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 new series Watchmen held steady with its second episode posting a 0.25 rating based on same day viewing for the 18-49 demographic with 765K total viewers. That’s actually not bad because comic book based shows often drop notably after their first episode once the curious onlooker effect has passed. We will see how this one tracks in the coming weeks and I expect it to continue to see decent gains in digital and delayed viewing, but perhaps these numbers are good enough for now.
Over on AMC, The Walking Dead slipped yet again, this time to a 1.1 rating with 3.3 million total viewers. But the network is not too concerned with the same day viewing numbers for this one at the moment and has already renewed it for an eleventh season.
On Friday, Syfy’s Van Helsing improved slightly to a 0.10 rating with 339K total viewers as it continues to hang on for its network. On Thursday, Evil took a notable drop for CBS as it slipped to a 0.5 rating with 3.5 million total viewers. But the network has already given that one an early second-season renewal. On Wednesday, American Horror Story rebounded some from its previous week low, pulling a 0.61 rating with 1.4 million total viewers.
On Tuesday, ABC had a surprise preemption for Emergence which will do nothing to help its flagging ratings. I thought a new episode was scheduled to air, but the show was preempted for a special. I will pay close attention to the status of this one in the coming weeks because NBC has already yanked one of its low-rated shows from the schedule.
On USA on Tuesday, The Purge slipped a bit to a 0.21 rating with 584K total viewers which still has that one doing okay for a cable show. The CW shows all remained relatively stable for the week with the exception of Riverdale which improved to a 0.3 rating with 865K total viewers. That network just ordered full seasons of its freshman entries Batwoman and Nancy Drew.
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
Renewal and Cancellation Announcements: According to Deadline Hollywood, Apple TV+ is in the process of renewing several of its originals ahead of their premieres when that service launches November 1st. Among those are the sci fi entries For All Mankind and See, both of which premiere this Friday. According to DH, this helps “amortize costs and keep the Apple TV+ pipeline of original content going, avoiding lengthy hiatuses”. M. Night Shyamalan’s upcoming supernatural series Servant (which debuts November 28th) was not mentioned among the shows headed for renewal.
CBS handed an early second season renewal to its new supernatural drama Evil. That one will air thirteen episodes this season then return in Fall 2020. Freeform announced this last week that its Marvel Universe series Cloak and Dagger has been cancelled after two seasons, but the characters are still scheduled for a crossover in the upcoming third season of Runaways which debuts on Hulu in December.
Status Updates: Creepshow Could Lurk Its Way Into a Second Season
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.
Castle Rock (Hulu, Status – Renewal Possible): This show has been generally well-received thus far (it has a 90% Fresh Rating and 73% Audience Score on Rotten Tomatoes), and since it reboots itself each season, it could stick around for another year or more.
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.
Creepshow (Shudder, Status – Renewal Possible): This show has been breaking viewership records for the Shudder streaming service and has been well received by critics and fans, currently holding a 92% Fresh Rating and 82% Audience Score on Rotten Tomatoes. Consider a second season renewal to be a good bet for this one.
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.
Daybreak (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.
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 – Renewed): The early renewal for this one was a bit of a surprise because its ratings have been moderate at best. But perhaps CBS is starting to pay less attention to the same day viewing stats these days.
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.
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.
Watchmen (HBO, Status – Renewal Possible): The debut ratings for this show were not too strong, but the premium cable channels bases 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 – Cancelled): Coming as now surprise, Freeform has announced that this show will not be returning for a third season. More on that at this link.
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.
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.
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.
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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