AMC’s supernatural drama NOS4A2 is heading into its Season 2 finale this weekend, and its status beyond that is currently up in the air. That show debuted with decent ratings in its first season, but saw those drop off notably after a few weeks. It ended up averaging only a 0.2 rating based on same-day viewing in the 18-49 demographic across its first year run, and I had it On the Bubble, though it did get a second season renewal. The ratings dropped further when it returned this Summer, only averaging a 0.11 score through nine airings so far this year. That includes the ratings for the simulcasts on BBC America which are not in the first season numbers (I don’t recall if the show was airing on both networks last year). So currently its ratings are down by at least 45% from levels that I already considered on the low side. Below are the weekly ratings from this year including the BBC America simulcasts.
| Live+SD Rtg | ||||
| Air Date | AMC | BBCA | Total | StD Avg |
| 6/21/2020 | 0.12 | 0.02 | 0.14 | 0.14 |
| 6/28/2020 | 0.08 | 0.01 | 0.09 | 0.12 |
| 7/5/2020 | 0.08 | 0.01 | 0.09 | 0.11 |
| 7/12/2020 | 0.08 | 0.01 | 0.09 | 0.10 |
| 7/19/2020 | 0.08 | 0.04 | 0.12 | 0.11 |
| 7/26/2020 | 0.11 | 0.01 | 0.12 | 0.11 |
| 8/2/2020 | 0.11 | 0.01 | 0.12 | 0.11 |
| 8/9/2020 | 0.10 | 0.04 | 0.14 | 0.11 |
| 8/16/2020 | 0.10 | 0.01 | 0.11 | 0.11 |
The show has received some decent buzz across its first two seasons and it currently holds a 75% Fresh Rating and 90% Audience Score on Rotten Tomatoes (up from a 69% Fresh Rating and 75% Audience score in its first season). It does not appear to be seeing significant ratings gains from delayed viewing as it has not made it into the Top 50 for that metric this season (it did show up a few times in the Top 50 for total viewership gains, though). The series is a production of AMC Studios, so that means that network has a financial stake in the show and that could help its prospects. But at its current ratings levels and with very little in the way of a boost from delayed viewing, I consider it very much On the Bubble, just as it was as its first season was winding down.
The survival of the show could now very well hinge on support from fans. They should definitely take to the social networks, especially during the Sunday season finale, to help get the show trending and bring it more attention. After that, watch parties online could definitely help give it a boost. And if fans were to subscribe to the network’s streaming service AMC Premiere en masse for a month (it’s only $4.99) and watch the show (both seasons are available there), that would definitely get the attention of network execs as well. You can read about more fan initiatives at this link.
NOS4A2 has become a well-respected series across its first two seasons and it could stick around for a third year and possibly more. But the current ratings results put its fate in doubt, so now is the time for fans to step and show their support and hopefully convince AMC to renew it for another year.
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