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.
Renewal Announcements: Coming as no surprise, MTV announced last week (at Comic Con) that Teen Wolf will be returning for a sixth season. The show’s numbers are down this Summer, but not too far based on the slump we are seeing across most of the cable channels. And the show continues to generate plenty of buzz across the social networks as it once again has become a fixture in the Nielsen Twitter Ratings Top 10. It wouldn’t surprise me if the network wasn’t starting to think about an end point for the show, but not for another season or two. If the sixth year renewal is for twelve episodes (I haven’t see an official episode count yet), that would bring the show to a total of 92 which is a good number for the syndication market. Another season of twelve episodes gets it to over 100, which is an even better tally. I’d bet its almost guaranteed a seventh season, and possibly one or more after that. But this show will almost certainly go out on its own terms. Also receiving a renewal announcement (and also at Comic Con) was WGN’s Salem. That one was less guaranteed because its numbers have remained low in its second season as it hovers in that low-flying, “ratings noise”, cable show range. But Salem likely has international financing and/or partnerships backing it, something that makes it harder to predict the renewal/cancellation status of shows these days. But even though I have had that one at a Moderate Cancellation Alert level, I have been leaning toward renewal so the announcement does not come as a big surprise. Whether it will be required to improve its numbers in its third season remains to be seen.
Season Premieres: On Thursday, Syfy’s Dominion returned for its second season and pulled a 0.3 rating in the 18-49 demographic based on the overnights with 1.1 million total viewers. That’s down from where it was in its first season, but right at the levels we are seeing from most Syfy shows these days, and I consider it to be okay for now. If the usual trend holds, it will slip to a 0.2 rating this coming Thursday and I will move it to a Moderate Cancellation Alert level. But that’s really just to cover my bases as its hard to make predictions on these low-rated, “ratings noise” cable shows these days. I do know that Dominion has a very vocal and passionate fanbase and they have already been active on the social networks, so perhaps that will be a factor in the show’s favor. Also returning for its second season was FX’s The Strain which bowed with a 0.8 rating in the 18-49 demo on Sunday night and 1.7 million total viewers. That’s down from its 1.0 average during its first season, but not by much when you factor in the current ratings environment. At those levels it should be okay unless it starts trending downward over the coming weeks. My guess is that it will slip some, but not enough to raise its Cancellation Alert level.
Ratings results for the sci fi / fantasy shows airing Monday July 6th thru Sunday July 12th (metric definitions below):
The Whispers ABC Mon 7/6 10 PM
Rating: 0.8 | % Chng PW: 0.0% | Tot Viewers (MM): 3.4 | StD Rating: 1.0 | Cancellation Alert: Medium
No change from the prior week, though this show continues to see notable improvements when the delayed viewing results come in. But the fact that the actors’ contracts have lapsed and ABC has not announced a renewal yet still puts this one on uncertain footing.
Teen Wolf MTV Mon 7/6 10 PM
Rating: 0.6 | % Chng PW: 0.0% | Tot Viewers (MM): 1.4 | StD Rating: 0.6 | Cancellation Alert: Renewed
The sixth season renewal announcement came as expected and consider it to be on course for a 7th year as well. More on this one above.
Stitchers ABCF Tue 7/7 9 PM
Rating: 0.3 | % Chng PW: 0.0% | Tot Viewers (MM): 0.7 | StD Rating: 0.4 | Cancellation Alert: Moderate
No change for this low-flying show as it will have to rely on its international financing/partnerships (if any) to win it a second season.
Zoo CBS Tue 7/7 9 PM
Rating: 1.2 | % Chng PW: 0.0% | Tot Viewers (MM): 7.7 | StD Rating: 1.2 | Cancellation Alert: Low
Its ratings in the 18-49 demo have not been spectacular thus far, but as good or better than Wayward Pines, Under the Dome, and The Whispers. And its total viewers look quite good, especially for a Summer series, so if it can hold at these levels than a second season look likely.
Chart Activity: This show moved up in the Top 25 based on the overnight ratings for the 18-49 demo from Number 13 to Number 12. And in the Top 25 based on total viewers it held steady at Number 3.
Proof TNT Tue 7/7 10 PM
Rating: 0.4 | % Chng PW: +33.3% | Tot Viewers (MM): 2.1 | StD Rating: 0.4 | Cancellation Alert: Moderate
Since bowing to decent numbers, this show has slipped steadily to become 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 7/7 10 PM
Rating: 0.4 | % Chng PW: -20.0% | Tot Viewers (MM): 0.8 | StD Rating: 0.5 | Cancellation Alert: Low
It slipped a bit from last week, but its still doing decent enough for its network. If it holds at these levels then it should be okay.
Chart Activity: As expected, this one dropped out of the Nielsen Twitter Ratings Top 10 in its second week.
Extant CBS Wed 7/8 10 PM
Rating: 0.8 | % Chng PW: +14.3% | Tot Viewers (MM): 5.1 | StD Rating: 0.8 | Cancellation Alert: Moderate
It improved slightly from its debut, and that’s a good thing. But explain to me why CBS has the show buried on the schedule at 10 PM after a repeat of Criminal Minds instead of moving it to the 9 PM timeslot and letting it have the higher-rated Big Brother as it lead-in.
Chart Activity: Despite its low ratings, this one managed to hang onto the Top 25 based on total viewers, though it slipped from Number 19 last week to Number 20.
Beauty and the Beast CW Thu 7/9 8 PM
Rating: 0.2 | % Chng PW: 0.0% | Tot Viewers (MM): 0.9 | StD Rating: 0.2 | Cancellation Alert: Renewed
Three weeks in a row at a series low 0.2 rating and that has to make you wonder if The CW might be reconsidering that fourth season renewal.
Wayward Pines FOX Thu 7/9 9 PM
Rating: 1.0 | % Chng PW: 0.0% | Tot Viewers (MM): 3.4 | StD Rating: 1.1 | Cancellation Alert: Moderate
Two weeks in a row at the 1.0 ratings level doesn’t look great, but that still may be acceptable for a Summer show. Its delayed viewing results continue to look good and if it could get its overnights back up a tick or two, that would put it in better standing.
Chart Activity: This show held steady with last week at Number 24 in the Top 25 based on the overnight ratings for the 18-49 demo.
Under the Dome CBS Thu 7/9 9 PM
Rating: 1.1 | % Chng PW: +10.0% | Tot Viewers (MM): 5.1 | StD Rating: 1.1 | Cancellation Alert: Low
It improved slightly from last week and these numbers may be enough to keep it alive because its international partnership and streaming deal with Amazon make it profitable for CBS.
Chart Activity: This show improved in the Top 25 based on the overnights in the 18-49 demo, going from Number 20 last week to Number 16. In the Top 25 based on total viewers, it slipped from Number 18 to Number 19.
Hannibal NBC Thu 7/9 10 PM
Rating: 0.4 | % Chng PW: 0.0% | Tot Viewers (MM): 1.4 | StD Rating: 0.5 | Cancellation Alert: Cancelled
No good news here as the numbers remain low and NBC just announced they are kicking the show to Saturdays to air out the rest of its third season. And there’s still no word on another network picking Hannibal up for a fourth season.
Dominion Syfy Thu 7/9 10 PM
Rating: 0.3 | % Chng PW: n/a | Tot Viewers (MM): 1.1 | StD Rating: 0.3 | Cancellation Alert: Low
It returned down from last year, but not too bad for a Syfy show. If the fans make some noise on the social networks (and the show has a very vocal following), maybe they can draw some attention to it.
Defiance Syfy Fri 7/10 8 PM
Rating: 0.3 | % Chng PW: -25.0% | Tot Viewers (MM): 1.1 | StD Rating: 0.3 | Cancellation Alert: Moderate
It slipped from last week’s season high, but not by much. I’m easing off the Cancellation Alert status to Moderate for now, and it will likely remain there until we hear word on whether the show will come back for a fourth season.
Killjoys Syfy Fri 7/10 9 PM
Rating: 0.2 | % Chng PW: 0.0% | Tot Viewers (MM): 1.0 | StD Rating: 0.2 | Cancellation Alert: Moderate
No improvement for this one’s ratings, but Syfy has been generous with first season shows of late so it still has a chance for renewal.
The Messengers CW Fri 7/10 9 PM
Rating: 0.2 | % Chng PW: n/a | Tot Viewers (MM): 0.8 | StD Rating: 0.2 | Cancellation Alert: Cancelled
It returned from two weeks off at the same ratings levels and heads off to TV Oblivion after airing its final episode this Friday.
Dark Matter Syfy Fri 7/10 10 PM
Rating: 0.3 | % Chng PW: +50.0% | Tot Viewers (MM): 1.1 | StD Rating: 0.2 | Cancellation Alert: Moderate
This show improved slightly from last week as apparently word is getting out about it (Syfy hasn’t done a great job of promoting its shows this Summer). Like Killjoys, it still has a chance for renewal.
Atlantis BBCA Sat 7/11 9 PM
Rating: n/a | % Chng PW: n/a | Tot Viewers (MM): 0.2 | StD Rating: n/a | Cancellation Alert: Cancelled
Ratings results pending.
Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell BBCA Sat 7/11 10 PM
Rating: n/a | % Chng PW: n/a | Tot Viewers (MM): n/a | StD Rating: 0.1 | Cancellation Alert: Mini-Series
Ratings results pending.
Humans AMC Sun 7/12 9 PM
Rating: 0.4 | % Chng PW: +33.3% | Tot Viewers (MM): 1.2 | StD Rating: 0.4 | Cancellation Alert: Low
This one improved from last week and it should be okay because it has performed quite strong on Channel 4, AMC’s international partner on the show.
The Last Ship TNT Sun 7/12 9 PM
Rating: 0.7 | % Chng PW: 0.0% | Tot Viewers (MM): 3.0 | StD Rating: 0.8 | Cancellation Alert: Low
It slipped one tick from last week, but is still doing well on total viewers. I wouldn’t be surprised to hear a renewal announcement on this one in the next week or so.
Chart Activity: This show improved in the cable Top 25 based on total viewers moving from Number 16 last week up to Number 12.
Golan the Insatiable FOX Sun 7/12 9:30 PM
Rating: 0.5 | % Chng PW: n/a | Tot Viewers (MM): 1.1 | StD Rating: 0.5 | Cancellation Alert: Moderate
After a week off, its numbers improved slightly, but it was still behind repeats of The Simpsons and Family Guy. Its best bet at this point is to hope that FX (which is where Animation Domination HD currently airs) will give it a home for a second season.
The Strain FX Sun 7/12 10 PM
Rating: 0.8 | % Chng PW: n/a | Tot Viewers (MM): 1.7 | StD Rating: 0.8 | Cancellation Alert: Low
It debuted down from last season, but not by much when you factor in the ratings slump across the cable networks. More on this one above.
Penny Dreadful SHOW Sun 7/12 10 PM
Rating: Season Ended | % Chng PW: n/a | Tot Viewers (MM): 0.8 | StD Rating: 0.2 | Cancellation Alert: Renewed
Season Ended. Renewed for a third season.
Falling Skies TNT Sun 7/12 10 PM
Rating: 0.4 | % Chng PW: 0.0% | Tot Viewers (MM): 1.9 | StD Rating: 0.4 | Cancellation Alert: Final Season
This one continues to fly low as it works its way through its final 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.
