Ratings: ‘NCIS’ season 12, ‘Agents of SHIELD’ season 2, more at series lows
There are few things that major networks dread quite like Daylight Savings Time. Traditionally, you always see a drop in numbers, and when you also consider that most other network shows tend to drop year-to-year, that means that you are often left with many shows suddenly hitting a series low.
For “NCIS,” this means getting a 2.1 rating in the 18-49 demographic to go along with close to 16 million viewers. Let’s be clear: These are numbers that any network would be happy with if their show was getting them. Still, that marks a new low for the show, and it is somewhat incredible that in twelve years this show has never went below a 2.0 in the demo. We don’t expect a huge upswing the rest of the season at the same time; it would take something pretty drastic to get the numbers anywhere close to where they were a few years ago.
Elsewhere, it was also bad news for “Agents of SHIELD,” which drew just a 1.4 rating in the demo. There are episodes of “The Flash” on The CW that have performed that well, and it operates with a much smaller budget. We want to believe that “SHIELD” will be safe thanks to the relationship between Marvel and Disney, but with this show being so expensive, it’s hard to really know what the network will do with it until May. It’s a shame that everyone stopped watching back when the show was a fraction as good as what it is now.
Some other shows to set a series low last night include “NCIS: New Orleans” (1.6), “Fresh Off the Boat” (1.5), and “The Mindy Project” (0.9). Of these shows, the first is renewed, the second is a toss-up to be renewed, and while Mindy Kaling may have her fans, we’re worried about her. The one thing that may save her is a push to get the show to syndication.
What did you watch Tuesday? Share now in the comments, and head over here if curious enough to get some other TV news via our CarterMatt Newsletter. (Photo: CBS.)
Beverly
March 13, 2015 @ 6:11 pm
Does anyone know if next season will be NCIS’s final season? Haven’t seen any contract renewals yet for Mark Harmon, Sean Murray or NCIS..
Dana Jo jGraslie
March 14, 2015 @ 12:49 am
Its got to be getting close to the end for this show. Its been on for 12 years, its starting to show on the actors, they have pitiful Bishop now, and the ratings are plumiting. Does not look good for contract renewels either. Makes me sad. I hate to see this show end.
liz laughlin
March 14, 2015 @ 2:09 am
I don’t lay the blame on Emily Wickersham. I think that the character, Bishop, is weak. In my opinion, the writing for this show has slipped. When I compare it to NCIS-LA, which although it has some weak plot lines, the characters are stronger and there is more witty dialogue. I’m watching LA because I love all of the characters. I am overlooking that they have massive carnage just about every episode. Killing ten to twenty bad guys per episode is a little excessive but Hey!, it’s TV.
Dana Jo jGraslie
March 14, 2015 @ 7:04 am
Not blaming EW either. This just doesnt seem like the part for her and its got to be hard because she cant fill the gap thats there since Cote left. I think there will be a season 13 but if this is what we will be getting next year… the show will be as good as done. The ratings are at the lowest they have been since season one. From what I keep hearing, people keep watching for the other 7 beloved characters but they dont like Bishop. The season finale is supposed to be big but thats according to Glasberg. We will see.
sadtonyfan
March 14, 2015 @ 2:00 pm
If Harmon re-signs I’m guessing season 13 will be the last too unless Gibbs becomes some kind of supervisor and Tony takes over. Course the way the show has been going this season they would probably promote McGee instead so they could insert their favorite hilarious joke of seeing Tony publicly humiliated and McGee smirking. Without a doubt the season finale will be another big danger filled scenario for Gibbs and if it doesn’t center as it always does on super GIbbs, I’m guessing it will be a McGibbs finale. These seem to be the only two characters who we get to see handling danger or drama that isn’t of the comic variety. Heaven forbid they sacrifice an important arc by giving it to Tony. Tony fans should never get to see Tony in the center of a dangerous situation because we MUST have Gibbs in those stories again and again and again and again and again etc.. Tony can only be featured in the slow, dramaless, dangerless episodes or as comic relief.
Dana Jo jGraslie
March 16, 2015 @ 5:42 am
If this makes you feel any better, there is going to be an upcoming episode where Gibbs and Tony work together on a case and McGee ends up jealous of the bond, it says. You are right, though. It tends to be McGee and Gibbs, Bishop and Gibbs, and even Fornell and Gibbs. Not much Tony with Gibbs anymore. I do agree with you on that.
liz laughlin
March 14, 2015 @ 2:01 am
I doubt that it will end this season, They still are running the highest average viewership numbers but the numbers are definitely slipping. The viewership numbers for NCIS are below the numbers for season 6. Currently season 12 has averaged 17.91 million per episode. By this time in season 6 (episode 17) it averaged 18.16 million viewers. That is an average loss of about 250,000 per episode. Another way to look at it is 4.25 million fewer viewers have shown up to watch this year than in season 6. Like I said, they are still have the highest average viewership in the business. I think that this show goes another season unless Mark Harmon throws in the towel. It is ominous that it has not been announced that Mark Harmon has signed a contract for season 13. Hmmmmm….
Margarete
March 11, 2015 @ 6:47 pm
No surprise that last night’s episode of NCIS didn’t attract viewers! Not even Robert Wagner made it worth watching! And although I looked forward to watching Delilah next week I won’t tune in! My daughter told me that Michael Weatherly tweeted last night that TIVA wasn’t real so I won’t invest more time to see Tim and Delilah together. In the end they get rid of Delilah and tell the fans the couple wasn’t real! It was disappointing to see that ridiculous Zoe/Tony relationship (from kinky sex to baking bread) but being told I imagined the great chemistry between TIVA by one of my favorite actors is too much!
NCIS disrespects their fans, even the ones who continued watching after Cote left because they loved TIVA!
I expect the ratings to decrease slowly as fans don’t like to be treated that way!
Andy71
March 12, 2015 @ 3:17 am
You do not speak for ALL fans–try and remember THAT!!
ziggy
March 12, 2015 @ 6:48 pm
I have never seen a more vicious, nasty group of people who have no respect for other commentators, especially if one disagrees.
Dana Jo jGraslie
March 13, 2015 @ 3:30 am
That was a low blow but the truth is, Tony and Ziva never dated. Sad but true. The feelings were there, so was the chemistry, they went as far as Tony going to Israel to explore their relationship further but he never made it there uttil he had to look for her and that alone, showed how much he loved her.You dont do that for someone you dont love. At least they got to admit their feelings to each other and got to spend some much needed time together. Still, cant get too mad at Michael Weatherly for stating the truth.
liz laughlin
March 14, 2015 @ 9:50 pm
If TPTB didn’t want us to believe there was anything between Tony and Ziva, then they never should have broadcast the tarmac scene in Past, Present, Future. If they were just good friends and coworkers then a nice handshake, an affectionate hug or a kiss on the cheek or forehead would have conveyed the message quite well. However, the kiss on the tarmac was not a peck on the cheek It involved the juxtaposition of two mouths that lasted over fifteen seconds. That conveyed a message that now someone wants to say the fans misconstrued. Pulleeeease, what got misconstrued is the intelligence level of the fans. You can say we didn’t see it but we did. The kiss is not of the variety that one gives to Grandma, Aunt Sally or or a friend (unless the friend is also a significant other.) There were other impiications made. Paris and who slept on the couch and also Mossad spying on Ziva and watching Tony enter her apartment late at night over a period of months–late night cribbage? TPTB started it and fanned the fire and now are trying to put it out by saying the fans just got it wrong. That is really lame.
Dana Jo jGraslie
March 16, 2015 @ 5:40 am
The thing about Tango Whisky Foxtrot and Past, Present, and Future is they were going there. lol I can’t tell you what season 11 would have brought us when it came to Tiva if Cote de Pablo stayed but in these two episodes, Tony had his little conversation with Ziva at the beginning and we then see that they were chatting since they handed in their badges. The smile on Tony’s face was priceless when she said she wanted Tony to come to Israel. That’s proof right there that they both wanted to be alone together to explore their relationship further. Honestly, what Michael Weatherly said hurt at first but at the same time, when would they have dated?? The only time I thought they may have dated briefly was when Gibbs was in Mexico and Tony was going to Ziva’s place all the time. They implied that Tony and Ziva might have been sleeping together so…Michael Weatherly also used the term “star crossed”. The potential to be a couple was there. The feelings, the chemistry, the jealousy, the love was there but Gibbs, rule 12, it all got in there way. Very sad but true. In season 10, I think there was a couple of close’s and almosts. Their friendship was bringing them closer and when Eli died, Tony’s concern for her came to a head. Offering himself in any way Ziva needed it, having her stay at his place and in his bed, holding her hand when she was dreaming and trying to coak her to open up…Berlin was another almost. His jealousy of Adam was so obvious it was written on his face, the dance they shared and him holding her hand in the car while she laced their fingers together was all more than friendship. Too bad we couldn’t see where that could of led them. When it comes to their final two episodes, when Tony went on the search for her, that was also proof that he loved her as more than just a co worker or best friend. It’s still unclear how much time he actually got with Ziva but at least he got alone time with her. The kiss he gave Ziva just sealed what Ziva meant to him and we all know if was more than friendship. What they shared in Israel while he was there is between them and I’m glad that he got his time with her. Can’t get too mad at Michael Weatherly when they truly didn’t date in their 8 years together and he finally stated it. I don’t think he was saying they didn’t have any special. That’s what the fans are thinking by his words. They didn’t have to flip out on him either. What would that have solved. How would that change what was already true. They were co workers, friends, but that doesn’t mean Tony and Ziva never wanted more when clearly, they did.
Beverly
March 11, 2015 @ 5:57 pm
Does anyone even comment on NCIS anymore? Just seems like fans are less interested in the show than they used to be. Delilah will be on the next episode so the numbers will probably go up.
Andy71
March 12, 2015 @ 3:15 am
Well, why bothering commenting when a certain group of zealous “fans”, pile on, because one doesn’t agree with their remarks. I check out occasionally what is written about NCIS, but will not comment because of the attack squads that follows. I have never seen a more vicious, nasty group of people who have no respect for other commentators, especially if one disagrees. It has nothing to do with lack of interest of a great show–just more on how HOSTILE A CERTAIN GROUP OF FANS ARE!! Why the Hell would one want a crapfest like that??
The only disrespect I see, are these so called “fans”, who won’t allow other people to have opinions other than what they feel is right. To all those people, revel in your nastiness, it just truly reflects what type of person you are–disgusting.
sadtonyfan
March 12, 2015 @ 11:50 am
Although I still watch NCIS I have to admit that I’m not nearly as interested as I used to be. My lack of interest has nothing to do with the “departed” one. As a matter of fact I thought all the focus on her dramas, tragedies, and tiva were a drag on the show. My lack of enthusiasm stems from the way Tony is written these days. His character as originally written was what brought me to the show and now he has become either window dressing or the evening’s comic moment. We never see smart, brave, clever agent Tony handling the case in any of the danger filled, suspenseful episodes. Those always go to super Gibbs now and I’m sick and tired of that. McGee has replaced Tony as Gibbs most valued agent and seems to get the second best scenes, lines, and moments. I can’t tell what function Tony actually serves anymore on the team whereas his value to the team used to be shown to us on a regular basis. I watch hoping that maybe this week Tony will get the exciting moment instead of McGibbs, but it never happens.
Dana Jo jGraslie
March 13, 2015 @ 3:46 am
The fans are not what’s making the ratings go down. Do I dare say Bishop is s big reason?? Shes not cutting it as an agent. That and bad cases. They could of stretched the Sergei storyline out a little bit longer. Would of added suspense. Now the fans dont know what they are waiting for. The finale is supposed to be a big one. Lets waite and see.