ABC continues to try to replace some of their aging hour-long TV series. Once Upon a Time will be renewed but how about The River? Cancelled after one short season?
The River revolves around the search for beloved TV host and explorer Doctor Emmet Cole (Bruce Greenwood) some six months after he and his team went missing down the Amazon. His wife, son, their crew and a documentary team go after them on a rescue mission. As you might expect, they find more than they expected and the trip is fraught with danger. The cast includes Joe Anderson, Leslie Hope, Eloise Mumford, Paul Blackthorne, Thomas Kretschmann, Daniel Zacapa, Shaun Parkes, and Paulina Gaitan.
The paranormal/horror series got a double-episode launch on Tuesday, February 7th. The first hour averaged a 2.6 rating in the 18-49 demographic with 8.35 million total viewers. The second hour drew a 2.3 demo rating with 6.83 million. Those demo numbers were better than what Body of Proof’s been getting but were still disappointing.
Looking at the half-hour breakdowns, you can see that the ratings steadily declined as the two hours progressed. Between the first half hour and the last, The River lost 15% in the demo and 26% in total viewership. That certainly wasn’t a good indication that those people would return for week two.
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And, they didn’t. For the third episode, The River’s demo fell a whopping 26% with a 1.7 rating with 4.96 million. Several shows also saw declines that night but The River was easily the biggest loser of the evening.
After just three installments, The River averages a 2.0 in the coveted demo and 5.9 million viewers. It ranks 12th on the list of ABC scripted shows for this season, just above already-cancelled sitcom Man Up!. The River also receives a “D+” on the ABC network report card. Unless the next episode attracts at least a 2.0 rating, the season average and grade will drop even further.
Based on this early performance, it looks certain that The River will be cancelled after one season. The network only ordered eight episodes so there are only five produced installments remaining. The last is expected to air on March 20th. Given that this is an ongoing mystery series, it seems highly unlikely that the story will be wrapped up by the finale.
But, what do you think? Have you been enjoying The River? Do you think it deserves to be cancelled or get a renewal for season two? Cancel or keep it?
Image courtesy ABC.
I knew it. While I was watching the last episode I had a wierd thought. This is really good, this is for sure my new favorite show! Omg. They’re gonna cancel it. They do it every time. Put crap all over tv, find a piece of gold and chuck it. The point it this, the voice, American idol, reality tv, they have their fans. People like me are not gonna watch them. I’m the other demographic. The hard to reach but crazy loyal I’ll tell everyone and buy a t shirt then the box set loyal. Give me a chance… Read more »
No way! Such a good show, I really hope it’s not cancelled … I agree with people being to stupid to follow it week to week … unless it’s crappy reality TV or some stupid cop show people don’t care … it’s sad
The first 2 or 3 episodes of the river weren’t to good, but ever since the fourth episode it’s gotten much better. I like The River because it’s not the type of scary where you hide under your blanket. The River builds up a lot of suspense, so it seems like it’s very scary. The River isn’t a show where a scary face jumps up in front of the screen, it’s more of a show that your scared if the bad people are going to find them and kill them. I LOVE THE RIVER!!!!!!! IT BETTER BE RENEWED
This is just insane! This is the only show I look forward to each week. I hate the other shows that was competing against “The River”. I mean come on, NCIS? Don’t we have enough of shows relatively the same thing when the river clearly gives us suspense with every minute it airs? Only reason it didn’t do so well because of the timeline with American Idol and the Voice. Maybe the producers of the show may want to make it a summer hit granted only reruns are in summer! Please give it a second season!
Seriously?!?!?! Why would someone cancel it? It is the only show I look forward to during the week. Was an avid American Idol fan, but clearly those judges have lost their marbles beyond from last year! Please don’t cancel “The River”!
I absolustely LOVE The River. I hope they don’t cancel it. My kids even enjoy watching it. Its the first series they will watch with suspence in it. Please keep it going!!!!!!
Patty in Connecticut
Noo, the River is my favorite show. I always wait for it. Please do not cancel it!
I CAN’T BELIEVE IT!!!! The River is an amazing show!!! I cant believe they are even considering cancelling it!!! It is my favorite show, even though there have not bee many episodes! I look forward to it every week!!!!! Way to go Emmett for not eating your dog!!!! I have been searching for a thriller show, and this is what i found, and I’ve found it to be absolutely wonderful!! The story is amazing, and the actors are phenomenall!!
Please Keep the show give it a fair run 8 Episodes in not enough i am really into this show as it is mine and my Boyfriends fav shows to watch together. Thank god he did not eat the dog.
Kristy BC Canada.
This is an AMAZING show that I want to see on the air for years!!! I haven’t seen something this good since Lost. The network needs to give it some time for word of mouth to go around!!! They can’t just stop it; I am in LOVE with The River. Please don’t cancel it!!!!!!!!!!
I really like this show because of the whole “There’s Magic Out There” idea. I believe that there is stuff out there we can’t explain. The show is great. I like how the keep you on your toes the entire time. There are a few things that need to be stopped in order to make this show better. Instead of always going after these hints to find Emmit and going back to the boat, stay on land and continue to search for him. The next thing. Tell us more about that gun holder guy who’s hiding a lot of secrets.… Read more »
Hi Brandon. The Spanish girl hears voices and reads tarot cards. She also has visions like her mother. Lots of secrets keep the show interesting don’t you think?? Unless of course they cancel the show….
This is my favorite new show this spring and I DO NOT want to lose it. Please please please do not cancel The River. I am looking forward to it everyweek and cannot believe there might only be 2 episodes left. =(
I agree. The River (aside from glee, American idol, and the voice) was one of the only shows I looked forward to EVERY week. It has the perfect amount of horror and suspense. Plus it doesn’t have all this lame stuff reality tv.
I can’t believe this show might be canceled. Are you serious? Are people really that stupid? I mean it’s like unless a show can be wrapped up in 23 or 42 minutes, people are too stupid to follow week to week. I need shows that make me think, not ones I know exactly what’s going to happen at every single turn. People today want to watch simple tasks performed over and over ( ie. Reality shows about normal everyday crap) I can go to my local thrift store and see everything and more, yet people watch that more than a… Read more »
My husband and I are really enjoying this show. It’s fun, it’s exciting, the mix of characters is believeable and well fleshed out. I appreciate that from the first episode I had a sense of each character and I got to sit back and watch their reactions to the supernatural situations on the river. I wasn’t sure I would like the documentary-style filming, I thought it would be distracting, but I find it very effective. Prior to The River, my husband and I didn’t bother with network or cable TV on Tuesday nights, we Netflixed The IT Crowd and the… Read more »