Date: 23rd February 2001

Grammys Dont Make Waves


Despite the Eminem controversy, massive promotions on Viacom siblings MTV and VH1, and performances by top-selling musical acts, Wednesday's three-hour Grammy telecast failed to lure a significantly larger audience than it had in the past.

In fact, overall viewership declined to 26.7 million from 27.8 million a year ago. However, the number of 18-34-year-olds who tuned in increased by about 8 percent from last year. Analysts attributed the so-so showing to stiff competition: NBC offered new episodes of The West Wing and Law & Order. ABC vied with Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, and Fox countered with Temptation Island. Nevertheless, CBS won the night with a 19.0 rating and a 27 share. NBC was well behind, but produced a solid 11.5/17. Fox placed third with a 7.4/11, while ABC wound up fourth with a 7.2/10.

Source: Studio Briefing