Weekly Roundup: Ratings results and status updates on all the currently airing sci fi & fantasy shows as well as those still awaiting word on their fates. For the latest ratings updates throughout the week, be sure to follow the Cancelled Sci Fi Twitter Site
Ratings Results of Interest
On Monday last week, His Dark Materials returned for its second season on HBO and posted a 0.06 rating based on same-day viewing for the 18-49 demographic with 227K total viewers. That is down by forty percent from its first season ratings, which were already on the low side. Digital and delayed viewing will boost that some, but the show is definitely seeing a decline in viewership in its second year. HBO partners with The BBC on this one, and its audience numbers across the Atlantic may be more important to its fate. But viewership is down in Britain as well. I’m not moving this one to Bubble status just yet because I am thinking that it may at least get a third and final season. But I will keep a close eye on the numbers over the next few weeks.
On Sunday, Fear the Walking Dead slipped to a series low 0.26 rating with 1.1 million total viewers for its Mid-Season finale. If its numbers remain down when it returns for the second half of its sixth season, then its fate may be in doubt. Leading out from that, The Walking Dead: World Beyond also slipped to a series low, posting a 0.15 rating with 627K total viewers. But that one was designed for a limited, two-season run.
On The CW on Sunday, Pandora posted yet another 0.0 rating. The scores for the broadcast networks are rounded to one decimal place, but I will count it as a 0.04 rating for calculation purposes. That show is an acquisition for the network, so it could still return for a third season. But it is definitely struggling with finding an audience on Sunday nights. The Outpost made its move to Sundays in the 9 PM EST timeslot, and it improved on its lead-in by posting a 1.0 rating with 376K total viewers. The CW has ordered another thirteen episodes of that show.
On Thursday, Supernatural wrapped up its historic fifteen-year run, but its numbers were no higher than last week. It posted a 0.3 rating in the demo for its two-hour finale with 1.3 million total viewers. That is in line with its Fall average, though the total viewers stat is a bit higher. That show has been a network staple for a decade and a half (going back to when it started on The WB), and there is still a possibility that it could produce a spin-off in the next season or two.
On Tuesday, the encore run of Swamp Thing on The CW held at a 0.1 rating though the total viewers slipped to 656K. The show started off stronger earlier in Fall, but has been mostly on a downward trajectory since then. And I have not seen much in the way of fan support for this one on the social networks, so I would say that the chances of The CW picking up the already cancelled show for a second season are slim. Over on FOX on Tuesday, neXt held at a 0.3 rating with one million total viewers. That show has been cancelled by the network.
Below are the linear numbers for all the sci fi and fantasy entries from the past week. You can see more detailed ratings info for the week at this link. Be sure to follow the Cancelled Sci Fi Twitter Site for the latest results and breaking news. For more info on what the ratings mean and how I use them to gauge the status of a show, check out our Cancelled Sci Fi FAQ Page. Ratings Source: ShowBuzzDaily
Ratings Results for the Week of 11/16/20
| Series | Rating / Tot Viewers |
| His Dark Materials (HBO) Tue 8 PM | Rtg: 0.06 / Tot Vwrs: 227K |
| Swamp Thing (CW) Tue 8 PM | Rtg: 0.10 / Tot Vwrs: 656K |
| NeXt (FOX) Tue 10 PM | Rtg: 0.30 / Tot Vwrs: 1.0M |
| Supernatural (CW) Thu 8 PM | Rtg: 0.30 / Tot Vwrs: 1.3M |
| Star Trek Discovery (CBS) Thu 10 PM | Rtg: 0.20 ↓ / Tot Vwrs: 1.9M |
| Pandora (CW) Sun 8 PM | Rtg: 0.04 / Tot Vwrs: 255K |
| Fear the Walking Dead (AMC) Sun 9 PM | Rtg: 0.26 ↓ / Tot Vwrs: 1.1M |
| The Outpost (CW) Thu 9 PM | Rtg: 0.10 / Tot Vwrs: 376K |
| The Walking Dead World Beyond (AMC) Sun 10 PM | Rtg: 0.15 ↓ / Tot Vwrs: 627K |
| Moonbase 8 (Show) Sun 11:00 PM | Rtg: 0.01 / Tot Vwrs: 57K |
Final Season Announcement
The CW announced late last week that its DC superhero series Black Lightning will be ending with its upcoming fourth season, though spin-off series Painkiller could potentially take its place on the schedule next season. Black Lightning will be joining Supergirl as the second of two Arrow-verse shows ending this season, and flagship series Arrow wrapped up last year. That currently leaves only The Flash, Legends of Tomorrow, and new entry Superman & Lois in the franchise. Though the above-mentioned Painkiller, as well as an Arrow spin-off and Wondergirl series, are currently in the works. I will be taking a closer look at the future of the Arrow-verse in an upcoming post.
Status Updates of Interest
For the status updates on all of the currently airing shows plus those awaiting word on their fate, go to this link.
Pandora (CW, Airing 2nd Season, Status – Renewal Possible): This show has seen expectedly low ratings airing on highly competitive Sunday nights this Fall. It is an acquisition for The CW intended to pad out the network’s scripted programming (typically in Summer, but it got moved to Fall due to the shutdowns), so it still has a chance of returning for a third season.
Lovecraft Country (HBO Max, 1st Season Ended, Status – Renewal Possible): The ratings for this show were decent if not spectacular in its first season, and it surely makes up some slack with digital and delayed viewing as well as encore runs. It has also been getting some good buzz and potential Emmy attention, so consider a second season renewal to be a good bet for this one.
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