Below are the HBO TV show ratings averages as of Sunday, April 7, 2013; the end of week 28 of the 2012-13 season. Ratings are typically the best way to tell if a show will be cancelled or renewed though pay channels take other factors into consideration.
Because there are fewer HBO shows and they don’t adhere to the traditional season, for comparison I’ve also included the most recent seasons of shows that aren’t currently airing.
Click here to see if there’s a more recent HBO list or, to view past lists.
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ABC | CBS | CW | FOX | NBC | Showtime
Want more info on recent/current/future HBO shows? Check our latest HBO status page to see which shows have been cancelled or renewed, how many episodes there are this season, and when shows will be returning or premiering.
TV shows |
Ratings shown |
18-49 demo rating (actual) |
Viewers in millions |
Status |
| True Blood | season 5 | 2.7 (2.67) | 4.66 | renewed for season 6 |
| Game of Thrones | season 3 | 2.4 (2.35) | 4.32 | renewed for season 4 |
| Boardwalk Empire | season 3 | 0.9 (0.85) | 2.32 | renewed for season 4 |
| Curb Your Enthusiasm | season 8 | 0.9 (0.92) | 1.99 | no word on show’s future |
| The Newsroom | season 1 | 0.9 (0.86) | 1.95 | renewed for season 2 |
| Veep | season 1 | 0.6 (0.55) | 1.04 | renewed for season 2 |
| Eastbound & Down | season 3 | 0.6 (0.61) | 1.03 | renewed for season 4 |
| Girls | season 2 | 0.4 (0.38) | 0.66 | renewed for season 3 |
| Treme | season 3 | 0.2 (0.18) | 0.53 | renewed for season 4 (final) |
| Enlightened | season 2 | 0.1 (0.10) | 0.22 | cancelled |
| Angry Boys | season 1 | 0.1 (0.10) | 0.23 | ended |
| The Ricky Gervais Show | season 3 | 0.1 (0.80) | 0.13 | ended |
This chart incorporates the final show ratings (reported by Nielsen) for the initial airings. Because the demo isn’t as important, I’ve sorted the chart by viewership. There’s lots of information that channels take into consideration when cancelling or renewing a TV series. Ratings are usually a determining factor for ad-supported networks but they can play a smaller role for pay channels. Perception and prestige are important factors in keeping subscribers.
What do you think? Are you surprised by any of the averages? Which show(s) do you feel should be doing better or worse, based on their quality? Comment below.
