(Looks like we're going to need to start taking naps on Wednesday evenings. Per Variety today - Lost is moving to 10:00 pm EST when it comes back in February!)
In February, ABC will move 'Lost' to Wednesdays at 10 to avoid direct competition with Fox's 'American Idol.'ABC is moving "Lost" out of the way of the "American Idol" juggernaut.
ABC on Tuesday unveiled a January sked that has the spooky Wednesday drama moving back an hour to 10 p.m. when it returns Feb. 7. Shift -- the third timeslot for the show in as many years -- ensures the skein won't have to battle the Fox behemoth.
A year ago, "Lost" scored boffo numbers at 9 p.m. during the fall but took a notable ratings hit once "Idol" returned in January. Skein has since held steady in the ratings, but ABC execs clearly don't want to risk further slippage.
Net's affils should be happy with the shift. With "Lost" at 10 p.m., ABC will likely deliver local stations their best new lead-in numbers for the slot in years.
In addition to shielding "Lost" from "Idol," ABC is also protecting it from rising CBS drama "Criminal Minds" and NBC's "Deal or No Deal," which moves into the 9 p.m. Wednesday slot next month.
As for what will compete against "Idol," ABC has decided that laughter -- and games -- are the best medicine. Net has slotted its laffer "Knights of Prosperity" Wednesdays at 9 p.m., directly against the "Idol" results show. It'll be paired at 9:30 with another new comedy, "In Case of Emergency."
Laffer hour is set to debut Jan. 3, a month before "Day Break" was set to end its run. ABC News programming will fill the 10 p.m. Wednesday slot in January before "Lost" returns.
"Day Break" will either be yanked after its Dec. 27 broadcast or moved to another night. No word on what will happen with the remaining five episodes of the skein, if ABC doesn't move the show to a new night.
ABC will round out its Wednesday lineup with new episodes of "George Lopez" and "According to Jim" from 8-9 p.m. Net will double-pump "Jim" for a few weeks starting Jan. 3, with "George" bowing Jan. 24 at 8 p.m.
Lost used to be on at 8:00 pm. Then 9:00 pm. Now 10:00 pm. I understand the move, but yikes, it's going to be hard to get any sort of "Instant Review" up immediately following episodes come the spring! Stupid American Idol, stop ruining TV!
(Footnote: the phrase "stupid American Idol" does not include Kelly Clarkson, who is awesome even though she has some past affiliation with the show.)
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3 comments:
Ok J.J and company, either you start to move on on the show and start giving out answers and give the fans more action (and drama)and a proper finale or you start packing & say good bye to your beloved show. The mini season was a dissapointment, IMO, and moving the show to the 10pm slot is a pre-announcement to dead. Do something people, just do something & start taking advantage of whats left of the show on ABCs part.
ps. I love Lost, its my favorite tv show but I cant stand how boring and slow the show had become!
I really don't think we're looking at a situation where the show is constantly moving due to ratings (see: Alias, Arrested Development), so we shouldn't take this as a sign of impending cancellation.
Lost still pulls a great rating in key demographics, and makes a ton of money in DVD sales. I really think that ABC is doing this for the benefit of Lost.
Brian... I feel your pain in trying to get your comments up quickly after a 10:00 show. I really do. But, I'm one who likes American Idol. So, this schedule works for me. Plus, I'm a pastor and have Wednesday activities at the church. So, 10:00 makes for a much better time slot for me.
However, I feel that most people would rather see the show at 8:00 or 9:00 (especially the kids in my youth group who have school the next day).
I don't think that moving to 10:00 means the end is near, but I do feel it will be a blow to the ratings because not as many people will be up to watch it (unless they take the afternoon nap that Bri recommended).
I've loved LOST from the beginning, but I do have to agree with A.J. in his opinion that it has gotten boring and slow. It's hard to write that about our favorite show, but it hasn't been the edge-of-your-seat ride that it used to be.
Still a great show though. Still the best thing on television.
P.S. I just got the boxed INVASION set to give me something to do in the off-season.
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