Ratings Debate: Does ‘Revenge’ season 4 even have a shot of renewal?
With the majority of the Ratings Debate articles that we’ve written, we’ve had a chance to write them at least without there being too much writing clearly on the wall. This is not the case with “Revenge.” ABC has already released a promo suggesting the final four episodes this season are the final four period, even if they did not put it in blunt, specific terms.
So what is the point of even writing this article? We look at it this way. If the ratings do somehow turn around or of the network decides that they want a 10 or 13-episode final season, they can always claim that we are reading too much into a promo. There’s enough ambiguity that a renewal is technically possible. Since we enjoy the show, we’re back once again to do this.
The case to keep it – It has a global audience, and many of them are extremely devoted to the cause. This is also a show that has already spawned a graphic novel and some other merchandise, and it is owned by ABC. Therefore, they don’t have any complicated license agreements. All of the main cast is currently under contract. Maybe, someone behind the scenes has a good idea for a fifth season. Commercially, there are not many reasons to keep it. Therefore, you have to look at either financial or creative reasons.
The case to cancel it – The ratings just aren’t very good. It scores lower numbers than the vast majority of the other dramas on the network. It’s right there with “Forever,” which is also likely to be canceled. While it may have good DVR viewers, it is at the end of the day about who checks the show out live and in the key 18-49 demographic, and there are not enough eyeballs there. Also, we get the feeling that the season finale was written as a possible series finale, so ABC can claim that they are not leaving fans off on a nasty cliffhanger.
Prediction – TV miracles do happen, so we’re not saying that “Revenge” is as dead as Daniel Grayson. (Too soon?) However, it is clinging to life, and the odds are not good that you’ll be seeing this soapy world of the Hamptons again. It’s had a nice run, and if nothing else, it has kept the primetime soap alive.
Do you want “Revenge” to stay alive? Vote in our poll below, and head over here to see other entries in our Ratings Debate series. Also, you can sign up now to get some other TV updates on all we cover via our CarterMatt Newsletter. (Photo: ABC.)