Ratings Report: Why ‘Criminal Minds’ will receive a season 13 renewal
In the press, this has been a tough season for “Criminal Minds.” There have been headlines aplenty regarding the exit of Thomas Gibson, there have been all sorts of changes in the cast, and the ratings are down as of right now 17% in adults 18-49 since season 11. Also, nobody seems to have any idea when the spin-off “Beyond Borders” is coming back despite being renewed for a second season last spring.
So what we’re trying to say here is that there is a ton of negativity; yet, at the same time there’s a lot to be optimistic about the show and its future, especially in terms of whether or not it will be back for a season 13 in the fall.
Let’s start with those demo ratings — while it may be down versus last season, it’s still averaging a 1.5 rating in the 18-49 demographic and over 7.5 million viewers. Those aren’t terrible numbers by any means. Plus, look at the current trend — the majority of the long-running crime procedurals are all trending down. In the age of streaming options and Peak TV, there are so many other options for people to watch that are out there. “Criminal Minds” is still the #3 drama series on CBS in the demo, and is only behind “NCIS” and “Bull,” which airs right after “NCIS” and has the benefit of its lead-in. “Criminal Minds” and “Survivor” have never been altogether simpatico when it comes to their content, and may not share all that much of an audience.
One of the other reasons to bring the show back is simply that it remains one of the most-popular series around the world. Procedurals are incredibly easy to market, and are the sort of show that can get viewership on another stratosphere than many comedies or serialized shows. Given that “Criminal Minds” comes from ABC Studios we’re not sure how much CBS benefits from syndication, but at the very least, it does indirectly given that this draws so many more viewers to live airings of the show.
Maybe if the ratings continue to drop at around 17% a year, there may be a cause for concern at around season 14. For the time being, though, there’s nothing to worry about unless the producers just wanted to end the show (unlikely) or CBS does something truly crazy. If they were to end it for whatever reason, we could easily see ABC wanting to scoop it up.
What do you think: Will “Criminal Minds” be renewed for another season? Share in the poll below! Meanwhile, head over here to get some more news right now when it comes to the show and what lies ahead. (Photo: CBS.)
radiomantx
March 24, 2017 @ 9:13 am
Dumbest thing CBS and ABC Studios EVER allowed to happen! That writer should get a grip and lose his ego! Still an OK show, but not NEARLY as good as it used to be. Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders is better! This Reed thing with Mexico and prison is a major distraction from the show. If that writer who got Thomas Gibson fired is responsible for THAT story line, they need to fire the writer and bring back Gibson FAST. VERY SAD!
Demetria White
February 12, 2017 @ 7:37 am
The writing is awful! I like Reid. I believe he needs a love interest. He needd a relationship with a woman who is smart lime him. I am tired of this situation with his mom. It is depressing. I cannot stand Damon. His voice is dreadful and he is boring. He brings no value to the show. Please cut him. I cannot take watching tbis show. I have been a loyal fan but they should have stopped after adding Adam. There is no action or drama or intensity. It is boring and predictable. They quickly need to make changes!
Leonard Yovnello
January 24, 2017 @ 11:54 pm
Rossi, Spencer, Penelope, JJ, and Emily are the current Face of CM. The newbies haven’t been able, as yet, to make any headway in getting CM back on its feet. When Morgan left, there was a really big whole created and that still remains. No one can replace Morgan’s personae. Then Hodges lost his place because of unexpected circumstances. Only he was not as a vital lapse, my opinion, as Morgan. Yes, Hodge was the leader of the pack, but if Morgan stayed, he could have been a more than respectable replacement for Hodges. Don’t get me wrong we still need Emilyin there with JJ. The newbies, Adam who I like, Aisha who is well qualified, and now Damon who I like but is not yet the leader We need, but could grow to be if he exerts more authority. Well, we still have the reruns with the old gang to watch.
Daniel Cummings
January 24, 2017 @ 9:21 pm
#CancelCriminalMinds
Amber Casings
January 24, 2017 @ 9:19 pm
I say cancel it. It’s plain awful without Hotch, no point in watching. The writing seems lazy these days and the episodes just aren’t as good as they used to be. Not worth another season.
John Trombley
January 24, 2017 @ 9:17 pm
PLEASE cancel the show. It has gotten so bad I literally can’t even watch it anymore without cringing. The only thing keeping me watching was the team dynamic but now that Hotch and Morgan are gone and all these useless newbies just keep coming that’s gone as well. The writing is absolutely horrible and the episodes have turned into into predictable bore-fests with mindless characters that aren’t even good together. Please, do everyone and cancel this now god for-saken show.
Austin Dickey
January 24, 2017 @ 5:11 pm
If they get rid of Reid, and JJ then the show is absolutely done. I have never particularly liked Reid, but I do have to admit that getting rid of him is “suicide” to the show. Rossi and JJ are the best and most interesting characters and they have families. Reid has never been with anyone longer than 1 episode, maeve doesn’t count because she only met Reid once, and his mom is dying and Dad is a deadbeat. Morgan was great, but on the show he left for his family, the actor left for both wanting to do something else for a change and problems with Thomas Gibson. Practically every actor that left CM has had issues with Gibson, so his firing is completely justified and he was always a wooden, emotionless unlikable guy, who would show emotion like 1 time a season. I do not like how they added the new black guy and Aisha Tyler, because they are not needed. Reid is the Brain, JJ is the hot female agent, Alves is the muscle, Garcia is Tech, Rossi is the seasoned leader, and Prentiss is the politician, No one else is needed. Aside from all the new people trying to drown out the loss of a sad excuse for an actor, I think CM is better off without Gibson
Lucy
February 14, 2017 @ 7:09 am
“The new black guy?” Are you talking about Mr. Gupton, kinda racist aren’t you? Although you claim to not like Mr. Gibson, it seems like he’s the only actor whose name you do know, you called everyone else by the character that they play (Reid, Garcia, JM) on CM. You seem to hate him, almost seems personal like he did something to you when really you don’t know anything about him at all other than what you read & what CM wants to publish to smear Mr. Gibson’s good name. It seems like disingenuous people like you take the misinformation & run w/it like it’s the Bible. You weren’t there but you chose to believe Mr. Williams instead of giving Mr. Gibson the benefit of the doubt. Shemar Moore is a nice guy but unprofessional, consistently coming to work late, leaving other actors, crew & the producers waiting for hours. Mr. Gibson pushed a producer after he was put in a stunt that almost got him & other cast/crew severely hurt. This incident is blown out of proportion. Anyway, continue to watch when you still can. This show will be cancelled soon.
Lucy
January 24, 2017 @ 4:35 am
You have a large number of people not watching, those that are watching are losing interest, the added bad publicity, bad writing, & most of the veteran actors that have made this show great leaving, the fans are left w/a show that use to be. It’s a spin off of CM not CM. ABC studios are the ones to blame, and they’re not going to “scoop it up” as stated in this article. They know they made a huge mistake.
Phoenix Rising
January 23, 2017 @ 10:32 pm
You’re seemingly ‘only’ going by ratings. When in fact there’s the profitability aspect to take into consideration. CM is not solely owned by CBS and last year it took deep cuts in licensing fees by co-owner studio ABC in order to get renewal.
Add into the mix that Adage in an article stated that for CM to just break even with advertising they needed a 1.71 Demo average. CM is doing around a 1.5 in demo average. Also all the negativity surrounding the show on Social Media has got to be making an impact. And that negativity isn’t about which cast members have left by more and more how horrible the writing, acting and episodes themselves are done. Once they loose general viewers those viewers don’t come back.