‘Hell on Wheels’ season 4 ratings: Where we leave off before hiatus
We’ll be honest here in saying that we still do not completely understand the move to put “Hell on Wheels” on hiatus through the rest of October. Why do this? It seems detrimental to the show, unless you really just want to get some episodes during the November sweeps.
When it comes to ratings, at least the show can claim that they are leaving on a reasonably high note for now. “Return to Hell,” per TVbythenumbers, clocked 2.27 million viewers, and a 0.4 rating in the 18-49 demographic. That is just 30,000 viewers less than the previous week, which isn’t bad given the college football competition coupled with the fact alone that the show airs on Saturdays. This also makes it the third-most-watched episode this season, behind only last week’s installment and the premiere. Clearly, those threats by some over the death of Elam haven’t held water, and they are still watching.
We typically do a year-to-year comparison, but it’s hard for this one given that the other seasons of the show had ten-episode orders compared to 13 this time around. We will say that this viewer count is higher than 70% of last season, which is great given that you often expect diminishing returns year to year.
Is it a little bit of bummer that there is no season 5 renewal news yet? Sure, but remember that “The Walking Dead” and “Better Call Saul” are not the norm. Most cable shows are not renewed until after the fact, and this is also what happened for “Hell on Wheels” last year. Given the consistency we see no reason at all to cancel the show, but we’ll probably find out one way or another in December.
We’re going to have a little more “Hell on Wheels” coverage throughout the weeks ahead, but you can click here to see all of our reviews and previews so far. Also, sign up now to get some more TV updates on all we cover via our CarterMatt Newsletter.
Photo: AMC
Elizabeth Waddell
October 8, 2014 @ 8:41 pm
I love the show,we watch every Saturday night..you have to bring it back for season 5 ..you have us hooked ..don’t leave us now..I have bought season 1 ;season 2 & 3 and will buy 4…….
Jo Ann Carvill
October 8, 2014 @ 7:58 pm
Common wanted to leave the show..his choice. I hate that Ezra was killed…and that Louise has changed her sexual orientation. It’s all a bit sloppy.
9Awesomeb .
October 10, 2014 @ 2:27 pm
I don’t think she changed her sexual orientation. I think she is in love with or has immense respect for Bohannon and is sleeping with Campbell to distract him, giving Bohannon an opportunity to straighten things out for the RR. Just look at her facial expressions when he is behind her.
I have to agree with you about Ezra. I think the writers missed a great chance to do even more with Bohannon’s character. I was hoping he would be more of a father to the boy and the boy would grow to be like Bohannon. And then, one day, when Bohannon and the Sweed meet again, to the Sweed’s surprise, it is not Bohannon that kills him, it is the son of the people he killed. The boy will never get any revenge for what happened to him. This show is built so strongly on the good guy winning and good guy getting revenge. They totally missed it with Ezra. And worse, Bohannon never learned what happened to the boy’s parents so that he would have even more reason to kill the Swede one day. They are too quick to kill someone off for the instant dramatic affect. The show can’t live on new characters and killing them off alone.
Kat
October 12, 2014 @ 5:11 am
I agree with you. You just said a mouthful.