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, MacGyver had its delayed fifth season premiere on CBS and posted a 0.5 rating based on same-day viewing for the 18-49 demographic with 4.9 million total viewers. That is down from its fourth season average, but not off by much from the network’s current season-to-date numbers for non-sports, non-special, non-repeat programming. And considering that the show airs on low-viewership Fridays and debuted in December when the Prime Time audience is typically dwindling, that is not a bad start. This show’s fate is less dictated by ratings at this point since it will have more than enough episodes for a syndication run by season end. The network could let this one go another season or two to pad out the syndication package.
On Sunday, Pandora and The Outpost both posted a 0.1 rating for The CW (based on the preliminaries) and both saw improvement in total viewers. On Tuesday, neXt held steadily low at a 0.2 rating with 1.2 million total viewers, though that one has already been cancelled by FOX. On The CW, the encore run of Swamp Thing held at a 0.1 rating with 604K total viewers. There have been no indications from the network at this point that they will pick that show up for a second season. On Monday, His Dark Materials dropped a tick to a 0.05 rating with 234K total viewers. The viewership of that show is down on the BBC as well, and it is currently uncertain on whether a third season will happen.
Below are the linear numbers for all the sci fi and fantasy entries from the past week. You can see more detailed ratings info for the week at this link. Be sure to follow the Cancelled Sci Fi Twitter Site for the latest results and breaking news. For more info on what the ratings mean and how I use them to gauge the status of a show, check out our Cancelled Sci Fi FAQ Page. Ratings Source: ShowBuzzDaily
Ratings Results for the Week of 11/30/20
| Series | Rating / Tot Viewers |
| His Dark Materials (HBO) Tue 8 PM | Rtg: 0.05 ↓ / Tot Vwrs: 234K |
| Swamp Thing (CW) Tue 8 PM | Rtg: 0.10 / Tot Vwrs: 604K |
| NeXt (FOX) Tue 10 PM | Rtg: 0.20 / Tot Vwrs: 1.2M |
| Star Trek Discovery (CBS) Thu 10 PM | Rtg: 0.20 / Tot Vwrs: 1.9M |
| MacGyver (CBS) Fri 8 PM | Rtg: 0.50 / Tot Vwrs: 4.9M |
| Pandora (CW) Sun 8 PM | Rtg: 0.10 / Tot Vwrs: 364K |
| Fear the Walking Dead (AMC) Sun 9 PM | On Hiatus |
| The Outpost (CW) Sun 9 PM | Rtg: 0.10 ↑ / Tot Vwrs: 350K |
| The Walking Dead World Beyond (AMC) Sun 10 PM | Season Ended |
| Moonbase 8 (Show) Sun 11:00 PM | Pending |
Renewal Announcements
Netflix announced last week that its fantasy Anime series Blood of Zeus has been renewed for a second season. There were some early indications that the renewal was through the show’s third season, but that has not been confirmed yet. The creators of that series have a five-year story arc planned. Also getting renewed last week, AMC has given the greenlight for a seventh season of Fear the Walking Dead. That show’s ratings have hit all-time lows this season, but a seventh year will get it to the 100 episode mark which makes it more attractive to the syndication market. There is no indication at this point if the upcoming season will be the show’s last.
Status Updates of Interest
For the status updates on all of the currently airing shows plus those awaiting word on their fate, go to this link.
JU-ON: Origins (Netflix, 1st Season Ended, Status – Renewal Possible): It is unclear if this was intended as a limited series or one that could carry on for multiple seasons. The first season wrapped up its storylines, though it did leave open the possibility of a continuation. Since there has been no word on the show’s fate since its premiere in July 2020, I am going to count it as ended for now. But there is a possibility it could return down the road.
The Hardy Boys (Hulu, Streaming 1st Season, Status – Renewal Possible): As with any original series on the streaming services, this show has a decent chance of sticking around for a second season. And since this is a well-known property, that likely increases its odds. But don’t expect an extended run because the streamers tend to cap off their shows around the third season.
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