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.
Great show
I don’t understand how all of the t.v. executives continue to get it wrong. There are so few quality show on television, you would think, when a good show comes along it wouldn’t get cancelled so early. Please give this show a chance. I watch faithfully every week and thoroughly enjoy this show.
yes please keep this show- so dynamic and cool. Sorry more people aren’t watching this..cko
This is a great show! Most television programming is geared with realty T.V. in mind. We actually get to watch real people deal with real life situations. Some of us don’t enjoy realty T.V. Thank goodness the network is giving this show a chance once again! The networks usually end shows before they have a chance to get a following or change their time slots too many times.
Being recently seperated and going through the trials and tribulations of being a single parent I have laughed and cried with this show. This is probrably the only show that I can absolutely identify with on television today. Please Please DO NOT CANCEL THIS SHOW!
In the plethora of programs on tv, there exists only two quality programs produced today. Parenthood, and House. First place is Parenthood!! Please do not cancel this incredible, real life show (“reality” tv worth watching!).
It seems that everytime a Network actually gets it RIGHT and produces / buys an QUALITY television program such as PARENTHOOD, they cancel it….then wonder why their overall Network ratings are poor! Don’t cancel this QUALITY program!!!!
I am one of the 5 Mill. plus who watches the show all the time. Love it. Good topics. And not a a f….. reality show. DO NOT cancel it!
It is nice to have a program that has a plot that isn’t as predictable as most of the programs.
Love, love, love this show!!!
As a researcher & a former teacher, this series covers ALL of the problems and successes that face a typical American family in today’s environment, and how it can be handled. One of the best series on TV. I fully believe, that if it was aired and hour earlier, it’s ratings would rise & go thru the ceiling. It’s sad to see something this vital to our American family, may loose out to programs of lesser importance. I’d like to see NBC take a stand, and continue with this series, for the sake of our American families and their children.
As a researcher & a former teacher, this series covers ALL of the problems and successes that face a typical American family in today’s environment, and how it can be handled. One of the best series on TV. I fully believe, that if it was aired and hour earlier, it’s ratings would rise & go thru the ceiling. It’s sad to see something this vital to our American family, may loose out to programs of lesser importance.
It needs to come back…love that show!
Please DO NOT cancel! Parenthood – best show on TV.
Humor? Yes
Drama? Yes
Mystery? Yes
Can I live without it? No (and I have a lot of friends who feel the same way.)
The plots are fresh and outcomes unexpected. It keeps me guessing. And the attention it has brought to the autism cause? I never knew about Aspergers until Parenthood.
Please keep this show – if any deserve it, it’s Parenthood.
Omg……….please bring it back, I beg of you!!