Recently, ABC announced that it would be bringing back the reality series, National Bingo Night, in December.  Despite low ratings, the network intends to air a second installment of the show on five consecutive nights later this year.

The network's press release made no mention of National Bingo Night’s poor performance on-air, but it did say that the show made ABC’s official website the top entertainment television site in May.

“ABC.com ranked No. 1 in May for both unique visitors and page views according to MediaMetrix and Nielsen NetRatings,” the network stated in the press release.

The success the website achieved was attributed to the millions of people who downloaded bingo cards for the show’s play-along-at-home contest.  More than $550,000 in cash and prizes were awarded to the viewers who logged on and participated in the contest during the show’s six-week run.

"It is fair to say this show was saved by the fact that, while its ratings numbers weren't as impressive, that was totally contradicted by everything else we saw online," Stephen McPherson, Entertainment president of ABC, told Broadcasting & Cable.

Because the new, but very brief, installment of National Bingo Night will air in December, the network has promised big rewards to coincide with the holiday season.  According to the press release, “fantastic prizes” will be given away, as well as a “massive cash jackpot.”

The network first introduced National Bingo Night in May 18, but the show failed to make a significant mark in television.  Aired every Friday night, the reality series only drew in an average of 4.7 million viewers and a 1.4 rating in the adults 18-49 bracket.  As it continued its run, the numbers slipped even lower.

Extreme Makeover: Home Edition’s resident carpenter Ed Sanders will return as the show’s host in December. The premiere date of National Bingo Night’s second installment has yet to be announced.


-Lisa Claustro, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: Zap2it
(Image Courtesy of ABC)