For the most part, FOX has really been struggling this season. When it comes to new shows, Empire is a hit and Gotham’s doing okay but Utopia, Mulaney, Gracepoint, and Red Band Society were dismal failures in the ratings and have already been cancelled. How’s Backstrom doing? Will it survive to see a second season?
On Backstrom, an offensive, irascible yet brilliant detective (Rainn Wilson) is brought back from exile to run Portland Police Bureau’s Special Crimes Unit. The rest of the cast includes Genevieve Angelson, Dennis Haysbert, Kristoffer Polaha, Page Kennedy, Beatrice Rosen, and Thomas Dekker.
With American Idol as a lead-in, the series debuted on January 22nd with a 1.9 rating in the 18-49 demographic and 7.98 million viewers. That was an okay start but there wasn’t much serious competition on the other networks.
In week two, Backstrom had to start competing with Scandal on ABC and the ratings dropped more than 30%. In week three, NBC’s The Blacklist moved to Thursdays at 9pm and Backstrom dropped another 30% or so once again, falling to a 1.0 in the demo and 3.64 million.
In week four, the FOX series bounced back to a 1.2 in the demo and 4.39 million. Last week’s installment took another big tumble and Backstrom landed at a 0.9 in the demo and 3.54 million.
It’s pretty clear that, while Backstrom may have some devoted viewers, it’s not priority viewing for most people on Thursday nights. It’s pretty consistently in fourth place in its 9pm timeslot and is now FOX’s lowest-rated drama.
With numbers like these, it’s hard to imagine that FOX will renew Backstrom for a second season. FOX has some serious schedule problems but this show doesn’t seem to be a solution. There are eight episodes left in the season (only five are scheduled) so Backstrom has some time to prove itself with better ratings. This seems unlikely but sometimes miracles do happen. Backstrom could certainly use one.
But, what do you think? Do you like Backstrom? If you ran the network, would you cancel or renew this series for a second season? Would you change anything to attract more viewers?
This show is pretty great. Almost like if “House” was a detective. I will be seriously disappointed in the network if they limit my binge intake to 7 episodes.
Quirky, clever, so unlike the usual TV fare…acquired taste perhaps but definitely not pablum….give it another chance
PLEASE KEEP BACKSTROM. I LOVE THAT SHOW. A friend of mine is on that show, worked with her on a old NBC job.
Love Backstrom, bring it BACK!!!!!
Since this is the only Fox show I watch, please don’t cancel it.
Really enjoy this show along with Gotham. Both have great characters and good story lines. Hope FOX gives this show more time. Viewers have to cut through the hype of other new, inferior shows before they find the real gems like Backstrom. How about FOX advertising this show.
well this is fox we’re talking about so we all know that means, all good shows must be cancelled.
I cant believe they do this just like that i will no longer watch the channel i might not be much but at least I’m one, they have done the same thing a few times I’m tired
I look forward to it every week.
We think Backstrom is great. It is one of the year surprises on a network I otherwise try to ignore – Simpson’s excepted.
My husband and I both think Backstrom is a keeper. Love the humor, and the dialog is entertaining! Please give it longer to build a faithful audience. Thank you!
Love the show, but most of the time that I love a show it gets cancelled, just my luck.
Great humor and entertainment, enjoyable to watch.
i love this show! Great characters, the plots are too simple, but the dialouge is so entertaining. Please don’ cancel my new favorite show. It needs to be advertised more!
Why can’t decent shows be given a chance? Give Backstrom a better time slot and see what happens. It’s a good show with some talented people. Please I’m so sick of garbage tv!