There’s lots of data that the networks look at when deciding whether to renew or cancel a TV series but the ratings are the main ingredient.
Wonder if your favorite’s already been renewed or cancelled? Visit our CBS 2011-12 show page.
Which CBS shows are hits and which ones are in danger of being cancelled? The answer might surprise you. By looking at the chart below, you can see their current season ranking, ratings averages to date, and their grade in the all-important 18-49 demographic.
These charts incorporate final ratings data through Friday, June 1, 2012.
Demo rank | Non-scripted CBS TV shows | Demo grade | 18-49 demo rating (actual) | Viewers in millions | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Survivor: South Pacific (fall, renewed) | A+ | 3.2 (3.22) | 10.95 | ratings |
2 | The Amazing Race (fall, renewed) | A- | 2.9 (2.88) | 10.18 | ratings |
3 | Survivor: One World (spring, renewed) | A- | 2.8 (2.82) | 10.07 | ratings |
4 | The Amazing Race (spring, likely renewed) | B | 2.6 (2.62) | 9.31 | ratings |
5 | 60 Minutes (renewed) | B- | 2.3 (2.29) | 12.72 | ratings |
6 | Undercover Boss (renewed) | B* | 2.0 (2.01) | 8.87 | ratings |
7 | 48 Hours Mystery (renewed) | D* | 1.2 (1.16) | 5.41 | ratings |
8 | Person to Person | F | 1.0 (1.00) | 5.90 | ratings |
Here’s the CBS Summer 2012 Ratings Report Card.
Original ratings data ©The Nielsen Company. All Rights Reserved.
A couple of notes about these charts:
The averages included in these charts are based on the final numbers, not the fast affiliate ratings that are typically reported the next morning. The final numbers become available about a day after the broadcasts or in some cases several days later. The chart are updated as the new data becomes available.
Keep in mind that the demo numbers (not total viewers) are what’s most important to advertisers. Therefore, that’s how the networks measure success. Advertisers pay more for ad time on a show that has a higher demo rating versus one with a lot more overall viewers.
Demo numbers are reported by Nielsen using the 10ths decimal place (2.4, for example). We used to report averages that way but it ends up being hard to see any movement week to week. It can also be a little misleading since a show with a 2.35 average and a show with a 2.44 average will both round to a 2.4 rating.
In these charts, we’re including the demo average rounded to the 10th (2.4) as well as the 100th place (2.41) in parenthesis so you can get a better idea of how the average has been affected by the latest episode’s demo rating.
The letter grades are relative (kind of like grading on a curve) and are based on the individual network’s demo performance. All of the networks have very different gauges for success right now. (A successful show for The CW would get quickly cancelled on CBS.) Our system for coming up with letter grades isn’t perfect but it should still give you an idea of where the different shows stand.
*The grades for TV series that run on Friday and Saturday nights are weighted a little differently, to compensate for airing on little-watched nights.
What do you think? Are surprised by any of the ratings? Are any of your favorite shows in danger of being cancelled? Which should be doing better?
CBS has the best line-up of shows! – Person of Interest, HAWAII FIVE-O, ALL the CSI’s, The Mentalist and CRIMINAL MINDS (THE BEST!) – never miss an episode of ANY of them! Thanks for the great programs!
It would really be ashamed to cancel the Good Wife. It almost jumped the shark for me last year but it seemed to reel itself back from becoming completely incredulous. I enjoy A Gifted Man but often the plot telegraphs itself too easily. I have found Person of Interest to be refreshing. I would like to see where the writers take it.
I’m so disappointed to see that one of my favorite TV shows “A Gifted Man” has such a poor rating and is in danger of being cancelled. I certainly look forward to seeing it each week and sometimes I record it so I can watch it again! I like a variety of shows but I am really getting tired of some of the viewing choices that are so “raunchy” it is offending to me. Please, please don’t cancel “A Gifted Man”.
I want to ask you not to cancel NCIS Los Ageles and renew it for season 4. It has the capacity to be continued, I love this show very much and each character in this show is wonderful, especially Special Agent Kensi Blye. PLEASE RENEW IT FOR SEASON 4
I HAVE WATCHED CSI MIAMI, CSI LAS VAGAS, CSI NEW YORK,
AND NCIS EVERY SINCE THEY HAVE BEEN ON .I REALLY
LIKE THEM ALOT, AND LOOKING FORWARD TO WATCHING THEM
WEEKLY. PLEASE DON’T CANCEL THE SHOWS THAT I SO MUCH ENJOY.
Don’t cancel A Gifted man!
This show is amazing. It’s the only show I’m watching now since it’s worth it. I don’t like sitcoms( don’t understand their high rating..). What a shame..
I agree with you, June. It is such a shame that these mindless and idiot shows get such high ratings. I just don’t understand it. A Gifted Man is a terrific show and now it’s in danger of being cancelled. It’s not the only great show either that may head to the chopping block. Unforgettable, The Good Wife, Blue Bloods, and CSI-NY all got low grades. It seems the general public only want to watch a show that has no real substance to it. What a shame indeed!
Our favorite shows are Blue Bloods, Person of Interest and Unforgettable. I can’t understand why Blue Bloods ratings could be low with such good actors and story lines! Maybe Friday night isn’t a very good time slot! We are in our 60’s and have spendable money, so why aren’t advertisers interested in what we watch!!!
Good question indeed!!
I agree, Gary. Blue Bloods is one of the best shows on TV! – no smut and no swearing!
I agree with Jenn, Giselle, and Annie. I personally love A Gifted Man, but does not enjoy the trashy humor exhibited in most of the comedies. I really hope that A Gifted Man does not get cancelled.
Is it possible to have two different rating lists? One could show total viewers and the other could use the demographic. Or is the demographic too important and it outweighs total viewers?
Adam Decker » You can reorder the list but in terms of the grades, the demo is really most important.
Thanks for that info.
Disappointing to see The Good Wife and A Gifted Man both so low in the ratings when both have such wonderful plots and story lines. They are the ONLY two shows I watch on CBS. Not a fan of the raunchiness of most of the comedies nor any of the CSIs. It would be a mistake to cancel either of these shows that actually promotes the viewer to use thoughts and logic to follow the plots. Very disappointed right now and hope that CBS will keep both of these shows around for another season.
Please do NOT cancel “A gifted man” . We love this show. I am sure, it would attract more viewers if it was offered on another day, but I like it actually on Fridays, it’s the only good show on on that day. I love all the actors and the contents of the show.(I am sick if greys anatomy (!). So please do not cancel this very good show!
I hope they don’t cancel A Gifted Man, it’s the only show on Friday night worth watching. I agree if it was on some other night it would get a better rating but at least there is something on worth watching that night. It’s like an improved version of House.
PLEASE DO NOT CANCEL A GIFTED MAN!!! It is the only reason i even watch tv on friday nights. why do all the trashy comedies and constant crime and killing shows get good grades, but the thought provoking deep ones get bad grades? Is our society so ruined to the point where we would rather watch a person kill themselves and a guy make out with 200 girls rather than a doctor who saves multiples lives in every episodes? What have we come to?
All of this is a reflection of the character of our nation. We should definitely be worried when the majority of viewers only want to watch a show that has a mindless plot and no substance whatsoever. Please don’t cancel A Gifted Man and all of these other excellent shows!
I really like the Mentalist. I love Simon Baker. Hes really good on the show.
I sure hope they dont take the show off the air. I wish more people wood
watch the show.
I agree, anything with actual content that’s not smut or trash seems to suffer the most. It’s a sad society we live in where simplicity is the norm, nobody wants to enrich themselves with an actual story anymore.
Unforgettable, The Good Wife: well written, thought provoking dramas. They need to stay. Seems like the trashy, raunch comedies get the highest ratings. Too bad.