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?
Please continue Backstrom at least for another season. We are just getting to know the characters. There is so much depth to them, and I love how the layers continue getting peeled away each week. There is no other show that compares to the intelligence and wit written in this show!
Please keep! Have watched faithfully. If it were in different time slot I think it would have a large following
Backstrom is a great show. The best thing on tv. If Fox cancels it they will be making the same mistake they always do….taking on an edgy show, putting it up against difficult to impossible competition, and then canning it before it has a chance to pick up an audience. No way to run a network.
Please renew Backstrom. One of the best cop/drama shows on TV. Draws you in and keeps you coming back for more. Very human, earthy stories.
Please don’t cancel backstrom!!! Too many shows are not given a chance. I as well as many others love it and to not give it another shot just isn’t right.
I am enjoying backstrom. Querky, funny interesting characters and intriquing story lines. Take a chance on something out of the ordinary
the cast played quite a different role from the basic police show, my wife and i enjoyed it and we would realy hate to see it leave.
Please keep Backstrom for another season as I really enjoy him. He is funny and very down to earth. The show and its cast are so true to everyday lifestyles. My 80 year old parents even look forward to watching it every week and that should let the network know that it is a show that is drawing in a crowd of all ages. Give it a chance and I don’t think you will regret it in the end. We love it!!
Please don’t cancel. I love this show. Blacklist or Mom were bad ones to run it against. I was already sold on the show so I still watched Backstrom. You need to give people a chance to watch with out the pressure of a number one shows running against it. I is the best new show this year.
Please renew Backstrom has a lot to accomplish would like to see it through
Give Backstrom another season. It had stiff competition and with the quirky nature of the show it might take some getting used to. It is an acquired taste and others should be given the opportunity to acquire it.
Keep it. Give it a chance.
I love, love, love this show.
Keep love this show n all the cast
Keep !! too many showsget cancelled after not having a great beginning. rome wasn’t built in a day and I believe that the office didn’t do well in the beginning either…massive HITS grow on people… Let it grow !!