There’s lots of data that the networks look at when deciding whether to renew or cancel a TV series — particulalry in the case of The CW — but the ratings are a major ingredient.
Wonder if your favorite’s already been renewed or cancelled? Visit our CW 2011-12 show page.
Which CW 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.
This chart incorporates final ratings data through Friday, June 1, 2012.
| Demo rank | TV shows | Demo grade | 18-49 demo rating (actual) | Viewers in millions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Vampire Diaries (renewed) | A++ | 1.3 (1.29) | 2.81 | ratings |
| 2 | America's Next Top Model (fall) (renewed) | A- | 0.8 (0.81) | 1.84 | ratings |
| 3 | The Secret Circle (cancelled) | B+ | 0.8 (0.77) | 1.83 | ratings |
| 4 | One Tree Hill (ended) | B+ | 0.8 (0.75) | 1.46 | ratings |
| 5 | Supernatural (renewed) | A+* | 0.7 (0.73) | 1.73 | ratings |
| 6 | 90210 (renewed) | B | 0.7 (0.70) | 1.34 | ratings |
| 7 | Hart of Dixie (renewed) | B- | 0.6 (0.64) | 1.57 | ratings |
| 8 | Ringer (cancelled) | C+ | 0.6 (0.61) | 1.49 | ratings |
| 9 | Gossip Girl (renewed) | C+ | 0.6 (0.59) | 1.18 | ratings |
| 10 | America's Next Top Model (spring) (unknown) | C- | 0.5 (0.53) | 1.14 | ratings |
| 11 | H8R (cancelled) | C- | 0.5 (0.50) | 1.19 | ratings |
| 11 | Nikita (renewed) | C+* | 0.5 (0.50) | 1.54 | ratings |
| 13 | Remodeled (cancelled) | F | 0.3 (0.30) | 0.67 | ratings |
| 14 | The LA Complex (renewed) | F | 0.3 (0.25) | 0.56 | ratings |
Other ratings report cards: ABC | CBS | FOX | NBC
Original ratings data ©The Nielsen Company. All Rights Reserved.
A couple of notes about this chart:
The averages included in this chart 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 will be 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 — particularly considering The CW’s small demo ratings. 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 this chart, 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.
Since The CW has very few shows, the reality shows are included with the scripted series.
*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?
Love Ringer. This is one of a handful of shows I MUST watch. The show has many twists and turns and is addictive. I recommend putting the past shows on Demand. This will allow people to become familiar with the show.
Ok, so I’ll only be in the 18-49 demographic for another 5 months (give or take a Few days) but, I just can’t help myself! Thurs and Fri nights I’m glued To the CW and my whole family knows don’t call, text or visit between 8-10pm EST! And on weekends I catch up on Ringer (and my other guilty Pleasure SyFy). So, don’t even think abt cancelling Vamp. Diaries, Secret Circle, Supernatural, or Nikita and Ringer! Or so help me when I hit 50 and Join all those AARP people I’ll sic the whole dang voting block on you And… Read more »
PLEASE keep Ringer. I love it!!!!
i love love love love love ringer! all my
friends in austria and i watch the
show every week <3 best show on cw
Please Please Renew RINGER!!!!!!!! The only show on the CW worth saving apart from The Secret Circle and The Vampire Diaries. Seriously, you could just get rid of the modelling shows and other shows that fall below the C criteria. KEEPING RINGER IS A MUST, it has gone up so much in the last few weeks. I can’t remember the show ever having an episode where I was not completely hooked.
Cancel Hart of Dixie its ratings are dropping from the fall real from last year. Go and end it already. Keep nikkia and ringer the grown up shows. Hart of Dixie is not grown up with Rachel bilson in it.
i hope they dont judge the ratings to much for this weeks ringer and it wouldnt be right if did cuz what i heard is that a few of the major cities satilites were down or cable malfuntion and many wasnt able to watch it at the time of that episode aired
thats in no way the shows fault and shouldnt be cancelled just cuz of that
I hope you do not cancel ringer! First time on the station.i along with many of my friends LOVE the show..can’t believe how the writers have so many twists and turns in the show! please don’t cancel it!
I wonder if the numbers are going to be adjusted to account for the lack of DirecTV viewers in a lot of the major markets? CW was removed from the lineup here in NYC/NJ yesterday, so that’s how many people missing their shows?
Ringer is the only show on the CW worth watching, in my opinion at least, so if it doesn’t get renewed then I’ll most likely not flip the channel to the CW anymore. Just saying.
P. S. There is a page on Facebook that is small but possibly worthy of a lot of potential called “Ringer Shall Not Be Cancelled.” Just Saying
I only watch 90210, NIKITA, and OTH. With OTH ending and NIKITA possibly ending, I’ll only have 90210.
I used to watch SPN but that show is so painful to watch now.
Supernatural rocks and is by far the best show on CW. Dont get me wrong i watch the vampire diaries and the secret circle but cmon Supernatural is way better
I’m shocked that evil shows like Vampire Diaries and Secret Circle are doing so well yet shows like Ringer aren’t. It’s a good show!!
hey i hope that Nikita get renew because it the best show that on Friday, What happens to all you Nikita fan. START WATCHING!!!!
I love secret circle and vampire diaries. I hope they renew theos two shows. I like supernatural I would like it to be renewed but not hoping for it like im hoping for TSC and TVD. All the other shows on the CW should be cancled.