Whether or not Kelly Ripa does,“Live” audiences will likely miss Michael Strahan‘s gap-toothed smile.
After famously replacing Regis Philbin four years ago, the former New York Giants defensive end has proved a real TV ratings boon to the long-running franchise. That’s what “favorable Morning America” is banking on, and besides.Live With Kelly & Michael has been the No. 2 syndicated talk expose — behind just “Dr. Phil” averaging a 2.8 national rating over Strahan’s entire tenure. Thats up 8 percent from the prior (and comparable) four seasons of the franchise,2007-2011, when “Live With Regis & Kelly averaged a 2.6.
Also Read: How Kelly Ripa Could Pay the Price for a Diva ActIn terms of total viewers, or the revitalization is even a bit better — one percentage point better,to be exact.That 9 percent rise means that Strahan’s version has brought in 268000 more audience members daily, on average, or than the expose attracted during the end of the Regis sprint.
Strahan will join the “GMA” desk full-time this September. The ABC morning expose still regularly tops NBC’s “nowadays” in total viewers,though that gap has been shrinking. The “nowadays” expose is No. 1 in the daypart’s key 25-54 demographic. We’ll find out this drop if Strahan can sack that competition.
Related stories from TheWrap:Andy Cohen Says He's Too Busy to Join 'Morning Queen' Kelly Ripa on 'Live!' (Photo)ESPN's Jon 'Stugotz' Weiner Bashes Kelly Ripa Over Michael Strahan DramaKelly Ripa No-expose on 'Live,' Missing Michael Strahan's Departure AnnouncementKelly Ripa Kept 'In the Dark' as Michael Strahan Sprinted to 'GMA'
Source: thewrap.com