'Talent' Could Outlast Summer; Insiders: Networks Missing Off-Season Opportunities.(National Broadcasting Company Inc.'s 'America's Got Talent')

TelevisionWeek, June, 2006 by Lisotta, Christopher

Byline: Christopher Lisotta Just four weeks after the end of May sweeps, at least one new summer show has demonstrated the ratings strength for potential graduation to the more competitive regular television season. NBC's highly promoted variety competition series "America's Got Talent,'' which is produced by "American Idol'' judge Simon Cowell and hosted by Regis Philbin, premiered last Thursday with a 4.6 rating in adults 18 to 49, a number that includes live viewing and same-day viewing via digital video recorders, according to Nielsen Media Research.

But insiders are saying the broadcast networks may be missing out on the opportunity to launch more shows with staying power this summer. The networks have proven for years that long gone are the lazy...

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