Lost ratings hit all-time low

For me, it's the time slot. I knew it would happen.

Last Wednesday I started dozing off about 5 after 10. Didn't wake up until 10:50, so the only thing I saw was Desmond's last conversation with Charlie. I was so bummed.

Quote:

LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- "Lost" crashed in the ratings this week, hitting an all-time low for a new episode.

ABC's drama about plane crash survivors stranded on a mysterious island drew an estimated 12.8 million viewers Wednesday, according to preliminary figures from Nielsen Media Research. That's well off the peak of more than 20 million for the drama that became an instant sensation when it debuted in September 2004.

ABC has worked hard to try to protect a show that helped turn the network's fortunes around, moving it to 10 p.m. ET Wednesday this year to steer clear of Fox's blockbuster "American Idol" and CBS's increasingly strong "Criminal Minds."

After "Lost" fans complained about reruns interrupting the show's serial flow last season, the network tried an experiment: It split the current season in two, airing six episodes before an extended break and then resuming with 16 additional episodes.

The show's February 7 return was heavily promoted and drew nearly 14.5 million viewers. But the bounce didn't last, with the show slumping this week.

Although protected from top-rated "American Idol" in its new time slot, "Lost" now has the disadvantage of trying to draw viewers at an hour when fewer people are watching television. This Wednesday, Valentine's Day put a 7 percent dent in overall TV viewership.

In the show's defense, ABC noted that it beat the competition among the advertiser-favored young adult crowd, drawing 7.3 million viewers age 18 to 49 compared to the 5.8 million that tuned in to CBS' "CSI: New York."

"Lost" also handed ABC nearly 4 million more viewers in the time slot compared to last year, when short-lived drama "Invasion" aired, the network said.

But there's no question that "Lost," once riding big ratings, buzz and cachet, has lost significant ground.

Some fans and critics complain that the story has gotten confusing and unsatisfying. The show, named best drama at the 2005 Emmy Awards, was shut out at the 2006 ceremony.

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I hope it also had to do with Valentine's day and people we just out doing other things other than watching TV...

Bad news, but I doubt there is anything that can replace it. Criminal Minds... has anyone watched that show. It is proof that humanity is spiraling quickly down a hole, if that cookie cutter crap is beating Lost.

Terrible. Where are the asteroids to destroy the dim of the earth.

I've never seen Criminal Minds... Can't fairly judge the show since I have no clue what it is about...

I hope ratings are better next week and it was just a fluke

The ratings have been falling since last year, the problem is now that it will be impossible to gain any of those viewers back. Since they have missed so much.

I just hope they don't decide to cancel early.

What they need is some viral marketing on Youtube, bits of the show, some mysteries, them talking. I liked the hour before the Not in Portland show, they should release that wide on the video sites.

I think the new time and yes Valentines Day last week is killing the ratings. I do think most of the viewers are still out there....they are just watching at later times on DVR's, Tivo, and yes internet......
I also hope ABC doesn't flake out and pull it before its all said and done!!

Well if the show does get cancelled before the end Carlton and Damon jokingly said that Joop will explain all of the secrets for a final episode.

This is still in the top three shows on the PLANET!!! The global revenues are still ginormous...no way it gets cancelled before the 5 years needed for syndication are in the can. No chance.