ABC’s new sci fi drama Emergence wrapped up its first season on a low note based on same-day viewing ratings results, but there was some hope for the show because its delayed viewing ratings were strong early in its run. But then it’s hard to judge how much impact the delayed viewing really has for the broadcast networks shows, because even though network execs talk like they are taking those into consideration, their ultimate renewal / cancellation decisions still appear to be heavily skewed towards the same-day numbers. But we have seen instances where shows which manage to rank high among the broadcast network output based on the delayed viewing have a decent chance of getting renewed. Sadly for Emergence, though, the delayed viewing has dropped off and does not look like it will help get the show renewed.
>ALSO READ: Will Emergence Be Renewed or Cancelled?
Across the first four episodes that aired back in Fall, the show was averaging gains of more than 100% in Live+7 viewing (the episode was watched on DVR or streaming within one week of the live broadcast). Those numbers began to drop with the fifth episode (notably after its first preemption) and have been mostly below 95% gains since that time (note that the same-day ratings for the November 5th episode were skewed due to the strong lead-in from the Little Mermaid special). The second to last episode did see the gains improve to 119% (the numbers are not available for the finale yet), but that may be too little too late. Below are the same-day and delayed viewing numbers through the show’s penultimate episode:
| Series | Air Date | Live+SD | Live+7 | % Gain |
| Emergence | 9/24/2019 | 0.79 | 1.55 | 96% |
| Emergence | 10/1/2019 | 0.63 | 1.33 | 111% |
| Emergence | 10/8/2019 | 0.51 | 1.07 | 110% |
| Emergence | 10/15/2019 | 0.51 | 1.10 | 116% |
| Emergence | 10/29/2019 | 0.52 | 1.01 | 94% |
| Emergence | 11/5/2019 | 0.70 | 1.16 | 66% |
| Emergence | 11/19/2019 | 0.45 | 0.83 | 84% |
| Emergence | 11/26/2019 | 0.43 | 0.86 | 100% |
| Emergence | 12/10/2019 | 0.42 | 0.81 | 93% |
| Emergence | 1/7/2020 | 0.46 | 0.85 | 85% |
| Emergence | 1/14/2020 | 0.35 | 0.69 | 97% |
| Emergence | 1/21/2020 | 0.32 | 0.70 | 119% |
| Average | 0.51 | 1.00 | 96% |
Overall, the series averaged a 0.51 rating based on same-day viewing for the 18-49 demographic and saw an improvement to a 1.0 score based on Live+7 viewing, an average 95% gain. After the show’s early performance, it rarely ranked in the Top 25 among broadcast network shows for the week based on delayed viewing. Comparing that to CBS freshman series Evil, that supernatural drama averaged a 0.53 rating basedon same-day viewing and 1.07 rating based on Live+7, an average gain of 107%. That is not a whole lot higher, but the show usually ranked in the Top 20 across the broadcast nets based on delayed viewing and it did get renewed for a second season. Following are the number for that show:
| Series | Air Date | Live+SD | Live+7 | % Gain |
| Evil | 9/26/2020 | 0.64 | 1.27 | 98% |
| Evil | 10/1/2019 | 0.58 | 1.17 | 102% |
| Evil | 10/8/2019 | 0.56 | 1.10 | 96% |
| Evil | 10/15/2019 | 0.66 | 1.18 | 79% |
| Evil | 10/21/2019 | 0.54 | 1.10 | 104% |
| Evil | 11/7/2019 | 0.51 | 1.13 | 122% |
| Evil | 11/14/2019 | 0.50 | 1.03 | 106% |
| Evil | 11/21/2019 | 0.53 | 1.05 | 98% |
| Evil | 12/5/2019 | 0.47 | 1.09 | 132% |
| Evil | 12/12/2019 | 0.51 | 1.08 | 112% |
| Evil | 1/9/2020 | 0.42 | 0.97 | 131% |
| Evil | 1/16/2020 | 0.44 | 1.00 | 127% |
| Average | 0.53 | 1.10 | 107% |
NBC’s sophomore series Manifest returned for its second season in January, and saw its same-day ratings drop from last year. But it has regularly ranked in the Top 10 to Top 15 based on delayed viewing, so it remains safe for now. Following are the early numbers for that show:
| Series | Air Date | Live+SD | Live+7 | % Gain |
| Manifest | 1/6/2020 | 0.87 | 1.80 | 107% |
| Manifest | 1/13/2020 | 0.66 | 1.54 | 133% |
| Manifest | 1/20/2020 | 0.67 | 1.55 | 131% |
| Average | 0.73 | 1.63 | 122% |
So essentially, the numbers as they stand now cast further doubt for the future of Emergence. It is already one of ABC’s lowest-rated shows based on same-day ratings, and it is no longer seeing significant gains from delayed viewing. I have had the show On the Bubble for a while, but now I am moving it to Cancellation Likely status. I just don’t see enough from the viewership numbers that convinces me that ABC will be motivated to bring this one back.
That is not quite the death knell, though, and now it is up to the fans. If they make a loud enough Call to Action on the social networks, perhaps ABC will see fit to bring this one back for another year. But they need to make a lot of noise and they need to do it now (I discuss that in more detail at this link). We have seen other shows like The Expanse, Lucifer, and Timeless saved by fan campaigns, even if just for a season or two. Now is the time for Emergence fans to make their stand and convince ABC that this show should return for a second season.
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