FOX kicked off the 2014-15 season with an ambitious plan — to air their new Utupia reality show for 52 straight weeks. Will it run for years or be cancelled quickly? A stroke of genius or a big ratings flop?
Utopia follows a group of regular people who are relocated to a remote area and given limited resources. They must figure out how to survive and create their own society. Those who are dispensable can be voted out and replaced with newcomers, as decided by the home viewers.
The series launched on September 7th with a two-hour installment. It drew a 2.0 rating in the 18-49 demographic with 4.63 million viewers. That was an okay start but FOX execs were surely expecting much better — especially considering it followed a highly-rated football game.
On Tuesday, the series plunged 55% in the demo and 46% in viewership to a 0.9 rating and 2.48 million. The Friday premiere drew just a 0.7 rating and 1.99 million. This past Tuesday’s episode did a bit better but the numbers were still very poor.
Utopia is already doing terribly in the ratings and the numbers are sure to get much worse with stiffer competition on the other networks.
Unless the ratings turn around, there’s no question that FOX will cancel Utopia — the only real question is “when?”. I suspect execs are hoping to keep the show going until their baseball coverage starts in October before they cancel it.
However, if the ratings keep going downward — and it looks like a sure bet that they will — they may have no choice but to pull it even sooner.
Fox Television Group co-CEO Dana Walden says that, despite the soft launch, network execs are “pretty happy and relaxed to embrace the risk.” They plan to be “patient” with the new show.
It will be interesting to see how long before their patience run out for Utopia.
But, what do you think? Are you enjoying Utopia? Do you think it should be cancelled? How much time should they give it? Do you think this could be the first cancellation of the new season?
Today was my first time watching the show.yes I like it would like for more shows to aair.also would like to get a chance to visit or join the show thanks.
Keep it. I actually enjoy this show very much!!
I love it!! I love the drama! Its only been a few weeks and they’re already ready to kill each other. I can’t wait to see how they make money. I hope its not canceled.
I hope they give this show a solid chance. It’s a microcosm of how this country is, with all the different personalities often clashing over their opinions on basic decisions such as the spending of community money concerning food, supplies, farming, public nudity, how to govern and how to earn money for the community. Also the forming of relationships and animosity amongst one another, as well as budding romances and the drama that brings. There has already been one member banished from the community for his aggressive behavior, a fight, plenty of arguments, one member on probation for being drunk… Read more »
I saw the first two hour episode and it was pretty hard to watch. It wouldn’t be so bad if there weren’t already shows like The Real World, Survivor, and Big Brother. The premise seems interesting but it’s such a cookie cutter reality show that it’s actually kinda boring. Cancel it, put it out of it’s misery, and send those poor people home.
Cancel
Please for the sake of preserving the last sane bit of humanity, cancel this garbage.
I’ve never heard of a society where if you do not like a member you can just vote them out of it
I am interested in seeing how this works for the entire year. It is a very interesting experiment at the very least. I AM disappointed that there are so many lazy people in this group! Not sure where “Utopia” is located, but would think they would be preparing to batten down the hatches and stock up for winter! Haven’t seen even a minute of lousy weather to this point. Thinking the powers that be are being to easy on this group! Right now I am seeing it as a slovenly version of Survivor; these people, at least get some cush.… Read more »
Definitely cancel. Terrible show
CANCEL
It’s an interesting concept- a group of people trying to form their own society together- sort of like the commune movement of the ’70s. The producers make sure their are some odd people to mix things up and there is some focus of course on sex and pairing off. So far it points out to me how selfish and uncivilized we actually are. So taking a random group of people and expecting them to get along and live together is probably foolish. Expecting people to be interested in their “drama”- even if they can watch 24/7 thru webcams- seems to… Read more »
Haven’t seen it and don’t plan to….But 52 straight weeks? How is that even possible if it was successful? You’re going to run new shows during major holidays and other times when everyone else is running re-runs because of viewership drop? Oh well…..Let that pirate Murdock swallow the loss
it just depends on how much sales they are getting from the live feeds…….
Since I haven’t even seen this show Utopia yet myself dare I ask can I pass for now on the question of Cance or Renw it?
cancel
Keep it!!!!
Come on give Utopia a real chance please will you?