Unless otherwise noted, the ratings numbers below are based on the final overnights and may vary slightly from the preliminaries reported on the Cancelled Sci Fi Twitter Site.
On Thursday, FOX’s Wayward Pines returned from a one week break and saw its numbers improve to a 1.2 rating in the 18-49 demographic based on the overnights with 3.5 million total viewers. After having a somewhat tepid bow back in May, this show has improved its numbers to decent levels for the Summer season and the word is that FOX is considering bringing it back for a second year. If it does, though, the show could have a very different look. Apparently the network sat on Wayward Pines before finally getting it on the schedule, and the contracts for the show’s actors have since expired. So if FOX does go forward with a second season, it could have a whole new cast, though still take place in the same setting. Whether they would try to get back some of the original actors remains to be seen, and I’m betting they will wait a few more weeks before making any decisions. But this show, which at one point looked to be in trouble, may still have some more life in it.
Debuting this past week was CBS’ Under the Dome which returned down for its third season at a 1.3 rating in the 18-49 demo with 6.3 million total viewers. That’s off by 38% from its second season debut as this show continues to shed viewers. But, believe it or not, it may still be okay because it has international financing backing it and a partnership with Amazon (for exclusive streaming rights after the live broadcasts), making it profitable to CBS on the front end. How long that can prop it up, though, remains to be seen. Also premiering was Humans on AMC which had a 0.5 rating with 1.7 million total viewers. Those definitely aren’t Walking Dead level numbers, but then they are not too bad for cable these days. And the series bowed to record numbers on Channel 4 in Britain (AMC’s international partner), so it should be safe for now. The other debut for the week was TNT’s Falling Skies which returned for its fifth and final season. It’s numbers were down at a 0.5 rating with two million total viewers.
Also of note, Syfy announced this week that they were picking up supernatural series Bitten for a third season. The show has already been renewed by its home network, the Space Channel in Canada, but this acts as Syfy’s confirmation that they will air the third season as well.
Ratings results for the sci fi / fantasy shows airing Monday June 22nd thru Sunday June 28th (metric definitions below):
The Whispers ABC Mon 6/22 10 PM
Rating: 1.0 | % Chng PW: +11.1% | Tot Viewers (MM): 3.9 | StD Rating: 1.1 | Cancellation Alert: Moderate
This show improved slightly last week, though dropped again with its most current episode (to a 0.8 rating). ABC has to make a decision on the show now before the actor’s contracts lapse, and that ratings drop sure isn’t helping its chances.
Chart Activity: This one returned to the charts last week based on the ratings in the 18-49 demographic at the Number 21 slot. Expect it to slip out when this week’s numbers are tallied though, after its recent ratings drop.
Stitchers ABCF Tue 6/23 9 PM
Rating: 0.4 | % Chng PW: 0.0% | Tot Viewers (MM): 0.9 | StD Rating: 0.4 | Cancellation Alert: Moderate
It’s holding steady in this murky range that we are seeing from many cable shows these days. It may still have a chance.
Proof TNT Tue 6/23 10 PM
Rating: 0.3 | % Chng PW: -25.0% | Tot Viewers (MM): 2.2 | StD Rating: 0.4 | Cancellation Alert: Moderate
It’s ratings slipped, but its total viewers still look decent for a cable series. Another iffy entry.
Chart Activity: As expected, this one dropped out of the cable Top 25 based on viewership in its second week. And unless its number do a quick turnaround, I expect it not to return to that chart.
Beauty and the Beast CW Thu 6/25 8 PM
Rating: 0.2 | % Chng PW: -33.3% | Tot Viewers (MM): 0.9 | StD Rating: 0.3 | Cancellation Alert: Renewed
This show dropped to a series low. Is it really worth it for The CW to keep this one on the air?
Wayward Pines FOX Thu 6/25 9 PM
Rating: 1.2 | % Chng PW: n/a | Tot Viewers (MM): 3.5 | StD Rating: 1.2 | Cancellation Alert: Moderate
This one improved after a week off and word is that FOX is leaning toward a renewal. More on that above.
Chart Activity: After its one week break, it returned to the charts based on the ratings and improved to the Number 16 slot from Number 19 two weeks ago.
Under the Dome CBS Thu 6/25 9 PM
Rating: 1.3 | % Chng PW: n/a | Tot Viewers (MM): 6.3 | StD Rating: 1.3 | Cancellation Alert: Low
This show dropped notably from where it was last year, but its partnerships could still keep it going. More on that above.
Chart Activity: It bowed at Number 13 in the chart based on the ratings in the 18-49 demo and at Number 10 based on total viewers, so it has those stats in its favor.
Hannibal NBC Thu 6/25 10 PM
Rating: 0.4 | % Chng PW: -20.0% | Tot Viewers (MM): 1.5 | StD Rating: 0.0 | Cancellation Alert: Cancelled
This show slipped to a series low, but the producers are still actively shopping it around in hopes of getting a fourth season and beyond.
Olympus Syfy Thu 6/25 11 PM
Rating: 0.1 | % Chng PW: 0.0% | Tot Viewers (MM): 0.4 | StD Rating: 0.2 | Cancellation Alert: Moderate
Another week at the 0.1 ratings level. Is this one’s international partnership (with the Canadian Super Channel) enough to keep it alive?
Defiance Syfy Fri 6/26 8 PM
Rating: 0.2 | % Chng PW: 0.0% | Tot Viewers (MM): 1.2 | StD Rating: 0.2 | Cancellation Alert: Medium
This one remained low and I’m thinking its chances are continuing to sink as it is a Syfy original that was once looked upon as a potential flagship series. Fans should hope that the writers have some sort of conclusion planned for the end of the current season.
Killjoys Syfy Fri 6/26 9 PM
Rating: 0.2 | % Chng PW: -33.3% | Tot Viewers (MM): 1.0 | StD Rating: 0.3 | Cancellation Alert: Moderate
This one slipped to a 0.2 score (just as Dark Matter did after its first episode), but Syfy’s partnership with the Canadian Space Channel may keep it alive.
The Messengers CW Fri 6/26 9 PM
Rating: Preempted | % Chng PW: n/a | Tot Viewers (MM): n/a | StD Rating: 0.2 | Cancellation Alert: Cancelled
Preempted. Returns for the first of its final two episodes on July 10th.
Dark Matter Syfy Fri 6/26 10 PM
Rating: 0.2 | % Chng PW: 0.0% | Tot Viewers (MM): 1.1 | StD Rating: 0.2 | Cancellation Alert: Moderate
It remained low and, like Killjoys, this one’s fate is closely tied to how strong Syfy’s partnership is with the Canadian Space Channel.
Orphan Black BBCA Sat 6/27 9 PM
Rating: Season Ended | % Chng PW: n/a | Tot Viewers (MM): n/a | StD Rating: 0.2 | Cancellation Alert: Renewed
Season Ended. Returns for its fourth season in 2016.
Atlantis BBCA Sat 6/27 9 PM
Rating: n/a | % Chng PW: n/a | Tot Viewers (MM): n/a | StD Rating: 0.0 | Cancellation Alert: Cancelled
Ratings info pending.
Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell BBCA Sat 6/27 10 PM
Rating: n/a | % Chng PW: n/a | Tot Viewers (MM): n/a | StD Rating: 0.1 | Cancellation Alert: Mini-Series
Ratings info pending.
Humans AMC Sun 6/28 9 PM
Rating: 0.5 | % Chng PW: n/a | Tot Viewers (MM): 1.7 | StD Rating: 0.5 | Cancellation Alert: Low
Not a spectacular debut, but these days this counts as a decent score for a cable series. Plus this one has also set viewership records in Britain (AMC has partnered with Channel 4 to produce the show), so it should be safe. More on this one above.
The Last Ship TNT Sun 6/28 9 PM
Rating: 0.9 | % Chng PW: +28.6% | Tot Viewers (MM): 3.3 | StD Rating: 0.8 | Cancellation Alert: Low
A rare upswing in the ratings these days. This show looks like it is getting back on course and it has no worries at the moment.
Chart Activity: This show slipped to Number 13 from Number 9 in the cable Top 25 based on total viewers, even though its viewing numbers went up. But that was because it had more competition for the week and I expect it to remain in the Top 25 throughout its second season run.
Golan the Insatiable FOX Sun 6/28 9:30 PM
Rating: 0.5 | % Chng PW: n/a | Tot Viewers (MM): 1.2 | StD Rating: 0.5 | Cancellation Alert: Moderate
This one is still performing at or below the ratings levels of the repeats that act as its lead-in, and it chances of a second season on FOX look slim (though it could move to FXX where Animation Domination HD currently airs).
Penny Dreadful SHOW Sun 6/28 10 PM
Rating: 0.2 | % Chng PW: 0.0% | Tot Viewers (MM): 0.6 | StD Rating: 0.2 | Cancellation Alert: Renewed
It held steady as it heads into its season finale next week.
Falling Skies TNT Sun 6/28 10 PM
Rating: 0.5 | % Chng PW: n/a | Tot Viewers (MM): 2.0 | StD Rating: 0.5 | Cancellation Alert: Final Season
This show returned down, but it is in its final season so the numbers won’t impact it much.
Salem WGN Sun 6/28 10 PM
Rating: 0.1 | % Chng PW: 0.0% | Tot Viewers (MM): 0.3 | StD Rating: 0.1 | Cancellation Alert: Moderate
It held steadily low for its season finale and the strength of its international financing/partnerships will likely dictate its renewal chances.
Be sure keep an eye out for the latest numbers and any breaking news throughout the week at the Cancelled Sci Fi Twitter Site. You can see the status of all the currently airing sci fi / fantasy shows at the Cancellation Watch page and also the latest Sci Fi TV Power Rankings post. And for more information on where I get these numbers and how I make my Cancellation Alert assessments, check out the Cancelled Sci Fi FAQ.
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Metric Definitions:
Rating: Overnight rating in the 18-49 demographic for same day viewing based on the final numbers unless otherwise noted
% Chng PW: The percentage change +/- for this week’s rating vs. last week’s rating.
Tot Viewers: Estimated total viewers (age 2+) to tune in to the episode for same day viewing.
StD Rating: Season to date average for the rating metric tracked above.
Cancellation Alert: My prediction of the likelihood that a show will get cancelled. From least to most likely the statuses are Low, Moderate, Medium, Elevated, and High.
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Ratings Source: TV by the Numbers and ShowBuzzDaily
Nielsen TV Ratings: ©2015 The Nielsen Company. All Rights Reserved.
