‘Hell on Wheels’: Season 4 chances boosted by finale ratings
Before we start to sit around and eagerly await word on a possible “Hell on Wheels” season 4, there is one other key piece of information to address: What sort of ratings the show ended up drawing for its season 3 finale on Saturday.
Thanks to the unusual day in which the show airs, we have to wait a little bit longer for the figures to come in. However, The Futon Critic now claims that a grand total of almost 2.5 million viewers watched the finale, and this also included a 0.5 rating in the 18-49 demographic. Let’s compare this to the season 1 finale for “Low Winter Sun,” which drew just over 600,000 viewers and also a series-low .15 in the demo. While the latter series may have faced a ton of competition, Saturday is infamous for being the night where all TV goes to die. So to see any show find a way to succeed in this time? Well, we certainly value that and consider it a reason to cheer on Cullen Bohannon and company.
While these ratings are not enormous or record-shattering, they are in our mind worthy for a renewal. Also consider this: AMC touted “Mad Men’s” season 6 finale as the biggest in its history, and it only drew 200,000 more viewers … and it didn’t have to sit on a Saturday-night schedule. “Hell on Wheels” proved itself this summer and fall to be a show that can survive no matter the circumstances, and with so many of their other original franchises dying, there is no reason in our mind for the network to send this show packing.
Do you think the ratings for this particular episode help the show’s odds; or, do you imagine that the show was already well on its way to a renewal in the first place? We’ve touched on all of the reasons why the show should be back at the link here, just in case you haven’t seen it already.
Photo: AMC
shell
November 9, 2013 @ 2:48 am
I think this show is great and a must see! Please make season 4 as I can’t wait to see what happens to Cullen in the next series. Thanks
kanedog337
November 5, 2013 @ 7:31 pm
I love this show. Please renew it. I just finished season 2 and will start on season 3 this weekend. I can’t imagine this show ending so soon. Keep it going.
dlr1957
October 26, 2013 @ 2:03 am
My fav show. But did anyone else think it was out of character for Cullen to sleep with a young innocent girl he doesn’t even know?
Jason
October 15, 2013 @ 8:00 pm
Can’t leave me hanging like this. Not with Cullen stuck with Mormons.
Sonja
October 15, 2013 @ 4:48 pm
This show could be equal with Walking Dead, if they got some good writers, like they had in the first two seasons.
Sonja
October 15, 2013 @ 4:45 pm
Great show. Should be renewed.
Andy Church
October 15, 2013 @ 1:58 am
As though there should be any question that a fourth season should be a done deal. Come on and announce AMC! This show made my wife and I put Breaking Bad on the back burner, and we’re Albuquerque natives. That says it all in my mind. Spectacular show!!
Bluedakota
October 14, 2013 @ 2:17 am
Definitely renew it. I love this show!
A Big Fan
October 13, 2013 @ 7:19 pm
Renew the series! The best show on TV. It has it all. Superb acting, interesting characters, great story lines, wonderful historical accuracy especially with the set and clothing. It takes hold of you and you are hooked. I have watched this show religiously since it’s start. My only complaint is having to wait soooo long for its next season to start up.
Kim Emory
October 13, 2013 @ 3:41 pm
My husband & I started watching it on Sat. morning & become hooked. We made sure to see it on Sat.evening. Surprised to see it end & disappointed .Need to to catch up & watch season 1 & 2.
We hope seaon 4 is a longer series.
Lisa Ruper
October 12, 2013 @ 8:27 pm
Not renewing this would be a shame and just plain stupid. Not only should they renew it but make the season longer. Seems like I wait forever for a show to return and then before you know it the finale is upon us. That sucks. Please bring back my fave man on tv AM.
Diana
October 12, 2013 @ 6:44 am
I didn’t find this show until this year. Had to Netflix season one and two. Watched season three and I’m crazy about it. Please renew. I tell people about it and some start watching it. This show doesn’t get any advertisement that I have seen. It is a hit and the public knows nothing about it.
Pat Thompson Gosnell
October 12, 2013 @ 6:23 am
I’m so happy that there is a very good chance that HoW, will have a Season 4 !!! I loved the season finale and it left too many things undone and unanswered… I’m so addicted to the show now and to Cullen, that I just have to see more ! The show has great actors…. It’s never boring, always exciting… I’m keeping my fingers crossed ~ Good Luck you guys and gals :)
Mary Ballard
October 12, 2013 @ 1:07 am
I got hooked on HOW at the beginning of this season, so I went back and watched seasons 1 and 2 on Netflix. As season 3 went on, I felt that the first two seasons were better and realized that Joe and Tony Gayton were the primary writers for those seasons. Season three was good, but it lacked the “soul” that the Gayton brothers gave it. The storylines were tighter and character development stronger. Also, it seemed like this season the writers struggled to find a female equal to Cullen Bohannon. Chipping away the female element of any show leaves it less than it could be. Women shape men’s lives more than their male counterparts and create the drama men so love to hate!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
JackieB
October 11, 2013 @ 3:11 pm
This needs to come back for another season – we need to see all of the irons left in the fire resolved. Fascinating show with a wonderful cast.
JustAGirl
October 12, 2013 @ 9:41 am
The main “writer” John Wirth is notorious for mind-boggling cliff-hangers that are NEVER renewed. He is like the kiss of death to a series.
$19596297
October 11, 2013 @ 8:56 am
One of the best shows on TV as far as I’m concerned, and that conclusion was drawn even while Breaking Bad was still on.
I sincerely hope AMC renews the show for another, more well funded season. The concept has been proven; the model works!
Side note: AMC, please don’t screw with the model to milk the show like you did with the 2nd season of The Walking Dead..
Southern Pride
October 10, 2013 @ 6:52 pm
Very engaging series and personally believe each season is better as the storyline finds its way. Cullen and Elam as the dynamic duo is an easy hook. A western with a credible, historical narrative plus the great scenery and cast is always worth watching. Anson Mount is the new Sam Elliot ?? Ha!
rlghtrnsplnt
October 10, 2013 @ 3:39 am
Saw Anton Mount recently on a talk show and he is so handsome I had to DVR the entire 3rd season and watched it all at once. I agree the final episode left a lot to be desired but was very impressed with the show as a whole. I hope it does get renewed as it is a great show.
buddynoel
October 10, 2013 @ 2:18 am
Pretty much a no-brainer to renew, but I also think AMC needs to look at the writing team and consider some new blood. The final episode failed to finish any plot line and dropped to a snail’s pace, not worthy of past seasons. I can’t think of one sub-plot that was handled well. Should AMC decide not to renew the show, i would suggest fans that buy the DVD set, throw the last episode disc away so they can be assured they will enjoy the show.
JustAGirl
October 12, 2013 @ 9:36 am
I think I love you. You stated that point so explicitly well. I am discounting the entire last episode as it appears to have been written by a pedophillic crack addict. I think Common is gone. He has a new album and tour in the new year. Without him, though, the show will go the way of the dinosaur. If the same writers’ craft season 4 as did the final episode, those ratings will make Low Winter Sun look admirable.
Kim
October 19, 2013 @ 10:36 am
It won’t be good for Elam to leave the show as his relationship with Cullen has been interesting and not overdone, but to say his leaving will end the show, I think you’re missing the star of the show here and that is Anson Mount, the classic western hero. Also, don’t assume Common is gone because of a tour, I wouldn’t leave the honey pot if I was him and he strikes me as being a smart guy. As for the silly storyline that ended the season, the writers will dispense with that quickly enough. It did feel a little Alice In Wonderland.
RockDad Rice
October 9, 2013 @ 9:29 pm
Renew it, good show.