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
(Rating)
Rank
Program
Network
% of Homes In U.S.
1
AMERICAN IDOL-TUESDAY
FOX
15.5%
2
AMERICAN IDOL-WEDNESDAY
FOX
15.3%
3
DANCING WITH THE STARS
ABC
12.3%
4
DANCING W/STARS RESULTS
ABC
11.4%
5
MENTALIST, THE
CBS
10.0%
6
NBC SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
NBC
10.0%
7
CSI
CBS
8.1%
8
NCIS
CBS
8.0%
9
60 MINUTES
CBS
7.6%
10
SURVIVOR: GABON
CBS
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
In U.S. (Rating)
Rank
Telecast
Network
Date Aired
% Of Homes
1
FOX SUPER BOWL XLII
FOX
2/3/2008
43.1%
2
FOX SUPER BOWL POST GAME
FOX
2/3/2008
30.1%
3
FOX NFC CHAMPIONSHIP
FOX
1/20/2008
29.0%
4
SUMMER OLYMPICS TUE PRIME 1
NBC
8/12/2008
20.0%
5
FOX NFC PLAYOFF-PST-SUN
FOX
1/13/2008
18.8%
6
SUMMER OLYMPICS OPEN CEREM
NBC
8/8/2008
18.8%
7
ACADEMY AWARDS
ABC
2/24/2008
18.7%
8
SUMMER OLYMPICS SUN PRIME 1
NBC
8/10/2008
18.1%
9
AFC DIVISIONAL PLAYOFF
CBS
1/12/2008
17.9%
10
SUMMER OLYMPICS THU PRIME 1
NBC
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
In Viewership
Rank
Program
Network
% Increase
1
HEROES
NBC
35%
2
FRINGE
FOX
26%
3
LOST
ABC
25%
4
BONES
FOX
21%
5
GREY’S ANATOMY-THU 9PM
ABC
20%
6
HOUSE
FOX
18%
7
SURVIVOR: GABON
CBS
18%
8
AMERICAN IDOL-TUESDAY
FOX
13%
9
MENTALIST, THE
CBS
13%
10
AMERICAN IDOL-WEDNESDAY
FOX
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.