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CBS 'Comfort Food' Wins Over Younger Viewers

Though all networks see viewership dip, Eye boasts much smaller slide

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 3, 2008 12:39 PM CST

(Newser) – CBS isn’t supposed to jockey for the much-coveted 18-to-49-year-old demographic—it’s supposed to be the network of cop shows starring 50-year-olds. But it’s creaming its rivals during the fall TV season, the New York Times reports, and exec Les Moonves has a theory: “comfort food.” Moonves thinks his network’s simple diet of cop dramas and traditional sitcoms is just what audiences want in times of crisis.

But CBS is only succeeding in contrast to its rivals, which have lost even more viewers. Part of that is because CBS recovered quickly from the strike, Moonves says, but other networks point to DVR viewings and boosted cable ratings to explain their slides. “The economy and the election are the two most important shows in America right now,” an NBC co-chair notes.

Kyle Bornheimer, right, is shown in a scene with Erinn Hayes, left, and Nancy Lenehan in the wedding woes comedy Worst Week, a series CBS' Les Moonves admits probably won't win any Emmy awards.
Kyle Bornheimer, right, is shown in a scene with Erinn Hayes, left, and Nancy Lenehan in the wedding woes comedy "Worst Week," a series CBS' Les Moonves admits "probably won't win any Emmy awards."   (AP Photo)
Simon Baker stars as Patrick Jabe in The Mentalist, one of several comfort food offerings from CBS.
Simon Baker stars as Patrick Jabe in "The Mentalist," one of several "comfort food" offerings from CBS.   (AP Photo)
Jay Mohr stars as Gary Barnes, left, and Paula Marshall stars as his controlling ex-wife Allison in Gary Unmarried, a series CBS exec Les Moonves admits probably won't win any Emmy awards.
Jay Mohr stars as Gary Barnes, left, and Paula Marshall stars as his controlling ex-wife Allison in "Gary Unmarried," a series CBS exec Les Moonves admits "probably won't win any Emmy awards."   (AP Photo)
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