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 Watchmen slipped to a 0.19 rating based on same-day viewing for the 18-49 demographic with 649K total viewers. While the premium cable channels do not pay as much attention to the overnight numbers as the other networks, those stats do act as a leading indicator. If this show is not making up the slack in delayed and digital viewing, it may end up lasting only the one season that Damon Lindelof has planned. Over on AMC, The Walking Dead slipped to a 1.0 rating with three million total viewers, but this show has already been renewed for an eleventh season and it’s fate is no longer dictated by the same day numbers.
>Keep up with all the currently airing sci fi and fantasy shows with our Weekly Listings
On Tuesday, USA’s The Purge improved to a 0.24 rating with 583K total viewers, but those numbers may still have the show in iffy territory. That network just cancelled the non-genre entry Pearson which was averaging just over 500K total viewers in its first season. The Purge has averaged closer to 600K so far in its second season, but if it starts to slip this one could get moved to Bubble status. Over on ABC, Emergence returned after one week off and held steady at a 0.5 rating with 2.6 million total viewers. That may be just enough for that one considering its network is struggling so far this season.
All of the Wednesday shows saw notable drops in their ratings, but that is almost certainly because they were running against Game 7 of the World Series and they should rebound this week. On Thursday, all of the genre entries took a Halloween break except NBC’s The Good Place which held steady at a 0.6 rating with 2.2 million total viewers (a good performance for a typically low-viewership evening). On Friday, Syfy’s Van Helsing held at a 0.10 rating with 349K total viewers and it may be doing barely enough to survive to a fifth season.
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: Last week was a busy one with cancellations and renewals, with three sci fi and fantasy shows continuing on and one coming to an end. Netflix’s space drama Another Life–which stars BSG‘s Katee Sackhoff–has received a second season renewal despite the fact that the show has not been well-received by critics in its first year. Shudder’s horror anthology Creepshow has been renewed for a second season which comes as no surprise seeing as it has set viewership records for the streaming service. And EPIX’s Batman prequel series Pennyworth will be returning for a second year which is was to be expected seeing as it was a high-profile entry for the cable channel. On the cancellation side, NBC has decided not to bring back its Summer supernatural procedural The InBetween for a second season. That show pulled moderate at best ratings and appeared to be just burning off its first season after the network kicked it to Summer from Mid-Season.
Status Updates: The Status of The Purge Is Unclear at this Point in the 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.
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 – Renewed): 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. Not surprisingly, it has been renewed for a second season.
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 remain low for this show, but ABC’s ratings are down overall, so it may be doing just enough to hang on. It would certainly help if fans were to make 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 it should continue to 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. If it picks up enough slack in delayed and digital viewing, it may be doing okay. But it is worth keeping a close eye on how this one tracks in the coming weeks.
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.
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.
Van Helsing (Syfy, Status – Renewal Possible): The ratings are not great for this show so far in its fourth season, but it may be doing just enough to survive on Syfy. 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): Yes, this show is at series-low ratings levels, but it is still one of the top-rated scripted shows on television and it has made it past the point where same-day (or even delayed / digital) viewing numbers dictate its fate. It has already been renewed for an eleventh season, and expect more to follow. More on that at this link.
Watchmen (HBO, Status – Renewal Possible): The early ratings for this show are not too strong, but the premium cable channels base the success of a show on how many subscribers its draws. 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 – Renewed): Despite the fact that critics have panned this show in its first year (it only has a 6% Fresh Rating at Rotten Tomatoes), Netflix has given it the greenlight for a second season. This streamer tends to give its shows at least two seasons, but it also tends to cap them off by the third or fourth season.
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.
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 – Cancelled): Coming as no surprise, NBC has cancelled this show after one season. The network appeared to lose faith in it when they moved it from Mid-Season to a Summer start, and its moderate ratings did little to convince the network execs to keep it going. Fans may want to take to the social nets with a Call to Action to save it, but it may be too late at this point.
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 (Epix, Status – Renewed): Coming as no surprise, Epix has renewed this show for a second season. It is a pretty high-profile series for the network, so they probably went in expecting at least a couple of seasons from the show.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
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.
You can see the list of all of this season’s renewals and cancellations at this link.
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