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?
Love the show. I hope Fox brings it back for Season Two. Rainn Wilson nailed a good character and it looks like a keeper that can be watched in the long run.
Love love this show!!!!
Love this show!!! Bring it back for season two!!!
Love the show. They should keep it. Bu since I like it, it will most likely be canceled.
Great show, but move it from thursday. I think the show needs one more season to catch on, there is nothing like it!!
Like the show…..give it a chance!
It’s the staple of my Thursday night line up with friends. a must keep!
Keep Backstrom please. Great show.
Keep Backstrom!
My husband and I both look forward to Thursday evening to watch Backstrom. Rainn Wilson is superb in the role. A brilliant mind with a rumpled exterior and a wisecracking dialogue. What’s not to like! Please give this show a chance to build its following. Measuring it against established shows on the most plum time slot is unfair. Best of luck, Backstrom, on your journey to season two!!
Backstrom is a great show! I am surprised that it cloud be cancelled.
Really enjoy the show. Hope it’s not canceled. Nice to have a procedural that’s not PC.
Great show! It has to be given a fair chance to get an audience. What show could be expected to draw viewers against Scandal and Blacklist, 2 of the most popular and best established shows on TV. Expecting high ratings for ANY show in this time slot is beyond unrealistic. Put Backstroke in a better time slot and watch it draw viewers!
I recently discovered this show and I am HOOKED! I would be very disappointed if it is cancelled 🙁
Backstrom ….we want it back!!!! DO NOT GO AWAY!!!! It is a super good show.!!!
Backstrom is terrific…The characters have some depth and interesting…it is irreverent and funny at the right times. KEEP it in the lineup!