How has Law & Order: SVU established such ratings consistency?

There are many things to marvel about when it comes to Law & Order: SVU at the moment, but the show’s ratings consistency have to be pretty near the top of the list. Tonight’s season is actually up slightly versus season 18 in total viewers and there’s another interesting thing that we’ve learned — three out of the past five years the NBC show has actually improved its total-viewer average year to year. Last year was one of the two exceptions, but for a show to grow its audience even one year is impressive in this modern era of television.

So how is SVU really able to do that and effectively succeed where some other shows have failed? We think that it is a combination of three different components mixed together.

1. Streaming / syndication – There are so many ways out there at the moment to watch SVU that the show, effectively, finds a way to cultivate new viewers year in and year out. This is the sort of ubiquitous series that it does its own marketing. One way or another, you have to assume that viewers have heard of the series. Maybe they heard about it from a friend or family member; regardless, they are finding a way to flock to it; once they start to watch it’s hard to stop, and many of these viewers are coming over eventually to broadcast. Maybe they watched two seasons and decided to check out the modern version; or, maybe they’ve now completely the Herculean task of watching the whole thing.

2. Relevance – It’s sobering in some ways that almost twenty years into this series, America still doesn’t have a better handle on how to stop sexual assaults. As a matter of fact, the subject is more prevalent than ever. This does enable SVU to touch on very timely topics, especially within the Me Too movement. (The series really hasn’t even gotten to the point in season 19 where it can address that.)

3. Stability – Mariska Hargitay has to be credited as one of the biggest reasons for the show’s onscreen success. While we know that it takes a village to make this or any show a success, it’s hard to imagine at this point that there would be an SVU without Olivia Benson. She’s the hero, the conduit into this show, and the fictional character we count on. Viewers want to watch at this point knowing that she is there.

What do you think about the latest Law & Order: SVU season 19 ratings gain? Be sure to share right now in the comments.

(Photo: NBC.)