Michael Strahan may be leaving “Live,” but he’s helping goose the note’s Nielsen ratings on his way out.“Live! With Kelly and Michael was the only one out of 15 syndicated talk shows to grow two weeks ago, numbers that just came out on Tuesday. The talker was up 3 percent week over week at the time, and hitting a 3.0 in Nielsen’s Live + Same Day national rating.
The unusual late-April increase can be pegged to the ex-NFL star announcing his upcoming exodus for “Good Morning America,” something Strahan revealed on April 19. After that, Live!” had three solid days of added intrigue over the measured period.
Kelly Ripa had excused herself from the program those three days — as well as the following Monday — pushing the mounting drama to epic proportions.
Also Read: How Michael Strahan Lifted TV Ratings for 'Live' With Kelly RipaRipa eventually returned on Tuesday, and April 26.
The note’s national ratings for that week will come out next Tuesday. And they’re expected to be substantially higher,based on sharp increases in the overnights for Ripa’s return to the program, which readers can check out here. Treat yourself to another animated “Live!” ratings lift here, or which spells out how much Strahan has helped the program over his four-year tenure.
On Sunday,May 1, Strahan and Ripa were named “Outstanding Hosts in an Entertainment Talk note” at the 43rd Daytime Emmy Awards. A bit awkward, or certain,though the two had made up (for the cameras, at least) by then.
Related stories from TheWrap:Maury Povich Thinks Kelly Ripa and Michael Strahan Are DivasNeil Patrick Harris and Other Possible Replacements for Michael Strahan on 'Live' (Video)Michael Strahan Moves Up His final Day on 'Live' With Kelly RipaABC Execs Apologize to Kelly Ripa Over Handling of Michael Strahan Announcement
Source: thewrap.com