THE NUMBERS
(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — “General Hospital” and “The Revolution” are both fighting for a spot on the fall 2012-2013 schedule on ABC Daytime, although neither appear to be making a solid case for themselves.
During the week of March 19-23, 2012, “General Hospital” was down in numerous key categories year-to-year and hit or tied new series lows in Women 18-49 rating (tied its series low with a 0.8), Women 18-34 (new series low with a 0.3). The remaining daytime soap on ABC was down by a mere 1,000 viewers from its performance the week prior (week of March 12-16, 2012), but the show has hemorrhaged a massive 622,000 viewers compared to its performance on the year-ago (week of March 21-25, 2011). “GH’s” most recent performance is a far cry from its comparable week last year when the soap was on the rise, which helped secure its future just before the network announced it was canceling “All My Children” and “One Life to Live.”
After hitting a series low during the week of March 12-16, 2012, “The Revolution was primed and ready for another series low during the week of March 19-23, 2012, according to figures released Thursday by Marc Berman, Editor in Chief of TV Media Insights.
“One Life to Live,” which last aired on Friday, January 13 of this year, had more than a one million total viewer advantage over “Revolution” and performed 46-60% higher in the key sales demographics including Women 18-49 and Women 18-34 on the comparable week last year (week of March 21-25, 2011). “Revolution” averaged  just 1.32 million viewers compared to “One Life’s” performance the year before when the ABC soap had a total average audience of 2.51 million viewers. On the year-ago in Women 18-49, “One Life” held a 0.9/6 rating compared to the 0.5/3 “Revolution” received (difference of 44%) and in Women 25-54 “One Life” had a 1.3/8 rating compared to “Revolution’s” 0.7/2 (difference of 47%). The “It’s About You” talker barely rated in Women 18-34 with its 0.2/2, which was a difference of 60% from “One Life’s” performance the year before when the soap hit a 0.5/4 rating. Note: “One Life to Live” began its upward swing in all ratings categories beginning with the week of March 14-18, 2011 (the trend continued until its series finale earlier this year).
Ratings Comparison per TV Media Insights:
- One Life to Live – Week of 3/21/11
Viewers: 2.51 million, Women 25-54: 1.3/ 8, Women 18-49: 0.9/ 6, Women 18-34: 0.5/ 4
- The Revolution – Week of 3/19/12
Viewers: 1.32 million, Women 25-54: 0.7/ 4, Women 18-49: 0.5/ 3, Women 18-34: 0.2/ 2Percent Change – The Revolution vs. One Life to Live
Viewers: -47, Women 25-54: -46, Women 18-49: -44, Women 18-34: -60
If “Revolution” wasn’t problem enough for ABC, “The Chew” has returned to performing below “All My Children” in key ratings categories. Note: “The View” was in reruns.
For a look at how daytime talk shows performed during the week of March 19-23, 2012 head on over to TV Media Insights. For a look at how daytime soap operas performed, click here.
