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 like Backstrom. It’s almost House as a detective. Give it a shot.
Just discovered this show and my family and I really like it! Would hate to see it cancelled!
This is the first show I have absolutely loved since Leverage was on TV. Its so good, I wouldn’t change a thing and i would be devastated if it doesn’t get another season due to Fox’s terrible scheduling.
I’m a middle-aged female attorney. I crave a television series with quirky intelligent characters, something to stimulate, not insult, my intellect. I want that series to be on regular tv and American-made, not a British import on PBS. I want Backstrom! Otherwise, there is nothing worth watching. Keep Backstrom on the air–please!
MOST EVERYTHING IS CRAP ON TV. I MOSTLY WATCH PBS SHOWS OR STREAM THRU NETFLIX. BUT, FINALLY, A SHOW I LIKE — BACKSTRUM. I HOPE THEY KEEP IT.
Do not cancel this show. I love it! There is nothing else like it on any other network.
Keep it. Like the cast and see lots of upside potential for the show.
Keep it. Like the cast and see lots of upside potential for this show.
It’s a keeper!
Keep it!
love it..funny….old school w/ new school.
Really like this show too.
This one is a keeper,
Love the character
Fun to watch..!
Keep it! Really love this show and Wilson’s character.
LOVE THIS SHOW ALL CHARACTERS ARE EXCELLENT THE WAY THEY PLAY OFF OF EACH OTHER. HOW DO THESE SHOWS GET RATED ANYWAY? PEOPLE USE DVRS SO HOW WOULD YOU KNOW HOW MANY ARE WATCHING. IT IS HILARIOUS!! LOVE IT. DONT CANCEL.YOU NEED TO GIVE IT A CHANCE.