Ad rates at CBS are up 30% over upfront rates and the fall TV season is off to a strong start.

Fall Season is Strong

One factor which could help ad rates to continue to increase is the fact that the fall TV season is off to a strong beginning. NBC, for example, enjoyed its most successful series launch in three years with The Event, while ABC’s Dancing with the Stars launched with tremendous numbers (an average of 21.3 million viewers) and CBS had a strong start for Hawaii Five-0 and Survivor.

CBS’s freshman Mike & Molly was strong, as well, and $#*! My Dad Says performed even better. This one surprised me a bit.  I was not impressed with $#*! My Dad Says but I did however enjoy Mike & Molly. Cute show!

Fox, typically one of the strongest nets, is the most challenged in terms of the new fall season, with critically acclaimed Lone Star floundering with so few viewers that rumors have it the show may be canceled after just a couple of outings. Doc drama House debuted the season to lower-than-expected numbers.

But Fox isn’t the only network with challenges. ABC’s The Whole Truth on Wednesday had a low premiere with a 1.5 in 18-49s, and Thursday’s My Generation did only slightly better (1.6). NBC’s Outlaw sank to a 1.1 with its first Friday episode, and The Apprentice bowed to a 1.5 the week before premiere week and sank to a 1.4 last week.

Comedies

The new season’s numbers to date indicate that comedies are once again what people want to watch. Of the 7 highest-rated premieres, 5 were comedies, including Fox’s Glee (up 60%), ABC’s Modern Family (up 21%), The Office (up 7%), CBS’s The Big Bang Theory (up 4%) and Two and a Half Men (up 10%).

I personally love all of these shows except I feel like the Office is loosing steam. Hasn’t been as funny the past few years. It will also be interesting to see how well The Big Bang Theory does on a new night.

I must also give a shameless plug for the Amazing Race on CBS. A good friend of mine is one of the contestants. She is a doctor on the Nat & Kat team. You go ladies!

What are your favorite shows on TV right now?