DVR ratings: Fox’s ‘Enlisted’ makes huge stride, gains over 100%

Enlisted -Over the past week or so, we’ve been starting to follow Fox’s “Enlisted” for one simple reason: It’s a darn funny show. While military-themed comedies are not necessarily new in the way of subject matter, this is one that is creative, and is coming on at a time when almost every show is either about a family with kids or some sort of workplace. This combines the two to an extent, and then adds a dose of American tradition.

Do we wish that Ron Funches was in more of the show? Sure, but that’s just because we wish that Ron Funches was in everything. The show is still strong regardless three episodes in, but the one thing that we felt was severely holding it back were the ratings … which were pretty awful on Friday night.

Well, here’s the good news. There is obviously an audience of interested parties out there. The difference is that most of these people chose to record the show rather than watch it live. For its premiere episode earlier this month, the show only drew a 0.7 in the much-important 18-49 demographic; however, in the seven days that followed per new DVR data from TVbythenumbers, the show saw its ratings rise up by 0.8. That allows it to finish with a 1.5, which is much more respectable given the timeslot. There are not many opportunities to see a show gain more than 100% in the demo in the week following its initial airdate. (It and another Friday-night show in “Dracula” are the only two that have this achievement to their name.)

We at least know already that upon being moved a half-hour earlier this past week, “Enlisted” fared slightly better, and given the inability of “Dads” to do particularly well and the inevitable cancellation of “Raising Hope,” we are not ruling it out as a possible contender to stay on the air. With “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” and also “New Girl” as near-locks to be renewed, the debate for cancellation could come down between either this show or “The Mindy Project,” which Fox is still high on despite its ratings. It is possible still that they both could return, but that is up in the air.

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Photo: Fox

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