Models give UPN a boost

UPN normally doesn’t have much to brag about in the ratings. But an unscripted series about aspiring models has given the struggling network its first major hit since the wrestling extravaganza “WWE Smackdown!” broke through nearly five years ago.

Tuesday’s airing of “America’s Next Top Model,” a contest in which beautiful and often catty young women compete on the catwalk, delivered its highest ratings ever, with 7.5 million viewers tuning in, according to preliminary figures from Nielsen Media Research.

Perhaps more important, “Top Model,” created by supermodel Tyra Banks, for the first time beat new episodes of NBC’s durable sitcoms “Frasier” and “Scrubs” in the 18-to-49 demographic favored by advertisers. The achievement is significant because the NBC sitcoms were available in 99% of the U.S. homes that have TV sets, compared with just 89% for UPN.

Now in its second cycle, “Top Model” may be turning into UPN’s signature unscripted event, a la NBC’s “The Apprentice” or CBS’ “Survivor.” The network has already ordered two more seasons.