Prime Time Network Television Ratings (Will Your Show Survive?)

[MassNole]

Re: Prime Time Network Television Ratings (Will Your Show Survive?)

They have absolutely not patience for their shows to develop a fanbase. Look how many times they cancelled Family Guy. They cancelled 24. King of the Hill. I'm surprised they haven't cancelled the Simpsons yet...

It's stunning that FOX and FX are the same brand.

I think The Simpsons has a lifetime contract with Fox and they will decide when it goes off the air. That show is the only reason Fox even survived.

I don't understand why Fox hasn't considered this option yet. I've wondered for a couple years now. Lone Star would likely do well on cable. At least on cable, no one would worry about 3 million viewers. Likely wouldn't draw that many, but even slightly less than a million is good for cable.

Especially if you think about their roots. A canceled show they picked up from ABC called Married With Children was one of the shows that formed the network with The Simpsons, 90210, and X-Files. Isn't NBC the only network that embraces the cable idea for under performing but promising shows? They've done with L&O: CI and FNL at least.

[CMH]

Re: Prime Time Network Television Ratings (Will Your Show Survive?)

Isn't NBC the only network that embraces the cable idea for under performing but promising shows? They've done with L&O: CI and FNL at least.

They also pushed Heroes re-runs on Syfy (SciFi at the time).

Yea, NBC had that right. About the only thing Zucker did right while with that falling network.

[MassNole]

Re: Prime Time Network Television Ratings (Will Your Show Survive?)

I see your point on the comedies. I think if Fox had really done their research they would have found Arrested Development could have been a high end advertisement goldmine in that it was a comedy that brought in a more sophisticated audience, similar to say Frasier.

[SPTO]

Re: Prime Time Network Television Ratings (Will Your Show Survive?)

I think The Simpsons has a lifetime contract with Fox and they will decide when it goes off the air. That show is the only reason Fox even survived.

I think you should give a little prop to Married With Children. A network that survives based on an animated show alone wouldn't last though it's true The Simpsons was a phenomenon. Few people remember just how huge that show was. Back to my point though, MWC gave FOX its "outrageous no holds barred" reputation early on and it's that show in conjunction with The Simpsons that made the network what it has become.

BTW I didn't quote it but MWC was on ABC and canceled? I sure as hell don't remember that!

[Bellsprout]

Re: Prime Time Network Television Ratings (Will Your Show Survive?)

Isn't NBC the only network that embraces the cable idea for under performing but promising shows? They've done with L&O: CI and FNL at least.

You could make the case that 3 of the 4 Thursday night comedies shouldn't even be on TV with the ratings they pull.

30 Rock just rode the coattails of The Office the last couple years. It was down this year already with Community as it's lead-in.

And I'm including Parks and Rec as the 3rd comedy in that triangle. Not Outsourced, which only has 1 week under it's belt.

[MassNole]

Re: Prime Time Network Television Ratings (Will Your Show Survive?)

I think you should give a little prop to Married With Children. A network that survives based on an animated show alone wouldn't last though it's true The Simpsons was a phenomenon. Few people remember just how huge that show was. Back to my point though, MWC gave FOX its "outrageous no holds barred" reputation early on and it's that show in conjunction with The Simpsons that made the network what it has become.

BTW I didn't quote it but MWC was on ABC and canceled? I sure as hell don't remember that!

I could be wrong, I looked up it's Wikipedia page and it was at least made at ABC's studio and I thought it was on that network very briefly.

[CMH]

Re: Prime Time Network Television Ratings (Will Your Show Survive?)

You could make the case that 3 of the 4 Thursday night comedies shouldn't even be on TV with the ratings they pull.

30 Rock just rode the coattails of The Office the last couple years. It was down this year already with Community as it's lead-in.

And I'm including Parks and Rec as the 3rd comedy in that triangle. Not Outsourced, which only has 1 week under it's belt.

I think we can all agree that NBCs Thursday lineup is hurting bad. They seem to survive because no one else is completely obliterating them. I'm assuming this is why CBS decided to take that day and take it they did last week.

[ExtremeGamer]

Re: Prime Time Network Television Ratings (Will Your Show Survive?)

I love this thread, wife and I were just talking about how new shows were doing, so this is a great resource! Thanks!

[Blzer]

Re: Prime Time Network Television Ratings (Will Your Show Survive?)

You've got to remember that Fox is the same network that cancelled 24 after having it's best season in many years.

FOX is horrible, they are very stupid when it comes to their shows. Plus, the time slot after House is not a good time...most people switch to the MNF game.

I totally forgot that east coast viewers get MNF at like 8:30. It's only 5:30 here on the west coast, so it's over before House is even over. So strange.

Plus, I was nearly turned off by Lone Star just because of the name of the show. I know not to judge a book by its cover, but hey... it needs to take a lot to get me watching another show, because that takes a lot of time and devotion to keep up with it.

[CMH]

Re: Prime Time Network Television Ratings (Will Your Show Survive?)

Plus, I was nearly turned off by Lone Star just because of the name of the show. I know not to judge a book by its cover, but hey... it needs to take a lot to get me watching another show, because that takes a lot of time and devotion to keep up with it.

That's what I've been seeing on the internet. People were turned off by the name. It also didn't paint a good picture of the series. Honestly, I still don't know what the term Lone Star has to do with the show even after watching the premiere.

Why not call it The Con? That tells you exactly what it is. It describes the relationship, his work experience, his life. It tells you the darn story. Lone Star tells you nothing but that it takes place in Texas.

[Bellsprout]

Re: Prime Time Network Television Ratings (Will Your Show Survive?)

Chuck has been on the bubble for years and things are not improving. 1.9 / 5 million viewers. Chase also dropped 9%.

Ugh. Just noticed that.

I got real sick of buying Subway last year. Those numbers better come up.

Honestly, though, I feel like we've gotten 2 bonus seasons of Chuck, because I didn't think it had any business being renewed after season 2. We're now airing season 4. So, I guess I should consider myself lucky that I got as much as I did. I just hope it doesn't end with a ****ing cliffhanger or something.

[WazzuRC]

Re: Prime Time Network Television Ratings (Will Your Show Survive?)

Honestly, though, I feel like we've gotten 2 bonus seasons of Chuck, because I didn't think it had any business being renewed after season 2. We're now airing season 4. So, I guess I should consider myself lucky that I got as much as I did. I just hope it doesn't end with a ****ing cliffhanger or something.

After this mom story arch ends, I really don't know where else they can go with the series. He's found his dad, he'll find his mom, he's with Sarah, his entire family knows he's a spy, The Ring is gone, and Casey has a family.

Not too much more they can do.

[Bellsprout]

Re: Prime Time Network Television Ratings (Will Your Show Survive?)

After this mom story arch ends, I really don't know where else they can go with the series. He's found his dad, he'll find his mom, he's with Sarah, his entire family knows he's a spy, The Ring is gone, and Casey has a family.

Not too much more they can do.

I think all that is a result of them having to treat every season finale as a potential series finale.

My bet is things would've moved a lot more slowly had the show gotten decent ratings and been able to go at it's own pace, instead of every season feeling like it's the last season.

Not that I'm complaining. It's resulted in 3 dynamite seasons. And it's one of my favorite shows.

Were they to get a miracle season 5, I would bet they'd just invent some sort of new threat for Chuck. Fulcrum was gone after season 2, so they invented The Ring. They'd probably just do the same thing next year. And Jeff and Lester could find out about him at some point. That could be entertaining. Though, frankly, I wouldn't be surprised if that happens yet this year.

[~LiverpoolRed~]

Re: Prime Time Network Television Ratings (Will Your Show Survive?)

2 shows my wife and I have enjoyed have been Hawaii Five-0 and Mike & Molly. Hopefully they stick around.

[justamush]

Re: Prime Time Network Television Ratings (Will Your Show Survive?)

I'm happy to see Raising Hope is doing well. I have been pleasantly surprised by how good it is. It's like a cross between "My Name is Earl" and "Malcolm in the Middle". Running Wilde on the other hand, has been a disappointed for me so far. I shut it off half through the 2nd episode. That pains me to say, because Arrested Development is up there with Seinfeld and seasons 3-8 of the Simpsons as my favorite comedies ever.