Next week, TNT’s Dallas will complete its third season — the first full one without JR Ewing. How’s the TV show done in the ratings? Will it be renewed for a fourth season or will it be cancelled instead?
Airing on Monday nights, Dallas continues to follow the machinations of the dysfunctional and powerful Ewing clan. The cast includes Josh Henderson, Jesse Metcalfe, Jordana Brewster, Julie Gonzalo, Brenda Strong, Patrick Duffy, Linda Gray, Mitch Pileggi, Emma Bell, Kuno Becker, and Juan Pablo Di Pace.
The third season began airing in late February and the first episode was down by 11% when compared to the second season opener. That was a reasonable decline but then the second installment dropped by 27%. The numbers dropped even lower as the season progressed.
Year-to-year, Dallas is down by 26% in viewership and down by 38% in the 18-49 demographic. It’s one of TNT’s lowest-rated scripted series and that’s not a good sign for the show’s future prospects. It also has a large cast so that means it’s not a cheap series either.
On the positive side, there’s some financial incentive to keep the show going. Dallas is produced by Warner Horizon Television which, like TNT, is part of the Time Warner corporation. Also, at the end of season three, there will only be 40 episodes. That’s not enough for a syndication package so if the execs are on the fence about whether to renew or cancel, that could work in the show’s favor.
I suspect that TNT will renew Dallas for a fourth season but, with ratings like these, the show could certainly be cancelled.
But, what do you think? Have you grown tired of the new Dallas TV series? Should it be cancelled or renewed for a fourth season?
Update: TNT has cancelled Dallas after three seasons. Details here.
my only issue is the season is too short not enough episodes. I’ve noticed a lot of shows do this not good maybe that’s why the ratings are down.
The loss of Larry Hagman definitely hurt the show’s prospects. Hagman was Dallas. However, it would certainly help if TNT actually promoted the series. Several people I know who are Dallas fans and who watch the show regularly weren’t even aware that the third season resumed airing on Aug. 18 and missed several episodes. TNT promotes the heck out of its other shows during Dallas commercial breaks (as it should), but doesn’t do the same for Dallas during those shows.
CANCEL IT!
Renewed!!!! I love it and can’t wait week to week for it to come on. I am 36 and my guys and 31 and we love it!!
My husband and I LOVE The show very very very much!!!!!
We look forward to watching it Monday night.
It will never be the same without J.R. he was the best but it’s still good I look forward to the show renew!!!
DON’T CANCEL – It is one of the best shows on today. The writer’s are unbelievable. Better than the original.
PLEASE do not cancel Dallas. I LIVE for this show!!!!! How about putting some real PROMOTION into the show?????
Dont cancel favourite programme of all time
Please keep it. I love this show, just as much as I loved the original series.
They can’t cancel Dallas. The show is great. I wait for Monday nights. I give up my old regular shows to watch Dallas. They are doing a fantastic job with out J.R. Please don’t even think about cancelling.
Really good show. Great cast and stories. Renew!
re-new the show. I know the ratings are down, but these last few episodes get better each week. I followed Dallas back in the day and I follow it now. Need to keep it going. Maybe end the Barnes feud and get some new blood in there. A new feud might shake things up a bit and could bring in new viewership.
I watched Dallas in the 1980s and loved it then. I was hesitant to get involved in the new Dallas but Larry Hagmann, along with some of the other main characters. I decided to watch and love the new Dallas. I am always anxious to see the new season start. Please don’t cancel Dallas.
Please don’t cancel Dallas, I love this show and the characters. I think it will revive itself after all John Ross will turn out to be another JR. No one lives forever.