How are your favorite FOX TV shows doing this season? Which ones are hits and which ones are in danger of being cancelled? You might be surprised. By looking at the chart below, you’ll be to see their current season ranking, ratings averages to date, and their grade in the all-important 18-49 demographic.
There’s lots of information that the networks take into consideration when deciding whether to cancel or renew a TV series but the ratings are the main ingredient. (Wonder if your favorite’s already been renewed or cancelled? Visit our FOX 2011-12 show page.
These charts incorporate final ratings data through Friday, June 1, 2012.
| Demo rank | Scripted FOX TV shows | Demo grade | 18-49 demo rating (actual) | Viewers in millions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Girl (renewed) | A | 3.2 (3.23) | 6.52 | ratings |
| 2 | Family Guy (renewed) | A- | 3.1 (3.05) | 5.98 | ratings |
| 3 | Glee (renewed) | A- | 3.0 (3.02) | 7.31 | ratings |
| 4 | The Simpsons (renewed) | B+ | 2.9 (2.86) | 6.15 | ratings |
| 5 | Napoleon Dynamite (cancelled) | B | 2.6 (2.60) | 5.31 | ratings |
| 6 | House (ended) | B- | 2.5 (2.52) | 7.14 | ratings |
| 7 | Terra Nova (cancelled) | B- | 2.5 (2.49) | 7.52 | ratings |
| 8 | Bones (renewed) | C+ | 2.4 (2.39) | 8.07 | ratings |
| 9 | American Dad (renewed) | C+ | 2.3 (2.28) | 4.68 | ratings |
| 10 | Touch (renewed) | C+ | 2.2 (2.23) | 7.55 | ratings |
| 11 | Alcatraz (cancelled) | C | 2.2 (2.18) | 6.74 | ratings |
| 12 | Raising Hope (renewed) | C | 2.2 (2.16) | 4.83 | ratings |
| 13 | Allen Gregory (cancelled) | C- | 2.0 (1.97) | 4.16 | ratings |
| 14 | Bob's Burgers (renewed) | C- | 1.9 (1.87) | 3.87 | ratings |
| 15 | I Hate My Teenage Daughter (cancelled) | D+ | 1.8 (1.84) | 4.75 | ratings |
| 16 | The Cleveland Show (renewed) | D+ | 1.8 (1.78) | 3.78 | ratings |
| 17 | The Finder (cancelled) | C-* | 1.7 (1.69) | 5.45 | ratings |
| 18 | Breaking In (cancelled) | D- | 1.4 (1.44) | 3.01 | ratings |
| 19 | Fringe (renewed) | D-* | 1.1 (1.12) | 3.07 | ratings |
| Demo rank | Non-scripted FOX TV shows | Demo grade | 18-49 demo rating (actual) | Viewers in millions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | American Idol (Weds.) (renewed) | A++ | 5.3 (5.34) | 17.66 | ratings |
| 2 | American Idol (Thurs.) (renewed) | A++ | 4.8 (4.77) | 16.59 | ratings |
| 3 | The X Factor (Weds.) (renewed) | A+ | 3.7 (3.71) | 10.85 | ratings |
| 4 | The X Factor (Thurs.) (renewed) | A+ | 3.5 (3.52) | 11.06 | ratings |
| 5 | Mobbed (returning) | C | 2.0 (1.96) | 5.49 | ratings |
| 6 | Kitchen Nightmares (renewed) | C* | 1.5 (1.48) | 3.58 | ratings |
| 7 | Cops (renewed) | D+* | 1.3 (1.28) | 3.76 | ratings |
| 8 | Q'Viva! The Chosen (cancelled) | F* | 0.6 (0.57) | 1.80 | ratings |
Here’s the Summer 2012 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 morning after. The final numbers become available about a day after the broadcasts or, in the case of Fridays, weekends, and holidays, several days later. The charts are updated as the new data is made available.
Keep in mind that the demo numbers are what’s most important to advertisers and therefore, that’s how the networks measure success. Agree with it or not, 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 round the averages to the tenth place as well but that ultimately ends up making it harder for our readers to track any upward or downward 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.
So 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 number’s been affected by the latest episode’s demo rating.
The letter grades are relative 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 closer a show is to the bottom of the list, the more chance it has of getting cancelled.
*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 at who’s doing the best and who’s doing terribly? Are any of your favorite shows in danger of being cancelled?
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Damn Straight Mike…I love the Finder. They didn’t give it a chance. Fox moves it’s shows all over so you can find them when they are on.
I stopped watching anything Fox related. I loved The Finder and they canceled it and did not care about the fans. So i don’t care about there advertizing dollar. American Idol is finished..when the winner of Idol comes out and says he doesn’t have the best voice..its basically over. I wish there was a away to save the Finder or have USA pick it up. I see you don’t do ratings block for the USA Network. I think they are the best network ,when giving shows time to find there viewers.
Don’t know how you get your report cart –but I think it was a big mistake cancelling Harry’s Law–also moving it around–for my vote there are too many reality shows–the only one I watch is Dancing With the Stars
We need to save The Finder…It is the best part of my Friday night and I am very upset that FOX thinks this is the way to go with this show. The way is is written and the cast all have come together to make a hit, so I guess FOX is going to toss this one down the toilet and and tell us viewers “oh well”, well I am dam tired of finding a show that I love to see more of and a network telling me that I won’t be able to watch it anymore..well SCREW FOX
If you’re looking for logic and reason you won’t find it here. They can say all they want about ratings and viewers but if that were true then why renew a consistently lower rated Fringe over a new and developing Finder. As for cheaper the shows components are already in place so renewing would at least be comparable to if not less than replacing. As I am also one who watches the shows I want to watch on the internet I think it would behoove the networks to develop a new rating system that would more accurately judge a shows… Read more »
Mike » Because Fringe is close to having enough episodes for syndication. That’s where the big money is for the studio.
That may be true and I only used Fringe as an example. Also I’m more concerned about shows getting a true rating. Obviously the Finder was very popular with many people but I don’t think there are any accurate ways to rate true viewership considering the various outlets available to the public at this time. It may be more advantageous to allow a show to develop a strong following than changing it’s time slot without notice, calling it mediocre and replacing it with something more than likely to be just as mediocre if not worse.
This is one of the best shows on tv. Who are they polling?????
This is a family show and it makes you think and it is a show that you have to stay with. All the good shows only last a season or two and then you have all these shows with no plot what so ever that stay on forever.
PLEASE re think this one..
Save the Finder! Fox canceling it was a horrible move on their part. So much respect lost for Fox. The best show I’ve ever seen, it’s hands down my favorite.
Love The Finder and the entire cast. It is refreshing to have a couple start out as a “couple” and not have the phony “sexual tension” and question will they or won’t they. I was sad when Saffron Burrows backed out, but I am happy with the outcome. Love the quirky story and quests. Please save it. The Finder, Bones, and Fringe are my favorites.
I can’t believe that the finder is not going to have a second season. My husband and I love this show. I think these rating are off also. . I think fox made a bad call on this one.
This report card seems very off to me. My favorite shown on Fox is The Finder and I know a bunch of people who think it is such a refreshing return to a clever buddy comedy that you can actually watch with your family. The Finder is such a unique show and it is absolutely hilarious. The story lines are amazing and very clever. The show is sooo unpredictable. Perfect example, one episode starts out with Walter trying to find “a meal” for a client. The chaos that ensues is from that point on is brilliant. It builds and builds… Read more »
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The only two shows i have any intrest in watching on fox is cops and kitchen nightmares. I did watch and occasionally watch american idol but its SOOOOOOOOO old and over done. IM SICK OF IT. Because im sick of all the reality crap i have no intrest at all in xfactor.
I kind of agree with what “Dena” said there – Because basically, I loathe and despise Television shows. CSI, which I liked, went through some changes and now it’s crap. My interest in CSI became extreme interest in Fringe. Until FOX started treating the show like crap – They started the show on a night directlty across from CSI, but the LIMITED COMMERCIALS which they did for the first season, SOLIDLY got me hooked on it – Because the show was longer that the average 45 minute “1-hour” show. But starting from Season Two, FOX began removing the advantages Fringe… Read more »
I am now going to join my husband and pass on watching any new series that appear interesting until they are renewed for a second season. Now that TV series quickly become available in other ways I can either catch up on that first season or enjoy what there is of a show knowing nothing will be resolved. No more wasting my time becoming invested in a good, thought-provoking show only to be disappointed when it gets cancelled after one season or less. I spend more time now re-watching old shows on Netflix (or DVDs borrowed from friends) than the… Read more »