Cancellation Watch: Ratings results and status updates for the sci fi and fantasy shows on the broadcast networks, cable channels, and streaming services as well as breaking news on the currently airing, returning, and upcoming genre entries. For the streaming ratings, see our weekly Digital Ratings posts.
Linear Ratings Results of Interest:
On Sunday, HBO’s new post-apocalyptic series The Last of Us had its debut and posted a 0.17 rating based on same-day viewing for the 18-49 demographic with 588K total viewers. Those are okay linear numbers for a cable series, but according to stats provided by HBO, the show amassed a total of 4.7 million viewers including encore runs and HBO Max viewing on Sunday night making it the second-largest debut of an original for the premium service in the past thirteen years, behind only House of the Dragon. So this one is off to a good start and a second-season renewal will probably be coming shortly.
Over on AMC, Mayfair Witches held steady at a 0.11 rating in the demo with 584K total viewers for its second episode. But that one is making up slack in digital viewing as I discuss in the Status Updates section below.
On Thursday, Ghosts slipped just a bit to a 0.57 rating with 6.5 million total viewers, and it was just renewed by CBS. On Monday, Fantasy Island improved slightly to a 0.21 rating with 1.6 million total viewers, and if it keeps edging up it might be okay. Over on NBC, Quantum Leap slipped to a 0.26 rating with 1.8 million total viewers, though it may have been impacted by competition from football. It has already been renewed for a second season.
You can see the full, season-to-date ratings for the sci fi and fantasy shows at this link, and below are the ratings for the genre shows from the past week. Ratings Source: ShowBuzzDaily
Ratings Results for the Week of 1/9/23
| Series | Rating / Tot Viewers |
| Fantasy Island (FOX) Mon 8 PM | Rtg: 0.21 ↑ / Tot Vwrs: 1.6M, Status: Renewal Possible |
| Quantum Leap (NBC) Mon 10 PM | Rtg: 0.26 ↓ / Tot Vwrs: 1.8M, Status: Renewed |
| The Winchesters (CW) Tue 8 PM | On Hiatus, Status: On the Bubble |
| La Brea (NBC) Tue 9 PM | On Hiatus, Status: Renewal Possible |
| Kung Fu (CW) Wed 9 PM | On Hiatus, Status: On the Bubble |
| Ghosts (CBS) Thu 8:30 PM | Rtg: 0.57 ↓ / Tot Vwrs: 6.5M, Status: Renewed |
| The Last of Us (HBO) Sun 9 PM | Rtg: 0.17 / Tot Vwrs: 588K, Status: Renewal Likely |
| Mayfair Witches (AMC) Sun 9 PM | Rtg: 0.11 / Tot Vwrs: 584K, Status: Renewal Likely |
Status Updates:
Trending Toward Renewal:
Mayfair Witches (AMC, Renewal Likely): The same-day linear numbers have not been great for this show so far, but it is making up for that in digital and delayed viewing. According to a press release from AMC Networks, the show surpassed the debut of Interview With The Vampire at AMC+ and is the top new series premiere on that service based on the first five days of viewing. It also grew its linear audience to 1.7 million total viewers based on Live+3 delayed viewing. I already expected a renewal for this show because it is part of the high-profile “Immortals Universe”, and these stats should seal the deal.
Trending Toward Cancellation:
Velma (HBO Max, Renewal Possible): I have not seen any numbers for Velma yet, so I am not moving it to Bubble status at this point. But the general buzz on the show has been quite negative so far. It currently has only a 57% Tomatometer Score and a paltry 6% Audience Score on Rotten Tomatoes. HBO Max has been cancelling shows left and right lately, and they have been particularly brutal with their animated originals. Unless this Scooby Doo prequel performs very well in viewership, I don’t like its chances for a second season.
You can see the status of all the airing, returning, and upcoming sci fi and fantasy shows for the current season at our Cancellation Watch page.
Cancellation/Renewal Score:
I went into more detail on this yesterday, but going forward I will be tracking the Cancellation/Renewal Score for the current season. This compares the cancelled/ending shows vs. the shows that have been renewed so far in the season. The shows tracked with this metric are the ones that have had their premieres already as well as those that we know will premiere in the season and have had their final year announced or have been renewed in advance. This score will provide a quick and easy way to track how genre entries are performing throughout the season. Currently, 30.6% of this season’s shows have been cancelled or are ending vs. 29% that have been renewed. You can see the full numbers below and I will update this as more cancellations and renewals occur. You can keep track of these numbers throughout the week and see the current show list at our Cancellation Watch Page.
Cancellation/Renewal Score:
| Show Count | 62 | ||
| Cancelled | 9 | 14.5% | 30.6% |
| Ending | 10 | 16.1% | |
| On the Bubble | 8 | 12.9% | |
| Renewal Possible | 17 | 27.4% | |
| Renewed | 18 | 29.0% |
ALSO READ:
CancelledSciFi.com: Keep up with the status updates of all the currently airing sci fi and fantasy shows with our Cancellation Watch posts. And be sure to follow the Cancelled Sci Fi Twitter Site for breaking news and updates.
SciFiTVSite.com: Follow our Sci Fi TV Schedule for all the currently airing and upcoming sci fi and fantasy television shows, and you can see the premieres for all the upcoming genre entries at this link.
