When Alcatraz debuted, it looked like the show had a very good chance at being renewed for a second season. But how do things look now? Will the TV series be cancelled after all?
Alcatraz follows police detective Rebecca Madsen (Sarah Jones) and Dr. Diego Soto (Jorge Garcia) as they try to solve the mystery of how 340 prison inmates and guards disappeared in 1963 and are now reappearing in modern day. The cast also includes Jonny Coyne, Parminder Nagra, Jason Butler Harner, and Sam Neill.
The TV show debuted with a solid 3.3 rating in the 18-49 demographic and 10.05 million total viewers. In week two, the demo slipped 9% to a still respectable 3.0 rating with 9.03 million. New shows typically fall 15-20% in their second week so this was a good sign. Week three dropped another 7%. That wasn’t positive but not horrible either.
Unfortunately, the ratings have just kept falling. In February, NBC kicked off the second season of The Voice and Alcaraz took a big hit, dropping 18% on February 6th and then another 17% on the 13th. And the numbers just keep going down. Last week’s episode was a series low with a 2.1 in the demo.
For the first time in many years, the big networks all have really strong programming on Monday nights and FOX has ended up on the bottom. House, which is in its final season, keeps dropping and so does Alcatraz.
Alcatraz’s season average is currently a 2.3 in the demo with 7.1 million. On our FOX report card — which ranks the network’s shows based on demo averages — Alcatraz has a “C.” Terra Nova, which has already been cancelled, had a better demo average and has a “C+”. When a show that was performing better than yours has been cancelled, that’s not a good sign.
Alcatraz is definitely on the bubble but, in light of the downward ratings trend, I expect it to be cancelled by May. There’s just no reason to expect that the series will do any better if given a second season.
But, what do you think? Do you think Alcatraz will beat the odds and be renewed for a second season? Should it be cancelled?
Image courtesy FOX.
1 212 301 3028 this is a customer comment line….THIS IS A CUSTOMER COMMENT LINE FOR FOX…they made it very hard to find..they hide behind their other stations…I quit watching CBS after they pulled their crap with Jericho and now FOX ..they cancel Dollhouse, Terminator SCC, Terra Nova, and now Alcatraz and what kills me is that the ratings for Alcatraz were BETTER than those of Touch but they are keeping touch because of their STAR Keifer …barf they system for gathering ratings is sorely outdated and they need to take a good look at it they have had some… Read more »
I cannot believe this show is being cancelled. This was an original idea with a great storyline. I’m also sick to death of reality shows and could care less about real housewives, oil wells, etc. This was an excellent show and should have been given a second season. The actors were an excellent group and you get involved with them on each of their cases. I really would have liked to find out what happened to all those prisoners and it kept me coming back every week. I would even watch the reruns on Saturday just to watch it again.… Read more »
Alcatraz was awesome!! How can we make Fox (OR AN OTHER STATION) realize it has a huge following and bring it back?! Online peition anyone??
I will stop even getting to know any new shows by this guy who does Alcatraz if it gets cancelled. I like something to look forward to and this guy keeps taking that away from me….that sucks. Like his show Lost….what the heck was that good for by the end??? I want an ending and I want enough episodes to feel like my time wasnt wasted. I really like Alcatraz alot….dont wanat to get let down again…..might take up a new hobby with my extra time…lol
I’m an avid watcher of Alcatraz from the UK,and if what I just read about it being cancelled,then I’m very disappointed. These reality Tv shows are destroying the chances of these great shows and I’m sick to death of it!!! I want to be stimulated in an itelligent manner as well as entertained and shows like Alcatraz,Fringe,Haven,Stargate Universe(the latter which got cancelled,surprise surprise!)always does it for me. But the networks want to feed the viewer these reality junkfood c**p just to keep ’em docile.Well, not me,mister!! KEEP ALCATRAZ ALIVE!!!!!!
Bring back Alcatraz !. Give it a chance. I like Alcatraz . Let Rebecca live to fight .
If they don’t bring Alcatraz back I will spread word that fox sucks and the channel will die!
Alcatraz is the best show on Fox, on T V!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am so fed up with all of these d*** reality/talent shows. Just goes to show the lack of intelligence of the typical TV viewer today. Not to mention the tightfisted network execs who make more money than 100 people could spend in a lifetime. Shows like The Voice, Idol, Dancing… don’t cost as much to produce. They don’t have to pay the contestants unless they actually win. Good shows are difficult to come by and of course it is all a ratings game. Shows like Alcatraz and Terra Nova showed great promise and should have been renewed. But then… Read more »
DON”T!!!!!! Cancel Alcatraz PLEASE!PLEASE! It”s my FAVORITE show. Yes I do like
the reality shows, BUT! I like Terra Nova and Alcatraz better.
RENEW RENEW RENEW ALCATRAZ!!!!
Give it a chance. Fringe was given a chance. Foz
Cannot leave us hanging. Let Rebecca live to fight another day!!!
That is Fox.
Fringe has been renewed for a 5th and final season. It had a fairly good run, but to be honest I think they started tinkering with it too much. Love the show and hate to see it go, but apparently this next season will be the last.
Alcatraz is my favorite show ever. I have never wanted to watch a show so badly. I will be very sad if its cancelled.
Bring back Alcatraz!!! It is a wonderful thriller and full with excitement… I can’t to see what will be next. And the mystry of the “JUMP”, I need some closure on that…. I’m looking forward to Seasons 2, 3 & 4!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
The only reason this show dropped in ratings is because of amercian idol and the voice. Everyone loves the reality tv shows but I can’t stand them the only nights i liked to watch tv was when fringe or alcatraz was on now fox has went down hill with more dirty cartoon shows that my kids cant and don’t watch.
I would like to see the show return. why not give it a shot on a new night.