Outlander season 3 episode 2 ratings slip slightly, still sets another series record
For those who were expecting the show to set another record with Sunday’s “Surrender,” which drew just a sliver over 1.4 million live+same-day viewers on Starz. This is down from the 1.49 million who watched the season 4 premiere “The Battle Joined,” even though there was less of an Irma factor out there causing viewers to miss it. There was, however, some other competition that may have hurt the episode — we wrote before the episode that the Emmys may have been a factor since most people who want to watch an awards show will do so live and DVR / watch On-Demand some of their other favorites. There of course was also NFL programming and a few other things on the air Sunday, but this stuff will be there for the vast majority of the season. Best to not focus on it.
Now that we’ve gotten the “bad” news out of the way, who is ready to actually do a little bit of celebration? Outlander season 3 episode 2 is up by a good 160,000+ live viewers versus the second episode of season 2 (which had 1.24 million). This is also the largest audience for a non-premiere or finale episode ever. The previous record holder was the aforementioned season 2 episode 2, so it’s got that record now by a fairly wide margin.
Is it a bummer that the show lost some live viewers on the premiere? Sure, but given most viewing patterns it was probably wrong to heavily expect that to happen in the first place. The big news is that the show is still doing something that it’s never done before, and given that the Emmys are now over, there is a chance that Outlander season 3 episode 3 could shatter this record on Sunday night. We don’t want to set any specific expectation for it, but we do hope that everyone continues to watch the show live. These numbers may not matter as much to Starz’s bottom line as the total number of subscribers that they receive for the show, but they are valuable as a way of immediately measuring the show’s impact on pop-culture. Also, they matter if we want to see a season 5 renewal on Starz sooner rather than later. Positive ratings can help put a little more good pressure on the executives.
One quick reminder
These ratings do not account for repeat airings on Starz, or a number of multiplatform streams via the app or On-Demand. We’ll hopefully be able to factor some of those numbers into the equation a little bit down the road.
What do you make of the latest Outlander season 3 episode 2 ratings?
Be sure to share in the comments! Meanwhile, head over to the link here in the event you do want to get some additional news when it comes to what’s coming up next on Outlander season 3. (Photo: Starz.)
distachio
September 23, 2017 @ 6:31 pm
“Also, they matter if we want to see a season 5 renewal on Starz sooner rather than later. Positive ratings can help put a little more good pressure on the executives.”
If you don’t make your money by selling advertising (which STARZ doesn’t), but you do make it by selling apps and subscriptions and stream your shows EARLY (which STARZ does), then you don’t give a rat’s patoot about ratings other than how they fit into the overall picture. STARZ knows and is monitoring what people are watching on their app, and on Amazon in addition to traditional viewing. Bottom line: Is Outlander making a profit? The answer is yes.
Anna Åhlin
September 21, 2017 @ 10:46 am
Do they register only US viewer? In Europe (Scandinavia) we watch the new episode on monday due to an agreement that says we have to wait 10 hours after the US airing.
Karel Ann Holder
September 21, 2017 @ 3:00 am
If you count the tears of the audience that would definitely set a record. Every time I even think of Fergus after his hand was severed when he said to Jamie “there you are mi lord” it calls for tissues
Krystal Watson
September 21, 2017 @ 12:36 am
Just wait till the print shop episode. Viewers will probably break the internet!! Love the books and the show. Such a strong season. Sundays do not get here fast enough. Keep up the good work!!
Phyllis Genest
September 20, 2017 @ 8:18 pm
What did they expect when they moved it to Sunday night?
distachio
September 23, 2017 @ 7:42 pm
The ratings are still much higher than last year’s, even if they slipped a little, which is absolultely normal for the second episode of a season, no matter what night it’s on. What article did you read?
anna07
September 20, 2017 @ 2:44 am
I’m really surprised there are that many viewers, the show is terrible. The two main characters need acting classes, talk about overacting. Why anyone would want to watch a wimpy Jamie being led around by his shrew of a wife who acts like his mommy is beyond me.
Judith McParland
September 20, 2017 @ 11:55 am
Do you have a channel button on your remote? If so, change it. No one is forcing you to watch Outlander. Perhaps the problem is you do not have the capacity to understand what the theme of the series is. And if you think the two main characters require acting lessons, I would love to know your opinion of who is a good actor.
Randi Blount
September 20, 2017 @ 1:38 pm
Curious, in your opinion, what IS a good show?
Phyllis Bertomeu Priddy
September 21, 2017 @ 7:17 pm
I don’t like porn, so don’t watch it. Shut the television off.
distachio
September 23, 2017 @ 7:44 pm
That comment right there is bait, peeps. Don’t bite.
Sherry Riley
September 20, 2017 @ 1:44 am
Though I am hoping the numbers encourage Starz to renew Outlander for season five, to those of us who are intensely incorporated into season three, we are not worried. The first two episodes are just the tip of a season that will be the best to date! It is also the hardest to endure since this is the longest that Jamie and Claire are apart for the duration of the series! It is painful to watch and all one can do is pray that episode six gets here soon.
Congrats to Sam, Caitriona, Tobias, and everyone who is making this an epic season! Continued success on your Voyage! Slainte mhath!!
mable
September 19, 2017 @ 9:38 pm
Starz is really pushing the app. Curious what those numbers are. Season is great so far!
Becky
September 19, 2017 @ 7:57 pm
Woohoo! Well done Outlander and all the fans watching it.
In my opinion this is one of the most underrated TV series at the moment. Personally I enjoy this show more than Game of Thrones..
Also thank you again for a swift and comprehensive cover cartematt.. I really enjoy you covering this. It just professional but also feels personal and enthusiastic. Keep it up !
Have a nice evening all