NBC’s Smash started out strong in the ratings last season but they dwindled as time went on. Will the TV show be cancelled or renewed for a third season? We’ll have to wait and see!
The series follows the trials and tribulations of the folks who want to mount a Broadway musical. This season, the cast includes Debra Messing, Christian Borle, Katharine McPhee, Jack Davenport, Megan Hilty, Anjelica Huston, Leslie Odom Jr., Jeremy Jordan, Krysta Rodriguez, and Andy Mientus.
The second season of Smash typically airs on Tuesday nights on NBC. They’ve ordered 17 episodes.
Below are the TV show’s latest ratings, the best way to tell if Smash will be cancelled or renewed for a third season. These figures will be updated as the weeks progress so be sure to bookmark and return to this page:
Final season averages: 0.7 rating in the 18-49 demographic with 2.72 million total viewers.
Episodes 02-16 & 02-17: Sunday, 05/26/13 (series finale)
0.5 in the demo (+25% change) with 2.44 million (+21% change).
Season averages: 0.71 in the demo with 2.72 million.
Episode 02-15: Saturday, 05/11/13
0.4 in the demo (-20% change) with 2.01 million (-12% change).
Season averages: 0.74 in the demo with 2.76 million.
UPDATE: NBC has officially cancelled this show and won’t be bringing it back for a third season.
Episode 02-14: Saturday, 05/04/13
0.5 demo rating (+25% change) with 2.28 million (+21% change).
Season averages: 0.76 in the demo with 2.81 million.
Episode 02-13: Saturday, 04/27/13
0.4 in the demo (0% change) with 1.89 million (-1% change).
Season averages: 0.78 in the demo with 2.85 million.
Episode 02-12: Saturday, 04/20/13
0.4 in the demo (0% change) with 1.91 million (+6% change).
Season averages: 0.82 in the demo with 2.93 million.
Episode 02-11: Saturday, 04/13/13
0.4 in the demo (-20% change) with 1.80 million (-5% change).
Season averages: 0.85 in the demo with 3.02 million.
Episode 02-10: Saturday, 04/06/13
0.5 in the demo (-45% change) with 1.90 million (-36% change).
Season averages: 0.90 in the demo with 3.15 million.
Episode 02-09: Tuesday, 04/02/13
0.9 in the demo (-10% change) with 2.98 million (-2% change).
Season averages: 0.94 in the demo with 3.28 million.
Episode 02-08: Tuesday, 03/26/13
1.0 in the demo (+43% change) with 3.05 million (+15% change).
Season averages: 0.95 in the demo with 3.32 million.
Episode 02-07: Tuesday, 03/19/13
0.7 in the demo (-22% change) with 2.66 million (-8% change).
Season averages: 0.94 in the demo with 3.36 million.
UPDATE: NBC will begin burning off the remaining episodes on Saturday nights, starting April 6th. NBC isn’t saying it but the show’s not coming back for season three.
Episode 02-06: Tuesday, 03/12/13
0.9 in the demo (+13% change) with 2.90 million (+8% change).
Season averages: 0.98 in the demo with 3.48 million.
Episode 02-05: Tuesday, 03/05/13
0.8 in the demo (-11% change) with 2.68 million (-12% change).
Season averages: 1.00 in the demo with 3.59 million.
Episode 02-04: Tuesday, 02/26/13
0.9 in the demo (0% change) with 3.04 million (-8% change).
Season averages: 1.05 in the demo with 3.82 million.
Episode 02-03: Tuesday, 02/19/13
0.9 in the demo (-25% change) with 3.29 million (-27% change).
Season averages: 1.10 in the demo with 4.08 million.
Episodes 02-01 & 02-02: Tuesday, 02/05/13
1.2 rating in the 18-49 demographic with 4.48 million total viewers.
Season average: 1.20 in the demo with 4.48 million.
It was a very poor return for Smash. Compared to the series premiere a year earlier, NBC was down by 71% in the demo (vs a 3.8 rating) and down by 61% in viewership (vs 11.44 million).
Reference point: The first season’s 15 episodes averaged a 2.3 rating in the 18-49 demographic with 6.74 million total viewers.
Note: These ratings are collected and copyrighted by the Nielsen company.
What do you think? Do you still like the Smash TV series? Do you think it should be cancelled or renewed for a third season?
I have never felt compelled to write a letter like this before but I am so disappointed that “Smash” may go off the air. Charlene Rawson’s comments (above) perfectly describe my own sentiments. I enjoy “Smash” for the pure entertainment it offers up on so many levels; it is such a sweet change from all the reality t.v. and predictable dramas — please don’t cancel it!
I really, really enjoy smash…..and yes, Katherine McPhee’s character is a bit vanilla. everyone stands out but her. Really hope to see this show renewed. It’s interesting and smart….which is probably why it will not be picked up again. How can a cast that cool be a bad show? Oh that’s right- they can’t. Fingers crossed that smash stays.
I do not think it should be cancelled. I love the show and it deserves a third season for sure.
We NEED Smash!!! Love the characters, especially Karen, Julia, Derek, and Eileen. When the Dangerous Liasons storyline came about, it was a little weird. Also, leaving a Broadway show when your career is just starting is too ridiculous for words. I hope people didn’t give up on the show after that. I am real fan, and don’t want to see it canceled. Katharine McPhee is AWESOME!! KEEP SMASH!!!!
PLEASE DO NOT CANCEL! Fabulous talent on TV …. FINALLY!
Best show on tv. Please don’t cancel it. Too much emphasis on neilson ratings . Iwas suppose to fill one out but too involved. Onl y people that respond are couch potatoes , reality show zombies
I loved the first season with the Bombshell story line, but the new off Broadway show is boring. There is no way a up and coming Broadway star would quit a show as a headliner to go to an unsure off Broadway show. It just has become unbelievable and too many scenes of the drug addicted song writer to sit through. I was so happy a new show would be based on the creation of a new Broadway show, now I’m disappointed and uninterested. SHAME
Please don’t cancel. Saturday night will be a perfect fit,since there is nothing to watch.
Please do not cancel SMASH. It is the one show we love. It is the ONLY show that depicts live theater and employs Broadway actors. There is no gratuitous violence in it either. I don’t understand why over 3 million people is not enough for NBC. I HATE reality shows. Smash is wonderful. I am an ex-theater worker and goer, and I think this show really shows how much dedication actors have and how hard it is to get a show up and running. I do not understand why NBC would have reality talent shows then take away a show… Read more »
Network television is killing me. The never ending parade of cop shows, medical drama and the nonsense visited by reality shows has finally so turned me off to the major networks that I cancelled my cable and now I cherry pick from what I can buy on Amazon or view at my convenience on Hulu. That being said, I simply ADORE “Smash.” What could be more fun or refreshing than “Glee” for adults. I literally set my alarm for 3AM every Wedneday when it finally is available on the web. NBC , in the name of variety, fun, and thinking… Read more »
Interesting. They cast the correct Marilyn and the ratings increase 43%. Coincidence?
McPhee is a drag on this show. Write her off.
Great show! No zombies, corpses to dissect, court decisions, screeching cars – just talented actors and singers. What a delight! How dare they want to close it down? Save this show – PLEASE.
Its a shame that numbers and ratings always rule in a case like this. Why does every TV network have to be just like all the others.? Cop Shows, Reality shows, Singing contests. For pity’s sake, how many towns do we have to watch CSI and NCIS in? Same show different city. This is the only novel show on the air. Why cant those of us who love dancing and singing and creativity with a story be allowed a show like this? The music is original. The cast is terrific. The choreography amazing. Let it be. Don’t cancel.
I love SMASH! Please don’t cancel it
Now that IVY is back in bombshell – she was ALWAYS the best Marilyn I LOVE SMASH!!! the Actress has a legit voice and is a great actress.
where can we write to support smash??? I WANT A SEASON THREE!
I’d also like to see the show on the actual broadway – or in movie form would be just fine.
Me too Susan. If we cant have Smash, can we have Hit list and Bombshell?