Can We Buy You a Drink? Thank goodness we’re not a dry country anymore! After taking an in-depth look at the October NPS we think everyone will need a stiff drink. It’s really hard to judge the ultimate audience outcome of the new Ken Burns documentary “Prohibition,” but one thing is sure: the subject matter and treatment is far less contemplative and plodding than his “National Parks.” Hopefully, this means the series will have a broader, sustained appeal. After “Prohibition” runs its course, much of the NPS is chock-full of repeats of our core series Nature, NOVA, Antiques Roadshow and History Detectives. Fortunately, its not all yesterday’s news as the NPS delivers new episodes of Masterpiece Mystery! and a few new titles from NOVA and Nature. October also kicks off the so-called PBS Arts Fall Festival on Fridays – all Common Carriage. All we can say is “yikes!”
Well, this week in the NPS is a lot like being land-locked, as there is very little wiggle room. The sheer tonnage of Prohibition will probably have to be reckoned with, including the ill-advised double-pump into late fringe. The rest of the week throws down repeats aplenty with a chance on Wednesday to do some creative splitting. Your fans of The This Old House Hour will be glad to see its return – in yet another new timeslot.
The week starts of with a Nature repeat as the series limps toward its new timeslot on Wednesdays. “Inspector Lewis” makes his last new appearance of the year – as always, this is a great place to consider sliding Masterpiece to the 3rd hour and using the split to build more GRP. Monday is different(?) in that there aren’t back-to-back episodes of ARS in favor of the premier of The War of 1812. We think this is a great night to consider taking the 2nd hour split and sliding The War of 1812 to 3rd hour – even if all you do is put in a second episode of ARS. Tuesday brings the season finale of History Detectives and premiere of Women, War & Peace in the 3rd hour. This presents a challenge for stations that slide Frontline to the 3rd hour – what to do with the five Common Carriage hours of Women, War & Peace? PBS Arts Fall Festival preems on Friday with HMS Pinafore from Minnesota – it’s Common Carriage and it’s destined to bomb. We report, you decide.
Those murderous crows repeat on Nature and lead-in to a new Masterpiece Mystery series “Case Histories.” Given the untried disposition of this new detective it could benefit your schedule to do the ‘ol split in the 2nd hour. Monday is about as good as it gets in the first 2 hours of prime with back-to-back ARS episodes. However, the 3rd hour could be better – find a fringe slot for the new Craft in America. Wednesday is solid with the season preem of Nature and a new 2-hour episode of NOVA. PBS Arts on Friday is Pearl Jam Twenty, a film with definite appeal to the bands fans, but do those folks watch PTV? Better yet, do PTV viewers know who/what Pearl Jam is/are?
Week 4 (10/23-10/29)
Title (Common Carriage in bold)
Proj. Rating
Sunday, 10/23
Nature “Radioactive Wolves” (r)
1.0
Masterpiece Mystery! “Case Histories”
1.4
Monday, 10/24
Antiques Roadshow “Atlantic City, NJ” (r)
2.1
Antiques Roadshow “Milwaukee, WI” (r)
1.7
TBA
Tuesday, 10/25
History Detectives (r)
1.2
Frontline
1.0
Women, War & Peace “Pray the Devil Back to Hell”
0.8
Wednesday, 10/26
Nature “Invasion of the Giant Pythons” (r)
0.9
NOVA “Iceman Murder”
1.5
Secrets of the Dead “Aztec Massacre” (r)
1.0
Thursday, 10/27
Antiques Roadshow “Atlantic City, NJ” (r)
0.9
This Old House Hour
0.8
Independent Lens “Lives Worth Living”
0.6
Friday, 10/28
PBS Arts from Miami: Miami City Ballet…
0.3
Sunday is the same drill as the week prior – slide Masterpiece to your hearts content. As we go to press Monday still has a surprise coming for the 3rd hour of prime. The Wednesday lineup looks solid on paper, particularly because we get a new NOVA with a great subtitle. The pairing with Secrets of the Dead seems strong. Ballet, Balanchine, and Tharp on Friday – need we say more?
Week 5 (10/30-10/31)
Title (Common Carriage in bold)
Proj. Rating
Sunday, 10/30
America in Primetime
1.7
Masterpiece Mystery! “Case Histories”
1.4
Monday, 10/31
Antiques Roadshow “Unique Antiques” (r)
2.5
TBA
PBS’ new Sunday strategy gets its first test as Nature gives way to the new limited series America in Primetime. Given the success of Pioneers of TV, the new series could fare well, but only time will tell.