In a truly strange twist, NBC has ordered three additional episodes of their Monday night medical series, Trauma. The show was confirmed as essentially cancelled late last month when the network opted not to order any additional installments. What happened?
Trauma revolves around a group of first responder paramedics in San Francisco. The high-action series is populated by an ensemble cast that includes Derek Luke, Cliff Curtis, Anastasia Griffith, Kevin Rankin, Aimee Garcia, Billy Lush, Jamey Sheridan, and Taylor Kinney.
Earlier today, Hollywood blogger Nikki Finke reported that NBC was considering ordering three additional installments and that news has now been confirmed.
What isn’t clear is the reason why. Finke and several other sources are claiming that the expensive show’s ratings have improved. One only needs to look at the numbers to see that’s not true.
Trauma debuted to lackluster ratings of a 2.2 in the 18-49 demo and 6.68 million total viewers. The second week, they dropped significantly to a 1.7 and 5.36 million. Trauma’s numbers have fluctuated a bit since then but haven’t broken past a 1.9 in the demo or 5.82 million viewers.
As far as a “recent ratings rise,” there hasn’t been one. This week’s episode attracted a 1.8 in the demo (just like last week) and the total viewers were down, from 5.35 million to 5.18 million. What’s more, Heroes beat Trauma in the demo by almost 20% and neither’s figures are impressive.
This decision to order a trio of additional episodes is likely more of an indication of NBC’s other ratings problems than new-found faith in Trauma. The execs may not feel like they have enough original programming to last them until the Winter Olympics or they might not be feeling very confident about their mid-season shows.
Whatever the reason, the Trauma’s ratings are still not good and need help. While three additional episodes are a nice little gift for fans, unless the show’s ratings start rising, it’s just delaying the inevitable.
What do you think? Why did NBC order three more episodes of Trauma? Do you think they’ve changed their minds about cancelling it or just delaying the inevitable?
Image courtesy NBC.
nbc is always canceling good shows they finaly find 2 that are good and they want to take them off. stop with all the reality shows there over rated ppl have enough of that in there own life we dont want to see the drama of other ppls life keep trauma and mercy and make more like it ER ran for 15 yrs HOUSE is huge theres nothing on tv these days to even watch try marketing it like the dumb Glee crap u see on tv and ull have ur winner
Trauma is great, it is an awesome show, Everytime you get interested in a show it goes off! Getting pretty tired of it! Do you count the people watching it that DVR it? We are always gone to ball games so we DVR it and watch later commercial free!!!
I am glad they just brought Friday Night Lights back, Maybe it’s to soon to boycott.
I Want both Trauma and Mercy to continue! I am tired of NBC cancelling all the shows I am ready to Boycott NBC
Mercy? Trauma?The best 2 new show I have seen for a long, long time?
What in the world are they thinking??
I loved, loved, loved Trauma! I looked forward to seeing it every Monday night! I can not believe NBC would cancel this show. It was full of action, hot men, pretty women and one of the best with the graphic scenes. I loved it. Thats all I can say!
Please keep this outstanding show on air–love this show and all the actors. It is the only NBC show I watch, take it off and BYE BYE. Give it a chance!!!!!!!!! Please.
I enjoy Trauma. Maybe they just need to market more.
i love this show me and my wife watched it from the first episode till the last one we are hooked i would honestly hate to see this show canceled
I like the show,i watch it every week please keep it on ok.
I don’t watch the showes on channel 4 much, but I really liked Trauma and watched every show. Any showes I missed because I didn’t know the program was back on, I watched on the internet. Please keep this Trama on and advertize the show so people know that it’s on and when it is on.
Love Trauma please dont cancel
Keep Trauma alive! Yes, better marketing would help. Have loved this show from day one. My husband and I look forward to every episode and now my daughter has starting watching it as well.
I have enjoyed Trauma this year. The show is enjoyable and a good way to spend an hour. I hope this show is not canceled. Shows like this get started, but then they are canceled before they get a chance to gain an audience. Give this one a chance to catch fire!
I agree..if they put some money into marketing this and Mercy, which are my two favorite shows their ratings would rise. They put all their marketing budget into pushing that stinker Leno 10 o’clock time slot and it tanked. They neglected ALL other shows thinking they were going to get a big pay day. What these networks don’t get is, we like comedies, we like dramas. I adore dramas. But I HATE reality shows..for the most part with the exception of the Amazing Race.