Tonight marks the return of Fringe following a six week hiatus. Fans are understandably nervous by the network’s decision to move the series from the most-watched night of TV to one of the least. FOX Entertainment President Kevin Reilly insists that they haven’t given up on Fringe and hopes that faithful viewers will follow it to a new night. He recently said, “It’s a fantastic show, and honestly, I’d be heartbroken if it went away.”
Still, the show’s ratings have been in decline this season, perhaps because it’s now airing opposite CBS’ geeky Big Bang Theory instead of Survivor. Fringe star Joshua Jackson isn’t sure why the ratings have gone down. He tells the Daily News, “If you put a gun to my head, I couldn’t explain to you why the viewership has gone down from last year when all the pieces remain the same. It’s a mystery to me.”
Thus far this season, Fringe has been averaging a 1.9 rating in the 18-49 demographic and 5.08 million viewers. That’s significantly lower than last season when it averaged a 2.8 rating and 7.34 million.
Despite Reilly’s support, few are naive enough to believe that, if the numbers aren’t there, Fringe won’t be cancelled. Jackson believes that the producers have an emergency plan to wrap up the series at the end of this season if need be. He hopes that won’t happen and rationed, “It’s not that not enough people are watching Fringe, it’s that not enough people are watching Fringe during the hour that it’s on the air, which is key for the network. You don’t have to go to school the next morning. You can always go out drinking an hour later.”
What do you think? Will the move to Fridays kill Fringe? Will it be renewed for season four or be cancelled?
Image courtesy FOX.
DUMB! DUMB! DUMB! I’m very close to calling it quits on network TV. I still record Fringe and watch it later when i have time available, but the point is I STILL WATCH! Whats it gonna take for the network execs to get through their thick skulls that data from those “black boxes” are not entirely representative of the viewing public. Its an old outdated system, which I can believe can be skewed or manipulated. There has got to be a better way of tabulating ratings so that shows such as Fringe, Flashforward, Medium, Journeyman, and so on have a… Read more »
I have to agree with most-a ghost whisperer,medium,fringe trio would make a good friday trio.i enjoy all three very much with the first two in the dumper and the last not getting a vote of confidence.
Personally, I think Friday would have been great with Ghost Whisperer, Medium and Fringe back to back. I really enjoyed all of these shows and hated to see any of them canceled. Why do they keep so many of the same types of shows (cops & robbers and medical) and cancel all of the paranormal ones? If they cancel Fringe, there won’t be any left for the many fans of this type of show.
WHAT IS GOING ON? No Numbers, no Fringe, no Medium, don’t they know that we all record these programs now?? What age are they living in?? They move all of the good shows to the same night at the same time, and then say they’re not getting the ratings anymore…. Why not ask the general viewing public and not just the select few with a “black box”. The programs that make you think are all disappearing and all we’re getting are reality cooking programs! Give us some credit for having some inquisitive minds. Think outside the box people!
HERE WE GO AGAIN..When a quality show comes on and you have a fan base that will either watch the show on the original night that it comes on or tape it on friday night because it got moved to compete with something else, the networks cancell them. WHY???? Keep the show on the original night and keep the good ratings you’ve got already and build on that. Like put 2 quality shows back to back and lock that time frame down. don’t you think advertisers will jump on those blocks? Ive lost faith on good shows, because they are… Read more »
I work swing shifts in my job but I dvr fringe (and I also did medium) every week. But I guess I don’t count as watching it!?! As long as people are watching it does it really matter if they are home at 9pm for the show???? I got home at 1230 am and sat right down and watched. The tv networks need to add in the veiwers that don’t have a 9 to 5 job and relize that it is a lot harder theses days to be home a certain time. Don’t cancel all the good showes please or… Read more »
We were not aware that Medium had been cancelled until we watched the final episode. If it had to go, it was a fabulous ending… but will be sorely missed!!!
Why was Medium cancelled. How do they know the ratings are doen? By a few ‘black boxes’ in somebody’s living room and by that ‘they’ extrapolate the ratings?
The last episode made me cry too, but some other network could pick up the show, have Joe really be alive and you’ve still got 40 years.
Also next Fringe? I feel like giving up TV altogether.
I suppose these shows are not showing enough fights, enough nudity, enough swearing and car chases, or enough pandering to the lowest denominators.
Bring back the X-files too.
I love Fringe and hope they keep it on Friday especially since they had to cancel Medium. I think the ratings committee should take into consideration that many people like to TiVo their favorite shows and watch them at more convenient times. Also, the networks should show them more than once like cable does. If I like a show I’ll watch it more than one time if it’s on again.
Fringe is gone. Network morons only believe in meaningless vapid drivel. They have that in common with our politicians.
An inspiringly written show with great characters & actors. So long Fringe & THANKS, you will be missed!
Even if people do not watch when the show is aired does not mean the show is not being watched. They should add to their numbers the amount of people that watch on demand, on line, or that record the show. It would be nice to see what the numbers are when you add those up to the count. Fringe is one of my favorite shows, it’s one of the best things on TV right now.
Jezzus. I’m just about tired of network TV. Surface, Invasion, Journyman, Medium, and no possibly Fringe. If any thinking is required on the viewers part you can count on the TV Execs to cancel it. And it IS a DVR world now. Work schedules and kids almost demand it. It’s not the 1970-80’s anymore folks. I’m hoping for a move to subscription type shows; I’m convinced that shows like Fringe would do so much better in that kind of environment. I think I might scream if I see another add for a “reality show”. LOL. I think Fringe is far… Read more »
I am SO SICK of all the good shows being cancelled!! First “Medium” (lousy, heart-breaking finale, by the way) and now, maybe Fringe! Network producers are creating a situation in which the intelligent thing to do is to wait to watch a show until it’s into its 4th season! Why waste your time getting into a show when they stupidly axe the most popular ones just because viewers’ watching patterns don’t conform to old school ratings systems?? Maybe all producers should be under 25?
We love this show? There is no way to predict what will happen next. Commendations to the writers – Thanks for making each show unique. Is there a way to pay to view and keep new episodes coming ?
We watch The BBTheory to laugh; and Fringe to dream, imagine what could be.
I just loved Medium and hate to see it end. There are so many directions the show could have gone in. Expecially with the kids. As far as shows go the ending was really classie. It made me cry I will miss the show. Just hope they will make a show with one of the kids.