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 don’t know what kind of a group of people you are pulling. but I seen you need to pay more attention 2 people 55 and older. almost everything you cancel are the shows everyone I know watches. statistics are only as good as the people taking the polls. just saying
Love show do whatever it takes to keep it. Please do not cancel.
My mother and I love this show. It’s creative, well thought out in story, and characters. Also unlike most shows it wasn’t predictable in it’s mysteries and suspects. Please Fox don’t cancel this show. Peolpe love this show and actally enjoy this show, Don’t be like NBC and pull shows that had a following
Backstrom is SUCH a smart, funny, and entertaining show! It is a breath of fresh air in a world of television that has somewhat lost the path of making great entertainment. Please don’t cancel this gem of a show!!! The cast fit so amazingly well together as they deliver the quick and smart dialogue the writers create each and every week! Give Backstrom it’s chance, it’ll work it’s way into mainstream popularity! Other little shows had a tough beginning too, look at Star Trek now!
I loved backstrom. Why not show it on another night than thursday. Not many shows could compete w scandal or blacklist. My sister, cousin, mother and I loved it. But most of my friends never heard of it. There didn’t seem to b much promotion, either. Please reconsider.
Don’t cancel Backstrom you people always cancel the good shows
If fox doesn’t want it maybe a different station/channel should pick it up,just saying
Yes. Exactly. And mayb advertise it more. The cast had great chemistry. Love valentine, too. Mayb get rid of ex-wife, but keep all the others. There are so many lousy shows. Backstrom is intelligent.
Please give this series time to find an audience. It’s funny and moving – and on top of that, they solve a crime. Nothing can compete with Blacklist, so put it in a time slot where it has a chance. All the actors are wonderful and the chemistry is great. Come on, Fox, give the underdog a chance.
I absolutely agree
Great show with Large Cast. Just starting to come together. I really wish you would not cancel.
Give it time to be seen!!!
Excellent show!
One of the best– funny and great story lines. RainnWilson is awesome
DONT CANCEL BACKSTROM , IT IS IN A TOUGH TIME SLOT BUT IT CAN MAKE IT IF YOU JUGGLE THE TIME SLOT . THE CHEMISTRY IS GREAT BETWEEN THE CAST SND ALL ARE VERY GOOD ACTORS !!!!!!
I love this show. Give it a chance to catch on. The chemistry is terrific between the characters. I have a sense about these things! Don’t cancel this show!!!
Keep it! Very good show!
I LOVE Backstrom! Why are you cancelling it?!!
DON’T CANCEL BACKSTROM! IT IS ONE OF MY ABSOLUTELY FAVORITE SHOWS!!!!!!!!!! PLEASE DON’T CANCEL!