Last year, FOX renewed The Following for a third season — despite the fact that the series lost a third of its audience during the second season. Will the ratings continue to fall this time around? Will The Following be cancelled or renewed for a fourth season? Stay tuned.
The third season of The Following picks up a year after former FBI agent Ryan Hardy (Kevin Bacon) and his team put serial killer and cult leader Joe Carroll (James Purefoy) back on death row. The rest of the cast includes Shawn Ashmore, Jessica Stroup, Michael Ealy, Sam Underwood, and Zuleikha Robinson.
The higher a show’s ratings (particularly the 18-49 demo), the better the chances for survival. This chart will be updated as new ratings data becomes available — typically the following morning, around 11:30am EST/8:30am PST. Refresh to see the latest.
5/8 update: FOX has cancelled The Following after three seasons. Details here.
Final season averages: 1.12 rating in the 18-49 demographic with 3.45 million total viewers.
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It’s worth noting that the second season premiere followed the NFC Championship game and attracted a 4.4 demo rating with 11.18 million viewers. In its regular timeslot, the second episode drew a 2.0 with 6.02 million.
Last year comparison: The second season of The Following averaged a 1.8 rating in the 18-49 demographic with 5.19 million total viewers.
Note: These are the final national numbers (unless noted with an “*”). These are different from the fast affiliate numbers which are just estimates of the actual ratings. The final nationals are typically released within 24 hours of the programming or, in the case of weekends and holidays, a couple days later.
What do you think? Do you still like The Following TV show? Do you think it should be cancelled or renewed for a fourth season?
The following is the most idiotic show on TV. The combined intelligence of the FBI and local police forces portrayed on the show can be summed up with…
“Ahduuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuhhhhhhhhhhh…”
The Following is the most intriguing thrillers on tv today. Plot twists always keep me guessing and I’m amazed as a psychotherapist how accurate the portrayals are of serial killers. Joe Carroll’s character is astonishing. I hate to see him die because he combines charm and deadly actions that are terrifying. This is one of the best seasons so pls don’t cancel it or Joe Carroll
Love love the following!! Keep Joe and keep the following please. It is so awesome. Look forward to Mondays!!!!!
now that joe Carroll is back, please renew. The more of him, the better. He is one scary bad guy
I absolutely love this show. It still is amazing and I really look forward to future seasons. I hope they renew it again for more seasons.
I love love love this show. Actors are awesome. Show is suspenful and must see TV every week. Please don’t cancel it.!!!!!
We LOVE where this series is going now, after an erratic last season. It keeps getting better. Please don`t diasppoint us. Love Kevin Bacon!
While this show was entertaining in the first two seasons, it has quickly devolved. Too many red herrings and absurd story lines. It has officially jumped the shark.
This is a great show. Kevin Bacon what an Actor! I look forward to seeing the next show. Keep it going.
going to be cancelled stinker season.
I hope The Following is renewed. This and Hannibal are my two favorite crime shows. However, I understand why some people don’t like it and I’m afraid that people’s squeamishness may get the show cancelled.
I WAS a huge fan of this show, however, the season premier disgusted me.Beginning the show with a lesbian wedding being shoved down our throats really angered me. Their was no reason that this had to be a gay wedding other that to advance your gay agenda. I am now an EX -Following viewer. Thanks for ruining a good show.
The fact you used typed, “Gay Agenda” pretty much means there losing nothing but you not watching it. Welcome to the modern world where such things actually do happen!
Amazing, right?
Oooohhh, the scary Gay Agenda!
The only agenda they have is gaining the same rights you have.
If people like you replaced “Gay Agenda” with “Black Agenda” you’d see just how bigoted you sound to everybody else.
Agreed
You are definitely not the only one who feels this way. Ruined a good show by doing this. I’m sick of having it shoved down my throat as if it is normal and needs to be accepted.
You watch a show that revolves around violence and brutal killings and a scene that depicts a commitment of love by two adults is what turns you off? That kind of thinking is what’s wrong with this country. Messed up, man.
Jason, welcome to the mind of a ignorant person who is homophobic. CJW had his entire enjoyment of the show ruined because of a 10 minute scene involving people who loved each other getting married. Imagine the horror this does in his life?
Seriously now. Jason is right, violence to these people is fine but love between adults? Wrong! Oh so wrong! Other people sexuality has nothing to do with you cjw, so get on with your life.
Perhaps in another few generations humanity will grow up a litlte.
Binhex, I doubt it (that humanity will ever grow up that is).
Oh, OK, and you and your people are not advancing your own agenda?
That last reply was to Sam Cognasse and cjw.
Love this show… gorey or not! No one would be better in this than KEVIN BACON! He and his partner carry this whole show.
This is a great show. Any idiot can see that but it doesn’t get the great ratings it deserves. Kevin Bacon does a great job in it and carries the show well. It is well written and scripted every episode and season three has started off on a great note. I look forward to many more seasons of the show.
I know quite a few intelligent, well mannered people who do not like this show. They are not idiots. I for one can see why they do not, given certain grusome scenes that are shown. That is their preference and I respect that.
I’ll watch, but I wouldn’t call it a great show, tolerable and better than reality, but not great.
love this show, I want more, Kevin Bacon makes the show
I FIND THIS SERIES INTERESTING — I DON’T KNOW WHY REALLY, BUT IT KEEPS “PULLING ME IN”.