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 Friday last week, Syfy’s Van Helsing slipped to a 0.05 rating based on same day viewing for the 18-49 demographic with 227K total viewers. That show has been scraping by in its fourth season with numbers that are barely passable for Syfy. But in November its ratings have slipped to the point that it is now facing an uncertain future. I am moving this one to Bubble status, and recommend that fans take to the social networks with a Call to Action if they want the show to return for a fifth season.
On Sunday, HBO’s Watchmen improved to a 0.25 rating with 779K total viewers. While the numbers have not been great for that series, it may be doing just well enough for the cable net to bring it back for a second season. Over on USA, Mr. Robot slipped a tick to a 0.12 rating with 363K total viewers as it airs out its final season.
>Keep up with all the currently airing sci fi and fantasy shows with our Weekly Listings
On Tuesday, USA’s The Purge slipped to a 0.19 rating with 487K total viewers–its lowest numbers of the season–and that is another show that could be moving to Bubble status soon. On ABC, Emergence remained low at a 0.4 rating with 2.3 million total viewers. With no additional episodes ordered yet for this show, it could be just airing out its initial order at this point before getting sent to the Network Executioner.
On The CW on Tuesday, The Flash slipped to a 0.4 rating while Arrow improved to a 0.3. On HBO on Monday, His Dark Materials slipped to a 0.08 rating with 396K total viewers. That show is performing better in Britain, though, and has already been renewed for a second season.
Most of the other sci fi and fantasy entries were preempted or in repeats due to the holiday or 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
Cancellation Announcement: Mystery Science Theater 3000 has been cancelled by Netflix according to a tweet from series host Jonah Ray. That show went through a revival after Joel Hodgson launched a Kickstarter back in 2015 which raised enough money to produce fourteen new episodes. Netflix came onboard as the distributor and later renewed the show for a second season. But apparently the streaming service has decided not to keep MST3K as part of its original line-up going forward.
Status Updates: Time is Running Out for Emergence
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:
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 network has picked up the Back 9 episodes for its first season as expected. 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.
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.
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 – On the Bubble): Time is running out for ABC to order more episodes of this series, and if that does not happen very soon it could be the death knell. I have already moved Emergence to Bubble status which I discuss in more detail at this link, and it could be shifting to Cancellaton Likely soon.
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.
For All Mankind (Apple TV+, Status – Renewed): The early viewership for the new Apple TV+ streaming service is not strong, but could improve as more content is added. But the streamer renewed this show and several others in advance of their premieres, so at least one more season is on the way.
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.
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.
His Dark Materials (HBO, Status – Renewed): This show had a soft start for HBO, but as a joint production with the BBC its viewership in Britain factors in heavily as well. It has already been renewed for a second season, but the audience numbers may need to improve for it to stick around beyond that.
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): This show continues to draw good buzz in its second season and Hulu could keep it around for another year or so.
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). The network has picked up the Back 9 episodes for its first season and it appears to be on track for a second-year renewal.
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.
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 continues to trend down as it wraps up its current season, though, it could find itself moved to Bubble status.
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.
Servant (Apple TV+, Status – Renewed): The early viewership for the new Apple TV+ streaming service is not strong, but could improve as more content is added. But the streamer renewed this show and several others in advance of their premieres, so at least one more season is on the way.
See (Apple TV+, Status – Renewed): The early viewership for the new Apple TV+ streaming service is not strong, but could improve as more content is added. But the streamer renewed this show and several others in advance of their premieres, so at least one more season is on the way.
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 down from its prior season average, but 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 – Renewed): 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 seeing as it has already been renewed for a third season.
Van Helsing (Syfy, Status – On the Bubble): The ratings are not great for this show so far in its fourth season, and I have moved it to Bubble status. 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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
You can see the list of all of this season’s renewals and cancellations at this link.
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