ABC’s ‘Castle’ season 5 hits a new series low; why?

While “Castle” may have handed us a lovely Christmas gift on Monday night with their new episode “Secret Santa,” it really feels like in turn all we got for our trouble was a lump of coal when it comes to the ratings. Why? Let’s just say that this particular installment suffered from a classic case of “no lead-in, plenty of trouble.”

For the entirety of the season so far, “Castle” has been helped as per usual by a new episode of “Dancing with the Stars” coming on before it; however, this was the first week when this was not the case, as the ballroom competition is done now until March. When “Castle” returns next year, it will have the luxury of coming on after something in “The Bachelor” that at least has some sort of tangible audience.

What was the show paired with this time? A special episode of “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” that served as a valuable reminder that the show was canceled for a reason. The ratings here barely registered, and they sagged “Castle” down to its lowest rating ever in a 1.7 in the 18-49 demographic.

As sad as this may feel for fans of Rick and Kate, there is no reason to fret just yet. After all, “Castle” is still one of the network’s most consistent performers, and it does a good job of hugging a 2.0 rating when paired with something that draws a halfway-decent audience. Plus, the show is already in syndication, and that deal helps from a money standpoint at least until next season.

Are you bummed that the “Castle” ratings were down last night, and are you really just blaming the lack of a lead-in for it? Be sure to share some of your thoughts below, and you can read our full review of “Secret Santa” over here.

Photo: ABC