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, Starz’s romantic fantasy Outlander returned for its fifth season and posted a 0.12 rating based on same-day viewing for the 18-49 demographic with 815K total viewers. That is down by close to 30% from the show’s average in its fourth season, but is in line with year-over-year declines we have been seeing mostly across the board. The premium cable channels pay less attention to the same-day numbers and this is an established franchise for the network, so consider the show safe for now.
Also on Sunday, HBO’s Avenue 5 improved a tick to a 0.10 rating with 386K total viewers while Doctor Who improved to a 0.12 rating with 530K total viewers on BBC America. On Friday, MacGyver held steady for CBS at a 0.7 rating with 5.8 million total viewers as that show appears to be on track for a fifth season renewal. On Wednesday, Syfy’s The Magicians slipped to a series low 0.09 rating with 335K total viewers and that show definitely needs a Call to Action from its fans.
On Tuesday, History Channel’s Project Blue Book improved to 0.26 rating with 1.4 million total viewers. The prior week it was likely impacted by the State of the Union address, but it rebounded and even beat The Flash in total viewers. On Monday on NBC, Manifest slipped to a 0.6 rating with 3.7 million total viewers, but that one continues to see strong gains in delayed viewing and looks to be okay for now.
Most of the rest of the shows held mostly even with prior performance or did not air new episodes. You can see the full ratings results for the week at this link, and 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 Announcement: HBO has given a second season renewal to its space-based comedy series Avenue 5. That news comes as a bit of a surprise considering that the show has not performed well in the ratings early in its run, currently averaging only a 0.12 score based on same-day viewing for the 18-49 demographic. It has consistently come in below The Outsider and Curb Your Enthusiasm on Sundays (its lead-in and lead-out shows) so far this season. But then the premium cable channels do not pay as much attention to the same-day viewing because they do not rely on advertising from sponsors who want viewers watching when the episode airs live.
Status Updates: Manifest Continues to See Strong Delayed Viewing Gains
Below are the status updates for all the currently airing shows or those still awaiting word on their fate, including 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 Shows:
Avenue 5 (HBO, Status – Renewed): This show has not found much of an audience yet, but HBO has given it a second season renewal which should give it some time to build up its viewership.
Batwoman (CW, Status – Renewed): While probably not the breakout hit The CW hoped for, this show is currently its second highest rated Fall entry. As expected, it has been renewed for a second season and I would expect it to stick around beyond that. More on that at this link.
Black Lightning (CW, Status – Renewed): 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 by its fifth season. It has been renewed for a fourth season and expect a fifth to follow. More on that at this link.
Charmed (CW, Status – Renewed): The numbers were down a bit in Fall 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). It has been renewed for a third season.
Doctor Who (BBCA, Status – Renewal Likely): The same-day ratings are down for this show in the States and over in Britain, but don’t expect that to result in cancellation. Word is the Jodie Whittaker is set to return for another season, so expect more adventures for the Doctor.
Dracula (Netflix, Status – Renewal Possible): This one is billed as a mini-series but there is always a chance that it could be extended for a second round of episodes or more. It’s fate is likely more heavily dictated by its viewership over in Britain.
Emergence (ABC, Status – Cancellation Likely): This is one of ABC’s lowest-rated dramas based on same-day ratings, and despite strong delayed viewing gains early on, those have dropped to where they are likely no longer helping the show. At this point I am moving it to Cancellation Likely and fans should make a Call to Action RIGHT NOW if they want to save it.
The Flash (CW, Status – Renewed): This show remained as The CW’s top-rated show in Fall and will now take up the torch for the Arrow-verse shows with Arrow coming to an end. It has been renewed for a seventh season, and it could stick around a year or two beyond that. More on that at this link.
Into the Dark (Hulu, Status – Renewed): This horror-movie-a-month anthology continues to draw good buzz in its second season and Hulu could keep it around for another year or so.
Legacies (CW, Status – Renewed): This show has returned even with last year’s numbers and is currently one of The CW’s better performers. 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) and as expected it has been renewed for a third season.
Legends of Tomorrow (CW, Status – Renewed): This show was renewed for a sixth season ahead of its fifth year premiere, but there is a good chance that it will wrap after the 2020-21 season. More on that at this link.
Locke and Key (Netflix, Status – Renewal Possible): As with any new show on Netflix, this one has a decent chance of getting a second season renewal. And there are already rumors that the streaming service has given a greenlight to that and a third season as well.
MacGyver (CBS, Status – Renewal Possible): This show has returned with numbers that are good for a CBS drama, especially one that airs on Fridays. If it does not slip too much, it could be on track for a fifth season reenwal.
The Magicians (Syfy, Status – On the Bubble): The numbers are down for this show and Syfy has yet to have a series last beyond its fifth season. Consider this one vulnerable at this point and fans may want to stage a Call to Action on the social networks to bring more attention to it and perhaps interest another venue in picking it in the case of a cancellation.
Manifest (NBC, Status – Renewal Possible): The numbers for this show have slipped some, but it continues to be one of the top performers across the broadcast networks in delayed viewing. As long as its same-day numbers do not slip much more, it should be okay.
Nancy Drew (CW, Status – Renewed): The CW certainly hoped this would be a hit in Fall, but it has not quite worked out that way. But apparently it is making up the slack in digital viewing and the Happy Net likes to renew shows instead of cancelling them, so this one will be back for a second season.
Outlander (Starz, Status – Renewal Possible): The viewership is down for this show in its fifth season, but it is likely making up some of the slack with delayed and digital viewing. This is an established franchise for Starz that appeals directly to its female-skewing audience, and I would expect it to stick around for at least a sixth season if not more.
Primal (Adult Swim, Status – Renewal Possible): This show’s numbers are decent for a cable series these days, especially one airing at midnight. Five more episodes are planned for the first season and will air in 2020. If the numbers remain where they are at, Adult Swim could bring this one back for a second season.
Project Blue Book (History, Status – Renewal Possible): This show has returned down a little bit from its first season numbers, but it is still doing well for a basic cable series these days, especially in the total viewers metric (which the History Channel pays more attention to since it skews to an older audience). If it does not slip too much in the coming weeks, it should be on track for a third season renewal.
Riverdale (CW, Status – Renewed): The numbers have slipped for this show in its fourth season premiere, but it likely makes up the gap in digital viewing which its network pays attention to (unlike the other broadcasters). It has been renewed for a fifth season and could stick around beyond that.
Supergirl (CW, Status – Renewed): This show has been renewed for a sixth season, but don’t be surprised if that is announced as its last at some point. More on that at this link.
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 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.
War of the Worlds (Epix, Status – Renewed): This is a French-made series and its viewership in Europe more heavily dictates its fate. It has already been renewed for a second season and could stick around for a year or two beyond that.
Season Ended But Still Awaiting Renewal / Cancellation Decision:
Black Mirror (Netflix, Status – Renewal Possible): There has been no word on this show since its fifth season debuted in June. Netflix tends to end its originals around the three season mark, but this is one of the streamer’s flagship originals and they make an event out of the release of each season. I expect at least a couple more seasons from this one.
Castle Rock (Hulu, Status: Renewal Possible): This season-long horror anthology series released is second season in Fall and could very well be on track for a third year renewal. But the streaming service has been quiet about its status since wrapping up in December. A Call to Action from fans on the social networks could help nudge Hulu execs in the direction of a renewal as they currently consider its fate.
The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance (Netflix, Status – Renewal Possible): 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.
Harley Quinn (DCU, Status – Renewal Possible): As with the other streaming services, DC Universe does not reveal its viewership numbers. But Harley Quinn should prove popular based on the early buzz. And even if WarnerMedia decides to shut down the DCU platform, I would expect this one to move to the upcoming HBO Max service.
The I-Land (Netflix, Status – Renewal Possible): Early reactions to this show have not been good as it is currently at a 8% Fresh Rating and 34% Audience Score on Rotten Tomatoes. There has been no word on this one since its debut, so it could follow Daybreak (see above) as another one-and-done Netflix original.
Impulse (YouTube, Status – On the Bubble): This YouTube original is not well known in the sci fi community and it received its second season renewal prior to that streaming service changing its strategy with is scripted originals. YouTube is moving away from more expensive productions and may not have an interest in bringing this one back for a third year unless fans make a Call to Action to keep the show alive.
The Purge (USA, Status – On the Bubble): This show’s numbers were down from its first year, and it faded notably with its season finale. The fact that it wrapped up in Fall and USA has still not made a third season announcement is concerning as well. It was originally billed as an “event series”, and that event may be coming to an end soon unless fans make a Call to Action to convince the network to bring this one back for another year.
Scream (VH1, Status – Ended): The third season of this show almost didn’t happen and it did not draw much attention when aired over consecutive nights on VH1 (where it moved from MTV). Since there has been no word after the show wrapped up in Summer, I’m assuming that it has had its last scream and will not return for a fourth season.
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. But the series reboots itself each year, and network execs are currently listening to pitches for a third season. A Call to Action from fans on the social networks could help give this one an extra boost.
Two Sentence Horror Stories (CW, Status – Renewal Possible): There has been no word on this show since wrapping up its Summer run, but as a CW entry, it could always return. Don’t be surprised if it quietly rejoins the schedule in Summer 2020.
V-Wars (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.
Watchmen (HBO, Status – Renewal Possible): While the same-day viewing numbers for this show were soft in its first season, it did very well in delayed and digital viewing. Series creator Damon Lindelof has said that “there are no current plans to make” to make a second season, but he doesn’t want to “close the door completely” on a continuation. If there is a second season, it may be a few years down the road.
You can see the list of all of this season’s renewals and cancellations at this link.
>PREVIOUS POST: Emergence Goes Out Low, Manifest Loses Altitude, and More
More from CancelledSciFi.com:
Follow our Sci Fi TV Top 5 column for the top sci fi TV stories each week.
Check out our Sci Fi TV Schedule for debut and season finale dates and follow our Weekly Listings for a rundown of the shows airing in the current week.
Check back each Saturday for Sci Fi TV Retrospectives: A look back at cancelled, classic, forgotten, and more genre shows from the past.
