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.
The ratings for NBC’s cancelled Hannibal remained low last week as it pulled another 0.4 score in the 18-49 demographic based on the overnights with 1.2 million total viewers. The show’s producers and studio continue to shop it around to other venues, but they have faced only setbacks thus far. The show’s stars Hugh Dancy and Mads Mikkelsen (as well as the rest of the cast) have been released from their contracts meaning that a whole new round of negotiations would be required to get a fourth season in place. In addition, the streaming services Amazon and Netflix have chosen not to pick up the show for another season which takes two major players out of the running. I was thinking Amazon would be interested in Hannibal since they have had the exclusive streaming rights thus far, but apparently they decided that they already have enough original entries on their plate for the moment. Series showrunner and producer Bryan Fuller hasn’t thrown in the towel yet, and claims that they are “still investigating possibilities”. And the show would be a good fit for one of the cable networks, especially the pay channels. But the longer it takes to work out a deal, the less likely anything will happen. Dancy and Mikkelsen will likely move on to other projects, reducing their availability. And Fuller is getting ready to start working on the American Gods series for Starz, so that will tie up a fair amount of his time. I thought there would be a high level of interest in Hannibal after the cancellation because it has a worldwide fanbase and is well respected by the critics. And a deal could still be worked out to get a fourth season and perhaps more. But if something doesn’t happen soon, then it may be a long time (if at all) before Hannibal dines on the small screen again.
Chart Activity: Just a note that a repeat of FOX’s The Last Man on Earth charted for the week in the broadcast network Top 25 based on the ratings in the 18-49 demographic. It was at the Number 16 slot, ahead of Under the Dome at Number 20 and Wayward Pines at Number 24. More on chart activity in the individual entries below.
Ratings results for the sci fi / fantasy shows airing Monday June 9th thru Sunday July 5th (metric definitions below):
(Updated for Top 25 Chart Activity for the broadcast and cable networks)
The Whispers ABC Mon 6/29 10 PM
Rating: 0.8 | % Chng PW: -20.0% | Tot Viewers (MM): 3.4 | StD Rating: 1.0 | Cancellation Alert: Medium
This show has dropped to dangerous ratings levels and ABC has let the actors’ contracts lapse, so a second season is looking increasingly unlikely. More at this link.
Teen Wolf MTV Mon 6/29 10 PM
Rating: 0.6 | % Chng PW: n/a | Tot Viewers (MM): 1.5 | StD Rating: 0.6 | Cancellation Alert: Low
This show returned down from where it was last year, but not too far considering the current ratings slump among the cable networks. And it continues to dominate social network activity so it should be okay.
Chart Activity: As expected, this show made it into the Weekly Nielsen Twitter Ratings Top 10 as it topped the chart with its fifth season premiere. It should make regular appearances there throughout the rest of the season.
Stitchers ABCF Tue 6/30 9 PM
Rating: 0.3 | % Chng PW: -25.0% | Tot Viewers (MM): 0.8 | StD Rating: 0.4 | Cancellation Alert: Moderate
Its numbers slipped from the prior week as it has become another of those low-performing, “ratings noise” cable shows. Its international partnerships/financing (if any) will be key to its survival.
Zoo CBS Tue 6/30 9 PM
Rating: 1.2 | % Chng PW: n/a | Tot Viewers (MM): 8.2 | StD Rating: 1.2 | Cancellation Alert: Low
This show had a decent bow for a Summer series, though it doesn’t have much leeway for slippage. More on this one at this link.
Chart Activity: This one made it into the broadcast network Top 25 based on the ratings in the 18-49 demographic and also the Top 25 based on total viewers. It was at the Number 13 slot on the former chart and Number 4 on the latter.
Teen Wolf MTV Tue 6/30 9 PM
Rating: 0.5 | % Chng PW: -16.7% | Tot Viewers (MM): 1.2 | StD Rating: 0.6 | Cancellation Alert: Low
Its second episode for the week (aimed at giving the Scream premiere a boost) dropped from its first one, but not by much. If it holds at this level it should be okay.
Chart Activity: It’s second episode for the week slipped to the Number 7 slot, but I expect the show to remain in the Top 10 when this week’s rankings are tallied.
Proof TNT Tue 6/30 10 PM
Rating: 0.3 | % Chng PW: 0.0% | Tot Viewers (MM): 2.1 | StD Rating: 0.3 | Cancellation Alert: Moderate
Like Stitchers, this is another of those low-flying, “ratings noise” cable shows and its international backers (if it has any) will be important to its survival.
Scream MTV Tue 6/30 10 PM
Rating: 0.5 | % Chng PW: n/a | Tot Viewers (MM): 1.0 | StD Rating: 0.5 | Cancellation Alert: Low
This show had a decent enough bow and stirred some buzz on the social nets as well. If it can hold at around this level it should be okay.
Chart Activity: This show made it into the Weekly Nielsen Twitter Ratings Top 10 (barely) at the Number 10 slot. I expect that was mostly from curious onlookers and wouldn’t be surprised if it drops out when this week’s numbers are tallied.
Extant CBS Wed 7/1 10 PM
Rating: 0.7 | % Chng PW: n/a | Tot Viewers (MM): 1.0 | StD Rating: 0.7 | Cancellation Alert: Moderate
Not a good second season bow for this show and its possible that not even its Amazon partnership and international financing can keep it afloat for a third season. More at this link.
Chart Activity: Despite its low debut, this one still made it into the broadcast network Top 25 based on total viewers at the Number 19 slot. It did not place in the chart based on the ratings in the 18-49 demo.
Beauty and the Beast CW Thu 7/2 8 PM
Rating: 0.2 | % Chng PW: 0.0% | Tot Viewers (MM): 0.9 | StD Rating: 0.3 | Cancellation Alert: Renewed
This show remained at its new series low level for a second week in a row. And yet it’s coming back for a fourth season?
Wayward Pines FOX Thu 7/2 9 PM
Rating: 1.0 | % Chng PW: -16.7% | Tot Viewers (MM): 3.4 | StD Rating: 1.1 | Cancellation Alert: Moderate
After several weeks of steady numbers, this show slipped to a series low. If it rebounds next week, then it should be okay. If it keeps slipping, then its fate could be in doubt.
Chart Activity: The slip in this show’s numbers caused it to also slip on the broadcast net Top 25 chart based on the ratings in the 18-49 demo to the Number 24 slot. That was down from Number 16 last week.
Under the Dome CBS Thu 7/2 9 PM
Rating: 1.0 | % Chng PW: -23.1% | Tot Viewers (MM): 5.3 | StD Rating: 1.2 | Cancellation Alert: Low
This show dropped to a series low and its future looks less than certain at the moment. More at this link.
Chart Activity: This show slipped in the Top 25 based on the ratings in the 18-49 demo to Number 20 (down from Number 13 last week). It also slipped on the total viewers chart to Number 18 (down from Number 10 last week).
Hannibal NBC Thu 7/2 10 PM
Rating: 0.4 | % Chng PW: 0.0% | Tot Viewers (MM): 1.2 | StD Rating: 0.5 | Cancellation Alert: Cancelled
No improvement in the ratings for this show and no takers yet to pick it up for a fourth season. More on this one above.
Olympus Syfy Thu 7/2 11 PM
Rating: 0.1 | % Chng PW: 0.0% | Tot Viewers (MM): 0.4 | StD Rating: 0.1 | Cancellation Alert: Medium
This one wrapped up its first season averaging only a 0.1 rating in the 18-49 demo based on the overnights. Unless the Canadian Super Channel (Syfy’s partner on the show) is really happy with its performance, I’m thinking a second season won’t happen.
Defiance Syfy Fri 7/3 8 PM
Rating: 0.4 | % Chng PW: +100.0% | Tot Viewers (MM): 1.3 | StD Rating: 0.3 | Cancellation Alert: Medium
What happened here? This one saw a nice jump from the tepid numbers it has been pulling thus far this season. If it can hold at this level (or even a 0.3 average), it may have a chance. Next week’s numbers should tell us if this was just a blip.
Killjoys Syfy Fri 7/3 9 PM
Rating: 0.2 | % Chng PW: 0.0% | Tot Viewers (MM): 0.9 | StD Rating: 0.2 | Cancellation Alert: Moderate
Still flying low on Syfy, though I hear that its numbers on the Canadian Space Channel (Syfy’s partner on show) are decent. That could help win it a second season.
The Messengers CW Fri 7/3 9 PM
Rating: Preempted | % Chng PW: n/a | Tot Viewers (MM): n/a | StD Rating: 0.2 | Cancellation Alert: Cancelled
Preempted. It returns to air out its remaining two episodes this Friday.
Dark Matter Syfy Fri 7/3 10 PM
Rating: 0.2 | % Chng PW: 0.0% | Tot Viewers (MM): 1.0 | StD Rating: 0.2 | Cancellation Alert: Moderate
Like Killjoys, this one is still low, but Syfy’s partnership with Space could help keep it going into a second season.
Atlantis BBCA Sat 7/4 9 PM
Rating: 0.1 | % Chng PW: +133.3% | Tot Viewers (MM): 0.2 | StD Rating: 0.1 | Cancellation Alert: Cancelled
This one improved considerably from the 0.03 rating it had for its return the prior week. But it still remains cancelled.
Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell BBCA Sat 7/4 10 PM
Rating: 0.1 | % Chng PW: +66.7% | Tot Viewers (MM): 0.2 | StD Rating: 0.1 | Cancellation Alert: Mini-Series
It improved from last week, but it’s still at less than a tenth of a ratings point (results above are rounded). I don’t know that there were any plans to continue it beyond its mini-series run, though.
Humans AMC Sun 7/5 9 PM
Rating: 0.3 | % Chng PW: -40.0% | Tot Viewers (MM): 1.1 | StD Rating: 0.4 | Cancellation Alert: Low
It dropped from its premiere, but that may be the impact of the holiday weekend. I expect it to rebound some next week.
The Last Ship TNT Sun 7/5 9 PM
Rating: 0.7 | % Chng PW: -22.2% | Tot Viewers (MM): 2.6 | StD Rating: 0.8 | Cancellation Alert: Low
This one slipped back down to a 0.7 score, but that may be in part due to the holiday weekend. Still, it should be okay at this level.
Chart Activity: This one continues to cruise in the cable Top 25 based on total viewers, though it did slip a little to the Number 16 slot (down from Number 13).
Golan the Insatiable FOX Sun 7/5 9:30 PM
Rating: Preempted | % Chng PW: n/a | Tot Viewers (MM): n/a | StD Rating: 0.5 | Cancellation Alert: Moderate
Preempted for the second time in three weeks. That’ll help its numbers. It returns this coming Sunday.
Penny Dreadful SHOW Sun 7/5 10 PM
Rating: 0.3 | % Chng PW: +50.0% | Tot Viewers (MM): 0.8 | StD Rating: 0.2 | Cancellation Alert: Renewed
This show improved for its Season 2 finale. It returns with its third season next year.
Falling Skies TNT Sun 7/5 10 PM
Rating: 0.4 | % Chng PW: -20.0% | Tot Viewers (MM): 1.8 | StD Rating: 0.5 | Cancellation Alert: Final Season
This one slipped a bit from its fifth season premiere numbers, but it is in its final year anyway.
Salem WGN Sun 7/5 10 PM
Rating: Season Ended | % Chng PW: n/a | Tot Viewers (MM): n/a | StD Rating: 0.1 | Cancellation Alert: Moderate
Season Ended. Awaiting word on its third season.
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.
