This morning I looked at this MediaPost article concerning a recent study by Magna Global of C3 and “live-only” 18-49 ratings for the major TV broadcast networks.

There are little if any differences between C3 and live ratings for the current television season. However, there is a noticable drop in C3 ratings from 2007 to 2008. Fox dropped 14% from 2.9 to 2.5, but I consider this to be somewhat inaccurate since it doesn’t take American Idol into account. Somewhat more concerning is ABC’s 13% drop from 3.1 to 2.7.

As I mentioned in a recent posting of top-rated TV “cash cows,” ABC’s pack of hit shows is diminishing in share. Ugly Betty, Grey’s Anatomy, Desperate Housewives and even Dancing With the Stars have lost audience this season, perhaps in certain cases by the writer’s strike, or perhaps by what some fans have determined to be significant change in the shows’ quality or attractiveness. I for one have not loved Grey’s Anatomy recent plot line involving a romance between Denny the Ghost (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) and Doctor Izzie (Katherin Heigl).

In response ABC is certainly trying to tweak their shows (last week it was anounced that cast members at Ugly Betty and Grey’s Anatomy are leaving). Cast and plot changes might help, as might the return of Lost; the fifth and penultimate season begins tomorrow night. I am also curious about  suspect next season’s crop of programming at ABC, which may include a return to primetime of the hit game show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. In any case, what is certain is that ABC will try to stop their current momentum by whatever means necessary.