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?
KEEP THE SHOW!!!
PLEASE KEEP THIS SHOW. It is so well-written, so witty and its plots are non-obvious. It’s characters are beautifully conceived and acted. Please keep it going!
I love it!!!! Season 2!!!!
KEEP IT ! Love the quirkiness. Give it a chance already….
LOVE THE SHOW! PLEASE DO NOT CANCEL!!!! Reminds me of HOUSE…it just needs to have a fair chance. Renew for a 2nd season!
Love Backstrom. I suggest moving Backstrom to another time slot. I am also a Blacklist fan and when I tried to talk my friends into watching I found out they watch Scandal. Also, I don’t watch reality shows, so American Idol isn’t a good lead in for me. I don’t even know if it is still the lead in show. Hope Backstrom gets renewed. Advertise it more, and have the cast show up on other shows.
refreashing and fearless. Hope it’s renewed.
I understand the ratings haven’t been great but this show deserves a real shot. Not bailing after part of a season in order to replace it with something that has half the character this show has. Finish the season, immediately renew for a second. Make the first season easy to view, Hulu, Netflix and on demand services. Advertise early and often so that people know to catch up on episodes before season two premiers. Put some confidence and faith in a show and viewers will respond. The network’s lack of commitment does not inspire the possible audience. If the network… Read more »
Please, please, please DO NOT cancel this show!!! Backstrom is rough and gritty, funny and edgy, and at times, sarcastic, BUT it’s a show that shows that cops have a personal side; a dark and evil side, while still keeping their honest and moral character. I beg you!! DO NOT CANCEL THIS SHOW!!!!!
love Backstrom!
Great ensemble cast – “quirky” is why it’s great…everyone in real life has flaws, just like the characters on the show. Please don’t take it away!
I like it. It’s interesting to me; and I hope it stays on the air.
Backstrom is the only show i watch that is on cable. I watch everything else on netflix or hulu. (Its also on hulu)
Excellent show. Needs a little time to find its stride, but the episodes Bogeyman and Ancient. Chinese. Secret. showed the unbridled potential this show has. Keep it on the schedule and give it another season so the rest of the viewing population can find it.
BETTER THAN COLUMBO……HAS EXCELLENT CASTING…..SUPERIOR ACTING….MOSTLY INTERESTING SCRIPTS…..WHO DOESN,T LIKE DAMAGED PEOPLE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT THEIR LIVES WHILE BEING GREAT AT WHAT THEY DO…………GIVE IT SOME TIME TO DEVELOP A CONSISTENT FOLLOWING……….PLEASE KEEP THIS WONDERFUL SHOW…………………………DO NOT MAKE THE HORRIBLE MISTAKE YOU DID WITH ‘FIREFLY’………