This evening, FOX released some new changes to their schedule that will take effect in the next couple weeks. One of the changes involves The Finder leaving the schedule. Will it be back, get a second season, or has the show actually been cancelled?
A spin-off of Bones, The Finder debuted on January 12th to a 1.7 rating in the 18-49 demographic and 5.5 million total viewers. It was in fourth place for the timeslot and lost 29% of the Bones lead-in audience. It was hardly a great start for the new show.
In week two, with powerhouse American Idol as a lead-in, The Finder drew a 2.2 in the demo with 6.58 million. While that was a nice improvement over the first week’s numbers, the show actually lost a whopping 61% of the lead-in’s demo.
In week three, The Finder rose to a 2.8 in the demo and 8.44 million, losing 49% of the lead-in’s demo. For the last three weeks, The Finder’s ratings have dropped lower each week. Last Thursday’s episode hit a 2.0 with 6.18 million, losing 56% of the Idol demo.
While each show is ultimately judged on its own ratings, FOX can not be pleased that Idol is delivering a huge number of viewers and more than half of them are making a conscious decision to turn the channel. It’s become clear, especially based on the most recent numbers, that The Finder would almost certainly tank without having a big lead-in. They’ve given the series the best possible lead-in they have and it just doesn’t measure up. Touch will take over the coveted spot once Finder is gone.
The Finder is set to leave the schedule in two weeks, on March 8th. At that point, there will be five unaired episodes remaining and FOX has noted that the show will return later in the season. While that may be true, it looks highly unlikely that the network will want to invest in a second season.
But, what do you think? Should The Finder be renewed for season two or should FOX just cancel it? Why do you think more people aren’t watching?
Image courtesy FOX.
I love this show. And my family loves it too. There should definitly be a second season.
I strongly disagree with the notion that “They’ve given the series the best possible lead-in they have…” They sabotaged it with that lead-in! It would do better with local news or no lead-in at all! Except for the fact that both males and females watch both shows, the audiences have little else in common. The Finder needs to be paired with escapist comedy or light drama, not a reality show.
I LOVE this show. Currently, it is my favorite show – I eagerly await every episode, enjoying the characters, their interaction and development, the screenplay, and the humor. I would hate for the show to be cancelled.
Keep The Finder. I agree never watched American Idol – but watch The Finder – 2 totally different groups of people. Unlike the rest of you I find the gypsy thing interesting.
I love this show and will be so disapointed if it gets canceled. I am so sick of all the reality shows on tv; I have never watched an episode of American Idol in my life. The Finder is a keeper.
Is it me or does this series feel alot like PSYCH? minus the dad and the overbearing cop, I agree about the gypsy thing.. it doesn’t add anything to the show
This is a very entertaining show and I believe would do much better in a different slot as has been described. Perhaps Fox plans to try this with the remaining 5 shows as a final effort. This is one of those times when a project needs a powerful sponsor to keep it alive in the face of its failure as an immediate crossover hit. The Finder has real merit and is worth taking some additional risk with, we watch every week and don’t want to see it go!
We enjoy “The Finder” & hope that FOX will give it time to develop. “American Idol” is a great lead in, but “The Finder” is scheduled against “Person of Interest” which is attracting lots of viewers.
A great show that a family can watch together. Surprise , surprise American idol fans don’t get it. How about drop American idol and put bones in its slot. Then it might succeed, and people might get it. Great, smart, quirky show!!!
I think they should of had The Finder Premier last fall rather than a mid-season replacement.I watch Bones and loved the backdoor pilot they did on it. I kept on waiting for the show to come on and it felt a little too long to wait for it when it did happen I do think they show would fair better if moved to FX or another cable network like USA though. Those channels tend to cater to the audiences that The Finder would appeal to. It is sort of like Monk, but the dude has a sex life. Oh, drop… Read more »
I like The Finder more than I like Bones. Thank Tivo that I never miss an episode. The problem is they’re trying to hold the 10-15 year old crowd that loves American Idol and that’s just never going to work.
Put it after a drama and it’ll do much better.
It should be renewed as it’s usually fun and interesting though I wish they would drop the whole Gypsy side story.
We enjoy the show immensley. It’s funny, well acted and has entertaining mysteries. We were liking it more than it’s parent show Bones this season. We would watch another season. I vote for don’t cancel this show!
I never found it since I don’t watch American Idol, so I never think of switching over to see it.
I don’t watch American Idol either, so it’s kind of a pain to remember to switch over for me, too. Thanks for yet another demonstration of why American Idol is a terrible lead-in program for a quirky scripted series (didn’t they learn their lesson with Breaking In last year?) — there just isn’t enough of an overlap between the kinds of people who are going to be fans of a mass-appeal talent competition and an unusual scripted series.
Funny, well written and acted. My family and I love this show.