Ratings Bubble Report: Should ‘The Librarians’ score a season 4 renewal?
Tonight on TNT, you are going to get a chance to see the end of the road for “The Librarians” for the time being. This is a show that is a great deal of fun for everyone who gets a chance to check it out. It’s imaginative, thought-provoking at times, and refreshingly different from everything else that is out there.
Unfortunately, this is also a show facing a rather uncertain future as we look towards the next couple of years. After all, there is no word just yet as to whether or not we’re going to get a fourth season.
Should it? We feel fairly confident that the answer here is “yes,” with the biggest argument in that direction being a great deal of ratings consistency in spite of the fact that this series receives a fairly minuscule amount of press. Unless you are a regular viewer of this show or TNT, there is a reasonably good chance that you would have no idea that it was on the air; yet, it still managed to average a 0.5 rating in the 18-49 demographic, and drop only around 10% versus its second season on the air. Our general rule for ratings in 2017 is that if you can avoid dropping by more than 15% year-to-year, you’ve got a pretty loyal following and should not be immediately concerned with the future. We’ll see if the folks over at the network end up feeling the same way.
We do know already that there is a precedent for the network renewing shows with smaller figures, given that Michelle Dockery’s new series “Good Behavior” was recently granted a second season after averaging around a 0.2 rating. The ratings for “The Librarians” also surpass those of “Animal Kingdom,” which was renewed this past summer after averaging a 0.4 in its first season on the air.
Ratings-wise, the case to bring the show back is clear. We’d argue that the show speaks for itself in terms of quality, and with a premise this creative, you are granting yourself a wide array of opportunities to do fun and interesting things as you move into the future. (Of course, we’re writing this before the finale airs, but we’re assuming that there are some more options out there for what the show can do next.)
Our biggest argument with a show like “The Librarians” is that if you can pull these sort of numbers without much promotion, can you imagine what it would be like with that little bump? If nothing else, this is a show that can stand on its own two feet, and air during odd parts of the year and be just fine. While a renewal may not be a lock per se (TNT does have a tendency to be somewhat unpredictable), we’re feeling fairly good about the future nonetheless.
Do you think that “The Librarians” should be renewed for another season? Vote in the poll below! (Photo: TNT.)
Linda Irving
January 24, 2017 @ 4:58 pm
We have confirmation of S3 for Supernatural, all I want now is The Librarians & Frequency renewed
Jorge Avila
January 23, 2017 @ 10:42 pm
Honestly, I do appreciate the fact that each season, they wrap up their arcs as if it were the the last season they were getting. Meaning that with each season finale, they are able to wrap up just enough things for it to be a satisfying series finale if need be. But there are also just enough things left unexplored that you could see where they go.
Neane
January 23, 2017 @ 9:18 am
Such an awesome and entertaining show, of course it should have another season (or more than 1 more). I watch very little TV as nothing out there’s too interesting atm but this series hooked me (and my family) from the start.
Jorge Avila
January 23, 2017 @ 10:43 pm
I initially binge watched the first two seasons and that’s also another way of watching them.
mason williams
January 23, 2017 @ 7:14 am
Yes, it’s pretty much the only show i watch on tnt
Jorge Avila
January 23, 2017 @ 11:02 pm
Aren’t all TNT shows short episode orders?
Mary Boatright
January 22, 2017 @ 11:31 pm
I too feel they deserve more episodes per season and also why can’t the episodes be split out such as other shows do? I think this show deserves more from the network based on it’s following and the numbers it receives as opposed to the other shows mentioned above. This is the one show I can watch with my granddaughter and not worry about the content. I can’t do that with any of the other shows they air. While they may be good shows, they are all geared towards one demographic. I am not in this group, but I have a vast appreciation of all types regardless of my age. The other shows are becoming the norm for a lot of TV stations in today’s market. This is why The Librarians is such a jewel… it does not conform to the masses and they have not forgotten that there is more than one group of viewers to appeal to. While some of the shows are bordering on too silly from an adult’s standpoint, the one thing to remember is it isn’t for the younger viewers. For them it’s magic and fun and renews their need to use their imaginations more. Which means that we could be watching the future L. Frank Baums, Lewis Carrolls and Beatrix Potters out there as they expand their minds and dare to say “What if…” I encourage a show that can make my granddaughter believe in herself and that there is still some good in this world after everything. So to TNT I say, step wisely in making the decision to renew or cancel this show. OK off my soapbox now. And if you disagree with me, I totally understand that, but it won’t change my opinion of this wonderfully silly, but magical show.
Jorge Avila
January 23, 2017 @ 10:53 pm
I think this is the type of show were 10-16 episodes are the best course of action. Less episodes means, the story is less filler as some shows with full orders like 18-24 episodes tend to have. Also, it seems that 10 episodes works for Rebecca(Baird) is a mom and she takes turns with her husband(played a young Dulac in season 1) as to who will be working full time.
Kris Baldwin
January 22, 2017 @ 10:58 pm
Not just a fourth season, but a FULL season to boot. Not just 10 eps. We want the whole kit and kaboodle!! They have SO much more to do!!
wanda
January 22, 2017 @ 11:12 pm
I so agree. Ten episodes is nothing in a year.
Jorge Avila
January 23, 2017 @ 11:02 pm
I like the 10 format cause it means less fillers and that there’s no conflicts for the other authors. If it was full season type of show, then we might not have as much Flynn, Baird, or any of the other regulars.