Designated Survivor: Cancel or Keep the New ABC Series?

Kiefer Sutherland enjoyed a long run on the 24 series on FOX and his new Designated Survivor TV show was one of the most-anticipated of the 2016-17 season.  How has this ABC series been doing in the ratings? Is Designated Survivor worth watching? Cancel or keep it?

A political thriller, Designated Survivor follows Tom Kirkman (Sutherland), a lower-level Cabinet member, who ends up becoming the President of the United States. He struggles to keep the country and his own family from falling apart — while navigating the highly-volatile political arena and leading the search to find who is responsible for a horrific attack. The rest of the cast includes Natascha McElhone, Adan Canto, Italia Ricci, LaMonica Garrett, Tanner Buchanan, Kal Penn, and Maggie Q. 

The series debuted on September 21st with a 2.24 rating in the 18-49 demographic and 10.04 million viewers.  That was a very positive start in the ratings.

In week two, the numbers fell more than 20%, to a 1.79 in the demo and 7.97 million. In week three, they fell more than 10% to a 1.61 demo and 7.05 million. Episode four held steady but episode five’s numbers saw another big fall, dropping to a 1.23 demo rating with 5.96 million.  Subsequent episodes have stayed at about the same levels.

While ABC really wants this show to survive, the numbers seem to indicate that the audience is losing interest. The series does get a very healthy boost in delayed viewing but the networks get paid for C+3 ratings. Those numbers include DVR viewing within three days of the original airing — when the commercials are watched. A big part of the reason people use a DVR is to skip commercials so it’s unclear how

Those numbers include DVR viewing within three days of the original airing — when the commercials are watched. After all, a big part of the reason why people use a DVR is to skip commercials so it’s unclear how much delayed viewing is really benefiting the network’s  bottom line.

While I’m sure ABC isn’t ready to throw in the towel yet, the network execs were surely hoping for better ratings than this.  If the ratings fall lower, Designated Survivor could easily be cancelled.

The series has a dozen more episodes to prove itself but the season won’t resume until March 8th. Will viewers be anxiously waiting for new episodes or, will they have moved on? We’ll have to wait and see.

But, what do you think? Do you like the Designated Survivor TV show on ABC? Is this series worth watching? Cancel or keep it?