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 Tuesday of last week, ABC’s Emergence had its season finale and remained low at a 0.3 rating based on same-day viewing for the 18-49 demographic with 1.9 million total viewers. That show seemed to get a boost when it returned from hiatus early in January as it saw its numbers rise to a 0.5 score. But it has posted three straight weeks at the 0.3 level to wrap up its season, which is not good. It might make up some of the slack in delayed viewing, but that may be too little too late. I already had this one firmly On the Bubble and its poor performance to end its first season has me considering moving it to Cancellation Likley, contingent on how the delayed viewing numbers look.
On Monday of last week, NBC’s Manifest slipped to a 0.6 rating with 3.7 million total viewers. That’s about as low as the show can go before I start considering moving it to Bubble status, and I would actually prefer to see it rebound to at least the 0.7 level to keep its status comfortably at Renewal Possible. I have not seen the delayed viewing numbers for the show yet, and it performed very well based on those stats last season. We will see how this one tracks in the coming weeks, but its current numbers are somewhat concerning.
On History Channel on Tuesday, Project Blue Book slipped to a 0.20 rating with 1.3 million total viewers. That rating in the demo is still okay for a basic cable channel these days and the total viewers helps because History skews towards an older audience. Over on The CW, Arrow wrapped up its eight-year run on a low note, posting a 0.2 rating with 733K total viewers.
On Wednesday, Syfy’s The Magicians improved slightly to a 0.11 rating with 374K total viewers. But that is not enough to get it off the Bubble, especially with the fact that it is facing Syfy’s five-season wall. Over on The CW, Riverdale and Nancy Drew remained low with a 0.2 and 0.1 rating respectively. Both have been renewed already, but the future beyond next season is looking bleak, especially for Nancy Drew.
On Thursday, NBC’s The Good Place improved to a 0.7 rating with 2.3 million total viewers for its one and a half hour series finale. Over on CBS, Evil‘s season finale improved from its last new episode, posting a 0.5 rating with 3.2 million total viewers. It has already been renewed for a second season. And on The CW, both Supernatural and Legacies improved to a 0.3 score.
On Sunday, BBC America’s Doctor Who did not suffer too much from going against the Superbowl as it slipped only two ticks from last week, posting a 0.13 rating with 464K total viewers. HBO’s Avenue 5 did not fair too well, though, as it slipped to a 0.08 rating with 297K total viewers and could be shifted to Bubble status soon.
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
Streaming Shows: Star Trek: Picard had its debut on the CBS All Access streaming service on January 23rd and it apparently already counts as a hit. The streamer has set a record for subscriber sign-ups in January 2020, and the new Trek series is one of the main driving forces. The show has also pulled more viewers early in its run than Star Trek: Discovery which is heading into its third season. Star Trek: Picard catches up with Jean-Luc Picard, former captain of the USS Enterprise, later in his life and brings on some familiar faces from Star Trek: TNG. The first season will run for ten episodes and it has already been renewed for a second year.
Status Updates: Doctor Who Looks Likely to Return for a 13th Season
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:
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.
Avenue 5 (HBO, Status – Renewal Possible): This series appeared on the schedule with little notice and has not established an audience yet. It is currently performing below HBO’s other Sunday night entries and may find itself On the Bubble pretty soon.
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 – On the Bubble): This is one of ABC’s lowest-rated dramas based on same-day ratings, but it does tend to see notable gains from delayed viewing. The network execs claims they are paying more attention to those stats these days, but that is rarely reflected in their cancellation / renewal decisions. I have this one On the Bubble and fans should make a Call to Action on the social nets to support it.
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 it has been a steady performer in the tough Thursday 10 PM EST timeslot and may also play well in encore viewings on CBS All Access.
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.
The Good Place (NBC, Status – Final Season): The numbers were down for this show in Fall, 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.
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.
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 to the point that its status bears further scrutiny. I’m not quite ready to consider it On the Bubble, but I will be paying close attention to how it tracks in the coming weeks.
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.
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.
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 – 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.
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.
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.
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 series received its second season renewal prior to YouTube changing its strategy with is scripted originals. The streamer is moving away from more expensive productions and may not have an interest in bringing this one back for a third season.
The Purge (USA, Status – Renewal Possible): This show’s numbers are down from last year, and it faded notably with its season finale. It may have done barely enough to get it a third season, but a Call to Action from fans on the social networks might give it a boost as the network mulls renewal.
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. 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.
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.
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