Bubble Shows: Shadowhunters, Legion, and Colony Are Struggling
Three of the cable sci fi / fantasy entries have returned this Spring with linear ratings notably below where they were performing last season, and I have moved all of them to Bubble status. Freeform’s Shadowhunters has been posting tepid ratings most of its third season and landed on a series low 0.14 rating based on same day viewing for the 18-49 demographic last week. That one is on hiatus until later in the Summer and will need to get its numbers up when it returns if it wants to earn a forth season nod. FX’s Legion is currently down by 56% from last year, though it did at least jump up a bit with last week’s episode (a 0.22 rating with 451K total viewers). The network has ordered an eleventh episode for the current season and I’m wondering if that may be intended to act as a series finale. USA’s Colony returned earlier this month and its numbers have been down by 42% so far this season. All of these shows definitely need a Call to Action from their fans on the social networks in order to bring more attention and hopefully bolster the ratings.
Ratings Results of Interest: Fear the Walking Dead Still Looks Good for a Fifth Year Return
On Sunday, AMC’s Fear the Walking Dead slipped just a bit to a 0.82 rating based on same day viewing in the demo with 2.3 million total viewers. But that one still appears to be on track for a fifth season renewal. Into the Badlands had a 0.38 score with 1.1 million total viewers and that may be just enough to get it a fourth year nod (though no guarantees). On Saturday, HBO’s movie adaptation of Fahrenheit 451 posted a 0.26 rating with 1.1 million total viewers. Decent numbers, but not spectacular. On Friday, both Once Upon A Time and Agents of SHIELD held at a 0.5 rating for ABC for their finales. The former series has wrapped up its seven-year run while the latter will be returning for a sixth (and possibly final) season.
Catching up on last week’s numbers, on Thursday, Freeform’s Siren improved after two poor outings and posted a 0.20 rating with 615K total viewers. That show has been renewed for a second season. On Wednesday, both Syfy’s Krypton and The Expanse improved to a 0.19 rating. The latter show has been dropped by Syfy (though it appears that Amazon could save it) and we are still waiting for word on the Superman prequel series. You can see the full ratings results for the week at this link, and be sure to follow the Cancelled Sci Fi Twitter Site for the latest results and breaking news. Ratings Source: ShowBuzzDaily