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US ratings update: 'Heroes', 'Prison Break'
Published Wednesday, Oct 8 2008, 12:09 BST | By Neil Wilkes | 15 comments
Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles (FOX)
Hopes were high for this high-action drama after the nine-episode first season impressed at midseason, with an average of 11.4 million viewers. The second season has struggled in the more competitive Fall lineup, premiering on September 8 with just 6.34 million and averaging around 5.5 million since. The show is now expected to be axed within months, if not weeks.
The dismal performance of Sarah Connor has been partly to blame for the equally disappointing ratings for Prison Break, which airs straight after the Terminator spinoff on Monday nights. Season four began on September 1 with 6.48 million viewers and has since dropped off to around 5.4 million. To put those numbers into context: season one averaged 12.1 million, season two had 10.1 million and the much-derided third season managed 8.2 million. The show still performs well in the coveted 18-49 demographic and the network is a fan - plans for a spinoff are still in the works - so it is likely to stick around for the foreseeable.
Chuck (NBC)
It's only two episodes in to its second season, so it might be a little early to call the fate of comedy spy drama Chuck, but the initial signs aren't especially positive. The premiere pulled in 6.62 million viewers on September 29, a lower audience than any episode of the 13-episode first season. This week it dropped off to 5.89 million. Like Prison Break though, the 18-49 numbers are strong so NBC will be content for now. In fact, the network has already ordered a full season of 22 episodes.
Finally, a success story! Teen drama Gossip Girl returned last month to its best ever numbers. The premiere managed 3.38 million on September 1 and the audience went on to grow to a series best of 3.73 million on September 15. The most recent episode delivered a very healthy 3.54 million on September 29. Background: the first season averaged 2.61 million, with only one episode managing more than 3 million (the premiere, with 3.65 million).
Despite pulling off what has been almost universally regarded as a triumphant creative renewal, Heroes has returned to some of its lowest numbers ever. The third season premiered on September 22 with 10.22 million viewers, down on the 14.3 million who watched the series premiere in 2006 and the 14.12 million who watched the start of season two. On September 29 the audience fell to 9.34 million and this week it fell further to an alarmingly low 8.21 million. Prior to season three, only one episode had pulled in fewer than 10 million viewers (ironically, the season two episode in which the pace picked up). The good news? Heroes has 50% more viewers in the 18-49 demo than an average NBC show, so it's a safe bet that Milo and co. will be around to protect us from the villains of this world for a good while yet.
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TAZ, on October 16th, 2008
Axe Sarah Connor now, it's complete S***T as is Heroes. Make room for something better!!!
Axe Sarah Connor now, it's complete S***T as is Heroes. Make room for something better!!!
chuckfan, on October 9th, 2008
actually sarah connor has been airing before prison break , and fox would rather cut sarah connor than prison break , it has also been confirmed that prison break shall get their 22episode order this season whereas sarah connor has not been givven this . chuck is on fire at the moment such a great show .also a show which has returned to top form is supernatural , the direction this season has took is amazing .
actually sarah connor has been airing before prison break , and fox would rather cut sarah connor than prison break , it has also been confirmed that prison break shall get their 22episode order this season whereas sarah connor has not been givven this . chuck is on fire at the moment such a great show .also a show which has returned to top form is supernatural , the direction this season has took is amazing .
Droo, London, on October 9th, 2008
I loved Prison Break season one, two and to some extent three, although it wasnt that great, and although i had my doubts about season 4 after seeing the premiere double bill, i still think its one of the strongest things on tv today. But i do think this should be the last season, anymore and it will be ruined. I do admit that sarah connor chronicles has been quite naff this season but I have hope it does get better and it doesnt get axed. Volume 3 of heroes hasnt been my favourite, if it doesnt get better i might go off it...nothing has been the same since the WGA strike - bring back good writing!
I loved Prison Break season one, two and to some extent three, although it wasnt that great, and although i had my doubts about season 4 after seeing the premiere double bill, i still think its one of the strongest things on tv today. But i do think this should be the last season, anymore and it will be ruined. I do admit that sarah connor chronicles has been quite naff this season but I have hope it does get better and it doesnt get axed. Volume 3 of heroes hasnt been my favourite, if it doesnt get better i might go off it...nothing has been the same since the WGA strike - bring back good writing!
Kate,L'pool, on October 9th, 2008
Heroes has been brilliant I don't know why more people haven't been tuning in. I've also really been enjoying Prison break but I think they need an end up so they can build up to it. Chuck was one of my favourite new shows of last year so I hope we get more. I was disappointed with The SCC last year but Summer Glau was great I hope they've improved this year I'll definately give it a go. Reality shows'll be the death of good tv if the broadcasters aren't careful!
Heroes has been brilliant I don't know why more people haven't been tuning in. I've also really been enjoying Prison break but I think they need an end up so they can build up to it. Chuck was one of my favourite new shows of last year so I hope we get more. I was disappointed with The SCC last year but Summer Glau was great I hope they've improved this year I'll definately give it a go. Reality shows'll be the death of good tv if the broadcasters aren't careful!
Ivana, Slovakia, on October 9th, 2008
I think Prison Break is just great. I don't see why it has such a low ratings. It deserves more than 5 million. But it seems to me that generely, still less and less people watch tv, because almoust all the shows have lower ratings.
I think Prison Break is just great. I don't see why it has such a low ratings. It deserves more than 5 million. But it seems to me that generely, still less and less people watch tv, because almoust all the shows have lower ratings.
Billy, Scotland, on October 9th, 2008
the reason for the shows misrible ratings was because of the WGA strike, because of that all the scripts were rushed through and not checked good enough which ment bad scripts = bad shows, even the knightrider shows actually suck, they changed a lot in KR from the pilot, but Terminator should be given a chance because i have been talking to a lot of PB fans and there even saying its bad, the terminator fans say the show is bad because of scripts, chucks scripts were written pre-strike, hereos was written pre-strike then stopped and re-written to compensate for the loooong break, even stargate atlatas suffered and that was written and filmed OUTSIDE the usa. there can be said a lot of reasons because the shows are failing but it is down the the length of the break between shows which made people do something else apart from sitting in front of the tv, the heroes shows i;ve seen so far are really good, along with the terminator shows, gossip girl i watched 3 shows and i was like "OMG this show"..get the idea, i was hoping for another series of chuck, its freakin funny :D. another show which is suffering a slow death is smallville. prison break...as someone i know said "how many times can you break out of prison", the same with 24 are they going for a months worth of 24 or what, the low ratings cant be blamed on terminator....why because its shown AFTER prision break
the reason for the shows misrible ratings was because of the WGA strike, because of that all the scripts were rushed through and not checked good enough which ment bad scripts = bad shows, even the knightrider shows actually suck, they changed a lot in KR from the pilot, but Terminator should be given a chance because i have been talking to a lot of PB fans and there even saying its bad, the terminator fans say the show is bad because of scripts, chucks scripts were written pre-strike, hereos was written pre-strike then stopped and re-written to compensate for the loooong break, even stargate atlatas suffered and that was written and filmed OUTSIDE the usa. there can be said a lot of reasons because the shows are failing but it is down the the length of the break between shows which made people do something else apart from sitting in front of the tv, the heroes shows i;ve seen so far are really good, along with the terminator shows, gossip girl i watched 3 shows and i was like "OMG this show
Matt Jenkins, USA, on October 9th, 2008
Prison Break is really not a great show and I honestly think that the ratings problems are the fault of the crapiness of the show not TSCC's fault. Terminator is a great show with Some of the best writing on TV. The first season wasn't the best, but the second ups the complexity is a great show. Fox and NBC need to find a time where Terminator and Chuck aren't at the same time, the same people watch both. Also don't have it at the same time a Monday Night Football.
Prison Break is really not a great show and I honestly think that the ratings problems are the fault of the crapiness of the show not TSCC's fault. Terminator is a great show with Some of the best writing on TV. The first season wasn't the best, but the second ups the complexity is a great show. Fox and NBC need to find a time where Terminator and Chuck aren't at the same time, the same people watch both. Also don't have it at the same time a Monday Night Football.
Arlene, UK, on October 8th, 2008
Heroes S3 best season ever!!!!!!! They just keep on throwing the shocks at ye!
Heroes S3 best season ever!!!!!!! They just keep on throwing the shocks at ye!
fernandez, on October 8th, 2008
The real reason for these dwindling viewing figures is Dancing With The Stars shown in the 8-10pm slot. It seems the US too prefers cheap reality type shows
The real reason for these dwindling viewing figures is Dancing With The Stars shown in the 8-10pm slot. It seems the US too prefers cheap reality type shows
Philip Thompson, Edinburgh, on October 8th, 2008
I found this weeks episode of Heroes the most gripping ever! Prison Break also continues to entertain on a weekly basis - two of the best programmes in the history of television! Throw in House, Scrubs and The Simpsons and America are sending is some great viewing.
I found this weeks episode of Heroes the most gripping ever! Prison Break also continues to entertain on a weekly basis - two of the best programmes in the history of television! Throw in House, Scrubs and The Simpsons and America are sending is some great viewing.
Camalina, USA, on October 8th, 2008
Why don't ALL of you stop blaming the Terminator show for Prison Break's bad ratings.Maybe it has to do with the fact that Prison Break sucks and the acting sucks and the show doesn't work anymore!Also they ruined the season by bringing the fugly SWC back stupid move!!!!
Why don't ALL of you stop blaming the Terminator show for Prison Break's bad ratings.Maybe it has to do with the fact that Prison Break sucks and the acting sucks and the show doesn't work anymore!Also they ruined the season by bringing the fugly SWC back stupid move!!!!
Tom, Germany, on October 8th, 2008
Heroes - triumphant creative renewal :)) - you´re having a laugh! worst ever!
Heroes - triumphant creative renewal :)) - you´re having a laugh! worst ever!
Tony, Leeds, on October 8th, 2008
Apart from Chuck, I do not rate these programmes. Chuck needs a bit more spice (and probably a final ever episode which would be sensational). I would be interested to see how NCIS is doing and the CSI franchises and finally whether Law and Order: Criminal Intent did well enough on USA Network and then NBC.
Apart from Chuck, I do not rate these programmes. Chuck needs a bit more spice (and probably a final ever episode which would be sensational). I would be interested to see how NCIS is doing and the CSI franchises and finally whether Law and Order: Criminal Intent did well enough on USA Network and then NBC.
Don James, on October 8th, 2008
Heroes is likely to be axed as its ratings continue to slump. Interesting rumors that Battlestar Galactica's season 4 part 2 will be run on NBC, who are attempting to work a plan with their subsidary Sci Fi, following the reknowned producer Glenn Larson's reccomendation to mainstream the final run after claiming the script - especially the final three episode arc - by Ron Moore is "the most stunning thing I've ever read in 30 years." Usually what Larson says, goes, so this will be interesting.
Heroes is likely to be axed as its ratings continue to slump. Interesting rumors that Battlestar Galactica's season 4 part 2 will be run on NBC, who are attempting to work a plan with their subsidary Sci Fi, following the reknowned producer Glenn Larson's reccomendation to mainstream the final run after claiming the script - especially the final three episode arc - by Ron Moore is "the most stunning thing I've ever read in 30 years." Usually what Larson says, goes, so this will be interesting.
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Prison Break used to be good. Then it ran out of ideas and started bringing back dead characters in an attempt to stay relevant. The new season is terrible, and Wentworth Miller's acting has actually gotten worse over the years, if that's even possible. They should cancel that show and put everyone out of it misery. I watched the first episode and laughed out loud at the silly plot and terrible acting. I don't know ANYONE who still watches that show.