ABC recently unveiled a new medical drama, Off the Map, which was created by Jenna Bans and is co-executive produced by Bans, Betsy Beers, and Shondra Rimes. All three ladies have been closely involved with Grey’s Anatomy and Private Practice. Will Off the Map be as successful as these other medical dramas or be cancelled after one season?
Off the Map follows six doctors who move to a tiny town in the South American jungle to help the residents and man an understaffed and under-stocked medical clinic. The cast includes Caroline Dhavernas, Jason George, Jonathan Castellanos, Mamie Gummer, Martin Henderson, Rachelle Lefevre, Valerie Cruz, and Zach Gilford.
This new TV show debuted on January 12th to a 2.3 rating in the 18-49 demographic (the number that really matters) and 7.57 million total viewers. That was the night of the President’s speech in Tucson which caused some disjointed viewing in some areas. ABC decided to rerun the series premiere on the following night to give it more exposure, displacing Private Practice.
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Despite that extra coverage, Off the Map dropped by nearly 9% in the key demo in week two. That’s not bad percentage-wise but the debut number was pretty low to begin with. The series attracted a 2.1 rating in the demo and 5.79 million viewers. Last night’s episode dropped 14% to a 1.8 rating and 5.06 million viewers.
After just three weeks, Off the Map is near the bottom of ABC’s demo rankings of scripted series, tying struggling No Ordinary Family. That’s not good at all and since Off the Map’s ratings haven’t stabilized yet, they may keep falling.
In the past, the alphabet network has renewed one or two struggling freshman series for a second season. Unless the ratings start going up, that looks like Off the Map’s only hope for survival. There are 13 episodes in season one and, for now, the finale is scheduled for April 6th. Time will tell if that ends up being the season or series finale.
But, what do you think? Do you like Off the Map? Should it continue or would you just cancel it now?
Image courtesy ABC.
Surely ABC can see it’s potential. They need to market the show better, it is an awesome show once you see it, but unfortunately we see the same Modern Family commercials over and over and over. I mean come on ABC people TIVO these days, we don’t search the guide to see what’s on, we set it to record! We can’t record it if we don’t know it’s there!
of course, KEEP IT!!!
good screenplay, great stories, great actors. i love it!
If ABC cancels this show, that will be zero shows I watch on that channel!! It is the first show I’ve watched on that channel in years, so they probably will cancel it! And I am in the 18-49 demographic age range, if it matters to them!!
Love it. Hope it continues.
I love this show. It is such a great show. I can not decide weather I like this show better now or Private Practice. This show is different than other medical dramas I have seen and I think it needs to stick around. KEEP IT!! 🙂
KEEP IT KEEP IT KEEP IT!!!!!!!! I really think that if they would have promoted this show it would be huge. With Grey’s Anatomy becoming over played and no other strong medical show out right now. This show has something that others don’t a wonderful story livability and truth. I think that this is one of the best shows out right now!
Off the map is an amazing show, it always has something new and exciting each episode, I would hate for this show to be canceled.
KEEP IT ! 🙂
LOVE this show! It just needs a better time slot. Please keep it on the air!!
I love the show, myself and my neighbors get together each week to watch it…probably is alot of people don’t even know the show is on the air…when they find out – they too become a fan…KEEP IT ON !!!….its one of the few network shows I watch…Thanks
I LOVE this show. My Husband LOVES this show. It’s our favorite show on TV right now.
it’s a very interesting new show. even if shot somewhwere else than So. America. the sites are beautiful and the info about drugs verses the rain forest is great. it als gives an insight on the language problems with people being able to talk to each other. and how backward some areas are about health care in the world. KEEP IT ON
I hope they keep Off the Map around…It’s a great show!They need to place is in a better time slot. It is not practical to place a new vulnerable show up against a long running-highly rated show. C’mon ABC….Get it together!
It took a while to find this program, but now that I did, it is one of the most interesting shows on t.v. Please give other people a chance to find it also before pulling the plug! What a tragedy that would be! A little bit of promotion could very well help, please keep it on, it is great!
Love it… it has potential and I think ABC will stick with it for one more year. There’s been little promotion for it expect for its initial night. Too early to give up on it yet.