Is CBS sending 'Three Rivers' up a river?

David (Daniel Henney, right) and Ryan (Christopher J. Hanke, left) treat a pregnant woman in need of a heart transplant on an upcoming episode of "Three Rivers." (CBS)We know CBS's "Three Rivers" stood a chance of doing well in local ratings because of 1) The ratings strength of KDKA in prime time and 2) Local interest in Pittsburgh-set shows as seen in local ratings for CBS's "The Guardian," which was canceled as the 12th most popular prime-time show in Pittsburgh (No. 38 nationally).

That makes CBS's decision to premiere "Three Rivers" this Sunday particularly foolhardy - especially for KDKA - because it airs opposite a Steelers game on NBC's "Sunday Night Football" on WPXI.

Although Pittsburgh is just a small part of the national ratings picture, local viewing of the Steelers will not help the national ratings for "Three Rivers." And don't discount the national impact of the Pittsburgh diaspora: Many former Pittsburgh are also likely to watch the Steelers over "Three Rivers."

Posted Sep 30 2009, 11:23 AM by Rob Owen
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Comments

??? TV Tattle wrote ??? TV Tattle
on Wed, Sep 30 2009 1:45 PM

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Caro wrote re: Is CBS sending 'Three Rivers' up a river?
on Wed, Sep 30 2009 9:43 PM

I can see your concern about Three Rivers premiering on the same night that the Steelers play Sunday nite Football........BUT......it's also the same day as a huge organ donation rally in Europe. (Check out this link about what's going on in Europe on Sunday Oct 4th: helenwiththeheart.blogspot.com/.../first-world-dayeuropean-day-of-organ.html )  I have no idea if the premier was chosen for this day deliberately or not, but what a GREAT way to kick off a tv show.  I am a huge Alex O'Loughlin fan but he'd be the first to tell you it's the MESSAGE of the show that's important.  So many people have been touched by organ donation/transplantation: themselves, family member, friend or co-worker....

Pittsburgh Fans can DVR Three Rivers and watch & support the show and their home town while cheering on the Steelers!  And the Steelers wont' be play every Sunday nite!

Rob Owen wrote re: Is CBS sending 'Three Rivers' up a river?
on Wed, Sep 30 2009 10:14 PM

I'm pretty sure CBS's premiere date has nothing to do with an organ donation rally in Europe and everything to do with the network's fall roll-out strategy.

Tuned In Journal wrote 'Three Rivers': What did you think?
on Mon, Oct 5 2009 7:55 PM

UPDATED BELOW: Since "Three Rivers" aired opposite a Steelers game last night, it's unlikely