Will the great ratings for this FX TV series last as long as the power struggles of the no-nonsense Sons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club of Charming, CA? The cable channel sure hopes so.

Currently in its fifth season, this critically-acclaimed TV show features a large ensemble cast that includes Charlie Hunnam, Dayton Callie, Katey Sagal, Kim Coates, Maggie Siff, Mark Boone Junior, Ron Perlman, Ryan Hurst, Theo Rossi, and Tommy Flanagan.

The drama’s ratings are typically the best way to tell if Sons of Anarchy will be cancelled or renewed for another season but the show was renewed through season six back in February. The fifth season typically airs on Tuesday nights on FX. There are 13 installments this time.

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

Final season averages: 2.3 rating in the 18-49 demographic with 4.40 million total viewers.

Episode 05-13: Tuesday, 12/04/12
2.4 demo rating (+4% change) with 4.66 million (+10% change).
Season averages: 2.33 in the demo with 4.40 million.

Episode 05-12: Tuesday, 11/27/12
2.3 demo rating (+5% change) with 4.25 million (+1% change).
Season averages: 2.33 in the demo with 4.38 million.

Episode 05-11: Tuesday, 11/20/12
2.2 demo rating (-8% change) with 4.23 million (-8% change).
Season averages: 2.33 in the demo with 4.39 million.

Episode 05-10: Tuesday, 11/13/12
2.4 demo rating (+14% change) with 4.58 million (+16% change).
Season averages: 2.34 in the demo with 4.40 million.

Episode 05-09: Tuesday, 11/06/12
2.1 demo rating (-16% change) with 3.96 million (-14% change).
Season averages: 2.33 in the demo with 4.38 million.

Episode 05-08: Tuesday, 10/30/12
2.5 demo rating (+14% change) with 4.59 million (+7% change).
Season averages: 2.36 in the demo with 4.44 million.

Episode 05-07: Tuesday, 10/23/12
2.2 demo rating (-4% change) with 4.30 million (-1% change).
Season averages: 2.34 in the demo with 4.42 million.

Episode 05-06: Tuesday, 10/16/12
2.3 demo rating (0% change) with 4.34 million (0% change).
Season averages: 2.37 in the demo with 4.44 million.

Episode 05-05: Tuesday, 10/09/12
2.3 demo rating (-4% change) with 4.34 million (-6% change).
Season averages: 2.38 in the demo with 4.45 million.

Episode 05-04: Tuesday, 10/02/12
2.4 demo rating (+14% change) with 4.60 million (+21% change).
Season averages: 2.40 in the demo with 4.48 million.

Episode 05-03: Tuesday, 09/25/12
2.1 demo rating (-9% change) with 3.80 million (-9% change).
Season averages: 2.40 in the demo with 4.44 million.

Episode 05-02: Tuesday, 09/18/12
2.3 demo rating (-18% change) with 4.17 million (-22% change).
Season averages: 2.55 in the demo with 4.77 million.

Episode 05-01: Tuesday, 09/11/12
2.8 rating in the 18-49 demographic with 5.37 million total viewers.
Season averages: 2.80 in the demo with 5.37 million.

It was a great start for the new season. Compared to last year’s season opener, Sons of Anarchy was up by 12% in the demo (vs a 2.5 rating) and up by 9% in total viewers (vs 4.93 million).

Reference point: The fourth season of Sons of Anarchy averaged a 2.0 rating in the demo with 3.87 million viewers.

Cable ratings are typically released within a day or so of the show’s airing, except for in the case of weekends and holidays. They are sometimes harder to come by so there may be occasional delays or gaps.

What do you think? Do you like the Sons of Anarchy TV series? Do you think that it should be cancelled or renewed for a seventh season? How long should it realistically continue?