NEWSMAKERS

NEWSMAKERS

Conservatives drive ‘Roseanne’ ratings

NEW YORK

As the rebooted “Roseanne” continues to dominate the television landscape, research indicates that enthusiasm expressed for the show’s initial success by President Donald Trump and Fox News Channel had an impact on its audience.

Both Trump and Fox commentators said the show’s initial stunning success was a reflection of the show’s lead character, played by Roseanne Barr, portraying a Trump supporter. The research organization Samba TV said viewership among people who also watched Fox News regularly increased by 40 percent from the first to second week on the air. For people who also watched MSNBC, which appeals more to liberals, viewership was down 11 percent for the same period.

“The conservative audience is really carrying over,” said Jen Whalen, marketing director for Samba TV.

The company’s research also indicates that older viewers are sticking with the series at a higher rate than younger people.

For the week of April 9-15, the top 10 shows, their networks and viewerships: “Roseanne,” ABC, 13.77 million; “The Big Bang Theory,” CBS, 12.78 million; “Academy of Country Music Awards,” CBS, 12.06 million; “Young Sheldon,” CBS, 11.7 million; “60 Minutes,” CBS, 10.57 million; “Interview with James Comey,” ABC, 9.87 million; “The Voice” (Monday), NBC, 9.86 million; “Mom,” CBS, 8.94 million; “Blue Bloods,” CBS, 8.24 million; “Survivor,” CBS, 7.98 million.

Associated Press