Here are the ratings for The Bachelor TV series. After being rejected on The Bachelorette, Ben Flajnik returns to the mansion to try to find a mate out of 25 eligible ladies. The 16th season of The Bachelor typically airs Monday nights on the ABC network.

These are the TV show’s ratings for the 2011-12 season, the best way to tell if The Bachelor is going to be cancelled or renewed for season 17. Check out our ABC ratings report card to see how this show’s numbers compare with the others on the network.

These figures will be updated as the weeks progress so be sure to bookmark and return to this page:

Final season averages: 2.6 rating in the 18-49 demographic with 8.25 million total viewers.

Episode 16-12: Monday, 03/12/12
3.3 in the demo (+14% episode-to-episode change) with 9.87 million; first in the timeslot.
Season average: 2.60 in the demo with 8.25 million.
Demo average rank: #3 of 11 non-scripted TV shows on the network (Fall 2011 – Spring 2012).

Episode 16-11: Monday, 03/12/12
2.9 in the demo (+16% episode-to-episode change) with 9.23 million; second in the timeslot.
Season average: 2.54 in the demo with 8.10 million.
Demo average rank: #3 of 11 non-scripted TV shows on the network (Fall 2011 – Spring 2012).

Episode 16-10: Monday, 03/05/12
2.5 in the demo (-4% episode-to-episode change) with 8.19 million; second in the timeslot.
Season average: 2.50 in the demo with 7.99 million.
Demo average rank: #3 of 11 non-scripted TV shows on the network (Fall 2011 – Spring 2012).

Episode 16-09: Monday, 02/27/12
2.6 in the demo (+4% episode-to-episode change) with 8.05 million; fourth in the timeslot.
Season average: 2.50 in the demo with 7.96 million.
Demo average rank: #3 of 11 non-scripted TV shows on the network (Fall 2011 – Spring 2012).

Episode 16-08: Monday, 02/20/12
2.5 in the demo (0% episode-to-episode change) with 8.18 million; third in the timeslot.
Season average: 2.49 in the demo with 7.95 million.
Demo average rank: #3 of 11 non-scripted TV shows on the network (Fall 2011 – Spring 2012).

Episode 16-07: Monday, 02/13/12
2.5 in the demo (-4% episode-to-episode change) with 8.09 million; third at 8pm, second place at 9pm.
Season average: 2.49 in the demo with 7.92 million.
Demo average rank: #3 of 11 non-scripted TV shows on the network (Fall 2011 – Spring 2012).

Episode 16-06: Monday, 02/06/12
2.6 in the demo (0% episode-to-episode change) with 8.35 million; third in the timeslot.
Season average: 2.48 in the demo with 7.89 million.
Demo average rank: #3 of 11 non-scripted TV shows on the network (Fall 2011 – Spring 2012).

Episode 16-05: Monday, 01/30/12
2.6 in the demo (-4% episode-to-episode change) with 8.17 million; second place except third from 8:30-9pm.
Season average: 2.46 in the demo with 7.80 million.
Demo average rank: #3 of 11 non-scripted TV shows on the network (Fall 2011 – Spring 2012).

Episode 16-04: Monday, 01/23/12
2.7 in the demo (+13% episode-to-episode change) with 8.30 million; second at 8pm, third at 9pm.
Season average: 2.42 in the demo with 7.71 million.
Demo average rank: #3 of 11 non-scripted TV shows on the network (Fall 2011 – Spring 2012).

Episode 16-03: Monday, 01/16/12
2.4 in the demo (+9% episode-to-episode change) with 7.43 million; fourth in the timeslot.
Season average: 2.33 in the demo with 7.51 million.
Demo average rank: #4 of 9 non-scripted TV shows on the network (Fall 2011 – Spring 2012).

Episode 16-02: Monday, 01/09/12
2.2 in the demo (-8% episode-to-episode change) with 7.31 million; tied for first at 8pm, second place 8:30-10pm.
Season average: 2.30 in the demo with 7.54 million.
Demo average rank: #4 of 9 non-scripted TV shows on the network (Fall 2011 – Spring 2012).

Episode 16-01: Monday, 01/02/12
2.4 rating in the 18-49 demographic demo with 7.78 million total viewers; second place at 8pm, tied for second at 9pm.
Season average: 2.40 in the demo with 7.78 million.
Demo average rank: #3 of 8 non-scripted TV shows on the network (Fall 2011 – Spring 2012).

ABC’s likely a bit disappointed by the return of the venerable reality series. It was second in the 8pm timeslot and tied for second at 9pm (with NBC’s Fear Factor). It was down by 17% in the demo when compared to last year’s premiere. Last season, the ratings rose as the weeks progressed, hitting a high of a 4.7 demo rating by the finale. It’ll be interesting to see how well this round does.

Reference point: The 2010-11 season averaged a 3.3 rating in the 18-49 demographic and 10.33 million viewers.

Note: These ratings are collected by the Nielsen company and are the final national numbers. These are different from the fast affiliate numbers which are just estimates of the actual ratings and are reported on by most other outlets. The final nationals are typically released within 24 hours of the programming or, in the case of weekends and holidays, a couple days later.

What do you think? Do you like the Bachelor TV series? Do you think it should be cancelled or renewed for a 17th season?