of January 20, 2009)
TARGET DEMOGRAPHIC:
Strongest Demo is Adults 25-54, with a slightly female skew. However, there are stronger male demos on Mondays due to POKER.
DECEMBER 2008 PRIMETIME SCHEDULE
TOP PRIMETIME SHOWS:
HIGH STAKES POKER, WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE, FAMILY FEUD, WORLD POKER TOUR, CATCH 2, PYRAMID, CHAIN REACTION, RUSSIAN ROULETTE
SCHEDULING STRATEGIES:
Much of GSN's programming is conventional studio-based quizzers that dominate primetime. However, they are leading up with new specials and theme nights as in the case of their Vegas Night block of casino programming. Their schedule seems to be constantly changing and in flux.
GSN has acquired the rights to the WORLD POKER TOUR which solidifies the network's brand and will help build ratings for GSN's weekly Monday night casino-themed line-up which will air in Fall '08.
PROGRAM/SCHEDULE CHANGES:
NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2008:
PREMIERES:
**November 15th - THE MEOW MIX GAME SHOW at 9:30pm
JANUARY AND BEYOND:
**Spring '09 - THE NEWLYWED GAME
YEAR AGO/BIG PICTURE:
Overall primetime delivery averages were up this month as compared to one year ago, December 2007. While overall share fell flat, delivery was up +4%.Men 25-54 was up +100% share and +15% delivery.FAMILY FEUD was up +31% overall from one year ago.
DECEMBER 2008 PRIMETIME RATINGS ANALYSIS:
Overall, the primetime Monday-Sunday average for ratings, share and demos was on par this month compared to last month, November. Overall share fell flat and delivery was down -5%. Adults 25-54 their core demographics were up slightly by +2% in overall delivery.However Adults 18-49 share was up +100%.
Staples for the network continue to sustain the primetime line-up: MILLIONAIRE, FAMILY FEUD, and POKER. HIGH STAKES POKER 4 was down in overall delivery but was up with Adults 18-49 & 25-54 share by +100%.WORLD POKER TOUR was also down, but was up +100% with Adults 25-54.GSN recently switched to a casino line-up on the weekend, and for the most part it has paid off.With a lot of attention to on/off air components of game playing, it has enhanced their viewers commitment to their programming and had made some older acquisitions new and fresh. And with six seasons under its belt, WORLD POKER TOUR remains a pioneer in transforming the game of poker into a spectator sport for the Channel.
WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE were up slightly this month, +2% in overall delivery.A modest increase for this new half-hour version hosted by Meredith Viera.Again, one of the most highly rated programs on the network month to month.GSN is the first cable network to air the syndicated half-hour version.We would bet that GSN is banking on her unique wit and charisma along with the faster-paced version of the show to be a perfect complement to the primetime lineup.
The rest of the Monday-Friday line-up continues to be a consistent vertical stack of programs. FAMILY FEUD, CATCH 21 and PYRAMID proceeding MILLIONAIRE. FEUD fell flat this month, and CATCH 21 was down in overall delivery as was PYRAMID.However both CATCH and PYRAMID had significant gains in terms of share amongst Women 25-54 demos.
Saturday nights held steady with MILLIONAIRE, WEAKEST LINK, CHAIN REACTION and RUSSIAN ROULETTE. Both CHAIN and ROULETTE were up this month by +13% and +14% in delivery, respectively. LINK's ratings were also up, and growth as much as +18% this month.It was a solid month of old reliable programming with no surprises, specials or highlights.As a side note, there was a recent study that found that 69 million adults watch game shows and play online games, a group GSN refers to as those with the "gaming gene."So if you figure the state of today's economy, it is also expected that more people will develop the "gaming gene" as they search for less expensive means of entertainment. GSN is reaching out to these new audiences by offering opportunities to play along both on-air and online, putting winning within reaches for everyone.So we'll just have to wait and see what 2009 brings for this Channel.
PROGRAM ACQUISITIONS:
None announced.
PROGRAM RENEWALS:
HIGH STAKES POKER (season #5)
PROGRAM CANCELLATIONS:
None announced.
ADDITIONAL SHOWS CURRENTLY AIRING:
MATCH GAME, WHAT'S MY LINE? CARD SHARK, PASSWORD PLUS, $100,000 PYRAMID, JEOPARDY!, NEWLYWED GAME, PRESS YOUR LUCK, LOVE CONNECTION, SUPER PASSWORD, HOLLYWOOD SQUARES, WIN BEN STEIN'S MONEY, BLOCKBUSTER, DOUBLE DARE
