Air Waves
by Laura Nachman

Philadelphia Metro

December 7, 2005

The Philadelphia market may have a new rating system which measures ratings on a continuous basis instead of only a few times a year, but the results are the same -  6ABC’s “Action News” leads the news ratings in Philadelphia.  Led by Jim Gardner at 6 p.m. and 11 p.m., 6ABC won every news ratings race during the week, from 5 a.m. - 11 p.m.

Despite a tough fall for its network NBC, NBC10 held on to second place over CBS3, which airs the programs of the top rated network, CBS.

One story of note is the success of “Who Wants to Be A Millionaire” weekdays at 12:30 p.m. on 6ABC.  When this show was left for dead after the primetime version was canceled three years ago, the daytime version quietly has been a ratings winner.  Host Meredith Vieria was the first female to win an Emmy for “Best Game Show Host.”  Final answer:  Renewal for next season.

We can also safely say that America can’t get enough stories about Nick and Jessica and Brad and Angelina.  All four of the daily entertainment shows, “Entertainment Tonight,” “The Insider,” “Extra,” and “Access Hollywood” enjoy healthy ratings.

In the rerun wars, Philadelphia loves “Seinfeld” and “The Simpsons.” Bart and company beats “Everybody Loves Raymond” and “Friends” at 7 p.m.   And “Seinfeld” beats “Will and Grace” and “Everybody Loves Raymond” at 7:30 p.m.

Veteran shows that continue to pull in the viewers are “Judge Judy” at 5 p.m. on Fox29,  “Jeopardy” and “Wheel of Fortune” on 6ABC from 7 – 8 p.m., and “Oprah” on 6ABC at 4 p.m.

Since the last time we checked, “Tyra Banks” pulled ahead of “Pokemon” in the ratings here, but her talker ranks in fifth place after “Judge Joe Brown” and “Judge Alex” among others.  Maybe if the show was called “The Judge Tyra Banks” show, she’d get higher ratings.