A Great Season for CBS, A Fail for Everyone Else

This season of TV started out phenomenally, but over the last few weeks it has morphed, and there is now a significant gap between the winners and the losers. So far the fall season has proved to be one of CBS's best in years. The CW is similarly doing quite well, while contenders like NBC, ABC and FOX are flailing somewhat miserably.

CBS has made some brilliant programming decisions in conjunction with successful new programming. If you look at the Neilson ratings for TV in the last month, you will find that at least 16 of the top 25 spots are dominated by CBS. They single-handedly own Thursday nights without any competition.

CBS is offering viewers shows like Hawaii Five-O, Blue Bloods, Mike and Molly, NCIS, The Defenders, Criminal Minds, Two and a Half Men, The Mentalist, CSI, $#*! My Dad Says and The Big Bang Theory. The latter four shows all run on Thursday nights and pull in the best numbers for CBS. Even better for CBS is that they are pulling in the coveted 18-49 demographic that is by far the hardest to entice.

The CW has been able to pull in the 18-34 demographic with The Vampire Diaries and Nikita, both of which have been renewed for another season. They've had decent numbers for other shows, too, like 90210, Gossip Girl and Hellcats.

In the case of NBC, ABC and FOX, their seasons are not going as well as they could be or have been in the past. NBC has been getting high viewership numbers for Sunday Night Football, but otherwise it's not making the cut. The Undercovers and Chase have been renewed for another season. In the past few years NBC has done well with The Office, Heroes and 30 Rock, but this season has proven to be the network's worst.           

ABC and FOX have both canceled a show, My Generation and Lone Star respectively, early on in the season, a sign that things did not start on a good foot. ABC is controlling the No. 1 spot every week, in terms of viewership, with Dancing with the Stars, which pulls in about 19 million viewers each week. Other than that, ABC's ratings are sliding with Grey's Anatomy, Modern Family, Castle and Desperate Housewives only pulling in 10 to 12 million viewers. This past week Grey's hit a new low with 9 million viewers.

FOX has been having problems of its own, with only Glee as it's most enticing show. Fringe has not been able to stand up to CBS, although creatively merited. House has been able to pull in a good amount of viewers, but nothing ground breaking. The low ratings in conjunction with FOX's current pricing dilemma with Cablevision have proved to be detrimental to FOX as a whole.

This season has not been kind to anyone but CBS who has come out on top and provided amusing TV. Maybe next season will be better for the contenders, but we will have to wait and see.