Daytime TV Ratings: Judge Judy Rules!

Judge Judy

Based on the national rating results from April 23 to May 20 (also known as the May 2015 sweeps), everyone’s favorite gaveler, "Judge Judy" finished at the top of the rankings (among all strips).

According to Marc Berman, “Judy” averaged a 6.7 household rating, which bested No. 2 “Wheel of Fortune” (6.5) by two-tenths of a rating point (or three percent).  Compared to May 2014, the two veteran strips posted minor losses at eight percent and three percent, respectively.  And corporate cousin “Dr. Phil” (3.3: - 3 percent) led the category of talk for the 11th consecutive sweep.

Second in talk was “Live with Kelly & Michael” from Disney-ABC at a 2.9 rating, which rose to its best May in eight years and held a 16 percent advantage over No. 3 “Ellen DeGeneres” from Warner Bros. (2.5: - 7 percent).

Also on the plus side in the category year-to-year were “Wendy Williams” (1.7: +21 percent) and “Jerry Springer” (1.3: + 8 percent).  Just the opposite, with a loss of 35 percent, was “Dr. Oz” from Sony Pictures Television at a 1.3.  Erosion among key women 25-54 (0.7) was even more severe for “Dr. Oz” at 42 percent.

Tops among the freshman strips, not surprisingly, was “Hot Bench,” also from CTD (and from Judge Judith Sheindlin) at a 2.0 rating.  Comparably, that was a hefty 54 percent above its debut week (1.3 for the week of Sept. 15).  And veteran “Entertainment Tonight” from CTD (3.2: - 3 percent) clocked its 98th straight sweeps victory (translation: more than 24 years!), with corporate cousin “Inside Edition” (3.1: + 3) trailing by just one-tenth of a rating point.