News

CBS’ “The Talk” and “Let’s Make a Deal” continue showing ratings growth based on the just completed 2015 February Sweeps period. According to Nielsen Media Research data, both programs delivered their largest audiences ever during a February Sweep. The period also happened to be a good one for the network’s “The Bold and the Beautiful,” which attracted its largest February Sweeps audience since 2008. The daytime drama series averaged 3.97 million viewers, up 2% compared to last year’s February Sweep.

Hot on the heels of news that NBC’s “Days of our Lives” has put out a casting call for the contract role of Finn, a new doctor set to work alongside Dr. Daniel Jonas (Shawn Christian) when he hits Salem later this year, comes word that the daytime drama series has made a shift in ranks behind the scenes. Lisa de Cazotte is out as co-executive producer, a role she took on in October 2011, with veteran “DAYS” director/producer Albert Alarr set to replace her.

In the first major casting announcement under new head writers Dena Higley and Josh Griffith, who replaced Christopher Whitesell and Gary Tomlin last month, “Days of our Lives” is seeking to cast a legitimate Australian actor for the contract role of Finn, a “ruggedly handsome” Australian doctor who is doing his residency in Salem and will work under the stewardship of Doctor Daniel Jonas (Shawn Christian), reports the Australian Associated Press and TV Tonight.

Ratings Report for the Week of February 16-20, 2015

Ratings Report for the Week of February 9-13, 2015

Ratings Report for the Week of February 2-6, 2015

After several months of disastrous ratings returns that has left many in the industry wondering if “Days of our Lives” would survive its next renewal talks between NBC, Sony Pictures Television and Corday Productions, producers of the soap, the daytime drama series will welcome back veteran writer Dena Higley, and former “One Life to Live” and “The Young and the Restless” head writer Josh Griffith, as its new head writers. The two replace outgoing head writers Gary Tomlin and Christopher Whitesell.

ABC’s “General Hospital” is adding “All My Children” alum Rebecca Budig (ex-Greenlee Smythe) to its all-star cast, it was announced yesterday by executive producer Frank Valentini, following an ongoing Twitter conversation with head writer Ron Carlivati, in response to Valentini’s promise of a major casting announcement. “Hey @RebeccaBudig wanna join the cast of GH in a new Killer Role??” tweeted Valentini, after saying “okay okay” to head writer Ron Carlivati.

CBS’ Angelica McDaniel, who in her role as Senior Vice President, Daytime, CBS Entertainment, has overseen the growth in all areas of daytime programming for the network since her promotion to the position in February 2012, will add oversight of first-run programming development for CBS Television Distribution, the syndication arm of CBS Corp., the company announced today.

Ratings Report for the Week of January 26-30, 2015