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.
I agree with last two comments, it did drag a little in the middle but please dont leave us with an ending like that it is so frustrating! My girls and I thoroughly enjoyed the series, its nice to watch something a little different with lots of twists.
i live in the uk and loved Alcatraz, why do all trhe good show get cancelled. i wasted 6 years on lost and still no idea what the hell was going on keep this show or write and ending that clears everything up
I found Alcatraz quite interesting at start, but when it became the same thing over and over again, it did get a bit repetitive, but not boring! Some how it still kept my interest. I would have thought by having to wait a week to find an answer, anyone would have stopped watching it. But no. And that cliff hanger! Wow, why did they do that. By having to watch it for weeks and weeks being puzzled by the story, I think we deserve an answer and a good ending! BRING ON SEASON 2!
my hole family love watching alcatraz and what they say everyone fulls for the first time but then goes to the top the second they just have to give it a second chance. i love it because it keeps me on the edge of my seat and i want to watch more so please dont cancel it
I love the show, will DVR it if I’m not home. Please don’t cancel it.
My family and I love Alcatraz. Please do not cancel the show give it a second chance
Bring back alcatraz,it was a great show,i always watch it
Alcatraz is good but Americans probably don’t understand it, if someone is’nt being killed ratings will be low. Say that future episodes contain the leader of al queda beginning his regime and the ratings will soar.
I am from the united kingdom. And once a week my grandma comes round and we watch
Alcatraz. We think its absolutely brilliant. We really hope it doesn’t
Get cancelled. I have really enjoyed it. Xx
Everyone in our house loves the show,look forward to seeing new character each week. Please don,t cancel the show.xxxxxxxxxxx
My family and I love Alcatraz!!! Please do not take it off, there is nothing on tv but reality shows or stupid sitcoms…
Do the ratings take into account the viewing from DVR recordings or viewing from On Demand. I, personally, never watched the show live, but I watched all the episodes via On Demand by cable. I watch very little TV and thought that Alcatraz was one of the few worth my time, along with NCIS and NCIS LA.
I hope they bring it back. I remember that Cagney & Lacey had the same fate way back and ended up going 5 or 6 seasons.
long live HAUSER and ALCATRAZ me and my daughter love the show we need the 2nd series tell FOX to wake up get rid of reality rubbish and bring more ALCATRAZ and as i said LONG LIVE HAUSER
Yet again looks like I waisted time watching something just to droped just wish thay dropped lost but kept it going for 6 years oh well think i will not start watching any more Gimm will be taken off sky + so will Touch
No, Alcatraz should not be cancelled. Later episodes answered lots of questions, but so much more to know. It was questionable in the beginning, but we are now into it. Do hope it stays. At least the show has been totally different creative thoughts, not same old show presented in a different way.