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.
Fall Finale Week: Last week had a lot of Fall finales but not much in the way of ratings fireworks. It has become the norm these days for the broadcast network shows to wrap up their Fall episodes on a high note and/or cliffhanger which usually draws more viewers. Not so last week, though. Agents of SHIELD remained at its season (and series low) of a 1.3 rating, Scream Queens remained low at a 0.9 rating (for its season finale), Grimm improved just slightly but only to a tepid 0.9 score, and almost all of The CW’s slipped some (though the Fall finales for The Flash and Arrow were probably a bit anti-climatic compared to the cross-over eps from the prior week). So the last big week of the first half of the season was really pretty much of a dud which seems like an appropriate cap to what has been a disappointing year ratings-wise for the broadcast and cable networks. And typically the second half of the season we see the ratings slip even more (usually starting right around the beginning of Daylight Savings Time). Are we headed into a surefire ratings apocalypse that will send the networks into panic mode? They are already scrambling as it is (and loudly denying the significance of the overnight ratings) and FOX did a full schedule revamp that starts at mid-season. Don’t be surprised to see some of the other networks start making some drastic moves when those overnights (which they claim to be ignoring) start sinking lower in Spring. I believe that we are at the cusp of a historic time for television and it looks like the landscape could be changing sooner rather than later. Especially if ratings drop even further over the coming months as expected.
Ratings Drop but Not to Worry: On Sunday, AMC’s Into the Badlands slipped a bit further in its second week without its powerhouse lead-in from The Walking Dead as it pulled a 0.96 score based on the overnights for the 18-49 demographic with 2.2 million total viewers. That’s still a decent number for a cable series, though, and the series star Daniel Wu has claimed that AMC has already pickup up the show for a second season. I have not heard official confirmation on that, but I would put good money on a renewal for this show at the moment.
You can see the weekly recap from last and the broadcast network and cable scorecards at this link.
Ratings results for the sci fi / fantasy shows airing Monday December 7th thru Sunday December 13th (metric definitions below):
(Updated for the broadcast network and cable Top 25)
Gotham FOX Mon 12/7 8 PM
Rating: On Hiatus | % Chng PW: n/a | Tot Viewers (MM): n/a | StD Rating: 1.5 | Net Avg: 1.6 | Cancellation Alert: Low
On hiatus, returns February 29th.
Supergirl CBS Mon 12/7 8 PM
Rating: 1.5 | % Chng PW: -6.3% | Tot Viewers (MM): 7.7 | StD Rating: 1.9 | Net Avg: 1.6 | Cancellation Alert: Low
It slipped from the prior week’s numbers and its chances for a second season are not looking good if it doesn’t get its numbers back up during the second half of the season.
Chart Activity: It remained at Number 25 in the broadcast network Top 25 based on the overnights for the 18-49 demographic and managed to creep back on the Top 25 based on total viewers, also at Number 25.
Minority Report FOX Mon 12/7 9 PM
Rating: On Hiatus | % Chng PW: n/a | Tot Viewers (MM): n/a | StD Rating: 0.7 | Net Avg: 1.6 | Cancellation Alert: High
Season Ended. Fans are trying to convince FOXto give the show another chance, though, so maybe it’s not dead yet.
The Flash CW Tue 12/8 8 PM
Rating: 1.3 | % Chng PW: -7.1% | Tot Viewers (MM): 3.6 | StD Rating: 1.4 | Net Avg: 0.6 | Cancellation Alert: Low
It slipped a tick, so apparently the Fall finale was a bit of a letdown after the Arrow cross-over episode. But it is still The CW’s top rated show and is racing toward a third season renewal.
Agents of SHIELD ABC Tue 12/8 9 PM
Rating: 1.3 | % Chng PW: 0.0% | Tot Viewers (MM): 3.9 | StD Rating: 1.4 | Net Avg: 1.6 | Cancellation Alert: Low
No improvement for this show’s “game changing” Fall finale (how many times have they changed the game for this show now?). This one is now a Call to Action show and fans need to get active because I don’t believe that fourth season is guaranteed.
iZombie CW Tue 12/8 8 PM
Rating: 0.5 | % Chng PW: -16.7% | Tot Viewers (MM): 1.4 | StD Rating: 0.6 | Net Avg: 0.6 | Cancellation Alert: Moderate
It slipped for its Fall finale and I have this one On the Bubble in the latest set of Power Rankings. The CW has quite a lot in development at the moment that might better hold on to The Flash‘s audience in the 2016-17 season.
Scream Queens FOX Tue 12/8 9 PM
Rating: 0.9 | % Chng PW: 0.0% | Tot Viewers (MM): 2.5 | StD Rating: 1.1 | Net Avg: 1.6 | Cancellation Alert: Elevated
No improvement in the ratings for this show’s season finale but it did manage to return to the Weekly Nielsen Twitter Ratings Top 10 at the Number 5 slot. So it still has an active audience online and maybe that will factor into FOX’s decision on a second season. But I’m betting this one is limited-run-and-done.
Limitless CBS Tue 12/8 10 PM
Rating: Preempted | % Chng PW: n/a | Tot Viewers (MM): 4.9 | StD Rating: 1.5 | Net Avg: 1.6 | Cancellation Alert: Low
It was preempted after airing a rerun the prior week then returns this week with a new episode before taking two weeks off. Yeah, that scheduling will be good for its ratings . . .
Arrow CW Wed 12/9 8 PM
Rating: 1.0 | % Chng PW: -28.6% | Tot Viewers (MM): 2.8 | StD Rating: 1.0 | Net Avg: 0.6 | Cancellation Alert: Low
It slipped from its cross-over episode as expected but is still pulling good numbers for the fifth place network and appears to be on target for renewal.
Supernatural CW Wed 12/9 9 PM
Rating: 0.7 | % Chng PW: -22.2% | Tot Viewers (MM): 1.9 | StD Rating: 0.7 | Net Avg: 0.6 | Cancellation Alert: Low
It slipped from the prior week (which was boosted by the Flash / Arrow crossover ep), but it still The CW’s third highest rated show and will return for a twelfth season if the cast and crew are up for it.
Star Wars Rebels DXD Wed 12/9 9:30 PM
Rating: 0.1 | % Chng PW: -7.7% | Tot Viewers (MM): 0.5 | StD Rating: 0.1 | Net Avg: n/a | Cancellation Alert: Renewed
This one held mostly steady for the week and has already been renewed for a third season.
American Horror Story FX Wed 12/9 10 PM
Rating: 1.1 | % Chng PW: -10.8% | Tot Viewers (MM): 2.1 | StD Rating: 1.7 | Net Avg: n/a | Cancellation Alert: Renewed
It slipped again to a new series low, but it has already been renewed for a sixth season. That one could be its last, though.
Chart Activity: It was at Number 11 in the cable Top 25 based on the overnights for the 18-49 demographic.
Vampire Diaries CW Thu 12/10 8 PM
Rating: 0.5 | % Chng PW: 0.0% | Tot Viewers (MM): 1.2 | StD Rating: 0.6 | Net Avg: 0.6 | Cancellation Alert: Low
It held steadily low with the prior week. At this point I am betting that The CW gives it a final season renewal to wrap up its storylines and that will be it.
Heroes Reborn NBC Thu 12/10 8 PM
Rating: On Hiatus | % Chng PW: n/a | Tot Viewers (MM): n/a | StD Rating: 1.3 | Net Avg: 1.8 | Cancellation Alert: Medium
On hiatus, returns January 7th. This is currently a Call to Action show.
The Originals CW Thu 12/10 9 PM
Rating: 0.4 | % Chng PW: -20.0% | Tot Viewers (MM): 1.0 | StD Rating: 0.4 | Net Avg: 0.6 | Cancellation Alert: Low
It slipped from the prior week but still looks to be good for a fourth year renewal because of its third season show status. That could be its last, though.
Sleepy Hollow FOX Thu 12/10 9 PM
Rating: On Hiatus | % Chng PW: n/a | Tot Viewers (MM): n/a | StD Rating: 0.9 | Net Avg: 1.6 | Cancellation Alert: High
On hiatus. This one returns on Friday nights starting February 5th. This is currently a Call to Action show.
Haven Syfy Thu 12/10 10 PM
Rating: 0.2 | % Chng PW: +40.0% | Tot Viewers (MM): 0.7 | StD Rating: 0.2 | Net Avg: n/a | Cancellation Alert: Final Season
It improved some for its second to last episode. Its series finale is this week.
Grimm NBC Fri 12/11 9 PM
Rating: 0.9 | % Chng PW: +12.5% | Tot Viewers (MM): 3.6 | StD Rating: 0.9 | Net Avg: 1.8 | Cancellation Alert: Moderate
It improved slightly for its Fall finale but remains at an all-time low season to date average. It’s fate definitely looks grim and it is currently a Call to Action show.
Z Nation Syfy Fri 12/11 10 PM
Rating: 0.3 | % Chng PW: -9.7% | Tot Viewers (MM): 0.8 | StD Rating: 0.3 | Net Avg: n/a | Cancellation Alert: Renewed
It remained mostly steady for its second to last Season 2 episode and has already been renewed for a third year.
Doctor Who BBCA Sat 12/12 9 PM
Rating: Season Ended | % Chng PW: n/a | Tot Viewers (MM): n/a | StD Rating: 0.4 | Net Avg: n/a | Cancellation Alert: Low
Season ended, tenth season looks likely.
Ash vs Evil Dead Starz Sat 12/12 9 PM
Rating: 0.2 | % Chng PW: -5.3% | Tot Viewers (MM): 0.5 | StD Rating: 0.2 | Net Avg: n/a | Cancellation Alert: Renewed
This show held mostly steady and has already been renewed for a second season.
Guardians of the Galaxy DXD Sat 12/12 9:30 PM
Rating: 0.1 | % Chng PW: n/a | Tot Viewers (MM): 0.2 | StD Rating: 0.1 | Net Avg: n/a | Cancellation Alert: Renewed
Season ended. Renewed for a second season.
Once Upon A Time ABC Sun 12/13 8 PM
Rating: On Hiatus | % Chng PW: n/a | Tot Viewers (MM): n/a | StD Rating: 1.6 | Net Avg: 1.6 | Cancellation Alert: Low
On hiatus, returns March 6th.
The Librarians TNT Sun 12/13 8 PM
Rating: 0.6 | % Chng PW: +11.1% | Tot Viewers (MM): 2.2 | StD Rating: 0.5 | Net Avg: n/a | Cancellation Alert: Low
With much less competition on Sunday night, this show’s numbers improved. TNT should have kept this one to a December / January run like it did last year. It currently looks to be on track for a third season renewal.
The Walking Dead AMC Sun 12/13 9 PM
Rating: On Hiatus | % Chng PW: n/a | Tot Viewers (MM): 13.2 | StD Rating: 6.7 | Net Avg: n/a | Cancellation Alert: Renewed
On hiatus, returns February 14th.
The Leftovers HBO Sun 12/13 9 PM
Rating: Season Ended | % Chng PW: n/a | Tot Viewers (MM): n/a | StD Rating: 0.3 | Net Avg: n/a | Cancellation Alert: Moderate
Season ended. Renewed for a third and final season.
The Last Man on Earth FOX Sun 12/13 9:30 PM
Rating: 1.3 | % Chng PW: -7.1% | Tot Viewers (MM): 3.2 | StD Rating: 1.3 | Net Avg: 1.6 | Cancellation Alert: Elevated
This show slipped for its Fall finale and remained FOX’s lowest rated program for the night. It currently has no mid-season return date scheduled and may only have a burn-off run in its future.
Into the Badlands AMC Sun 12/13 10 PM
Rating: 1.0 | % Chng PW: -9.4% | Tot Viewers (MM): 2.2 | StD Rating: 2.0 | Net Avg: n/a | Cancellation Alert: Low
It slipped for a second week in a row, but still looks okay for AMC. More on this one above.
Chart Activity: This show slipped out of the cable Top 25 based on the overnights for the 18-49 demographic (it was at Number 20 last week).
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.
Net Avg: The season to date average rating for the network for non-sports programming and non-repeats. This data is available for the broadcast networks only.
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.
