CTV, Global resort to name calling...

[newsjunkie]

CTV calls Global an "also-ran," Global calls CTV old and cranky
National Post

CTV and Global are locked in a grudge match over who is winning in the ratings. Here are Tuesday’s releases, one from each network. You can tell this stuff is important, because the releases use quadruple spacing in spots (which we’ve reduced to single):

CTV Ratings Alert – October 2, 2007
Premiere Week Ratings: The Real Story – Global Remains Also-Ran Among Key Demos
CTV is Number 1 – and Global isn’t. Contrary to a sour grapes press release today from Canwest Mediaworks, overnight data from BBM Nielsen Media Research confirms that Global was once again the Number 2 network among key demos during the first week of the Fall TV Season. The numbers speak for themselves: CTV delivered more viewers on average in primetime during Premiere Week not only among total viewers, but both the A18-49 and A25-54 demos as well.
Average audience for Monday, Sept. 24 – Sunday, Sept. 30 from 7-11 p.m.:
CTV Global
A2+ 1,277,700 879,500 +45%
A18-49 547,000 487,000 +12%
A25-54 616,000 509,000 +21%
Data quoted: CTV Full and Global Full (BBM Nielsen Media Research).

And here’s what Global said earlier Tuesday afternoon:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PREMIERE WEEK RATINGS: THE WHOLE STORY
Global Delivers #1 Show of the Week, 5 of Canada’s Top 10 Hits
Global Grows…CTV Falls, But Can’t Get Up
(TORONTO - October 2, 2007) With the first week of the fall TV season now complete, a clear new dynamic has emerged in Canadian television. While CTV is posting large audience numbers among Canada’s 50+ population, Global has reclaimed its dominant position among the key demographic that shapes the tastes and trends in the entertainment industry: viewers 18-49.
In the most competitive week of the season, Global had the #1 show of the week for this critical viewer group – the demographic that ad agencies target. Global also had 5 of the top 10 shows nationally, and in all metered markets.
Despite press releases heralding that “CTV continues to dominate Premiere Week”, a closer and more comprehensive look at the ratings reveals that CTV’s success has been largely focused in the 50+ demographic. While its audience in this sector was up 41% compared to the same week last fall, CTV is struggling to remain competitive in the key target group that advertisers demand: viewers 18-49.
Comparatively, Global’s 18-49 viewership was up 39% during premiere week – a trend being widely noted by national advertising agencies, industry observers and key press.
In addition, CTV also appears to be the home of aging hits. The CSI franchise (CSI, CSI Miami and CSI New York) collectively is down 24% among total viewers and down 36% among 18-49 year olds.
To further illustrate the taste differential among the two demographic groups, listed below are the top 10 programs nationally for the week of September 24 for viewers 18-49 and viewers 50+.
Viewers 18-49 Viewers 50+
1. House (Global) 1. CSI New York (CTV)
2. Grey’s Anatomy (CTV) 2. CSI (CTV)
3. Survivor: China (Global) 3. House (Global)
4. Heroes (Global) 4. Dancing…Results (CTV)
5. CSI (CTV) 5. CSI Miami (CTV)
6. CSI Miami (CTV) 6. Desperate Housewives (CTV)
7. Desperate Housewives (CTV) 7. NCIS (Global)
8. CSI New York (CTV) 8. Dancing…Perf. (CTV)
9. Prison Break (Global) 9. Grey’s Anatomy (CTV)
10. Family Guy (Global) 10. Evening News (CTV)
(Source: BBM NMR, Week of September 24, 8-11pm)

http://communities.canada.com/nation...nd-cranky.aspx

[grog]

I can think of a few choice names for both networks but none of them are positive. What exactly do either of them have to brag about? For viewers 18-49, all 10 of the top 10 programs are U.S. productions. For viewers 50+, the top 1 thru 9 are all U.S. productions and number 10 is simply the CTV Evening News. I'd hardly call either of them winners.

[One Bit Wonder]

Do either one of these Networks actually broadcast any Canadian Productions??? No wonder why the top 10 shows in Canada are US productions; CBC and some specialty channels are the only source of Canadian productions.

[faston]

Well, as an over-50 viewer (just), it's nice to see that Global has as little interest in my viewing as I do in watching their second-tier TV network.

[smallmj]

The only valid name calling:

CTV: Hey, Global, you are EVEN worse than us!!!!!

[I_Want_My_HDTV]

CTV delivered more viewers...

Looks to me like CBS, NBC and FOX delivered the viewers...

[99jaystang]

I like to throw one in there " Hey Global! where's your HD content, on your HD channel?"