In a truly strange twist, NBC has ordered three additional episodes of their Monday night medical series, Trauma. The show was confirmed as essentially cancelled late last month when the network opted not to order any additional installments. What happened?
Trauma revolves around a group of first responder paramedics in San Francisco. The high-action series is populated by an ensemble cast that includes Derek Luke, Cliff Curtis, Anastasia Griffith, Kevin Rankin, Aimee Garcia, Billy Lush, Jamey Sheridan, and Taylor Kinney.
Earlier today, Hollywood blogger Nikki Finke reported that NBC was considering ordering three additional installments and that news has now been confirmed.
What isn’t clear is the reason why. Finke and several other sources are claiming that the expensive show’s ratings have improved. One only needs to look at the numbers to see that’s not true.
Trauma debuted to lackluster ratings of a 2.2 in the 18-49 demo and 6.68 million total viewers. The second week, they dropped significantly to a 1.7 and 5.36 million. Trauma’s numbers have fluctuated a bit since then but haven’t broken past a 1.9 in the demo or 5.82 million viewers.
As far as a “recent ratings rise,” there hasn’t been one. This week’s episode attracted a 1.8 in the demo (just like last week) and the total viewers were down, from 5.35 million to 5.18 million. What’s more, Heroes beat Trauma in the demo by almost 20% and neither’s figures are impressive.
This decision to order a trio of additional episodes is likely more of an indication of NBC’s other ratings problems than new-found faith in Trauma. The execs may not feel like they have enough original programming to last them until the Winter Olympics or they might not be feeling very confident about their mid-season shows.
Whatever the reason, the Trauma’s ratings are still not good and need help. While three additional episodes are a nice little gift for fans, unless the show’s ratings start rising, it’s just delaying the inevitable.
What do you think? Why did NBC order three more episodes of Trauma? Do you think they’ve changed their minds about cancelling it or just delaying the inevitable?
Image courtesy NBC.
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i love trauma why pull a good show give it a chance nbc is too quick to pull good shows its entertaining it keeps my interest thru the whole show wake up it is a good series hell0—
Just goes to show you the idiots running NBC and their last place among all the net works.
Keep showing the stupid shows like Chuck , Jay Leno and Born Losers, yet cancel a great show like Trama. Keep it up NBC and the CW will pass you.
I can’t believe NBC is going to cancel Trauma! This show is tapped in SF and is actually the first show on location in SF since 2001. I vist SF regularly and notice alot of the surroundings on the show. I look forward to watching Trauma every monday. Maybe NBS should move it to Thursdays like ER… Come on NBC dont blow another good show!!!
Please wake up and give this show another chance…
I AM SOOOO PISSED THAT THESE IDIOTS CANCELLED SUCH A GREAT SHOW, IT WAS ONE THAT MY WIFE , SON AND I WOULD WATCH TOGETHER EVERY MONDAY, IT WAS A GREAT FAMILY TIME FOR US, I LOVED RABBIT’S CHARACTER AND THE SUSPENSE, YOU NEVER KNEW WHAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN NEXT…DAMMIT BRING THE SHOW BACK…
KEEP THIS SHOW IF YOU RECALL MONDAY NITE FOOTBALL WAS ON DURING THIS SHOW, PUT IT ON ANOTHER NITE AND THE RATINGS WILL GO UP. THIS WAS ONE SHOW THAT I MADE SURE I WAS IN FRONT OF MY TV EVERY MONDAY EVEN THOUGH MONDAY NITE FOOTBALL WAS ON BUT I WATCHED TRAUMA. ITS ONE OF THE BEST SHOW THAT NBC CAME OUT WITH. ITS NOT JUST WHAT HAPPENS IN THE HOSPITAL BUT IT TAKES YOU TO THE STREETS WITH OUR BRAVE YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN SHOWING YOU HOW TO TREAT THE PATIENTS BEFORE THEY EVEN MAKE IT TO THE HOSPITAL. YOU HAVE TO KEEP THE SHOW ON. DONT PUT IT ON IN THE FALL, FIND ANOTHER SEASON TO SHOW IT, BUT NBC MUST KEEP THIS SHOW GOING ITS AN EXCELLENT SHOW AND ONE OF THE BEST I HAVE SEEN ON TV IN A VERY LONG TIME. I DID NOT EVEN GET UP DURING THE COMMERCIALS I STAYED THERE ON MY COUCH AND WATCHED IT UNTIL IT WAS OVER AND COULD NOT WAIT UNTIL THE NEXT WEEK TO WATCH IT. KEEP THIS SHOW PLEASE……………………….DONT TAKE IT AWAY.
Get a clue regular TV or lose ALL your sponsers to cable! This show rocks, like ER! You have a sleeper hit on your hands, move the time slot, and BINGO, thursday night at 9pm cst becomes TRAUMA time!
Wow, NBC really loves canceling shows
NBC should leave this show on air and try it in a new time slot. It will gain traction!
At least Southland has been picked up by a cable network and starts back tonight! Hopefully, they will also pick up Trauma — if NBC doesn’t get a clue from all this Jay Leno fiasco. (My dream would be to have Moonlight picked up by a cable network, but I’m sure all the stars of the show have moved on to bigger and better things.) One day, all the regular channels will be gone because they have no idea what REAL people want to watch. They think we’re all a bunch of idiots who just want to watch people making total fools of themselves for the sake of being on TV. Get a brain, NBC, CBS and ABC!!!
No wonder NBC is going down the tubes. Every time I get hooked on one of their shows, it gets canceled. I’ll stick with CBS from now on.
now that leno is going…maybe nbc can put trauma back in place and add other dramas (or comedys) to their evening primetime line up!!
What’s the point in watching tv?! Every time I start getting into a show it gets CANCELLED! Take these dumb REALITY shows off and put back on shows WORTH WATCHING!!!!!! We are the viewers, shouldn’t WE have a say?!!!!! Me and my husband couldn’t wait for Monday nights. We knew TRAUMA would be worth watching. Please keep it on.
I am so disappointed that Trauma has not been renewed. What a great group of actors showing what our responders do and are up against. Watching silly situation comedies have run its course. Also so many Law and Order and SVU programs are very tiring. I’m for Trauma, please put it back on.
What is wrong with NBC ? Leno Connan, now trama , so wonder NBC , Is a sorry network Ill rather watch PBS now
i think NBC needs to cancel itself!!! im just now hearing of the Trauma cancellation. i drive a truck and have to watch my shows via Hulu…. what a shame that such a great show (among many others) has been cancelled due to NBC’s lack of revenue. whats even more sad is that they would rather spend their money on crap like Leno. i wish NBC would close their doors because they suck!!! im goin to FOX!!
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