Ratings: ‘Supernatural’ season 10 and a surprising fall
Is there something about the Wednesday night timeslot at 9:00 p.m. Eastern that just causes CW shows to get lower ratings, or is this more of a symptom of something deeper? “Supernatural” fans should probably wonder this question to a certain extent, after the show drew a season-low 0.6 rating in the 18-49 demographic on Tuesday night. This comes from a show that was typically drawing at least a 0.8 when it was airing on Tuesday nights after “The Flash,” prior to the premiere of “iZombie” and some of the changes that have come as a result of that.
The biggest reason for the lower ratings probably does have something to do with the lead-in. “The Flash” tends to draw a consistently higher number than “Arrow,” and there were most-likely then more people simply keeping their televisions on the network then as a result. However, to say that this is the only reason for the drop would be silly, given that there are a few other things to look at.
1. The time of year – This is spring, and as a general rule, shows that air at around this time do tend to fare worse than in the fall. It’s just inevitable, since there is more viewer fatigue and so many more options available compared to when temperatures were dropping.
2. Natural fatigue – “Supernatural” is a show that is ten years old. That’s not young! While not every viewers has been there from the beginning, some have been around the block for a long time, watching the show evolve and change. Viewing patterns change over time, and live viewers could become DVR viewers or even Netflix / internet viewers.
3. Content – We’re not going to buy into those complaining that “the show’s repetitive” or that this or that person is not doing a good job, mostly because we’ve heard that same complaint for most of the past five years. Our personal feeling is that seasons 6 and 7 were the weakest of the show’s run, and everything since then has been more of a step in the right direction.
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DrRocker
May 10, 2015 @ 3:56 am
Bring back Jim Beaver. He was the heart of the show and kept the balance. If you need to pay him the money..then pay him the money or say goodbye. Sam and Dean have been great, are great, and will continue to be great. Some more “monster of the week” shows would be great as well..and would it kill you guys to make a really scary one? You remember the one in the haunted insane asylum? You remember the one with the girl trapped in the walls and the pervert ghost trying to assault? Scary stuff. Lately..it has been more of Dean is getting meaner…or Sam is getting meaner…come on you have done it to death. Bring the writing back to the scary table and the show would last another decade. Beaver and scary…’nuff said.
Trish MP
April 17, 2015 @ 2:40 am
There always seems to be something that shoots Supernatural in the foot when they just start climbing to the top again. This time change in the middle of the season was unnecessary, some people thought it was just not on anymore. Yes, and the competition is worse on Wednesday. Season six and 1/2 of seven were a contributing factor of lesser quality writing and story direction. Jeremy Carver had to pick up a lot of pieces. He made some mistakes with 8,9, and 10. But, not as many as Sarah Gamble did with 6 and 7. Eric Kripke should have consulted more after he left. The loss of Kim Manners was damaging.(RIP) As time went on after season five they just seemed to forget or disregarded the premise of the show. It cannot be changed, but, let’s hope it ends on a good note. (They should bring back John Shiban.) The one success factor the show always retained are the actors Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki their chemistry is amazing. They are the reason this show survives today.
Hollowers
April 5, 2015 @ 6:07 am
I think you also have to consider the competition: 9pm on Wednesday was not a welcome move for me as I also watch Criminal Minds. Law & Order also has an established audience at that time and American Idol (which still attracts many younger audience members) is on opposite as well
givemepie
April 4, 2015 @ 12:19 am
Don’t know if it affected the ratings but the Washington State CW affiliate lost their signal due to lightening for most of Arrow and the beginning of Supernatural. I personally was on the phone complaining to Comcast (what, you only lost ONE CHANNEL?). Apparently it was an act of Chuck this time.