Cable Ratings: When Calls the Heart, Fear the Walking Dead, NOS4A2
It may have taken us a little bit of time to get here, but we are now at a point where we are starting to be a little bit more cable programming on the air. With that in mind, we’re here for the first of what are probably going to be many cable ratings articles throughout the summer.
Let’s start things off, though, by sharing the latest on When Calls the Heart. After all, Sunday night was the final episode for season 6, and we’re pleased to say that the series is going out on a high note for now. This episode ended up generating overall a 0.2 rating in the 18-49 demographic but then also to go along with that close to 2.4 million viewers. This puts the show averaging over 2.4 million for the entire season, which is actually an increase versus its season 5 average. That’s tremendous news for When Calls the Heart, as it shows that it may be one of the most devoted followings out of any show on television. These are people who are willing to watch it week in and week out, and these people have withstood quite a tough year for the show when you think about everything that has gone on behind the scenes. At least the cast and crew have stuck together through it all, and we know that When Calls the Heart is going to be back for another season at some point, most likely next year.
Did you catch our video take on the season 6 finale? If not, check that out below and remember to subscribe to CarterMatt on YouTube for more insight.
Meanwhile, over on AMC, we saw the Fear the Walking Dead season 5 premiere air. This is a show that has routinely lost viewers from one season to the next, and we have to say that ultimately, the results are the same this time around. Sunday’s premiere episode ended up generating a 0.6 rating in the demo, which is down substantially from last year’s premiere. Because of lead-ins and the like, though, the more important comparison for Fear the Walking Dead is the year-to-year average. Today, season 5 is down by more than 20% in the demo vs season 4, and that’s without even getting the normal episodes on the air. Typically, with a show like this, the premiere numbers are a little bit inflated. We’re not necessarily worried about the long-term future of Fear the Walking Dead, but clearly, this is not going to be anywhere near the same sort of hit that even The Walking Dead is anymore. Of course, we say that knowing full well that that show is not exactly blowing the roof off either.
Remember, you can read our full review for last night’s Fear the Walking Dead premiere over at this link.
Finally, let’s turn to the premiere of NOS4A2 on AMC last night following Fear the Walking Dead. The show managed to generate a 0.3 rating and just over 1 million viewers for the first episode. While this is a pretty big drop off from its lead-in, at the same time remember that this is a new show and there is probably a higher premium on watching via DVR. Nobody has the need to make this appointment viewing right now.
What did you watch in terms of Sunday’s primetime cable lineup? Be sure to share in the comments.