Food Network Ratings Up

Chad · December 13, 2003

As much as we bitch about Food Network and the dumbing down of its progamming, their approach seems to be working.

Indeed, last month, exactly 10 years to the week after the network launched on Nov. 23, 1993, Food Network boasted its highest weekly ratings in prime time with a 0.8 household rating, placing 16th among basic-cable networks. Overall, Food Network had its highest-rated third quarter to date. It drew a household rating of .62 in prime time, a 15% increase over last year at the same time.

USA Today story

So what do y'all think? Is FTV bringing food to the masses?

Chad

Jeffy Boy · December 13, 2003

I think the Food Network has achieved the status of a real "Network", in that they have a large stable of programming, and therefore a mix of good and not so good.

For all the Emeril-bashing (and I'm not a fan of him myself), he opviously gets the ratings. Kind of like "Everyone Likes Raymond" (except me :laugh: )

I'd be interested of there are analogies others have for Food Network shows, and what a comparable program on one of the major networks might be.

Here's another one: "The Best of" = "America's Funniest Home videos".

fresco · December 13, 2003

People who are unhappy about Food Network are unhappy precisely because their ratings are high, I think.

I caught about five minutes of Rachael Ray today, BTW, and have to say that she has dropped many of her "mannerisms" and is not half bad.

tommy · December 13, 2003

rachael rules. as mrs. tommy says, she does and says stuff that you'd do and say in the shower, but she's doing it on TV.

Edited December 13, 2003 by tommy (log)

claire797 · December 13, 2003

rachael rules. as mrs. tommy says, she does and says stuff that you'd do and say in the shower, but she's doing it on TV.

Brilliant. I'm going to steal that the next time I'm in a group of Rachel Ray bashers.

budrichard · December 14, 2003

The PROBLEM with the Food Network is that instead of trying to produce a product that has superior programming that entices people to watch implying revenue, after obtaining a stable base market and assuming inelastic demand, they are now only concerned with maximizing profit. This means entertainment shows versas real information shows. An entertainment show with one or two people costs a lot less than Tony's shows. Don't worry, Food Court is next or maybe there already is one. I don't watch the Food Network anymore. -Dick

claire797 · December 14, 2003

This means entertainment shows versas real information shows. An entertainment show with one or two people costs a lot less than Tony's shows. Don't worry, Food Court is next or maybe there already is one. I don't watch the Food Network anymore. -Dick

Good point! Then again, I turn the TV on for entertainment rather than information. For me, the boob tube is mindless relaxation and I enjoy having it on for background noise -- glancing at it occassionally while I'm doing something else or letting my mind go numb with shows like Unwrapped. Rachel Ray and Alton Brown are somewhere in the middle. I can glean a few helpful tips from their shows, but for the most part, it's just relaxing watching someone else do all the cooking in an immaculate kitchen. Brainrest.

I have plenty of books to turn to for information, and have never been one to turn on the TV to learn. I guess when my eyes go bad or I don't have access to a plethora of books, I'll rely on TV rather than newspapers, internet, or books. For now, I'm pretty happy with the sometimes mindless but usually entertaining shows offered by FTV.

ExtraMSG · December 15, 2003

A little OT, but the cooking staff is selling their book around the country right now. Here's a light intereview with them in a local weekly:

http://www.wweek.com/flatfiles/FoodDrink4592.lasso

rcarter · December 15, 2003

Check out Food TV's latest:

Dweezil and Lisa

"Rock musicians and food lovers Dweezil Zappa and Lisa Loeb are hitting the road in search of musical and culinary adventures. "

foodE · December 15, 2003

I think Frank is turning over in his grave...

sammy · December 15, 2003

I was watching Rachel Ray the other night and was terrified by the way she was chopping an onion. I can't believe she hasn't lost a finger yet.

Hopefully, the viewers have their eyes on her other parts and don't use her chopping technique as a learning tool.

Edited December 15, 2003 by sammy (log)

tryska · December 15, 2003

OT question about ratings...

how do they figure those out these days? is it still neilsen boxes, or do they track your viewing via your cable box?

rickster · December 15, 2003

Pretty sure Nielsen still uses their own boxes and diaries. Not everyone has a cable box.

malcolmjolley · December 15, 2003

Check out Food TV's latest:
Dweezil and Lisa
"Rock musicians and food lovers Dweezil Zappa and Lisa Loeb are hitting the road in search of musical and culinary adventures. "

I was just about to start one of those "the Food Network isn't SO Bad" posts, when I saw that...it clearly IS that bad.

[edited for spilling]

Edited December 15, 2003 by malcolmjolley (log)

Toliver · December 16, 2003

Regarding the Dweezil & Lisa Loeb show, having just seen the promos for it, I would hazard a guess that this show is FoodTV's blatant attempt to draw in their (Dweezil's & Lisa's) demographic. Most cooking shows (on PBS, for example) tend to aim towards the "foodie" and aren't age specific. This show, however, looks like it's aimed to draw in a specific age group. This will impact how FoodTV can sell themselves to sponsors...the prize demographic being 18 to 35.

tommy · December 16, 2003

cool. more young people will no doubt be drawn into food and travel.

ronnie_suburban · December 16, 2003

cool. more young people will no doubt be drawn into food and travel.

tommy, you are definitely a (martini) glass half-full kind of guy :smile:

=R=

jordyny · December 22, 2003

I just want to know has anyone made one of Rachel Ray's meals? How did it turn out? Did it take 30 minutes or longer?

sammy · December 22, 2003

I just want to know has anyone made one of Rachel Ray's meals? How did it turn out? Did it take 30 minutes or longer?

Does anyone watch Rachel Ray for the recipes?

hjshorter · December 22, 2003

I just want to know has anyone made one of Rachel Ray's meals? How did it turn out? Did it take 30 minutes or longer?

I've made a couple of her recipes, but not a whole meal. It only takes 30 minutes or less if you wash everything beforehand, which isn't such a bad idea.

I don't remember what it was, only that it was better than frozen stuff, which is the whole point of her show, right?

Cusina · December 22, 2003

Alright, I must be completely brainwashed by the television, but I'm in that 18 to 35 demographic and find myself a) wanting Lisa's haircut and b) kind of curious to see what their show is like. Might be fun or might be complete drivel, but I am at least on a base level, interested.

Singapore · December 25, 2003

Does anyone watch Rachel Ray for the recipes?

:laugh:

I've actually tried one of her entrees from one of her shows and made it in less than 15 minutes. Pretty good, not gourmet, but a good, solid hot dish.

I wonder if she's been reading about herself on egullet? Might explain why she appears a bit grumpy in some recent shows.

claire797 · December 25, 2003

I wonder if she's been reading about herself on egullet? Might explain why she appears a bit grumpy in some recent shows.

Uh, doubt it. More likely it's fatigue. Rolling around in cash takes a lot of energy.

Singapore · December 25, 2003

Uh, doubt it. More likely it's fatigue. Rolling around in cash takes a lot of energy.

Ooooooo! I'd watch that! :wub:

SethG · December 25, 2003

What about Moon Unit? :wub: :wub:

What's she been up to?

And are Dweezil and Lisa going to do any duets?

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