Update to the Summer 2012 ratings race - 20 Aug 12

Not much change in the overall standing as we approach the two-third mark of the season:

1) GTO 13.10%
2) Iryu Sousa 12.32%
3) Keishicho Sousa Ikka 9 Kakari 11.49%
4) Rich Man, Poor Woman 11.37%
5) Kyoto Chiken no Onna 11.12%
6) Ghost Mama Sousasen 11.08%
7) Tokkan 11.06%
8) Summer Rescue 10.72%
9) Kuro no Onna Kyoushi 10.38%
10) Beautiful Rain 10.14%
11) Iki mo dekinai natsu 10.13%

12) Higashino Keigo Mysteries 8.95%
13) Beginners 7.88%
14) Naniwa Shounen Tanteidan 6.43%
15) Boys On The Run 5.68%
16) Omo ni naitemasu 5.28%
17) VISION 3.30%
18) Sprout 2.63%
19) Soumatou Kabushikigaisha 2.28%

If you look at the single episodes' figures, there are some interesting trends though. Even though the Olympics have already ended, Rich Man, Poor Woman slipped to below-10% for its episode 6 which seems to signal that it's losing viewers' interest. Iki mo dekinai natsu also scored its lowest rating along with Tokkan, Keishichou Sousa Ikka 9 Kakari and Ghost Mama Sousasen. On the other hand, you have dramas like GTO, Iryu Sousa, Kyoto Chiken no Onna, Beginners, Kuro no Onna Kyoushi, Boys On The Run, Omo ni naitemasu and Summer Rescue bouncing back by at least 1%.  '

Although I think these movements might not really adjust the average ranking order drastically, I do hope to see a re-shuffling of positions wherever possible because frankly speaking, it is not fun to see the same drama dominate from start to finish or one drama stuck to the bottom of the pack for three months. I can almost imagine how the headlines will read for Soumatou because the reporters are bound to make an issue about Kashii Yu and Odagiri Jo taking the last spot for two consecutive seasons. However, in Odagiri's case, it was a case of bad press which affected the interest level of viewers coupled with a lacklustre production that sank Kazoku no Uta. Soumatou seems to be faring OK in terms of reviews even though its ratings are low because of its midnight slot. Can't really see a way for Soumatou to get out of this last place unless something happens to Sprout or Soumatou itself suddenly increases its viewership base.