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.
Just completed watching all 10 episodes of “The Event”…”On Demand”…and absolutely loved this sci-fi thriller…Now I’m excited to see more of this series… The unique twists and turns of the plots, kept me glued to the t.v. for hours…I never watched Lost or 24 so I can’t make a comparison…I’m a DWTS junkie…”The Event” was compelling and fresh entertainment…Please do not cancel “The Event”….
Dont cancel the event I have been weighting for weeks to see what the outcome of this program is going to be. It is a cross between Lost and 24 all in one. How can this be canceled. For those that think it jumps around to much all I can say is maybe you should pay attention, its really not that hard to follow my ten year old loves it, maybe you just should not watch tv.If this show is canceled NBC should at least give its faithful viewers a conclusion. If you can pay millions of dollars on advertising… Read more »
The first two episodes of this show were spectacular. Especially the pilot episode. However, in my opinion, the show’s power and intrigue, seriously began to diminish quickly. I really enjoy the characters and the acting, and I absolutely love Sarah Roemer, and the bad ass assassin chick, who I think is played by Taylor Cole. I’m really interested in extra terrestrials and conspiracy theories, so this is definitely my type of show, but I definitely feel that certain episodes have been extremely lackluster. I will continue to watch a second season, if it exists. I really hope it will, simply… Read more »
Save “The Event”! Good show! I’m like the other person who said that everytime she likes a show, it gets cancelled. I was so sad to see Caprica end! Bring it back! Keep “V” going too! The acting and plots are so superb in all these shows, that it’s wrong to end these shows!
The Event is most definitely a cross b/w( 24 )and (Lost )and who ever cant see that ,last name must be Charles or Wonder cause they are BLIND!!!!…..This is a show that needs to be continued and NBC will loss me and several others i know who is hooked on this show as fans to the whole NBC Network as a whole….ps….for those who keep saying it jumps around too much needs to grow up and have a attention spand of a educated adult…your brain cells need to be active and challenged…..and if the show is to much for your… Read more »
I loved 24; this is not 24…The Event hops around a little bit too much. It builds drama on several level but none is ever resolved in a style made me want to hang around to see the next issue resolved. Secondly, it was in a time slot competing with MNF. It needs to be moved to Tuesday or Wednesday and made just a little easier to follow. I don’t want to work that hard to enjoy entertainment.
All I can say is that NBC better give it a decent finale or I will hesitate to watch any new series they put on for fear of being left hanging again!
One of the best shows I’ve watched in a long time. Very intriguing, entertaining, with great actors. Hope it’s not cancelled. Maybe a different time slot. Dancing with the Stars probably took some of the audience at the current time slot.
I am with you, OKC girl. I am SO hoping this show does not get cancelled. It is the best thing I have seen on T.V. in a long time. Great acting, great story, awesome entertainment. I am dying to see the next episode. when will it be?
CLS
Please dont cancel I love this show, Its the only show I get to watch, of my hours at work, alot of people I work with watch it on the internet because we work evening shifts, I looked forward to watching the show on Monday nite, its great entertainment-please show another season! OKC Girl
I think the plot is face paced and intriguing. There is enough mystery and suspense to keep one interested in watching again. I love the show. Like others that have posted comments, I seldom watch television. So, when I find something that maintains my interest week after week it is an oddity. I will be very disappointed if they cancel the show. I wonder whether the demographic of the audience is relatively educated/intelligent individuals that don’t spend loads of time watching television but when they find something they appreciate stick to it? Let’s hope the network taps us for a… Read more »
I’ve really gotten involved with this show. I also think it’s been getting more interesting as it goes along. As to the “jumping around” that Kelly mentions, it’s really not THAT hard to keep one’s place. Perhaps paying attention is what the problem is all about.
I hate the way it jumps around. I don’t want to work that hard to ENJOY a program!
Everytime I get hooked on a show it gets cancelled. I got hooked on Gina Davis’s show where she was the President. Not surprised there being she was a female prez. Obviously the network got told to cancel that one. Then there was Jimmy Smits show Cane. Now this one? whats next Hawaii five-0 ? Why not after all its a good show? …. This is why I quit tv (years ago) and just watch movies. …..at least they don’t get cancelled.
Love the program. It is a cross between Lost and 24. The first show of 2011 should be a recap, just as Lost did more than one time. If they can get people back by bringing them up to date then maybe the show will not be cut.
This is a great shows. I have to agree with another post that, given all the other junk on TV today, the Event certainly is a refreshing change! I hope that it will be brought back in Feb and beyind….