Survivor viewers have the greatest emotional connection to the show, more than other shows

Of the new shows debuting this fall, Survivor has a higher “emotional attachment index” than any other show, scripted or unscripted.

That means “fans of the ‘Survivor’ franchise have the strongest emotional attachment of any returning series going into the fall 2008 season,” according to an announcement from Marketing Evaluations, a company that has created the “Impact Q” score, a “measurement, based on likeability and viewing frequency, [that] is an indicator of the program’s capacity to satisfy key viewers during the season.”

On the emotional attachment index, Survivor Micronesia scored the highest, at 177, while last fall’s Survivor China came in fifth. No other reality series was on the list of the top 20.

The company’s executive vice president, Henry Schafer, says, “What we are seeing is that viewers feel emotionally connected to the ‘Survivor’ franchise, due to its similarity to scripted dramas with compelling stories. ‘Survivor’s’ unusually long run is a direct result of its ability to stay fresh with relatable participants; generating strong loyalty and a high commitment to viewership going into the fall. That’s a winning recipe for long-term legs.”