Weekly Roundup: Ratings results and status updates on all the currently airing sci fi & fantasy shows as well as those still awaiting word on their fates. For the latest ratings updates throughout the week, be sure to follow the Cancelled Sci Fi Twitter Site
Ratings Results of Interest: On Sunday, HBO’s much-anticipated Watchmen series debuted, though it only pulled a 0.25 rating based on same-day viewing for the 18-49 demographic with 799K total viewers. Ratings-wise, that is not an impressive start, but the premium cable channels pay less attention to the same-day numbers. According to HBO, the digital viewing for the premiere brought the number to 1.5 million total viewers, which is the highest premiere on that network since Westworld. Comic book based shows tend to see a notable drop following their premieres after the curious onlookers have moved on, so we will have to see how this one trends in the coming weeks.
Over on AMC, The Walking Dead slipped yet again, this time to a 1.2 rating with 3.5 million total viewers. But the network is not too worried about the numbers for this show at the moment and has already renewed it for an eleventh season. On USA, Mr. Robot held steady at a 0.10 rating as it airs out its final season.
On Tuesday, USA’s The Purge had its second season debut and posted a 0.25 rating with 613K total viewers. That’s down over 50% from the 0.55 score it had for its series premiere last year and down 39% from last year’s average. That also follows the trend we have been seeing of late of notable year-over-year ratings declines for second season shows, especially for the cable channels. That said, the 0.25 score is still decent for a basic cable entry these days. If it does not slip much more in the coming weeks, and if it makes up some of the slack with delayed viewing, this one could still return for a third season.
Pretty much all of The CW shows took a drop of one-tenth of a ratings point this past week. That’s not surprising because the premiere ratings tend to be the highest and then the numbers slack off from there. But the shows on the fifth place network tend to not trend down as much as those on the Big Four broadcast nets. The Flash is leading the pack with a 0.5 rating, and the rest of the network’s shows are at the 0.3 or 0.2 level. That is sustainable for that network, especially since many of these do very well with digital viewing (and it’s time for the other broadcast networks to start paying attention to those stats). At this point, The Flash and Riverdale are pretty much guaranteed to come back for another season, and the rest of the genre entries on that network appear to be fine as well.
On Tuesday, ABC’s Emergence held at a 0.5 rating with 2.7 million total viewers. That has the show performing notably below its network’s average and it could move to Bubble status if it does not improve. On Wednesday, FX’s American Horror Story took a notable drop to a 0.50 rating with 1.1 million total viewers. But that one has already been renewed for a tenth season.
On Thursday, Evil improved to a 0.7 rating with 3.7 million total viewers for CBS. That could just be a one-week bump, but if it were to hold in that range, I like its chances of getting a full season order. On Friday, Syfy’s Van Helsing held at a 0.08 rating with 295K total viewers which might be just enough to keep it going for another year. A rally for this one on the social nets would definitely help its chances.
The other sci fi and fantasy entries remained mostly steady with the prior week, and you can see the full ratings results for the week at this link, Be sure to follow the Cancelled Sci Fi Twitter Site for the latest results and breaking news and to join the #CancelledSciFiArmy as we fight to save our sci fi shows. For more info on what the ratings mean and how I use them to gauge the status of a show, check our our Cancelled Sci Fi FAQ Page. Ratings Source: ShowBuzzDaily
Cancellations of Note: Two non-genre shows have a date with the Network Executioner already this season, even though the “cancelled” word yet. NBC’s low-rated comedy Sunnyside is getting pulled from the schedule and its remaining episodes will be available on the network’s website. That show only managed a 0.3 rating in same-day viewing the last few weeks. Another NBC show, legal drama Bluff City Law, will be wrapping up production after its initial ten-episode order. The network had ordered six additional scripts for the show prior to its premiere, but has decided not to produce those episodes. That show has been pulling disappointing ratings in the Monday 10 PM EST timeslot despite a strong lead-in from The Voice. The takeaway from this is that the networks are still looking at those same-day ratings and are still willing to pull the plug quickly on the shows they believe are underperforming. Also, the networks still want to avoid admitting that they are cancelling the shows.
Status Updates: The Terror Ends Its Second Season On the Bubble
Below are the status updates for all the currently airing shows or those still awaiting word on their fate, including the those on the streaming services. You can click through to the show pages to see week-over-week ratings results (where available) and find out more information about the series. You can see the status of all the currently airing and returning sci fi TV shows at our Cancellation Watch Page.
Currently Airing / Streaming:
American Horror Story (Netflix, Status – Renewed): The numbers are down for this show year-over-year, but that is pretty much true across the board with the cable channels and broadcast nets. This one has already been renewed through a tenth season and could still stick around for a few years beyond that unless Disney execs (the Mouse House now owns the show) decide to wrap this one up.
Arrow (CW, Status – Final Season): Arrow wraps up with its eighth season, but The Flash, Supergirl, Batwoman, and more will pick up the torch for the Arrow-verse, and a possible female-led spin-off could be on the way next year.
Batwoman (CW, Status – Renewal Possible): The early numbers look good for this show and the buzz remains strong. It airs on The CW, aka the Happy Net because it prefers to renew rather than cancel shows (and it has adapted to the 21st century with its focus on digital viewing). Consider a second season a good bet for this show at this point.
Black Lightning (CW, Status – Renewal Possible): Over the past five-plus years, once a show has made it past its second season on The CW, it almost always sticks around for at least seventy episodes no matter the ratings. Black Lightning will reach that point right about the end of its fourth season, so expect this one to stick around at least one more year unless the network decides to shake things up.
Carnvial Row (Amazon, Status – Renewed): While the critics may have mixed feelings about this show thus far, it appears to have proven popular with the viewers (currently holding an 87% Audience Score on Rotten Tomatoes), and it has already been renewed for a second season.
Charmed (CW, Status – Renewal Possible): The numbers are down a bit for this show because of its move to Fridays, but it should do well in digital viewing like it did last season (The CW pays more attention to those stats than the other broadcast networks). At this point, a third season definitely looks like a possibility.
Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance (Netflix, Status – Renewed): This show has been well-recieved thus far (currently holding an 86% Fresh Rating and 94% Audience Score on Rotten Tomatoes) and has a decent chance of returning for a second season if the creative team wish to continue the story.
Disenchantment (Netflix, Status – Renewed): This animated comedy has proven popular thus far and has already been renewed for a second season which will comprise two ten-episode runs (on some sites this is being refered to as Season 3 and 4).
Emergence (ABC, Status – Renewal Possible): The numbers for this show have slipped into iffy territory and it is not making up much slack in delayed viewing. It may be time for fans to start making a Call to Action on the social networks to bring more attention to the show.
Evil (CBS, Status – Renewal Possible): The early numbers are marginal for this show which is not good seeing as it airs on genre-averse CBS. But they are not disastrous, and if it does not slip too much perhaps the network will keep this one going for a while.
The Flash (CW, Status – Renewal Likely): This show returned mostly even with where it was last Spring which is to be expected. It remains The CW’s top-rated series and will become the lead Arrow-verse show with Arrow ending this season. Expect a seventh year and possibly more from this one.
The Good Place (NBC, Status – Final Season): This show has returned with numbers down from last year, but we are pretty much seeing that across the board these days. It is in its final season, so it will at least get the chance to wrap up its storylines.
The I-Land (Netflix, Status – Renewal Possible): Early reactions to this show have not been good as it is currently at a 0% Fresh Rating and 27% Audience Score on Rotten Tomatoes. But Netflix did give this one more promotion than it usually does for one of its originals, so they may be more invested in the show and could keep it around for a second season.
Into the Dark (Hulu, Status – Renewed): Hulu has announced that this show will be returning for another cycle of monthly horror films with the second season kicking off in October.
Legacies (CW, Status – Renewal Possible): This show has returned even with last year’s numbers and and it should do well in digital viewing like it did last season (The CW pays more attention to those stats than the other broadcast networks). At this point, I would expect this one to stick around for a third season.
Mr Robot (USA, Status – Final Season): This show has returned down in its fourth season, which is what we are seeing for pretty much all shows these days. It did receive the final season renewal, though, so it will have the chance to wrap up its storylines.
Nancy Drew (CW, Status – Renewal Possible): The same day numbers for this show are not great so far, but it will likely make up some of the slack with digital viewing (The CW pays more attention to those stats than the other broadcast networks). At this point, it appears to be doing okay for the fifth place network.
Primal (Adult Swim, Status – Renewal Possible): This show’s numbers are decent for a cable series these days, especially one airing at midnight. Apparently only five episodes were produced for its first season, but I’m sure Adult Swim will want more of this show if Genndy Tartakovsky has a desire to produce more episodes.
The Purge (USA, Status – Renewal Possible): This show has returned down from its first-year numbers, but that is the typical trend we are seeing for second season shows these days. It is still doing okay for a cable series and may make up some of the slack with delayed viewing, so it still has a shot at a third season.
Raising Dion (Netflix, Status – Renewal Possible): As with any Netflix original series, this show has a decent chance of sticking around for a second season. But don’t expect an extended run because the streamer tends to cap off its shows around the third season.
Riverdale (CW, Status – Renewal Likely): The numbers have slipped a bit after this show had a decent fourth season premiere, but it will likely make up the gap in digital viewing which its network pays attention to (unlike the other broadcasters). Plus, one more season gets it to a syndication friendly count of episodes, so expect at least a fifth year from this one if not more.
Star Wars Resistance (Disney, Status – Final Season): The fact that this series never drew much of an audience likely factors into why it is ending after only two seasons. Disney execs claimed that “this was a natural place to end the show with an epic finale” seeing as it leads into the The Rise of Skywalker which debuts in December. But if the ratings had been higher, I’m betting this one would have stuck around for another season or so.
Supergirl (CW, Status – Renewal Possible): This show’s numbers are about even its prior season average and the network has indicated that they have no plans of ending any of the Arrow-verse shows beyond Arrow at this point. Consider a sixth season a good bet for this one at this point.
Supernatural (CW, Status – Final Season): After a record-busting fifteen-year run, this show will finally be coming to an end. But don’t be surprised if The CW has a spin-off from this one on the schedule for next season.
The Terror (AMC, Status – On the Bubble): After proving to be a hit for AMC in its first season, this show returned with ratings down notably in its second year. It sure seems like this one should be headed to cancellation, but since it reboots itself each year, perhaps AMC will take a chance on a third season. Fans should make a Call to Action on the social networks to give it a boost.
Titans (DCU, Status – Renewal Possible): As with the other streaming services, DC Universe does not reveal its viewership numbers. But Titans has proven popular for the streamer thus far and has a decent chance of returning for a third season. Even if WarnerMedia decides to shut down the DCU platform, I would expect this one to move to the upcoming HBO Max service.
Undone (Amazon, Status – Renewal Possible): As with any of the shows on the streaming services, this series has a chance of returning for a second season if the creative team has enough story ideas to keep the show going.
Van Helsing (Syfy, Status – Renewal Possible): The ratings are not great for this show so far in its fourth season, but we will see how it tracks in the coming weeks. The network tends to cap off its shows by the fourth or fifth season, so fans should probably rally for this one on the social nets if they want it stick around beyond the current year.
The Walking Dead (AMC, Status – Renewed): The Walking Dexit continues for this show as it has returned at series-low levels for its tenth season. But it remains one of the top-rated scripted shows on television and AMC is committed to the franchise for the long-term. TWD as already been renewed for an eleventh season.
Wathcmen (HBO, Status – Renewal Possible): The debut ratings for this show were not too strong, but the premium cable channels base the success of a show on how many subscribers its brings to the services. Still, those ratings act as a leading indicator, and this show has not drawn much interest early on. Series creator Damon Lindelof has already said the show could only run one season, and if the viewership remains low, HBO may agree with that.
Season Ended But Still Awaiting Renewal / Cancellation Decision:
Another Life (Netflix, Status – On the Bubble): Netflix tried to make a big splash with this space drama, pulling in genre veteran Katee Sackhoff, but that does not appear to have worked out too well. The buzz on this show has not been good thus far, and it only has a 6% Fresh Rating at Rotten Tomatoes (though at least it has a 61% Audience Score). This streamer tends to give its shows at least two seasons, but Another Life is rather expensive to produce and may get end up getting cut short after only one.
Black Mirror (Netflix, Status – Renewal Possible): Netflix tends to end its originals around the three season mark, but this one may be able to hold on longer because the streaming service continues to roll out each new season as a major event.
Black Summer (Netflix, Status – Renewal Possible): As a new series on Netflix, this show has a decent chance of getting renewed for a second season because the streaming service tends to keep its originals around for two to three seasons.
Cloak and Dagger (Freeform, Status – On the Bubble): This show’s numbers are down from the prior season and at levels that have seen other series cancelled by Freeform. Disney owns Marvel and Freeform, so they could give the show some slack and still bring it back for a third season. But a Call to Action from fans may be needed to keep this show going.
Final Space (ADSW, Status – Renewal Possible): This show has switched to Adult Swim in its second season which worked out well seeing as its ratings improved by 30% from last year. A third season renewal seems like a good bet for this one.
The InBetween (NBC, Status – On the Bubble): This show was originally intended for Mid-Season but was pushed to a Summer start which is never a good sign. It debuted with decent ratings for a Summer entry, but those have slipped and the network has preempted it twice already suggesting that they see this as a burn-off run. More on that at this link. I have moved this one to Bubble status and fans should definitely take to the social nets with a Call to Action to bring more attention it.
Mars (NGC, Status – On the Bubble): This show’s same day viewing numbers were down notably in its second year, but it relies more heavily on its global viewership stats. I consider a third season possible, though Nat Geo may decide to wrap it up at that point.
Osmosis (Netflix, Status – Renewal Possible): Another new series on Netflix that has a decent chance of getting renewed for a second season because the streaming service tends to keep its originals around for two to three seasons.
The Outpost (CW, Status – Renewed): The numbers for this show were down in its second season, but it is an acquisition that fills up space on the schedule during the Summer months and The CW has renewed it for a third season.
Pandora (CW, Status – Renewed): As with The Outpost, this series is an acquisition for The CW that fills up space on the Summer schedule. Its ratings were not great in its first year, but good enough to get a second season from the fifth place network.
Pennyworth (Epis, Status – Renewal Possible): The viewership for Epix is not picked up by Nielsen, so it is difficult to gauge the show’s status. This is a pretty high-profile series for the network, though, so I would say it has a decent chance of sticking around for a second season.
Scream (VH1, Status – On the Bubble): This show actually posted decent numbers for its double-episode season premiere on Monday night, but saw those drop notably the next two nights. Considering the long delay between seasons and the fact that it was shifted to another network, these ratings will likely not encourage Viacom / VH1 to move forward with a fourth season. Fans may want to make a Call to Action on the social nets, though, to see if that can help.
SuperMansion (Crackle, Status – Renewal Possible): There has been no word on a fourth season of this show, but it has done well for Crackle so far and has also performed well in its encore run on Adult Swim. It released another special as recently as April 2019 and that might be its output for a while as the principals try to work in enough time in their schedules to produce more episodes.
The Rook (Starz, Status – On the Bubble): This show barely registered in the ratings during its first season and I have it at Bubble status. Its international viewership may have more influence on its fate, but it would probably be a good idea for fans to make a Call to Action on the social networks to bring it more attention.
Tidelands (Netflix, Status – On the Bubble): This Australian-made series arrived in December of last year with little fanfare and there has been no word on it since. Netflix does tend to give its shows at least two seasons, but at this point they may have decided to let the tide go back out.
Two Sentence Horror Stories (CW, Status – Renewal Possible): The debut numbers for this show were pretty low, but still not terrible for a Summer entry on The CW. It’s possible that this one could return for a second season on the fifth place network.
You can see the list of all of this season’s renewals and cancellations at this link.
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