Perhaps someone can clarify a point for me. I've heard much talk that each season, including this final season of LOST, is structured so that the finale airs during sweeps week. My question is, why does that matter if LOST is ending and going off the air? Isn't sweeps week used to determine advertising charges for various shows for the next season? If so, why bother scheduling a series finale during sweeps?

Maybe I'm way off on my understanding of this. I'd love if someone could explain it to me.

,,, why does that matter if LOST is ending and going off the air? Isn't sweeps week used to determine advertising charges for various shows for the next season? If so, why bother scheduling a series finale during sweeps?

Maybe I'm way off on my understanding of this. I'd love if someone could explain it to me.

I think you pretty much answered your own question.

What does it matter? If only to see the viewer numbers and for the producers to brag about what high numbers their show got. In which case, I wouldn't count it against them. They've done a great job for the entire run of the show.

But, also so as to provide a perspective on other shows and how well they will do with a show like Lost playing opposite them.

Still in that case, the other shows could argue that the Lost series finale is a one time thing. Maybe it matters and maybe it doesn't matter. It's all in how you look at it.

Of course, one could come back and say, "Why not show the finale during sweeps. What could it hurt?"


P. S. Go Vincent!