A month that begins with the Super Bowl and ends with the Academy Awards can hardly be called uneventful. But TV's February sweeps — which began Thursday and run through Feb. 29 — are a shadow of sweeps months of old, which were packed with movies, miniseries and specials.
Sweeps aren't what they used to be because time and technology have overtaken their reason for being. Nielsen "People Meters," now in all major TV markets, provide ratings and demographic information year-round rather than just periodically.
Local news still revs up for sweeps months, though, and the broadcast networks give a nod to sweeps, mainly by airing all original episodes of popular series and putting emphasis on stunts and guest stars.
This February brings several premieres and features the return of some popular series. Here are 10 February sweeps highlights to mark on your calendar.
Super Bowl XLVI • 5 p.m. Sunday on NBC
Is the dip ready? The New York Giants and New England Patriots meet in Indianapolis, and you can either watch for the game or for the commercials. Animal Planet again counter-programs with the Puppy Bowl (2 p.m.), back for its seventh year, with kittens cavorting at halftime.
'The Voice' • 9 p.m. Sunday on NBC
Getting the prime post-Super Bowl slot (start time is approximate) is the return of the singing competition with the spinning chairs. "The Voice" moves into its regular time slot at 7 p.m. Monday.
'Smash' 9 p.m. • Monday on NBC
A Broadway musical team (including Debra Messing) crafts a musical about Marilyn Monroe in the best new series of this or any recent season. Look for full coverage, including a character guide, in Sunday's Post-Dispatch A&E section.
'The River' • 8-10 p.m. Tuesday on ABC
A supernatural-horror series begins as a famous adventurer and TV personality, Dr. Emmet Cole (Bruce Greenwood), disappears deep in the Amazon. His wife and son (Leslie Hope and Joe Anderson), trailed by a film crew, set out to find him, but mysterious and frightening forces are at work against them. Paul Blackthorne and Eloise Mumford also star.
'The Grammy Awards' • 7 p.m. Feb. 12 on CBS
The big-league music awards are loved for their performances and pairings, this year including Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson, Coldplay and Rihanna, Foo Fighters, Bruno Mars, Paul McCartney, Nicki Minaj and Taylor Swift.
'The Walking Dead' • 8 p.m. Feb. 12 on AMC
The survivors of the zombie plague, who almost bought the farm in the first half of the season, are back and on the run again.
'Cougar Town' • 7:30 p.m. Feb. 14 on ABC
The much-adored Courteney Cox sitcom returns on Valentine's Day, and a proposal is promised.
'Survivor' • 7 p.m. Feb. 15 on CBS
The granddaddy of reality competitions returns midmonth, followed a few days later by multi-Emmy-winning "The Amazing Race" (7 p.m. Feb. 19 on CBS).
'Life's Too Short' • 9:30 p.m. Feb. 19 on HBO
Ricky Gervais and Steven Merchant are producers of this mock documentary series starring Warwick Davis as a down-on-his-luck actor and little person. "Life's Too Short" is paired with the final season of "Eastbound and Down" (9 p.m.).
'Academy Awards' • 7:30 p.m. Feb. 26 on ABC
This is the big show of movie-awards season, but with so many televised ceremonies going before, it feels a bit anticlimactic. On the bright side, Billy Crystal returns as host.
