Tough reality for magazine shows: ratings are off, with off-net sitcom strength a major factor. (syndicated magazine news shows)

Broadcasting & Cable, January, 1997 by Littleton, Cynthia

If a syndicated news magazine were to report on the recent performance of the first-run magazine genre, the promotional spot for the segment might sound something like this: "They said it could never happen, but it has. A tried-and-true program form has fallen on hard times. Tim Allen, Jerry Seinfeld and Bart Simpson are luring away once-loyal viewers in access.

But no one in the TV business is ready to write off the magazine genre--yet!" Household and demographic ratings for all first-run magazines are off year-to-year virtually across the board. Nielsen Media Research numbers for Hard Copy, American Journal and other shows are slipping for the second year in a row. Access Hollywood, the most anticipated new first-run strip of the season, has...

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