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.
Do the networks know if someone is DVRing a program?? Because I usually don’t get to watch a program when its on real time! Parenthood is on the TOP of my DVR list! So was Harry’s Law and Prime Suspect. It seems like everytime I get into a program on NBC they cancel it! Remember Lipstick Jungle, another one they dumped too soon! Really tired of the crap they put on TV and all the stupid reality shows! Find a way to gauge DVR recordings and you will find out the TRUE test of what people are watching, just not… Read more »
This is the only show that my wife and I look forward to each week. Most network programs are garbage, but this one is a gem.
Please don’t cancel this show!! It is our favorite show, the best show that has come along in a long time. It beats reality tv hands down. This show has an amazing team of writers. The story lines are real, heart warming and exciting. Before cancelling this show, maybe they need to move it to a different day and time.
This is an awesome show. We must save it
Please don’t give up on Parenthood! We look forward to it each week, and it is one of the few new programs we watch regularly. We HATE all the reality and competition shows that are on, so please don’t take away something that we enjoy so much. Thank you.
Parenthood is one of the best shows on TV now. Rather than contemplate cancelling it, NBC should advertise more for the show. There is a huge additional audience of people, between 30 and 50, who would certainly tune to the show….the only problem is, they are not really aware of the show or what it is about. The quality of the show is indisputable, the advertising must be increased.
Best show on the air. My 19 year old daughter and her college friends love it, too. Each show is a gem. The show makes me laugh out loud and is totally relatable. I think it should just go on and on and on. NCB should promote it more. I don’t recall seeing the cast making appearances on any of the talk shows or news programs. Maybe if they did, more people would tune in to this fabulous, well written, well acted show! The issues are so relevant and cover just about every event in family life. Somthing for everyone!!
I definitely think it should stay. On best show on tv! More real to life than any other! Maybe it should be on earlier….
Please let Parenthood come back for more seasons. By far, the best show on television. It is the only show I make a point to watch.
Great show that is family oriented. Many great topics addressed and the cast really bring out the best in one another. This “family” clicks on-screen with what appears to be no effort at all. Rare in tv land! I think the show would do better in an earlier time-slot. 10 pm is late for many, especially on a Tuesday night. A 9 pm air time would probably boost the ratings of a really fantastic show! Please bring Parenthood back for Season 4 and in an earlier time slot!
This show absolutely needs to continue. This show is so real, it’s what we need to be watching. It has something for everyone. The writers give real issues; good, bad or indifferent, no sugar coating it……..just deal with it, it’s called life. Please do not take this off the air; it would be a great injustice. This is perfect television. The cast is amazing, the story lines are real & really hit home. Families can once again watch television together & talk about it & learn how other families handle situations. I have not seen a television show this good… Read more »
Exactly nothing else on tv compares to real life situations like this show!!!!!
I love Parenthood. It is one of my favorite shows that isn’t on HBO.
Parenthood has been a consistant well put together show with an outstanding cast and well told real life situations. My husband and I love the show and would be sorely disappointed to see its demise. Please renew it for another season.
My favorite show!!! Please don’t cancel!
By far my favorite show on tv. I DVR it so I can fully enjoy it! My friends and I all get together and talk about it after we watch it. I feel like it is very rare to have a show with incredible writing and acting that is not cheesy or trashy. Such a refreshing change! Please do not cancel the show!