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 is one of the best shows on tv today. I always look forward to watching it. I think if the network gave it a little time that they would see it is a success.
its a great show. leave it on.
The show is something different, it probably needs another season and time-slot to get better ratings. Very well written and acted, Fox needs to give this show another chanced.
Best quirky show on the air. Love it and it should be brought back.
DO NOT CANCEL BACKSTROM!! I thoroughly enjoy the show!! I look forward to each episode!
Backstrom is an awesome show. Dont change a thing and renew it for season 2.
Love it….Please find another time for it…have DVR so never care when its on…
One of the best new shows on
I watch very few police shows…however, this one I really enjoyed The characters and the situations were very interesting and I enjoyed the ways in which the crimes were solved and the interaction of all the characters. Please keep this show on TV!
I do not watch many police shows, but this one I really enjoyed. The interaction of the characters and the situations were intriguing. Please keep this show on the air!
Made sure to watch every episode. Interesting characters with quality actors. Think of hit shows of the past that took a while to catch on. Backstroke deserves a second season and so do its already loyal fans. C’mon Fox – do the smart thing and renew!
Please keep Backstrom on for another season, loved the ending on finale, and axioms to see what happens to his dad!
This is one of the best new series of the season and probably would do better in different time slot. Consider it a keeper for crime-mystery lovers with unique characters.
We really enjoy the character and love the family Backstrom has created for himself and his brother. Please give the show another season to develop, we think it will be wonderful. It was the one new program that was our breakout favorite by the April showings.
Love It!!! Please give us another season!!!
I’m hooked.