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?
Save Backstrom. I watch it On Demand.
Alas, after all of the pleas from viewers that love Backstrom, the idiot schedulers killed this program off and have not renewed this favorite show. Backstrom was essentially killed off months before by having it compete with other network shows that also drew an audience. I’m glad I saved a few episodes within my DVR. You can also see Backstrom on YouTube, but it isn’t the same as a long running series that it should have been.
This crap about the 18-49 group is BS. FOX us totally off my list of channels.
Don’t cancel backstrom it’s new and refreshing its hard to find something for the whole family and I am sick of every channel being reality its a joke I know you don’t care what any of us think but you should. It’s a great series so give it a chance
I love this show it puts a new look on police work its funny silly and charming at the same time I’m so sick of reality tv this is refreshing and I look forward to watching it there isn’t a whole lot of shows to choose from that’s good for the whole family I think your rating system stinks you always cancel the good ones and keep the crap ones
I LOVE THIS SHOW! Please don’t cancel it!
Do not cancel this show!!!!!!!!!!! This show is different and that is the reason so many of us love it!!! One season that is all Fox is willing to do???? Give Backstom another season please! With Backstrom—we have choices of what we want to watch. Otherwise, it is the same old-same old on the other channels. Please—it have everything. It is true life, quirky and all.
The best show on TV! Great acting and scripts. Not mindless like all the drivel. y wife and I love the show and will support the advertisers – keep it on the air!
Please, please do not cancel Backstrom. It is an adult mind provoking show that is not the normal bland investigative series. We all wish would could have no filters on what we say or our actions. Its pure enjoyment to watch. Do reconsider.
Cancel Backstrom and tou cancel my laughs. Darn, this show is good! Heck no, don’t cancel it. I looked forward to Backstrom’s sarcastic but funny comments. I look forward to the new episodes and windered why I wasn’t seeing the fresh ones. Cancelling? Out of the question. Come on Fox, keep Backstrom!
BACKSTROM is our new favorite show. Funny, quirky and clever. Cast is super. Any chance Fox Will reconsider
There are a lot of us that are too busy to watch shows when they are broadcast and we record them to watch at a more convenient time. My family loves Backstrom! We hate all the reality shows and the intense dramas. Backstrom is one of those shows that makes you laugh and there are little character plots within the main plot and it’s really enjoyable for all. Please keep it and worry more about pleasing the consumer rather than how you’re competing against others.
I love this show. Rainn Wilson’s quirky Backstrom is a much needed breath of fresh air from all of the CSI and other type of shows. I love how the cast has a love/hate relationship, but in the end, work well together.
If it comes back, though, they might try actually filming IN Portland, Oregon, instead of just saying it’s Portland and it actually being Vancouver, B.C. Those of us “in the know”, ( I live in the Portland, OR metro area), can tell it’s NOT Portland!
Rainn Wilson is awesome and the total cast was AMAZING, great chemistry!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Huge mistake Fox cancelling this intriguing program!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is why I’m literally going to stop watching Fox. They have a great show and cancel it. You have to give a series at least a couple seasons to get on its feet. But not Fox. They apparently don’t realize when they have something good. So disappointed…again!!!
How can they NOT have a season 2 for Backstrom? I just love this show! It’s offbeat humor & sarcasium are so much like the popular show House, only the House character is a dectective. The people on his team keep the show moving & interesting. Please don’t take this show off the air!! PLEASE….. The scene where Backstrom & his half brother Val are sitting in easy chairs with a bottle of beer in one hand & pizza in the other. When they both eat in in unison I just can’t stop laughing!? To hell with the ratings…. We… Read more »
I love that show. It is quirky and original. Please keep it!
Backstrom is original and unpredictable. My husband and I love the show. Last year you took away Almost Human and now you want to take away Backstrom. If you would keep a stable schedule perhaps more viewers would keep watching. Give shows a chance. There aren’t too many good shows on any networks.
You are so right. I wish they would listen.