Tonight marks the season finale of NBC’s Parenthood. The ratings are down so will it end up being the series finale as well? Will the show be cancelled or return for a fourth season?
Parenthood debuted back in March of 2009 as a mid-season replacement series. The first season’s 13 episodes ended up averaging a 2.6 rating in the 18-49 demographic and 6.38 million total viewers. The show was on the bubble but ended up getting renewed.
NBC didnt wait until mid-season to bring it back and season two kicked off in September 2010. With a full 22 episode season, the show’s averages dropped to a 2.1 in the demo and 5.34 million. Parenthood was on the bubble once again but, once again, it ended up being renewed.
This season, the ratings have dropped once again. The third season of Parenthood (not including tonight’s numbers) have averaged a 1.9 in the demo with 5.13 million. Based on the lower numbers at the start of the season, NBC only ordered 18 installments this time around.
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Ordinarily, one would expect that Parenthood would be on the verge of cancellation once again. However, because the rest of NBC’s schedule is in such sorry shape, Parenthood’s ratings actually look pretty good by comparison.
Out of the 17 scripted programs that have aired on NBC this season, Parenthood has the sixth highest demo ratings, beating out shows like Community, Parks and Recreation, 30 Rock, and Grimm. On our NBC ratings report card, Parenthood registers a firm “B.”
Based on the season numbers and the fact that Parenthood is co-produced by Universal Television, NBC’s own production company, it’s almost guaranteed to be back for a fourth season.
But, what do you think? Do you think Parenthood should be renewed or cancelled? How long should the series reasonably continue?
Image courtesy NBC.
Excellent show and does not trivialize family relationships while presenting excellent storylines.
Please do not cancel Parenthood. I love it and the characters and Peter Krause is great. When is the last episode for this season?
This is by far the best show on TV right now! I didn’t even think it was in jeopardy until I was left curious as to why the season ended so quickly. Only then did I discover that it was in trouble! This show appeals to a wide age range! It’s about family! How can that be a bad show?! My only suggestion is that it is on a little too late! Change the time and watch the ratings go up!
At times too much drama, but the characters work good together as a family unit. A good measurement for me is did I at least smile once during the episode. It still has the story line to justify another year. Yes?
Pleeeeeeeeeeeease no!!! Its my Wednesday ritual to watch this while the kids are finally playing. Its the only show I can watch and not worry about what they are hearing or seeing. I can’t bear to think its going to be cancelled. So much better than reality TV which is all TV is going to be if they keep on cancelling shows like this! Please don’t let our world come to that, please please please please please please!!!!
Don’t cancel!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We hope there is another season of Parenthood! My husband & I have to get up very early, so we watch the week’s show on demand at another time…….we love it! The writing is intelligent, the family dynamic is realistic and heartwarming, the humor creative. Please keep it on!
This is the BEST show on TV! I look forward to it each week because of the brilliant acting, real-life situations and the emphasis it places on the importance of family. It is rare to find a quality gem like this on TV today. I hope that NBC does the right thing and brings back a show with believability, class, and heart.
It’s the best show on TV!! PLEASE don’t cancel it! It’s REAL, when it comes to how life and families really work!
Love it! Great characters & actors, an intelligent show, a rarity these days. Don’t cancel it NBC!
Best acting and best writing I’ve ever seen on TV . I PVR it!
This is the only show I was regularly. There isn’t another show on tv right now that is as real and as relatable as Parenthood. It is so incredibly well done, and it’s sad that because it’s not dripping with sex and predictability that people don’t watch it. If this show is canceled, I might quit on tv all together… ok not really… but I will be watching netflix a lot more than live tv.
I am single, 36, and I LOVE THIS SHOW. Married people love it, single people love it. Do NOT cancel Parenthood. It comes on a little late (10pm) but it is all worth staying up to 11pm. I wait for Tuesday to come each week to see my Parenthood. People love it since it is real life and not a game show, a “reality show” or crime drama. The writers are brilliant!
Please don’t cancel this show…I love it
Oh goodness!!!! didnt cross my mind that it could be remotely possible that Parenthood could be cancelled. Please NBC!!!! This is not an option!!! There has never been a better show. It speaks to so many areas of heart and life. Please bring it back.