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?
I live this show. Brilliant character, acting and plots. This show need a good time. And a chance to run another season so more viewers can find this quality show. Tuesday or Wednesday could be better. Even Saturday is better than canceling. Love it very much and I will continue watching if Fox will give it time
i love this show!! please dont cancel it. it’s the best combination of Gregory House and Psych/Mentalist sort of series. if you watch those, you’ll definitely enjoy this
I think Backstrom should be renewed. The 18 – 49 age group are not the only people that watch TV. What about what the rest of us think. I really like this show. Give it a chance. Programs get cancelled too soon!
My husband and I love this show. Please give it another chance and renew it!! We will be very disappointed if it’s cancelled.
Great cast with a lot of chemistry between the characters finally a cop who is not perfect the common man we want more of Backstrom
This is a character driven show, which is why so many don’t watch it. It has no explosion s or special effects, it requires viewers to THINK and understand the motivation for each person in the show. No, he isn’t politically correct, but he is real. Keep this one, PLEASE!!!!
I have really enjoyed the show and would love to see it for another season. I look forward to watching it more than Bones at this point.
We love this show, the characters are great. It has a great cast of characters and good story lines. Very amusing.
Love this show! Give it a chance and promote it. They will come!
Don’t even think about ending Backstrom. It is one of the smartest funniest shows on television today. Do more to promote it. Renew it.
Hoping Backstrom gets renewed. Good cast and consistently entertaining.
PLEASE renew. Quirky but entertaining show. Give it another season.
This show is one of those that requires getting acquainted. There are devoted followers from all spectrums of society – young, old, wealthy, poor, middleclass, men, women, teenagers, tweeners. I have watched since the first episode and find that I am now very fond of several of the characters and as more flesh is added, I am certain this show will be a keeper for many seasons.
We Love this show! Both funny and heart tugging. A great cast all around. Rapidly becoming one of my favorites! Please renew!
My husband and I both love this show. It is quirky, engaging, funny and poignant. PLEASE DON’T CANCEL THIS EXCELLENT SHOW!