Debmar-Mercury, a leading media company specializing in syndication, network, cable and ancillary markets, has extended live production of THE WENDY WILLIAMS SHOW for the third consecutive summer. The decision by the show's producer and distributor follows another stellar season in which it posted across-the-board gains, landing as the only daytime talker to grow nationally and leading all of its Syndicated and network entertainment talk competitors in the local metered markets during the May sweeps.
Wendy, which will continue to air live episodes through July 23, took its place among the top tier of national daytime talk shows this season as it rose 9% season-to-date to a 1.2 rating among women 25-54 and 11% to a 1.0 with women 18-49 through May 17.
In claiming sole possession of fourth place this season, Wendy was the only entertainment talker in the crowded daytime field to gain year-to-year nationally as others finished flat or down in the key daytime demo measurements. Through the corresponding period during the 2013-14 season, Wendy was in a five-way battle for fifth-place with women 25-54 and a two-way race for fourth place in the 18-49 women bracket.
May to May, Wendy finished in a three-way first-place tie in rating in the major LPM markets alongside Live with Kelly & Michael and Ellen (1.3 rating) in women 25-54. It stood alone in first place among entertainment talk with a 1.0 rating for women 18-49, while improving its share in both categories by 23% and 24%, respectively (leaping to a 9.7 share from an 8.5 share in 25-54 and to an 8.8 from a 7.1 among 18-49).
"This is one instance in which we don't mind sounding like a broken record," commented Mort Marcus and Ira Bernstein, Co-Presidents of Lionsgate-owned Debmar-Mercury. "Thanks to Wendy, her terrific production team and our strong lineup of affiliates, we now have one of only a handful of talk shows that have not only survived but thrived in daytime. Very rarely in our long careers have we seen a show perform like this - one that trends up sweep after sweep, routinely posts year-over-year growth and sees gains in almost every market, including on traditional affiliates and following newscasts, as ratings for most other shows sink. Incredible."
Wendy Williams said, "Who needs the summer off? I love what I do and am so excited to able to share in the amazing enthusiasm and energy of my audience at home and in the studio, including those who are home from school. This is a phenomenal experience and I am so grateful to spend the summer with them, spilling all those juicy Hot Topics and sharing laughs."
Taped live in New York City, Wendy is renewed through 2017, airs in in 52 countries globally and also runs in the U.S. on BET at midnight. Featuring Williams' distinctive and entertaining personality, the show offers a diverse mix of interviews with celebrity guests from television, film, music and sports. Popular segments include "Hot Topics," in which Williams delivers her own unpredictable, honest and authentic take on the latest pop culture headlines.
About Debmar-Mercury
Debmar-Mercury, a leading media company specializing in syndication, network, cable and ancillary markets, produces and distributes The Wendy Williams Show; produces and distributes the Craig Ferguson-hosted
CELEBRITY NAME GAME (renewed for a second season starting in fall 2015) with co-producer FremantleMedia North America; has U.S. distribution rights to FremantleMedia North America's Steve Harvey-hosted Family Feud; distributes Tyler Perry sitcoms House of Payne and spinoff Meet the Browns, as well as Revolution/CubeVision's
ARE WE THERE YET? (starring Ice Cube); and, for FX, sitcoms including Lionsgate Television's
ANGER MANAGEMENT (starring Charlie Sheen and now also airing in national off-network syndication); and has U.S. TV distribution rights to Tosh.0, South Park, Hell's Kitchen and a movie library featuring titles from Revolution Studios. Debmar-Mercury is a wholly owned subsidiary of Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF), a leading global entertainment company.
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