Fox Network preempted its regularly scheduled Sunday night block of animated comedies to air the television premiere of Star Wars: Episode One "The Phantom Menace." The move paid off for the network, with Episode One landing in 17th place for the week, drawing a 9.8 rating/15 share, which translates into over 10 million viewers. Holiday favorite Rudolph The Red-nosed Reindeer aired on CBS on Saturday night at 8 pm and garnered a 6.5 rating/12 share for 43rd place. The U.S. universe estimate used for calculating ratings for the broadcast networks (ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, UPN, PAX and WB) is equal to 100% of all TV households. Beginning with the week of September 17, 2001 the universe estimate is 105.5 million TV homes. Each rating point represents one percent of that universe, or 1,055,000 TV homes. Let's assume, hypothetically, that a recent movie on a broadcast network drew a 14.1 rating. That rating projects to approximately 14.4 million homes.
Can't get enough of those holiday reindeer? Jerry Beck kicks off the holiday season with some reindeer reviews!
