Audiences Tune In to Awards

The entertainment world has begun the annual ritual of patting its denizens on the back, generating sizable audiences last week for the People’s Choice and American Music awards, based on viewing estimates issued Tuesday by Nielsen Media Research.

The AMAs finished just a hair below last year, while CBS’ People’s Choice Awards improved by 4% compared to 2001, ending a two-year ratings slide. That should be encouraging for upcoming award telecasts, after CBS’ American Film Institute Awards drew dismal ratings earlier this month.

CBS regained the top spot overall thanks to the finale of “Survivor: Africa,” which dominated everything but “Friends” over its two hours; still, viewing dropped 25% versus the previous “Survivor,” and further erosion at that rate could shorten the franchise’s longevity.

Sports played a role in last week’s standings, as ABC shifted a playoff football game into prime time, boosting the network’s Saturday performance and providing a boon to ABC Family, which carried the U.S. Figure Skating Championships and set a cable ratings record for the sport.

Brian Lowry

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National Nielsen Viewership

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