The Victoria's Secret fashion show isn't worried about falling broadcast numbers just yet, even though CBS is putting it on what's considered a dead hour November 19 and the organizers and analysts alike think the show might get wide enough support on the Internet.
"It looks like CBS is putting the 'Victoria's Secret Fashion Show' in a bit of dead spot on Wednesday night," Soundview Technology analyst Jordan Rohan told CNN. "On CBS it replaces Brotherhood of Poland, New Hampshire, which CBS pulled after five episodes. On NBC, it's competing with Law & Order, which is a good counter but not terrific."
The hourlong broadcast drew what was then a whopping viewership on the Internet, 1.5 million visitors, for the first such show in 1999, with another million logging on for the second show done live from Cannes, France, CNN said. J.P. Morgan analyst Christopher Kim thinks the Internet will continue supporting the show despite the novelty wearing off enough that television watching of the show has continued to fall in small bits.
"CBS has picked it up again because titillation is exactly what drives ratings during sweeps month," said Broadcasting and Cable deputy editor John Higgins to CNN. "But if the show's viewership declines substantially this year, then I think CBS might re-evaluate its decision next year."
