The peacock network has announced that they are ordering nine more episodes of The Event. Loyal fans of the series may be overjoyed but, it’s important to look at the news in context with the ratings.
The Event follows Sean Walker (Jason Ritter)who’s investigating the mysterious disappearance of his girlfriend. He slowly begins to uncover the biggest cover-up in the country’s history. Others in the cast include Sarah Roemer, Laura Innes, Ian Anthony Dale, Scott Patterson, Clifton Collins Jr., Taylor Cole, Lisa Vidal, Bill Smitrovich, Zeljko Ivanek, and Blair Underwood.
On September 20th, the freshman series had a positive debut with a 3.6 rating in the 18-49 demographic and 10.88 million viewers. Unfortunately, viewership didn’t stay at that level for subsequent episodes and the show’s numbers have been declining each week. Last week’s episode fell all the way to a 2.2 demo rating and 6.5 million viewers. That’s a loss of nearly 40% in the all-important demo rating — in just four weeks.
What’s more, The Event has been ranking in third place for the timeslot in the demo numbers. For the first two weeks, it was opposite FOX’s ratings disaster Lone Star but now, running against FOX’s Lie to Me, The Event could easily slip to fourth place.
The NBC press release about the renewal touts that The Event is outperforming last year’s timeslot holder (Trauma) by 30% in the demo. That’s not exactly very hard to do considering Trauma tanked in the ratings right from the start. It only lasted as long as it did because NBC ended up having lots of airtime to fill because of the Jay Leno Show debacle.
While the full season order for The Event is a positive thing for fans who want to see more of it, the series will have to turn their numbers around to survive to see a second season. That’s a really hard thing to do considering the fact that it’s an ongoing serial with lots of mysteries and a growing mythology. History has shown us that this kind of show’s audience typically shrinks over time, not grows.
If the show is cancelled after one season, hopefully the producers will give loyal fans some closure by the last episode — instead of what happened with FlashForward last season.
What do you think? Will The Event see a second season or be cancelled? Why do the ratings keep dropping? How would you attract new viewers — or at least keep those that the show already has?
Image courtesy NBC.
Notice the ratings went down after the first episode. People wanted to like the show but the time frame constantly changing was annoying at first. Determined to like the show ( we love sci fi) my husband and I watched the first episode 2 times before we really were into it. Now we’re faithful viewers! Please give it a good time slot (or does that even matter with TiVo and dvr) and start off Jan with a show heavy on “catch up fill me in make me feel like an insider sort of show”!!!
My husband and I love this show. It’s a series that keeps you on your toes and keeps you thinking about what is going to happen next. But I agree with Scott, on 12/15, I think the breaks between new episodes hurts the series. Since this is a show that keeps you interested on a week by week basis, the breaks in between new espisodes and re-runs hurt the momentum you feel when watching the new episodes weekly. I just love Jason Ritter, Scott Patterson, and Jason’s (Sean’s girlfriend). I hope the show can be saved!
My wife and I love the show, former Lost followers, keep it going to season 2, and beyond..
This is one of the best shows I’ve seen in a long time. Everyone in my house knows not to bother me between 9 & 10 on Monday nights. I’ve even given watching football during that time!!! After the show is over my mom call each other and say, “oh shoot, did you see that?” or “are you still holding your breath?” or “what the heck?” I love the twists and turns. It definitely keeps me wanting more! But what’s up with the delays?
I thought it was a really good show, for sci fi it’s probably the best, when you look at wife swap and all those kind of shows The Event takes the cake
Please bring it back
The series started with an interesting premise but keeps getting slower and slower. Character development has been fair at best and there is no real hero or hood to keep ones hopes alive. Not sure where they picked the cast but like the characters they play there is really no one to write home about. Doubt that I will remember to watch it if/when it finally comes back. Spare us all and save the cash… Jettison “The Event.”
well, it doesn’t help to take constant breaks during the season. as entertained as i’ve been by the event, i get sick of waiting in between and lose interest. i wonder when the networks will realise that it only hurts to drag things out like that.
I love the concept and will try to stay engaged but the writing has to get a little better. Please don’t introduce ANY NEW People or concepts; keep it simple and clever.
Why does everybody have such a big problem with Lost?!?!. I mean, I know that the ending wasn’t what was expected, but the show averaged like 10 million on it’s final season!
One of the best shows ever, especially if your into conspiracies as it wraps so many different theories into the same show. Hopefully, will stay as good as its started and not go the way of LOST, which was one of the biggest anti-climax’s EVER!
When is the show going to be on tv again? Good show! Need more like it & less singing,dancing, dating shows.
I absolutely agree!!!! It keeps the juices in your mind flowing!!!
Where is my show? I jsut got my wife hooked on this show and now missing in action for the second week. I’m tired of HG tv.
I like the show, but if somebody is wondering why the viewership is dropping, I think it’s because people eventually get annoyed when we’re manipulated too much by gimmicks. It’s obviously designed to string us along and keep us watching.
If you get rid of this show i will die. I want to know who james dempsey is and who he works for. Also, I want to see more information about sofia’s people atleast what planet there from. It is a terriffic show and i love it please I’m begging you don’t cancel it.
The Event is one of the best sic fi mystery shows we are left with. As far as a take it or leave it I will certainly take it. That is as long as we viewers do not get screwed again like we did with LOST. As long as they deliver with an intelligent and satisfying ending then I am game. I still have a very bad taste in my mouth from the LOST so called finale but I am willing to risk getting involved in a show like The Event because we sic fi people need something to watch… Read more »