This is the first edition of the Power Rankings since the Fall season started and there has been–as expected–quite a lot of movement since last month’s list, plus the ongoing ratings slump that the broadcast networks are seeing continues to take its toll on the genre shows. In the current list, some may wonder why shows like ABC’s Once Upon A Time or The CW’s Supernatural, which are performing well enough for their networks to justify renewal, have been moved below shows that barely registered in the ratings like Syfy’s 12 Monkeys and WGN’s Salem which leads me to revisit how these rankings work. As I mention in the Renewed Shows section below, these are all about winning the battle against the Network Executioner and the shows are ranked on their likelihood to come out victorious in that struggle. Once a show does win, then it gets the protected renewed status and almost always gets ranked above the non-renewed shows. So Once Upon A Time, Supernatural, and Star Wars: Rebels are all likely to be renewed at this point, but they are below such already renewed ratings pygmies as 12 Monkeys, Salem, and Galavant because they are back in the game and no longer in protected status. Once their renewals do come, they will move further back up on the list, likely higher than many of the shows that are below them. The only exception to these are the shows that I have in the Unassailable category. Several of these shows are back in the game now that Fall as started, but they are performing at levels that assure they will be renewed, so they stay above the rest of the rabble. The shows in that category did get shuffled around some and I almost booted American Horror Story out because of its ratings drop, but it is still the second highest rated scripted show on the cable channels now (with The Walking Dead obviously being the highest), so I held back on dropping it. That could change by the next set of rankings, though. Also a reminder that typically a show has to have aired at least two episodes before it gets added to the rankings, thus the reason that Supergirl is not included here yet. That one had a very good debut this past Monday, tying for the highest new show premiere of the season, but then the superhero shows tend to drop off after their first episode and it will also be flying solo for its second installment without the lead-in from The Big Bang Theory. So I have to see where it lands then to get a good gauge of where it belongs in the rankings. My gut tells me that it will slip in the ratings, but not too bad, and easily fly into a second season. The next set of rankings will show how that played out. Of course I did break my rule with one show as Ash vs. Evil Dead made it to the rankings without airing a single episode. But that’s what getting renewed before you have your debut gets you. Plus, I didn’t want to have Ash mad at me . . .
Doomwatch: This is for those shows set to return to the rankings soon that look to have mighty struggles ahead. In the last set of rankings I included Agents of SHIELD, Sleepy Hollow, The Leftovers, and The Last Man on Earth and those last three are definitely not on strong footing right now while AoS could go either way (and I am not giving it the third season show protection for these reasons). Two other shows I included in this category last time were The 100 and Person of Interest even though they aren’t scheduled to return until mid-season. But I knew people would be looking for them in Fall and I consider both likely heading into their final seasons (more on why in their entries below).
Biggest Movers: As I mentioned above, there has been a lot of movement since the last set of rankings and that has to do with shows going back into play this Fall as well as Summer shows receiving late renewal announcements. Most of the shows seeing notable drops are those that lost their protected renewed status and had to go mix with the rabble (including Once Upon A Time, The Originals, and Gotham). Most of those moving up notably in the rankings were the ones that have been renewed (including Zoo, From Dusk Till Dawn, and The Guardians of the Galaxy).
Cancelled Shows: These are the shows that have been cancelled since the last set of rankings: Defiance (Syfy), Dominion (Syfy), Extant (CBS), Proof (TNT), and The Whispers (ABC). You can read more on each of those at the bottom of the list. Also, as I mentioned last time, I am now considering Siberia cancelled. Several of the actors keep claiming that a second season could happen and the show is making the rounds of international syndication, but it has been over two years since it first aired and I am thinking the likelihood of it making a return at this point is very, very slim.
So now on to the rankings.
What the Rankings Measure: The shows on this list are ranked by those least likely to get cancelled to those most likely to get cancelled, and these rankings are all about gauging a show’s likelihood of beating the Network Executioner.
Shows Included: These rankings show all the active and returning sci fi / fantasy shows. Though, this is limited to ones whose renewal / cancellation decisions are more heavily influenced by their ratings in the U.S., so imports like Bitten, Orphan Black, and Doctor Who will not be included here. Also note that Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, etc. entries will not be included here because the streaming services do not share their viewership numbers, making it hard to rank their shows. The shows that will be on the list will be those airing in the current season or those from prior seasons that will be returning at some point. New shows will typically not make it to the list until they have aired at least two episodes (because I have to have some numbers to gauge them by). Also, shows in their final season like Beauty and the Beast will typically not be included because they are already on their way out.
Categories: The list is broken into the following groups (descriptions found below and at this link): Unassailable, Renewed or Sure to Get Renewed, Likely to Get Renewed, Renewal Possible, On the Bubble, and Likely to Get Cancelled (though not all of those categories will be used each time). And then there are also the recently cancelled or ended shows at the bottom of the list.
Renewed Shows: Note that in most cases, renewed shows will be ranked above those that have yet to receive a renewal even if their renewal was iffy and/or they under-performed while airing. Basically, once a show has earned a renewal, then it has won the battle against cancellation (which is what these rankings are all about), at least until the next season starts. At that point its ranking will typically slip down as it joins the non-renewed rabble and re-enters the battle against the Network Executioner. Those shows in the Unassailable category are exempt from this though because they are performing well enough that they are almost guaranteed another season.
Additional Info: The number in parenthesis next to the show’s rank represents its prior position in the Power Rankings. This list will come out once per month, usually during the second half of the month. Note that there are a lot of sci fi / fantasy shows airing these days, so if I missed one or two go easy on me and just let me know in the comments so that I can make the proper adjustments. For more information on the rankings and some of the terms used below, go to this link.
October-2015 Sci Fi TV Power Rankings:
Updated: For The Walking Dead renewal announcement.
Unassailable: These are the shows that face no chance of cancellation (short of extenuating circumstances and/or an unprecedented ratings collapse) in their current/upcoming season and likely beyond that as well.
1 (1) The Walking Dead (AMC) Airing Status: Active, Airing 6th Season
Avg Rating: 6.8 Prior Season Rating: 7.3 Cancellation Alert: Renewed
Pros: Strong Ratings
Cons: n/a
Intangibles: Strong Social Net Presence
Okay, so this show’s numbers aren’t in the Stratosphere anymore. But they are still well above the clouds. And any of the broadcast network execs would gladly sell their first born and their trophy wife (or trophy husband) for these ratings. Expect the Season 7 renewal announcement at any time now. Update: as expected the show has been renewed for a seventh season.
2 (2) Game of Thrones (HBO) Airing Status: Returning, 6th Season Airs Spring 2016
Avg Rating: 3.5 Prior Season Rating: 3.7 Cancellation Alert: Renewed
Pros: Renewed, Strong Ratings, YOY Ratings Incease
Cons: n/a
Intangibles: Pay Cable Series, Strong Social Net Presence
It faced some controversy in its fifth season, but that didn’t hurt its numbers. The slight dip in its average from last year was caused by the episode that aired over low-viewership Memorial Day weekend skewing the numbers (the show took a break that weekend during its fourth season). Despite the fracturing television audience that has lead to a ratings slump across the cable channels, this show continues to pull strong viewership. And I don’t expect that to change next season.
3 (4) The Flash (CW) Airing Status: Active, Airing 2nd Season
Avg Rating: 1.4 Prior Season Rating: 1.4 Cancellation Alert: Low
Pros: Good Ratings, Relative Ratings, Network Owned/Co-Owned
Cons: n/a
Intangibles: n/a
This one hasn’t matched its highs from last year, but it returned even with its first season average and has held steady. This year, that definitely counts as an accomplishment, and this one is certainly racing forward to a second season.
4 (5) Teen Wolf (MTV) Airing Status: Returning, 2nd Half of 5th Season Airs 2016
Avg Rating: 0.5 Prior Season Rating: 0.9 Cancellation Alert: Renewed
Pros: Renewed, Relative Ratings
Cons: Ratings Decline in Season, Ratings Decline YOY
Intangibles: Strong Social Net Presence
The show’s numbers were down during the first half of its fifth season, but the cable ratings slump is partially to blame and Teen Wolf is in the syndication stretch anyway. At the end of this season it will have a decent number of episodes for the syndication market (92 total), and everything beyond that is just gravy. Expect a likely seventh and possibly even eighth season out of this one.
5 (7) Fear the Walking Dead (AMC) Airing Status: Returning, 2nd Season Airs 2016
Avg Rating: 3.9 Prior Season Rating: n/a Cancellation Alert: Renewed
Pros: Renewed, Strong Ratings, Recognized Franchise
Cons: n/a
Intangibles: Strong Social Net Presence
It didn’t match the ratings of its parent show, but it was still the top rated non-sports shows on television during its six episode first season. And I believe that it has at least two more years in it before zombie burnout will start to set in.
6 (6) Arrow (CW) Airing Status: Active, Airing 2nd Season
Avg Rating: 1.0 Prior Season Rating: 1.0 Cancellation Alert: Low
Pros: Decent Ratings, Relative Ratings, Network Owned/Co-Owned
Cons: Ratings Decline in Season
Intangibles: n/a
This one is lagging behind The Flash, but it is The CW’s second highest rated show and on target for a fifth season.
7 (3) American Horror Story (FX) Airing Status: Active, Airing 5th Season
Avg Rating: 2.3 Prior Season Rating: 1.9 Cancellation Alert: Low
Pros: Good Ratings
Cons: Ratings Decline in Season
Intangibles: Strong Social Net Presence
Its ratings trended down quickly from its impressive Season 5 debut numbers, suggesting that its tendency to push the boundaries is becoming a liability. But it is still performing well above any other scripted shows on cable not named The Walking Dead, so I believe it’s in good shape.
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Renewed or Sure to Get Renewed: These shows have received their renewal notice or are almost guaranteed to by the end of their current season.
8 (9) The Last Ship (TNT) Airing Status: Returning, 3rd Season Airs Summer 2016
Avg Rating: 0.7 Prior Season Rating: 1.1 Cancellation Alert: Renewed
Pros: Renewed, Top 25 Cable Show
Cons: Ratings Declines YOY, High Production Costs
Intangibles: n/a
The third season renewal for this show was expected and I was tempted to move it up to the unassailable category. But its ratings dropped in its second year (though likely due to the current ratings slump environment) and it is an expensive show to produce. Still, I would put good odds on it cruising into a fourth season.
9 (11) Outlander (Starz) Airing Status: Returning, 2nd Season Airs 2016
Avg Rating: 0.6 Prior Season Rating: n/a Cancellation Alert: Renewed
Pros: Renewed, Relative Ratings
Cons: Ratings Decline in Season
Intangibles: Pay Cable Series, Social Net Presence
This show slipped some during the second half of its first season, but it is still doing well enough for its network especially considering the current slump across the cable channels. If it holds steady next season then it should be okay.
10 (12) The Librarians (TNT) Airing Status: Returning, 2nd Season Airs Fall 2015
Avg Rating: 0.9 Prior Season Rating: n/a Cancellation Alert: Renewed
Pros: Renewed, Relative Ratings
Cons: Ratings Declines in Season
Intangibles: Recognized Franchise
It didn’t count as a huge ratings success last season, so will it be able to hang in for its second season? Bruce Campbell needs to return as Santa to bring this one some more goodwill.
11 (13) Humans (AMC) Airing Status: Returning, 2nd Season Airs 2016
Avg Rating: 0.4 Prior Season Rating: n/a Cancellation Alert: Renewed
Pros: Renewed, International Partnership, Moderate Production Costs
Cons: Mediocre Ratings, Ratings Declines in Season
Intangibles: n/a
This show definitely did not deliver The Walking Dead sized ratings (they air on the same network), but it apparently did well enough to get renewed. AMC is partners with the British Channel 4 on the series and it has performed quite well over there. It is also a relatively inexpensive show to produce, so it could stick around for a few more seasons.
12 (n/a) Guardians of the Galaxy (DXD) Airing Status: Active, Airing 1st Season
Avg Rating: 0.1 Prior Season Rating: n/a Cancellation Alert: Renewed
Pros: Renewed, Recognized Franchise
Cons: n/a
Intangibles: n/a
Coming as no surprise, this show was renewed pretty quickly for a second season. And even though its numbers in the 18-49 demo haven’t been spectacular, it skews to a younger demographic and its merchandising sales help drive its success as well.
13 (n/a) Ash vs
Evil Dead (Starz) Airing Status: Upcoming, Airing 1st Season
Avg Rating: 0.0 Prior Season Rating: n/a Cancellation Alert: New Series
Pros: Renewed, Recognized Franchise
Cons: n/a
Intangibles: n/a
It hasn’t aired a single episode and yet it is already in the Power Rankings? That’s what getting renewed for a second season before the first one has started will get you. And who doesn’t want a guaranteed second season of Ash kicking butt on the Evil Dead?
14 (15) Dark Matter (Syfy) Airing Status: Returning, 2nd Season Airs 2016
Avg Rating: 0.2 Prior Season Rating: n/a Cancellation Alert: Renewed
Pros: Renewed, International Partnership
Cons: Mediocre Ratings, Ratings Declines in Season
Intangibles: DVR Gains, International Financing?
The renewal for this show did not come as a big surprise because Syfy partners with the Canadian Space Channel and I hear that Dark Matter has performed quite well up north. And the current arrangement might be enough to keep this show around for a few more years.
15 (16) Killjoys (Syfy) Airing Status: Returning, 2nd Season Airs 2016
Avg Rating: 0.2 Prior Season Rating: n/a Cancellation Alert: Renewed
Pros: Renewed, International Partnership
Cons: Mediocre Ratings, Ratings Declines in Season
Intangibles: International Financing?
The ratings for this show were not quite as good as Syfy’s other new space show Dark Matter, but Syfy has the same partnership on Killjoys with the Canadian Space Channel. So that should help both shows stick around for a few years at least.
16 (19) Penny Dreadful (SHOW) Airing Status: Returning, 3rd Season Airs 2016
Avg Rating: 0.5 Prior Season Rating: 0.6 Cancellation Alert: Renewed
Pros: Renewed, Low Ratings Expectations?
Cons: Low Ratings, Ratings Declines YOY
Intangibles: Pay Cable Series, International Financing?
This one didn’t build its audience from its first season like I was thinking Showtime would want. But apparently they still believed in it enough to give it a third season renewal. It may have international financing backing it as well.
17 (36) From Dusk Till Dawn (El Rey) Airing Status: Active, 3rd Season Airs 2016
Avg Rating: 0.1 Prior Season Rating: n/a Cancellation Alert: Renewed
Pros: Renewed, Low Ratings Expectations?
Cons: Low Ratings
Intangibles: Recognized Franchise
The renewal for this one came as no surprise because the fledgling El Rey network is looking less at the ratings and more and establishing its brand. And this one fits right in with where that cabler is going.
18 (20) Galavant (ABC) Airing Status: Returning, 2nd Season Airs 2016
Avg Rating: 1.3 Prior Season Rating: n/a Cancellation Alert: Renewed
Pros: Renewed
Cons: Ratings Declines in Season
Intangibles: Low Ratings Expectations?
Can this show pull off another surprise renewal or will the ratings slump and the wave of rash network executive decisions that are sure to follow claim it? It beat the odds once, so it’s hard to gauge where it stands at this point.
19 (21) Grimm (NBC) Airing Status: Returning, 5th Season Airs Fall 2015
Avg Rating: 1.2 Prior Season Rating: 1.4 Cancellation Alert: Renewed
Pros: Renewed, Relative Ratings
Cons: Ratings Declines in Season, Ratings Declines YOY
Intangibles: n/a
This show was already struggling in the ratings in its fourth season and the current slump suggests that could continue into this year. I wouldn’t be surprised if NBC has told the creative team to have a close eye on the endgame as this could be its last season, though I am not going so far as to count it as a Doomwatch show.
20 (24) The Strain (FX) Airing Status: Returning, Airing 2nd Season
Avg Rating: 0.6 Prior Season Rating: 1.0 Cancellation Alert: Renewed
Pros: Renewed, Well Known Creator?
Cons: Ratings Declines in Season, Ratings Declines YOY
Intangibles: n/a
This show got the renewal nod, but its numbers were definitely down from its first season. That can be chalked up in part to the ratings slump hitting the cable channels this past Summer, but it will at least need to hold steady next year if it wants a fourth season.
21 (25) Agent Carter (ABC) Airing Status: Returning, 2nd Season Airs 2016
Avg Rating: 1.4 Prior Season Rating: n/a Cancellation Alert: Renewed
Pros: Renewed, Relative Ratings, Network Owned/Co-Owned
Cons: Ratings Declines in Season
Intangibles: Support from Disney
Agents of SHIELD is hanging in there at the moment and may be able to get that fourth season that many people believe is guaranteed. But with the other Marvel shows ABC has in development right now, where does that leave Agent Carter in the mix after the show’s second season? I hash that out further at this link.
22 (27) Scream (MTV) Airing Status: Returning, 2nd Season Airs 2016
Avg Rating: 0.3 Prior Season Rating: n/a Cancellation Alert: Renewed
Pros: Renewed, Recognized Franchise
Cons: Ratings Declines in Season
Intangibles: n/a
The renewal for this show was not a sure thing as it slipped into the “ratings noise” level that we are seeing from many of the cable shows these days. But apparently it did well enough with MTV’s target younger demographic and they decided to stick with it for another season.
23 (28) Salem (WGN) Airing Status: Returning, 3rd Season Airs 2016
Avg Rating: 0.1 Prior Season Rating: n/a Cancellation Alert: Renewed
Pros: Renewed, Low Ratings Expectations?
Cons: Low Ratings
Intangibles: International Financing?
This was another, low-flying, “ratings noise” show that managed to win the game and get another season. It apparently has international financing backing it, but at some point you would think its network would want more people tuning in on a weekly basis to the live broadcasts.
24 (37) Zoo (CBS) Airing Status: Returning, 2nd Season Airs Summer 2016
Avg Rating: 1.1 Prior Season Rating: n/a Cancellation Alert: Moderate
Pros: Renewed, Decent Debut Ratings, Netflix Partnership
Cons: Ratings Declines in Season
Intangibles: n/a
It got the second season renewal, but it didn’t count as a strong ratings contender this last Summer. It needs to at least hold steady next year else it will join recently cancelled Extant as another CBS Summer two-and-out entry.
*DOOMWATCH* 25 (29) The 100 (CW) Airing Status: Returning, 3rd Season Airs 2016
Avg Rating: 0.5 Prior Season Rating: 0.6 Cancellation Alert: Renewed
Pros: Renewed, Relative Ratings, Network Owned/Co-Owned
Cons: Low Ratings
Intangibles: Social Net Presence
This series struggled ratings-wise during its first two seasons and The CW can’t afford another slacker on its schedule this year as only The Flash, Arrow, and Supernatural are pulling their weight at the moment. And The 100 does not get the coveted third season status because of the reduced episode order of its first two years. But since it airs on the fifth place network, there is always a chance it could get a shortened fourth season to wrap up its storylines.
*DOOMWATCH* 26 (30) Person of Interest (CBS) Airing Status: Returning, 5th Season Airs 2016
Avg Rating: 1.5 Prior Season Rating: 2.0 Cancellation Alert: Renewed
Pros: Renewed, Top 25 in Total Viewership
Cons: Ratings Declines in Season, Ratings Declines YOY
Intangibles: n/a
This show is coming back for a thirteen episode season and that will almost certainly be its last. But that will still give it over a hundred episodes total and the chance to go out on its own terms.
27 (31) 12 Monkeys (Syfy) Airing Status: Returning, 2nd Season Airs 2016
Avg Rating: 0.2 Prior Season Rating: n/a Cancellation Alert: Renewed
Pros: Renewed, Recognized Franchise
Cons: Low Ratings, Ratings Declines in Season
Intangibles: International Financing?
This show barely registered in the ratings during its first season, but Syfy has been struggling in general of late. I believe they gave it the second season to see if it can build its audience just like they did with low rated Helix the prior year. But that one’s numbers dropped and it got the ax which could be the same fate facing 12 Monkeys if its rating do not rise next year.
28 (32) Stitchers (ABC Family) Airing Status: Returning, 2nd Season Airs 2016
Avg Rating: 0.3 Prior Season Rating: n/a Cancellation Alert: Renewed
Pros: Renewed
Cons: Moderate Debut Ratings, Ratings Decline in Season, Mediocre Ratings
Intangibles: International Financing?
Yet another “ratings noise” show that earned a renewal which was a bit surprising considering it regularly lost over half the audience of its lead-in (though arguably it’s not the best pairing with Pretty Little Liars). But apparently ABC Family liked Stitchers enough to keep it around for another season, so we will see how long it can hang in there.
29 (34) Star Wars Rebels (DXD) Airing Status: Active, Airing 2nd Season
Avg Rating: 0.1 Prior Season Rating: 0.1 Cancellation Alert: Low
Pros: Recognized Franchise
Cons: Low Ratings in 18-49 Demo
Intangibles: n/a
The numbers in the 18-49 demographic are not great for this show, but it skews to a younger audience and its merchandising sales are just as important as the ratings (or more so) to its survival. Consider a third season a good bet.
30 (8) Supernatural (CW) Airing Status: Active, Airing 11th Season
Avg Rating: 0.8 Prior Season Rating: 0.8 Cancellation Alert: Low
Pros: Renewed, Relative Ratings, Long Running Franchise, Network Owned/Co-Owned
Cons: Ratings Declines in Season
Intangibles: n/a
As long as this one is pulling at least decent ratings, it has a chance of coming back for a record-setting twelfth season. It all depends on if the cast and creative team want to continue on with the show.
31 (14) Once Upon A Time (ABC) Airing Status: Active, Airing 5th Season
Avg Rating: 1.7 Prior Season Rating: 2.2 Cancellation Alert: Low
Pros: Renewed, Relative Ratings, Network Owned/Co-Owned
Cons: Ratings Declines YOY
Intangibles: Recognized Franchise
It’s numbers are down from last year but it remains one of the highest rated scripted shows for the broadcast networks on Sunday nights. As long as it holds steady and Disney wants to keep cycling its well-known characters through the show’s story arcs, it will stick around.
32 (10) The Originals (CW) Airing Status: Active, 3rd Season Airs Fall 2015
Avg Rating: 0.4 Prior Season Rating: 0.6 Cancellation Alert: Low
Pros: Third Season Show, Network Owned/Co-Owned
Cons: Ratings Declines in Season, Ratings Declines YOY
Intangibles: n/a
The Thursday 9 PM EST timeslot has done the show no favors with the crippling competition from ABC dramas and football on CBS. But this show’s third season show status guarantees it a fourth year, even if that will almost certainly be its last.
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Renewal Possible: These shows may not be top performers, but are currently doing well enough for their networks that renewal looks like a possibility.
33 (35) Z Nation (Syfy) Airing Status: Active, Airing 2nd Season
Avg Rating: 0.4 Prior Season Rating: 0.5 Cancellation Alert: Low
Pros: Relative Ratings, Low Production Costs, Network Owned/Co-Owned
Cons: Ratings Declines YOY
Intangibles: n/a
Its numbers have slipped to the same range that got Defiance and Dominion cancelled this last Summer, but I still believe this one is okay because it is an inexpensive entry for the network (it is produced by The Asylum, known for cranking out genre cheapies). But if it slips much lower it could find itself in trouble.
34 (17) Gotham (FOX) Airing Status: Active, Airing 2nd Season
Avg Rating: 1.5 Prior Season Rating: 2.2 Cancellation Alert: Low
Pros: Relative Ratings
Cons: Ratings Declines YOY, Ratings Declines in Season
Intangibles: Recognized Franchise
This show hasn’t improved ratings-wise from the lows it slipped to at season end last year. But relatively speaking it is doing okay because FOX’s lineup is a near complete disaster this year. And Gotham survived the first salvo from Supergirl, so maybe it can hang on into a third year.
35 (26) Agents of SHIELD (ABC) Airing Status: Active, Airing 3rd Season
Avg Rating: 1.6 Prior Season Rating: 1.6 Cancellation Alert: Low
Pros: Recognized Franchise, Third Season Show, Network Owned/Co-Owned
Cons: Ratings Declines in Season, Ratings Declines YOY, High Production Costs
Intangibles: Support from Disney
Its numbers aren’t great, but they are passable enough in the current slump environment to get it to that allegedly guaranteed fourth season. But if it falters, here’s a rundown of the possible scenarios for its future.
36 (n/a) Limitless (CBS) Airing Status: Active, Airing 1st Season
Avg Rating: 1.7 Prior Season Rating: n/a Cancellation Alert: Low
Pros: Network Owned/Co-Owned
Cons: Ratings Declines in Season
Intangibles: n/a
This show started off its freshman year good and even managed to get a full season order, but its numbers have slipped the last couple of weeks. It’s still CBS’ best performing show in the 10 PM EST hour, but it’s wait and see on whether it has enough momentum to get it to a second season.
37 (18) iZombie (CW) Airing Status: Active, Airing 2nd Season
Avg Rating: 0.6 Prior Season Rating: 0.7 Cancellation Alert: Moderate
Pros: Network Owned/Co-Owned
Cons: Ratings Declines YOY, Ratings Declines in Season, Losing Lead-in Audience
Intangibles: n/a
The numbers aren’t terrible for for a CW show, but it is losing a large chunk of its lead-in from The Flash. It will almost certainly get shuffled at mid-season (the fifth place network is known for doing that), and then it is wait and see.
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On the Bubble: These shows have delivered moderately low numbers which could put their renewal chances in jeopardy.
38 (23) The Leftovers (HBO) Airing Status: Active, Airing 2nd Season
Avg Rating: 0.3 Prior Season Rating: 0.8 Cancellation Alert: Moderate
Pros: n/a
Cons: Ratings Declines YOY, Ratings Declines in Season
Intangibles: Pay Cable Series, International Financing?
You have to ask how many subscribers it is drawing in at these levels? Because for the pay channels, that is what counts for a show’s survival. This Doomwatch entry is definitely not on sure footing at the moment
39 (22) The Last Man on Earth (FOX) Airing Status: Active, Airing 2nd Season
Avg Rating: 1.3 Prior Season Rating: 1.6 Cancellation Alert: Moderate
Pros: Low Production Costs? Network Owned/Co-Owned
Cons: Ratings Declines YOY, Ratings Declines in Season
Intangibles: n/a
This show’s numbers are down and it is the lowest rated of FOX’s Sunday night comedies. Since the network is struggling mightily, a house-cleaning is almost certainly on the horizon (possibly as soon as mid-season), and this Doomwatch entry could get swept away in that (especially considering that the network is already working with the show’s creators on another sci fi comedy that could replace it).
40 (n/a) Scream Queens (FOX) Airing Status: Active, Airing 1st Season
Avg Rating: 1.2 Prior Season Rating: n/a Cancellation Alert: Moderate
Pros: Network Owned/Co-Owned
Cons: Mediocre Debut Ratings, Ratings Declines in Season
Intangibles: n/a
I’m sure FOX was hoping for an American Horror Story type hit from this show (it comes from the same creators), but that didn’t quite work out. Though consider how bad the network’s lineup has been performing overall and the fact that the Scream Queen’s story resets after this season (and that it is a FOX owned show), they may consider keeping it around. Or do they just tack it on as a bonus season to the syndication package for AHS?
41 (n/a) Heroes Reborn (NBC) Airing Status: Active, Airing 1st Season
Avg Rating: 1.4 Prior Season Rating: n/a Cancellation Alert: Medium
Pros: Network Owned/Co-Owned
Cons: Mediocre Debut Ratings, Ratings Declines in Season
Intangibles: n/a
So much for nostalgia. Of course, it hasn’t been that long since Heroes went off the air and people still remember how far the quality dropped on that show in its later seasons. But then Heroes Reborn is just padding to the Heroes syndication package (and NBC owns the show), so there’s always the chance that the network keeps it around to plug up an hour on the schedule for part of the season.
42 (39) Wayward Pines (FOX) Airing Status: Season Ended, Completed 1st Season
Avg Rating: 1.1 Prior Season Rating: n/a Cancellation Alert: Medium
Pros: Ratings Increase In Season, Well Known Creator?
Cons: Moderate Debut Ratings
Intangibles: Strong DVR Gains, International Financing?
Where’s the second season renewal? FOX was talking this one up during the Summer and it was the best performing of the genre entries during those months. But we are well into Fall and still no word on this one. Perhaps they are still trying to work out something with M. Night Shyamalan’s schedule, but I’m thinking if we don’t hear something soon then its “limited run” will be all that we get.
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Likely to Get Cancelled: These shows have seriously underperformed in their current season and appear surely headed to cancellation.
43 (44) Golan the Insatiable (FOX) Airing Status: Season Ended, Completed 1st Season
Avg Rating: 0.5 Prior Season Rating: n/a Cancellation Alert: Elevated
Pros: n/a
Cons: Poor Debut Ratings, Ratings Declines in Season
Intangibles: n/a
Should we go ahead and consider this one cancelled? The possibility that it could shift over to FX (where Animation Domination HD airs) is the only reason I haven’t yet. But if there is no word by the next set of Power Rankings, I am going to consider this one done.
44 (45) Olympus (Syfy) Airing Status: Season Ended, Completed 1st Season
Avg Rating: 0.1 Prior Season Rating: n/a Cancellation Alert: Elevated
Pros: Low Ratings Expectations?
Cons: Low Ratings, Ratings Declines in Season
Intangibles: International Financing?
This show wrapped up at the beginning of July, but still no word on its fate. I believe its only chance at this point is if the Canadian Super Channel decides to keep it going without Syfy’s partnership. But it seems like the window is closing on that.
45 (33) Sleepy Hollow (FOX) Airing Status: Active, Airing 3rd Season
Avg Rating: 0.9 Prior Season Rating: 1.5 Cancellation Alert: High
Pros: Network Owned/Co-Owned
Cons: Ratings Declines YOY, Ratings Declines in Season
Intangibles: n/a
This Doomwatch entry is living down to that status as its ratings have slipped to all-time lows in its third year (though it did get a boost with the Bones cross-over episode). And it doesn’t get the protected third season show status because of the limited run of its first two years. I consider this one to be basically airing out its final episodes before heading for a date with the Network Executioner
46 (n/a) Minority Report (FOX) Airing Status: Active, Airing 1st Season
Avg Rating: 0.8 Prior Season Rating: n/a Cancellation Alert: High
Pros: Network Owned/Co-Owned
Cons: Poor Debut Ratings, Ratings Declines in Season
Intangibles: n/a
What once seemed like a promising new show tanked pretty much out of the gate and its episode order was cut from thirteen to ten which counts as a de facto cancellation. The only reason it hasn’t been kicked from the schedule is that FOX likely just has nothing to replace it at the moment.
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Recently Cancelled: Currently or recently airing shows that have already been cancelled or that have ended
Beauty and the Beast (CW) Airing Status: Returning, 4th Season Airs Summer 2016
Avg Rating: 0.2 Prior Season Rating: 0.3 Cancellation Alert: Final Season
Pros: International Financing and Syndication
Cons: Low Ratings, Ratings Declines in Season, Ratings Declines YOY
Intangibles: Social Net Presence
So there was a point that this show could sink to that would lead The CW to give up on it. It does at least get a fourth and final season next Summer, though that won’t bring it to the episode count that the domestic syndication market prefers to see. It apparently plays well internationally, though, so maybe not as many episodes are required in that market.
Dominion (Syfy) Airing Status: Cancelled, Airing 2nd Season
Avg Rating: 0.3 Prior Season Rating: 0.5 Cancellation Alert: Cancelled
Pros: Relative Ratings
Cons: Ratings Declines YOY, Ratings Declines in Season
Intangibles: n/a
Syfy did not have international partnerships on this one like it does with Dark Matter and Killjoys and apparently not enough in the way of international financing either. And it was likely an expensive show to produce, so apparently they did not believe that the ratings justified keeping it going into a third year.
Defiance (Syfy) Airing Status: Cancelled, Airing 3rd Season
Avg Rating: 0.3 Prior Season Rating: 0.5 Cancellation Alert: Cancelled
Pros: n/a
Cons: Mediocre Ratings, Ratings Declines YOY, High Production Costs?
Intangibles: DVR Gains, International Financing?
This was once pegged as Syfy’s next flagship series, but it had lost a significant amount of its viewership by the end of its third season so the network decided to part ways with it. At least it was given the chance to wrap up most of its storylines, though.
Extant (CBS) Airing Status: Cancelled, Completed 2nd Season
Avg Rating: 0.7 Prior Season Rating: 1.1 Cancellation Alert: Cancelled
Pros: Amazon Partnership, International Financing
Cons: Poor Ratings, Ratings Declines in Season, Ratings Declines YOY
Intangibles: Recognized Star
Because of the partnership CBS had with Amazon on this one as well as the international financing, the network was still making money on it despite the low ratings. But apparently being profitable was not enough as it was probably just barely in the black as opposed to making the big bucks. But with the ever-fracturing audience, can the networks really be that picky about what they keep on the air?
Haven (Syfy) Airing Status: Cancelled, 2nd Half of 5th Season Airs Late 2015
Avg Rating: 0.2 Prior Season Rating: 0.4 Cancellation Alert: Cancelled
Pros: n/a
Cons: Low Ratings, Ratings Declines in Season, Ratings Declines YOY
Intangibles: Social Net Presence
This was the last of Syfy’s “genre lite” shows from the time of its rebranding and they are trying to move away from that previous image. It seemed like they would have given it one more season so that it was more attractive to the syndication market, but apparently they decided not to sink any more money into it with all the other development they currently have in the pipeline.
Proof (TNT) Airing Status: Cancelled, Completed 1st Season
Avg Rating: 0.3 Prior Season Rating: n/a Cancellation Alert: Moderate
Pros: Debuted as Top 25 Cable Show, Well Known Star?
Cons: Ratings Decline in Season
Intangibles: International Financing?
This was one of several “ratings noise” shows from the Summer delivering overnights in the 0.1 to 0.4 range and that wasn’t good enough for TNT apparently. Perhaps ABC Family would take a flyer on it as they saw fit to renew Stitchers at the same ratings levels and Proof actually fits in well with their programming? I doubt it.
Siberia (NBC) Airing Status: Cancelled?, Awaiting Word on a 2nd Season
Avg Rating: 0.0 Prior Season Rating: n/a Cancellation Alert: Cancelled?
Pros: International Financing
Cons: Low Ratings, Ratings Declines in Season
Intangibles: International Syndication?
I still haven’t heard of any substantial movement on this one, so I am counting it as cancelled for now. There’s still a chance that it could come back for a second season because it is an inexpensive show to produce and it is making the rounds in international syndication (and its production company owns it). But it has been inactive for two years, so I think the window is just about closed on this one.
Under the Dome (CBS) Airing Status: Cancelled, Completed 3rd Season
Avg Rating: 0.9 Prior Season Rating: 1.6 Cancellation Alert: Cancelled
Pros: Amazon Partnership, International Financing
Cons: Ratings Declines in Season, Ratings Declines YOY
Intangibles: n/a
Despite have a partnership with Amazon and international financing that made this show profitable out of the gate, apparently CBS decided they would rather have more viewers tuning in to their schedule each week. The creative team was given enough advanced notice, though, and they had the chance to wrap up most of the show’s storylines.
The Whispers (ABC) Airing Status: Cancelled, Comleted 1st Season
Avg Rating: 0.8 Prior Season Rating: n/a Cancellation Alert: Cancelled
Pros: Strong Debut Ratings
Cons: Ratings Declines in Season, Low Ratings
Intangibles: Strong DVR Gains
The cancellation announcement was just a formality as it appeared ABC had given up on the show quite a while back, allowing the actors contracts to expire at the end of June. Most of the viewers seemed to have lost all interest by the end of its first season anyway, so I’m not sure if it will be missed.
