Here are the ratings for the Scandal TV series — the TV show in which a mesmerizing top crisis manager (Kerry Washington) tries to keep big client secrets. The first season of Scandal typically airs Thursday nights at 10pm on the ABC network.

These are the TV show’s ratings for the 2011-12 season, the best way to tell if Missing will be cancelled or renewed for a second season. Check out our ABC ratings report card to see how this show’s numbers compare with the others on the network.

These figures will be updated as the weeks progress so be sure to bookmark and return to this page:

Final season one averages: 2.0 rating in the 18-49 demographic with 7.02 million total viewers.

Episode 01-07: Thursday, 05/17/12 (season finale)
2.5 in the demo (+21% episode-to-episode change) with 7.33 million; second in the timeslot.
Season average: 2.01 in the demo with 7.02 million.

Update: Scandal has been renewed for a second season.

Episode 01-06: Thursday, 05/10/12
1.9 in the demo (0% episode-to-episode change) with 6.43 million; second in the timeslot.
Season average: 1.97 in the demo with 6.97 million.

Episode 01-05: Thursday, 05/03/12
1.9 in the demo (-5% episode-to-episode change) with 6.69 million; second in the timeslot.
Season average: 1.98 in the demo with 7.07 million.

Episode 01-04: Thursday, 04/26/12
2.0 in the demo (0% episode-to-episode change) with 6.86 million; second in the timeslot.
Season average: 2.00 in the demo with 7.17 million.

Episode 01-03: Thursday, 04/19/12
2.0 in the demo (0% episode-to-episode change) with 7.21 million; first in the timeslot.
Season average: 2.00 in the demo with 7.27 million.

Episode 01-02: Thursday, 04/12/12
2.0 in the demo (0% episode-to-episode change) with 7.28 million; first in the timeslot.
Season average: 2.00 in the demo with 7.30 million.

Episode 01-01: Thursday, 04/05/12
2.0 rating in the 18-49 demographic with 7.33 million total viewers; second in the timeslot.
Season average: 2.00 in the demo with 7.33 million.

It wasn’t a great start for this new Shonda Rhimes series. It lost 29% of the demo from its Grey’s Anatomy lead-in and essentially only matched the demo of the last original episode of Private Practice in the same timeslot from a month ago. With this debut, it’s already on the bubble. If the Scandal can maintain or build on the premiere, it’s got a good chance at survival. If not, it’ll join the list of ABC’s failed dramas of the 2011-12 season.

Note: These ratings are collected by the Nielsen company and are the final national numbers. These are different from the fast affiliate numbers which are just estimates of the actual ratings and are reported on by most other outlets. The final nationals are typically released within 24 hours of the programming or, in the case of weekends and holidays, a couple days later.

What do you think? Do you like the Scandal TV series? Do you think it should be cancelled or be renewed for a second season?

Image courtesy ABC.