Time for word of the week...again! (oh joy i hear you say!)
| Season | Timeslot | Season Premiere | Season Finale | TV Season | Ranking | Viewers (in millions) | Finale Viewers (in millions) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Thursday 9:00PM | January 8, 2004 | April 15, 2004 | 2003-2004 | #7 | 20.70 [1] | 28.05 [2] |
| 2nd | Thursday 9:00PM | September 9, 2004 | December 16, 2004 | 2004-2005 | #11 | 16.14 [3] | 16.93 [4] |
| 3rd | Thursday 9:00PM | January 20, 2005 | May 19, 2005 | 2004-2005 | #15 | 13.96 [3] | 14.02 [5] |
| 4th | Thursday 9:00PM | September 22, 2005 | December 15, 2005 | 2005-2006 | #38 | 11.01 [6] | 12.81[7] |
| 5th | Monday 9:00PM | February 27, 2006 | June 5, 2006 | 2005-2006 | #51 | 9.73 [6] | 11.25 [8] |
| 6th | Sunday 9:00PM | January 7, 2007 | [[]], 2007 | 2006-2007 |
Walters envisioned a show with irreverent, back-porch chatter for women when she invented it a decade ago. This year's departure of current "Today" co-host Meredith Vieira, usually the moderator of the day's discussions, led Walters to seek out O'Donnell.
"It always had an edge to it, but not a cutting edge," said Bill Carroll, an expert in television syndication for Katz Television. "Rosie brings a cutting edge to the show."
She also brought renewed attention, rare for any program in its 10th season. The show's typical audience of 3.3 million so far this season is up 13 percent over the same period in 2005, according to Nielsen Media Research. "The View," shown on ABC stations, is co-owned by Walters and ABC, which is owned by the Walt Disney Co.
"The audience has accepted her and I think they will be accepting of any choice she makes," he said.
IN FACT - Donald himself benefited from Rosie's contribution to boosting NYC's economy by promoting, successfully, Broadway Theater to the average American. She also contributed to the successful television airing of the 1997 Tony Awards. According to the June 3, 1997, NY Times, Nielsen rating for CBS portion of Tony Awards broadcast jumped about 35 percent from 1996, to 11.2 rating and 17 share in 37 major markets; PBS, which took part in Tonys for first time, doubled its usual market share in New York City for time period; League of American Theaters and Producers credits role of Rosie O'Donnell as host, move to Radio City Music Hall and PBS participation for attracting wider audience; awards sharply boost ticket sales of winners.
