Based on the fast-affiliate ratings, the first hour of last night’s River premiere attracted a 2.5 rating in the 18-49 demographic with 8.2 million total viewers. The second hour dropped 12%, to a 2.2 in the demo with just 6.8 million. This was the worst debut of any new dramatic series on ABC this season — including troubled Pan Am.
On the bright side, this was a significant improvement for the network in the timeslots. Last week’s Celebrity Wife Swap registered only a 1.9 rating at 9pm and the last original Body of Proof (January 17th) drew only a 1.6 at 10pm. Compared to one year earlier, ABC was up 39% in the demo at 9pm (vs V’s 1.8 rating) and was up 69% in the demo at 10pm (vs Detroit 1-8-7’s 1.3 rating.
Still, this was a poor start for The River. Based on the fact that so many people tuned out between the first and second hour is a good indication that lots of people won’t be back to see episode three next week. Based on this start, ABC is probably very happy that they only ordered eight episodes. Hopefully all of them will air before the numbers get too scary.
What do you think? Did you tune in to see The River? Will you be back next week or have you tuned out already? Do you think it will be cancelled after one short season?
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