The Story Behind The Stats: Stacking Up FOX’s ‘Animation Domination’ Block
Posted by meredith on 10-21-2009
Today’s Ypulse Youth Advisory Board post is from Michael Hayball, a longtime fan of the “Animation Domination” block that airs Sunday nights on FOX.
Ypulse Insights (our research division) just released new data on youth television viewing habits in our September Ypulse Report as well as in our abbreviated September Ypulse Monitor product, and found that among the broadcast networks (ABC, CBS, NBC, etc.), only FOX is considered to be a frequently watched channel by both teens and collegians. Also, the majority are not “recording” or “Tivo-ing” their programming with less than half of teens and only about one in four collegians having access to Tivo or a DVR — instead they are going online to watch episodes they missed.
While we didn’t break out viewing of FOX’s animation block by gender, we did find that overall viewership for FOX skewed slightly male (by 5 percentage points). For more Ypulse Insights research on teens and collegians, check out the new Ypulse Research section of our site. Michael’s take on the line up gives you a bit of the “story behind the stats” or why Animation Domination continues to appeal to guys like him.
As always, you can communicate directly with any member of the Ypulse Youth Advisory Board by emailing them at youthadvisoryboard at ypulse.com…or just leave a comment below.
The Story Behind The Stats: Stacking Up FOX’s ‘Animation Domination’ Block
Fox’s Sunday night lineup has been long known for “its funny.” However, with the season premieres a few weeks ago, the lineup and landscape of that beloved block has changed a bit.
The reason I stay with it is obviously the pedigree. Both Matt Groening and Seth MacFarlane have top notch cartoons. I’ve watched “Family Guy” from the beginning, and I own the first three seasons on DVD, back from when they first aired. I was extremely happy to hear in 2005 that it was renewed, and I even have the direct-to-DVD movie that came out around that time. Anything to come out of Seth MacFarlane is bound to make at least one person laugh, and as for “The Simpsons,” it’s “The Simpsons,” one of the longest running show on TV (20 years)!
I used to not really be able to catch the whole block, since my parents would bogart the TV, but luckily, I have Hulu to watch it there now if that ever happens. That is, if my internet works that night. And if not, I try to at least catch “Family Guy.”
Since deciding to change “The Simpsons” to a 720p widescreen format last season, the cartoon has never looked prettier. It makes me wonder why more shows (“Family Guy,” I’m looking at you) haven’t made the jump to widescreen. The most recent episode I caught was “The Great Wife Hope” in which Marge fights an Ultimate Fighting promoter. It was alright, as far as “Simpsons” episodes nowadays.
“The Cleveland Show.” Ah, “The Cleveland Show.” Let me say that one more time for effect, The CLEVELAND Show. Seth MacFarlane’s little experiment into seeing if the least funniest character on one of the most popular shows on television can hold his own. Well, he’s been renewed for another season already, so whether you like him or not, he’s here to stay. The episode I caught was “The One About Friends,” and it was pretty decent. Think a bad episode of “American Dad” and you’ll have a good idea of the content. I especially enjoyed the shootout scene at the end, it shows great promise about where this show could head in the future.
Last, but opposite of least, “Family Guy” is still mostly going strong after their premiere, “Road To The Multiverse,” which had the least amount of cutaway gags to date (one!) and the best humor I have seen in a “Family Guy” episode since “I Dream Of Jesus” where they sing “Surfin’ Bird.”
Finally, “American Dad” was pretty good, Roger was the strongest character as always, but I felt like the show has been slightly inconsistent.
Overall, it’s still a solid block, even with the loss of “King of the Hill.” “The Cleveland Show” could use some improvement, but it shows promise, “Family Guy” is still ridiculous, and “The Simpsons” and “American Dad” are doing their own thing. Overall, still something worth watching, and even if you miss it, “Family Guy” is on Adult Swim anyways.
About Michael
Michael lives a simple life in Allen Park, MI. When he is not attending Henry Ford Community College for his Associates, he can be seen chatting and socializing around campus and the local coffee shop. He enjoys a good iced caramel cappuccino, or a regular coca-cola. Michael loves what he calls “The Blog Music,” and he was and still is raised on a steady diet of electronic music and old-school hip hop. Michael hopes to work for Spin magazine one day, and screams like a little girl every time a new issue comes to the local coffee shop.
Categorized under: TV, Youth Advisory Board