Ratings Report: Renew Or Not Renew
Broadcast: Over at ABC, Station 19 is roaring strong with an average of 7.14 million viewers, a 25.5% increase from last year. It remains one of the few ABC series with rising popularity in this difficult time, promised by the network with more crossovers with ABC’s highest-rated series Grey’s Anatomy. Another ABC franchise, Black-ish, had an average of 2.463 million viewers, close to its prequel Mixed-ish’s 2.654 million viewers. The two series have also gained similar ratings in the 18-49 demographic (Black-ish: 0.53 / Mixed-ish: 0.51). Will these two series inspire each other to further success, or will they stay safe with their established audiences?
POC-led scripted TV shows are dominating the chart at NBC. Chicago Fire (averaged 9.225 million), Chicago Med (averaged 9.202 million) and Chicago PD (averaged 7.823 million) are the network’s most viewed programs. The Chicago trio have all been renewed for another season. Brooklyn Nine-Nine, also renewed, had an average of 2.467 million viewers. Good Girls hasn’t been a big success at the network, and it is yet to be renewed. It had an average of 1.79 million viewers, with no dramatic change in viewership.
CBS’s The Neighborhood ended its second season with rising popularity (an average of 7. 17 million viewers in the last two episode). It had a successful first season, and the second season remained the third-highest rated series on CBS. Whether or not it will be renewed is still up in the air. Bob Hearts Abishola, yet to be renewed for a second season, is approaching its season finale with an average of 6.79 million viewers. God Friended Me has been cancelled by the network after two seasons, 6.05 million viewers tuned into its last episode. All Rise, with two episodes left of its first season, had an average of 6.01 millions in the latest two episodes. With some of the most iconic series ending at the network (Hawaii Five-0, Criminal Minds, and Madam Secretary), and a number of new series wrapping up its season without being renewed, tension is rising at CBS.
FOX’s highest-rated series 9-1-1 has been renewed, ended the season on a high note with 7.634 million viewers and 1.5 demo. The audience has one last episode left with FOX’s Empire. The last two episodes had an average of 2.744 million viewers. Will more people tune in for the iconic series’ ending?
CW renewed almost all of its series, but has been seeing a dramatic decline in viewership. Roswell, New Mexico is one of CW’s few POC-led series still in the midst of its season, had an average of 650,000 viewers.
Many broadcast television series are nearing its season finale without a promise of a new one. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, all TV productions have been put on hold. This will be a challenging time for new series to be renewed, and newer series to be developed. As expected, well-established shows continue to perform, sometimes above average. Is franchising a series the new promise of success, or will broadcast television continue to support new shows regardless of the challenging time?
Cable: BET’s Boomerang had 435,000 viewers tuning into its April 15th episode, a 7.94% increase from the week before, which had 403,000 viewers. Tyler Perry’s Sistas at BET is wrapping up its first season, but yet to be renewed. It had an average of 941,000 viewers in the past two weeks. Over at OWN, If Loving You Is Wrong had an average 1.05 million viewers in the past two weeks. Early into its final season, the show managed to keep its loyal audience. POPTV’s One Day at a Time had 164,000 viewers last week, a 4.46% increase from the week before, which had 157,000 viewers. The much anticipated Killing Eve has been renewed for a fourth season by BBC America before its season three premiere, which had 443,000 viewers. The show has experienced a huge boost of 20% in the 18-49 demo (0.12), likely the result of its popularity on social media.
International: Korean top free-to-air TV ratings (April 6-12, 2020) are as follow: The King: Eternal Monarch (SBS) - 10.4%; Nobody Knows (SBS) - 9.02%; 365: Repeat the Year (MBC) - 3.9%; Find Me in Your Memory (MBC) - 3.2%; How to Buy a Friend (KBS2) - 2.1%; Meow: The Secret Boy (KBS2) -1.4%.
Korean top Cable TV ratings (April 6-12, 2020) are as follow: The World of the Married (JTBC) - 19.3%; Hospital Playlist (tvN) - 11.7%; Hi Bye, Mama (tvN) - 5.0%; Memorist (tvN) - 2.6%; When the Weather is Fine (JTBC) -2.4%; Rugal (OCN) - 2.0%; A Piece of Your Mind (tvN) -1.1%; Eccentric! Chef Moon (Channel A) - 0.8%.
Streaming: Produced by Apple TV+, Defending Jacob is a miniseries based on the novel of the same name by William Landay, set to air on April 24, 2020. The critics have already expressed disappointment, acknowledging the high-profile cast and its underwhelming melodrama. Days before premiere, the series is currently rated 50% on Rotten Tomatoes.