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.
Last Tuesday’s episode of Syfy’s The Expanse saw the show take a notable drop to a 0.15 rating based on the overnights for the 18-49 demographic with about 680 thousand total viewers. Its numbers were already at questionable levels for its debut week where it averaged a 0.3 rating for its first two episodes, the level at which Defiance and Dominion were performing this past Summer before getting cancelled. With The Expanse‘s numbers now dropping even further, it definitely looks to be on thin ice, at least as far as its ratings performance goes. The show does have two things going for it right now, though. One, Syfy has been pushing hard for online viewing. The first episode was released early online and then eps three and four were released well before their linear viewing dates (the fourth episode airred on Syfy for the first time last night and we will see those ratings in a day or two). I have watched all four episodes online and they have rather long commercial breaks, much longer that what you see on Hulu. So I am guessing that Syfy has leveraged a fair amount of its advertising exposure to digital viewing, which makes since considering the network’s tech-savvy audience. And if the streaming numbers are good (the first ep reportedly had one and a half million views online before its debut), perhaps they can offset the low ratings from the linear airings. The second thing in the show’s favor is the fact that Syfy has been willing to give its series a second season even if they drew only mediocre or poor ratings in their first. We have seen this the last couple of years with shows like Dominion, Helix, and 12 Monkeys. But the bad news that goes along with that is that the first two of those three were cancelled after their second seasons and 12 Monkeys could be headed down that path if its numbers don’t improve when it returns in April. The fact is that The Expanse is an expensive show to produce and if it is not making enough money from advertising revenue (which they don’t get from DVR viewing) then Syfy will not be able to afford to keep it around. I do believe they will give it every chance because it is a high profile series and they are trying to play it up as their Game of Thrones in space. But unless online viewership can be counted in the millions on a consistent basis, then this show could very well be facing an uncertain future.
Only a few shows had new episodes airing last week and their information is included below. The broadcast and cable scorecards will return in two weeks once mid-season kicks into gear.
Ratings results for the sci fi / fantasy shows airing Monday December 21st thru Sunday December 27th (metric definitions below):
Gotham FOX Mon 12/21 8 PM
Rating: On Hiatus | % Chng PW: n/a | Tot Viewers (MM): n/a | StD Rating: 1.5 | Net Avg: 1.5 | Cancellation Alert: Low
On hiatus, returns February 29th.
Supergirl CBS Mon 12/21 8 PM
Rating: On Hiatus | % Chng PW: n/a | Tot Viewers (MM): 7.3 | StD Rating: 1.9 | Net Avg: 1.6 | Cancellation Alert: Low
On hiatus, returns January 4th.
Minority Report FOX Mon 12/21 9 PM
Rating: On Hiatus | % Chng PW: n/a | Tot Viewers (MM): n/a | StD Rating: 0.7 | Net Avg: 1.5 | Cancellation Alert: High
Season Ended. Fans are trying to convince FOX to give the show another chance, though, so maybe it’s not dead yet.
The Flash(R) CW Tue 12/22 8 PM
Rating: 0.3 | % Chng PW: n/a | Tot Viewers (MM): 1.1 | StD Rating: 1.4 | Net Avg: 0.6 | Cancellation Alert: Low
Repeat. Resumes new episodes on January 19th.
Agents of SHIELD ABC Tue 12/22 9 PM
Rating: On Hiatus | % Chng PW: n/a | Tot Viewers (MM): 3.9 | StD Rating: 1.4 | Net Avg: 1.6 | Cancellation Alert: Moderate
On hiatus, returns March 8th.
iZombie(R) CW Tue 12/22 8 PM
Rating: 0.2 | % Chng PW: n/a | Tot Viewers (MM): 0.6 | StD Rating: 0.6 | Net Avg: 0.6 | Cancellation Alert: Moderate
Repeat. Resumes new episodes on January 12th.
Scream Queens FOX Tue 12/22 9 PM
Rating: Season Ended | % Chng PW: n/a | Tot Viewers (MM): 2.5 | StD Rating: 1.1 | Net Avg: 1.5 | Cancellation Alert: Elevated
Season ended and this one is likely limited-run-and-done.
Limitless CBS Tue 12/22 10 PM
Rating: On Hiatus | % Chng PW: n/a | Tot Viewers (MM): 6.6 | StD Rating: 1.5 | Net Avg: 1.6 | Cancellation Alert: Low
On hiatus, returns January 5th.
The Expanse Syfy Tue 12/22 10 PM
Rating: 0.2 | % Chng PW: -44.4% | Tot Viewers (MM): 0.7 | StD Rating: 0.2 | Net Avg: n/a | Cancellation Alert: Moderate
This show saw a notable drop from its already low numbers from the prior week which is not a good thing. More on this one above.
Arrow(R) CW Wed 12/23 8 PM
Rating: 0.3 | % Chng PW: n/a | Tot Viewers (MM): 1.1 | StD Rating: 1.0 | Net Avg: 0.6 | Cancellation Alert: Low
Repeat. Resumes new episodes on January 20th.
Supernatural(R) CW Wed 12/23 9 PM
Rating: 0.3 | % Chng PW: n/a | Tot Viewers (MM): 0.9 | StD Rating: 0.7 | Net Avg: 0.6 | Cancellation Alert: Low
Repeat. Resumes new episodes on January 20th.
Star Wars Rebels DXD Wed 12/23 9:30 PM
Rating: On Hiatus | % Chng PW: n/a | Tot Viewers (MM): 0.5 | StD Rating: 0.1 | Net Avg: n/a | Cancellation Alert: Renewed
On hiatus.
American Horror Story FX Wed 12/23 10 PM
Rating: On Hiatus | % Chng PW: n/a | Tot Viewers (MM): 1.9 | StD Rating: 1.6 | Net Avg: n/a | Cancellation Alert: Renewed
On hiatus, returns January 6th.
Vampire Diaries CW Thu 12/24 8 PM
Rating: On Hiatus | % Chng PW: n/a | Tot Viewers (MM): 1.2 | StD Rating: 0.6 | Net Avg: 0.6 | Cancellation Alert: Low
On hiatus, returns January 28th (when it shifts to Fridays).
Heroes Reborn NBC Thu 12/24 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.
The Originals CW Thu 12/24 9 PM
Rating: On Hiatus | % Chng PW: n/a | Tot Viewers (MM): 1.0 | StD Rating: 0.4 | Net Avg: 0.6 | Cancellation Alert: Low
On hiatus, returns January 28th (when it shifts to Fridays).
Sleepy Hollow FOX Thu 12/24 9 PM
Rating: On Hiatus | % Chng PW: n/a | Tot Viewers (MM): n/a | StD Rating: 0.9 | Net Avg: 1.5 | Cancellation Alert: High
On hiatus, returns February 5th (when it shifts to Fridays).
Doctor Who BBCA Thu 12/24 9 PM
Rating: 0.5 | % Chng PW: n/a | Tot Viewers (MM): 1.2 | StD Rating: 0.4 | Net Avg: n/a | Cancellation Alert: Renewed
This show’s Christmas Special pulled decent ratings for a holiday airing and it appears it is moving forward with its tenth season.
Haven Syfy Thu 12/24 10 PM
Rating: Series Ended | % Chng PW: n/a | Tot Viewers (MM): 0.7 | StD Rating: 0.2 | Net Avg: n/a | Cancellation Alert: Final Season
Series Ended.
Grimm NBC Fri 12/25 9 PM
Rating: On Hiatus | % Chng PW: n/a | Tot Viewers (MM): 3.6 | StD Rating: 0.9 | Net Avg: 1.8 | Cancellation Alert: Medium
On hiatus, returns January 22nd.
Z Nation Syfy Fri 12/25 10 PM
Rating: On Hiatus | % Chng PW: n/a | Tot Viewers (MM): 1.1 | StD Rating: 0.3 | Net Avg: n/a | Cancellation Alert: Renewed
Season ended. Returns Fall 2016 with its third season.
Ash vs Evil Dead Starz Sat 12/26 9 PM
Rating: 0.1 | % Chng PW: -22.2% | Tot Viewers (MM): 0.3 | StD Rating: 0.2 | Net Avg: n/a | Cancellation Alert: Renewed
It slipped slightly from the prior week, but it has already been renewed for a second season.
Guardians of the Galaxy DXD Sat 12/26 9:30 PM
Rating: Season Ended | % Chng PW: n/a | Tot Viewers (MM): 0.2 | StD Rating: 0.1 | Net Avg: n/a | Cancellation Alert: Renewed
Season ended. Returns Fall 2016 with its second season.
Once Upon A Time ABC Sun 12/27 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 12/27 8 PM
Rating: 0.6 | % Chng PW: +14.6% | Tot Viewers (MM): 2.2 | StD Rating: 0.5 | Net Avg: n/a | Cancellation Alert: Low
This show improved for its Season 2 finale and it returns for its third season next year (this time with thirteen episodes).
The Walking Dead AMC Sun 12/27 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 12/27 9 PM
Rating: Season Ended | % Chng PW: n/a | Tot Viewers (MM): n/a | StD Rating: 0.3 | Net Avg: n/a | Cancellation Alert: Renewed
Season ended. Returns Fall 2016 with its third and final season.
The Last Man on Earth FOX Sun 12/27 9:30 PM
Rating: On Hiatus | % Chng PW: n/a | Tot Viewers (MM): 3.2 | StD Rating: 1.3 | Net Avg: 1.5 | Cancellation Alert: Elevated
On hiatus, no scheduled return yet.
Into the Badlands AMC Sun 12/27 10 PM
Rating: Season Ended | % Chng PW: n/a | Tot Viewers (MM): 2.2 | StD Rating: 1.8 | Net Avg: n/a | Cancellation Alert: Low
Season Ended. Awaiting word on its second 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.
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.
