Ratings don’t really matter for ‘Gossip Girl’
Cory Bergman November 21st, 2007
The CW show Gossip Girl isn’t doing very well in the ratings. In fact, it doesn’t even crack the top 100 shows. “I can honestly say I don’t check the ratings after the show airs,” said Josh Schwartz, the show’s founder. So why hasn’t the show been canceled? You guessed it — it’s wildly popular online, even outpacing The Office on iTunes. Fans sites are everywhere. And when you add DVR ratings to the mix, it’s the most-watched show by teenagers. “It doesn’t give local affiliates much of a lead-in, but that is something we have to get used to,” explains AR&D’s Steve Safran. “When people use a DVR, there are no lead-ins. When you download a show, there are no lead-ins. For websites, there are no lead-ins. So after a while, the whole concept of a lead-in just… goes… away. Local news truly has to stand on its merits now.”
20 Comments Add your own
1. discreet_chaos | November 21st, 2007 at 5:42 pm
Commence ridicule: I’m not a teenager and in fact, I’m old enough to have teenagers of my own, but “Gossip Girl” is among the programs that I stream from the CW’s website every week and it’s probably third in my order of online preference among current shows.
It’s not deep. It’s not profound and I could point to “problems” with the show. It’s not my first choice in its broadcast timeslot and there’s probably no circumstance under which I’d watch it live, but when my 2 yo is refusing to go to sleep, I consider it a guilty pleasure and I usually stream it within 24 hours of being available.
2. Rob | November 21st, 2007 at 7:06 pm
That all seems reasonable, after all it was a persistent pack of consumers and a handful of salty nuts to make CBS realize there was more to Jericho than just Nielsen ratings.
… and why aren’t you referring to Steve as “Lost Remote Editor Emeritus”?
3. discreet_chaos | November 21st, 2007 at 7:11 pm
Er… corection — I just realized that “Gossip Girl” is more like fourth.
4. Mike Allan | November 21st, 2007 at 8:32 pm
Well discreet chaos, I have a teenage daughter and she loves this show. She records it on DVD so she can share it with her friends who miss it.
She wasn’t aware of the fan sites, but she will be now!
5. Safran | November 22nd, 2007 at 7:53 am
My first post-leaving-LR ref. Cool.
6. adam | November 22nd, 2007 at 8:26 am
That Safran guy seems to be on to something, LR should try to bring him on board.
Perhaps there’s a niche (beyond football) for news outlets to produce web only content for teens.
7. Chip Mahaney | November 23rd, 2007 at 8:59 am
Safran who? I think I’ve heard of him before, but it’s been so long.
I agree with Adam. How can a news outlet best connect with a teen audience? Chat, mobile, social-networking? What new content niche can we serve best?
8. Fashionistatv | November 30th, 2007 at 1:03 pm
I love GG, and I only download it from iTunes, so I guess I am one of the people messing with the ratings.
9. Jessica | December 5th, 2007 at 8:22 pm
It’s so very true - GG is so huge online. I think even bigger than The O.C. This was/is a book series first - so there was already a fanbase. It’s a true guilty pleasure. Mindless fun with glamor and glitz.
10. sonam | January 3rd, 2008 at 5:13 pm
I love GG..everyone i know watches it and so do I. Only a few of my friends watch it online–most of em watch it on tv.
11. Spring | January 13th, 2008 at 11:50 am
I’m in my mid 20s and I love this show - and Im not watching it to broaden my mind. In fact Im watching it to help me relax my mind.
But I watch it from my DVR after Im done studying - so the ratings and lead-ins from me are well… none. Sorry Neilson. But Im glad to hear that Itunes and webisodes are keeping it alive…
12. Diana | March 24th, 2008 at 5:39 pm
I only watch this show online and it’s my FAVORITE! It’s basically this only show I watch. I’m obsessed.
13. Mandy | April 23rd, 2008 at 1:46 am
I only watch this show online as well. In my country, everything you see on TV has been heavily tampered by the censorship board. Thank goodness for the internet!
Sorry bout the ratings, tho’.
14. kirsten | May 3rd, 2008 at 5:00 pm
I love this show a lot, and the only time I watch it is online. I’m in college and I never have time to watch it when it airs on tv. I guess I’m goin to just have to buy it off of itunes sine you can’t watch it online anymore.
15. Stevee | May 12th, 2008 at 5:01 pm
I love gossip girl but i dont watch it on tv i usually get it off itunes i think ratings dont matter because it is definitley one of the most popular tv shows for teens
16. Sarah | May 29th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
I watch it online too, but I LOVE it. They better not cancel this too, I was devastated when they took away the OC
17. tinkywinky | June 29th, 2008 at 6:22 am
same here! i watch it online tooo coz i dnt have time watching it from tv…love gossip girl.
18. jess | August 10th, 2008 at 2:44 pm
I love gossip girl. I never miss an episode. I loved the book and even though its a little different in story lines I still love it because it so scadalous and chatty which I love. Can’t wait for next season!!!!
19. Anonymous | August 29th, 2008 at 1:36 am
If ratings don’t matter, why was Shark canceled? I don’t understand TV.
I believe people believe that rich white teenagers watch the show; therefore the show gets good advertisements.
Other than that, I don’t understand.
20. JPSN | October 28th, 2008 at 8:50 pm
Ok this is VERY embarrassing but “Gossip Girl” is my guilty pleasure that NO ONE knows I watch. Embarrassing disclosure: I am a 41-year old guy. NO the characters do NOT turn me on or anything-it’s perfect for my brain when I want it to just completely melt. After work at the office, I need to completely zone out, and this show is perfect for what I need for 1 hour every hectic Monday! I JUST DON’T WANNA THINK!!!
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