Ratings

[gillybee]

According to the masked scheduler we hit 1.3 not good not good at all.:(:(:(

[jophan]

March Madness. I bet the DVR numbers go up.

[bloodwrath]

Jesus that's even worse than I thought. You can blame DST or Basketball but it doesn't help Fringe renewal hopes. I certainly wouldn't blame Fox if they canceled it.



1.5 rating this season could go down to 1.2 or even worse next season (like with Dollhouse, oh and I'm not comparing those two shows!).

[capri]

1.3 was expected DST+ good East Coast weather + College Basketball = bad ratings

Doesn't mean it's an excuse (or that FOX will care) .. just saying that realistically we all know it would hit lows

[bloodwrath]

1.3 was expected DST+ good East Coast weather +
College Basketball = bad ratings



Hopefully Fox took that into consideration (if it's not too late already). It's really painful to watch our beloved show going into CW territory ratings.

[gillybee]

Full numbers

9:00
CBS 2011 NCAA BASKETBALL 1.8 6 5.517
ABC PRIMETIME: What Would You Do? 1.4 5 4.786
FOX FRINGE 1.4 5 3.908
NBC Dateline: NBC 1.2 4 5.971
CW SUPERNATURAL – R 0.5 2 1.345

9:30
ABC PRIMETIME: What Would You Do? 1.6 5 5.218
NBC Dateline: NBC 1.4 5 6.990
CBS 2011 NCAA BASKETBALL 1.4 5 4.058
FOX FRINGE 1.3 4 3.694
CW SUPERNATURAL – R 0.5 2 1.302

I think someone needs to slip Kevin Reilly a drop of William Bell's special tea at the next board meeting.

[megablue]

this episode wasn't as interesting as i was expected... perhaps, they're saving the ideas for later episodes.

[vesh1717]

I still think it was because of the whole Bell into Olivia thing that did this to the ratings, but that's just me. Although the EP was actually good last night, the premise was laughable.

I think we are in big big trouble.. this is so sad. I really wanted a season 4. Maybe they will make a movie to tie up loose ends like Firefly did.. is that possible do you think?

[capri]

I think someone needs to slip Kevin Reilly a drop of William Bell's special tea at the next board meeting.

Or a hit off Walter's bong ;)


this episode wasn't as interesting as i was expected... perhaps, they're saving the ideas for later episodes.

They only have like 5 more episodes and supposedly a mountain of a story to tell ... they should have moved along quicker without those Olivia gets possessed gimmicks (IMHO always)

[CazzX]

They only have like 5 more episodes and supposedly a mountain of a story to tell ... they should have moved along quicker without those Olivia gets possessed gimmicks (IMHO always)
That's ture.
I fear Fringe has just changed too much in the course of Season 3.

[Stukov]

As someone else said, it is pretty understandable considering NCAA basketball tournament is on. Alot of the 19-49 age group is going to watch the basketball games live then DVR Fringe.

As someone also said, it was the first weekend of DST with a nice night outside for most of the US. It is just a compounding problem. In my opinion Fox made a mistake with such a long break of this season, we should have been on our series finale by the time DST begins - especially with a Friday show.

[RETLAW]

Or a hit off Walter's bong ;)



They only have like 5 more episodes and supposedly a mountain of a story to tell ... they should have moved along quicker without those Olivia gets possessed gimmicks (IMHO always)
I agree.

That's ture.
I fear Fringe has just changed too much in the course of Season 3.
I agree.

We started off with a couple surprising 1.9s then meandered in the 1.5s, and now we're down to a 1.3.

And as Capri said we only have 5 episodes to cover a lot of ground. Plus there will be some time off before we even get to that which may not help.

I really wish they handled the middle of this season better with the pacing and content. To me, it was the most "meh" stretch of Fringe we've had thus far.

[RETLAW]

As someone else said, it is pretty understandable considering NCAA basketball tournament is on. Alot of the 19-49 age group is going to watch the basketball games live then DVR Fringe.

As someone also said, it was the first weekend of DST with a nice night outside for most of the US. It is just a compounding problem. In my opinion Fox made a mistake with such a long break of this season, we should have been on our series finale by the time DST begins - especially with a Friday show.

The series finale is supposedly May 6th (with 5 eps to go).

Some questioned Fox running episodes of Fringe in March at all (most shows are on re-runs to get into April/May). Why go against March Madness when you don't have to?

[BadInfluence]

We started off with a couple surprising 1.9s then meandered in the 1.5s, and now we're down to a 1.3.

And as Capri said we only have 5 episodes to cover a lot of ground. Plus there will be some time off before we even get to that which may not help.

I really wish they handled the middle of this season better with the pacing and content. To me, it was the most "meh" stretch of Fringe we've had thus far.

This last stretch is what has me concerned for Fringe. When Fringe goes on a break I haven't seen anything lately that would be a huge draw for viewers to return. Most likely with all the "meh" storylines I see many just saying, "meh I'll see what else is on".

Looking back perhaps those monster of the week episodes could have been utilized better to further expand the show. Not the greatest idea to act as if you have 30 more episodes when you're only down to 5.

[RoughDiamonds]

Is it because for better or worse, FOX has made up their mind about Fringe and other shows. I'm thinking they are strategizing for fall schedule. That's why they've been silent on HT, CC, LTM as well?

For once, I'm not taking the rating as bad news...at least not for March. Am I crazy? Perhaps.

ETA: I hate seeing my grammar errors or typos when other folks "quote" me...UGH. Proofreading not a strong skill of mine. Obviously.

[RETLAW]

Is it because for better or worse, FOX has made up their mind about Fringe and other shows. I'm thinking they are strategize for fall schedule. That's why they've been silent on HT, CC, LTM as well?

For once, I'm not taking the rating as bad news...at least not for March. Am I crazy? Perhaps.


Well, basically there's only one slot left for the big anticipated Fox Fall 2011, so yes, they are definitely considering the fall schedule in regards to which show they renew. It's a big factor.

Either Fringe (steadily declining ratings), Lie To Me (which Fox produces), or Chicago Code (which has been holding steady lately) will get that slot (I would say HT is the long shot).

Given the circumstances they might not announce anything until the Upfronts in May, right before they announce the schedule.

[Joe Curwen]

Hat tip to Vesh for calling the ratings ahead of time. :tiphat:

I thought for sure that they would go up a little this week. Oh well.

I think I saw that total viewers did go up this week by a couple of tenths, for whatever that's worth.

I was surprised that the show got clobbered by not just one but two newsmagazine shows. However, I'm pretty sure that the basketball ratings are going to be adjusted downwards so that Fringe will finish number 3 on the night when the final numbers come in.

--
Joe

[Six-fingered Girl]

I know the big, big thing FOX has coming down the pipeline is Terra Nova. With that an X-Factor, I realize they have plenty to fill their schedule with this fall.

But then my hopeful little heart hears about news like Terra Nova's continued delays and budget overruns (this time because of them wanting the CGI to be perfect), and I wonder if FOX shouldn't have something around to pick up the slack if this behemoth fails. It sounds like I'm wishing failure on it, but it is sounding more and more like a risky venture that could be very out of place on TV. If they can't get the special effects right with months to work on it, what's it going to look like when their production schedule is *weeks* long?

I suppose from FOX's standpoint, the best thing to provisionally renew as a stopgap would be LtM, given that it's produced in-house. Sad days. :(

[vesh1717]

So does anyone think a movie is possible in a few years..? Cause this is so annoying that it is going to finish without an ending.

[Omniscient_Jay]

So does anyone think a movie is possible in a few years..? Cause this is so annoying that it is going to finish without an ending.

I suppose, although there are so many factors that would be involved that it would be impossible to affirm at this point.

I am at peace whether Fringe is renewed or not, since I have no influence on its fate (not being a Nielsen viewer and et cetera). In the event that it is canceled, though, I guess a movie would be nice.

But if there is no true ending to the franchise, then I hope that the producers will at least divulge what their plans would have been for the rest of the series.

For now, I have no choice but to continue watching. :observer:

[Roxiestar74]

I wish people wouldn't talk about the show like it has already been canceled. We don't know for sure yet that it has been, right? Maybe I'm being delusional but I'm still trying to have hope that it won't be canceled, which is hard to do when people are making it sound like the nail is already in the coffin. That is how I feel, but feel free to disagree.

[Omniscient_Jay]

I wish people wouldn't talk about the show like it has already been canceled. We don't know for sure yet that it has been, right? Maybe I'm being delusional but I'm still trying to have hope that it won't be canceled, which is hard to do when people are making it sound like the nail is already in the coffin. That is how I feel, but feel free to disagree.

Why should another's convictions have any bearing on your own?

If your hopes are so frail that they are shattered at the slightest opposition, then perhaps it would have been best not to have had any hope to begin with, as a hope that is not strong and unflinching is no hope at all.

Anyway...

If the decision pertaining to Fringe's renewal or cancellation has not been made yet, then I imagine that it will soon be. I would enjoy nothing more than news of renewal, but I recognize that things are precarious at the moment. They're probably filming the finale around now, so if it is canceled, then we'll get what we get. And in a way, it's better that way, as we won't get a contrived, rushed plot resolution, and I would take an incomplete, cliffhanger ending than one of those any day.

[Roxiestar74]

Why should another's convictions have any bearing on your own?

If your hopes are so frail that they are shattered at the slightest opposition, then perhaps it would have been best not to have had any hope to begin with, as a hope that is not strong and unflinching is no hope at all.

Anyway...

If the decision pertaining to Fringe's renewal or cancellation has not been made yet, then I imagine that it will soon be. I would enjoy nothing more than news of renewal, but I recognize that things are precarious at the moment. They're probably filming the finale around now, so if it is canceled, then we'll get what we get. And in a way, it's better that way, as we won't get a contrived, rushed plot resolution, and I would take an incomplete, cliffhanger ending than one of those any day.

I said that I am trying to have hope, trying would be the operative word, I didn't say that I was entirely hopeful, so yes it is a fragile kind of hope. I just think it would be nice to see some more optimism on here about the show's future, that's all I was saying. Maybe it's not realistic to be optimistic, but I feel as if some positive thinking couldn't hurt.

I don't want the show to end on a cliffhanger, and would rather have a half season of season 4 that allows for some resolution, if we can't get a whole season. Obviously a whole season would be the ideal.

[RoughDiamonds]

The only reason I find it disheartening when there is talk about cancellation is because for the some viewers, the probably of cancellation is enough to make them stop watching a show or refrain from trying one.

There are some of us who have been trying to get people to give Fringe a try and for the most part, when they do, they fully commit and try to catch up but if week after week they hear the same message of cancellation, it does not help to their keep interest alive. Also, negative news may also cause us to lose the current base we have? But I do not know whether ratings matter much at this point. I choose to support Fringe until the end and keep sending messages to folks to keep watching.

My take is that FOX has decided. They have just not communicated their decision yet.

I am realistic. I know the numbers are not in our favor. I am hoping that FOX will at least allow the show to conclude in a meaningful way...even if it means giving it a shortened season next year.

[capri]

The unofficial rumor is that Fox has committed to letting the cast know if they got a job for next year by the end of March so ... there might not be a public (official) announcement but my guess is we will hear something either way from somebody.

Beyond that quit worrying about ratings. Show's done what it can do, the story is down, there is nothing they can change anymore. So enjoy the episodes.If we get a new season, great. If not at least enjoy those 5 remaining episodes without the angst over renewal.

[Omniscient_Jay]

I said that I am trying to have hope, trying would be the operative word, I didn't say that I was entirely hopeful, so yes it is a fragile kind of hope. I just think it would be nice to see some more optimism on here about the show's future, that's all I was saying. Maybe it's not realistic to be optimistic, but I feel as if some positive thinking couldn't hurt.

I don't want the show to end on a cliffhanger, and would rather have a half season of season 4 that allows for some resolution, if we can't get a whole season. Obviously a whole season would be the ideal.

Well, those who care to think positively can and will, and those who care not to can and will, and that will be that. Ratings-wise, optimism does not lend itself well to the projected fate of the show, but things are not set in stone yet, so optimism still has its place. I cannot speak for the rest, but I will take whatever Fringe comes my way, whether it be the last five or so episodes of S3 or the many seasons worth possibly to come.:D

I guess the hierarchy of what would be best for the show would be something along the following:

Rushed, contrived S3 ending < Canceled, intended S3 ending < Partial S4 to wrap things up < Full S4 order of ~20 episodes < Full series contract (i.e. Seasons 5 and beyond are secured).

The first one is unlikely, as the producers have stated that they are writing without taking a possible cancellation into account. As for the rest, I could live with any of them (though I would be more pleased the more Fringe we are fortunate to get, of course).

[JustThinking]

I will say again- it may help to rewatch on the Fox Fringe web site- that has commercial revenue for Fox.

[Killermolls]

Change is good though! I like how it's going (kind of wish we could find out about the machine already) but for the most part it's leaving us on the edge of our seats (or couches whatever you prefer!).
I found this last episode interesting, wish there was less fringe science involved, more answers. But given that they want to leave every episode as a cliff hanger, it can rebound well eventually!

[Eamonn]

Well, those who care to think positively can and will, and those who care not to can and will, and that will be that. Ratings-wise, optimism does not lend itself well to the projected fate of the show, but things are not set in stone yet, so optimism still has its place. I cannot speak for the rest, but I will take whatever Fringe comes my way, whether it be the last five or so episodes of S3 or the many seasons worth possibly to come.:D

I guess the hierarchy of what would be best for the show would be something along the following:

Rushed, contrived S3 ending < Canceled, intended S3 ending < Partial S4 to wrap things up < Full S4 order of ~20 episodes < Full series contract (i.e. Seasons 5 and beyond are secured).

The first one is unlikely, as the producers have stated that they are writing without taking a possible cancellation into account. As for the rest, I could live with any of them (though I would be more pleased the more Fringe we are fortunate to get, of course).

Pretty sure FOX told the producers/writers to act as if Season 4 would be the last season and that if the show was cancelled after season 3, there would be a huge cliffhanger :(.

[cal_guy]

I found this tibit interesting


Drat: Fox’s Fringe fell to its lowest rating ever Friday night. The drama dropped 13% to 3.8 million viewers and a 1.3 rating in the adult demo.

Anybody watching broadcast ratings this week wouldn’t be entirely surprised by the drop, however. Since the start of Daylight Savings Time, ratings have been falling all week (more daylight in the early evening tends to result in fewer people watching TV). The competitive field was slightly different last night too, with CBS running college basketball, but its rating was on par with what the network typically pulls in the hour.

Still…All-time lows in the run-up to the May upfronts is never news a drama series wants to get, particularly a bubble show on Friday nights. Fox wants to bring Fringe back and has been leaning toward a pickup, but nights like this do not help.

This was what written on a certain spoiler website that attributed James Hibberd the television editor of EW.

However this is what is now written


...All-time lows in the run-up to the May upfronts is never news a drama series wants to get, particularly a bubble show on Friday nights. The good news is that Fox is hoping to bring Fringe back and this is still better than how the network was doing on Fridays in the fall.

http://insidetv.ew.com/2011/03/19/fringe-ratings-low/

I inclined to believe Hibberd accidentally revealed a bit more than he should have and edited the article.

[RoughDiamonds]

^ very very interesting and thanks for sharing.:D

[vesh1717]

That IS very interesting. Still we have to go against NCAA March Madness again this Friday, so we may get around the same numbers. I DO believe that if we get back to 1.5 and stay steady, that we will get renewed. So maybe after the spring hiatus, they will renew if the ratings stay around 1.5. I can't see any chance of renewal if ratings stay 1.3 or lower though, but that is 100% personal opinion.

Total viewers was the same this week though I think. So if the people we lost were watching basketball, then maybe we can get an improvement when basketball is done.

[RETLAW]

That IS very interesting. Still we have to go against NCAA March Madness again this Friday, so we may get around the same numbers. I DO believe that if we get back to 1.5 and stay steady, that we will get renewed. So maybe after the spring hiatus, they will renew if the ratings stay around 1.5. I can't see any chance of renewal if ratings stay 1.3 or lower though, but that is 100% personal opinion.

Total viewers was the same this week though I think. So if the people we lost were watching basketball, then maybe we can get an improvement when basketball is done.


Remember next week's NCAA tournament will have more popular and meaningful games (as it is deeper in the tournament) so if anything more people should be watching March Madness (and more potential attrition in Fringe's ratings).

I don't think the pacing helped either. We have four episodes of a lot of ground to cover leading to the finale, after a long break. The middle of the season simply didn't build enough momentum to get me that excited about the final stretch. I actually found it to be the most "meh" stretch of Fringe in the entire series (although as a huge fan, of course I'll tune in after the break longing to get back to dealing with the mythology/Peter/two universes arc. The casuals, not so sure they'll be marking their calendars.)

[vesh1717]

^^I agree with most of that. I have a meh feeling too, but I will still watch. Others, however, may not.

I'm not sure next week's games will get more viewers really. I watch most of it, and the first weekend is usually the most exciting. I would expect similar ratings next week for sure. All I was saying is that maybe after the hiatus, we may stabilize at 1.5 again, but with more total viewers. This is VERY optimistic, but I do think it is possible.

[jimmyolsenblues]

I understand that people want us to be positive instead of negative.
1) Fox has broken my heart before...
2) CBS has broken my heart before (I Loved Threshold)
3) I am scared of the fox network cancelling fringe way too early.
1.3 is very low.
I hope its the all time low and we go up from here next week.

[Eamonn]

How come this weeks rating was 1.3 and last weeks rating was 1.4/5? There were more viewers this week..

Also wow at some of the comments on that Fringe ratings article..


Sfday, I tried to watch Fringe and found at least two members of the cast so unlikeable that I could not continue. Fox has at least three other bubble shows more worthy of renewal. Cancel it so I won’t have to see the hideous face of the lead actor plastered on every website that carries TV news.

Like seriously?

[Roxiestar74]

How come this weeks rating was 1.3 and last weeks rating was 1.4/5? There were more viewers this week..

Also wow at some of the comments on that Fringe ratings article..



Like seriously?

I saw that person's comment too, and was shocked by it. I read another comment from that person where she clarified that the person on Fringe she was calling ugly was John Noble. That just proves how ignorant, ageist and superficial some people can be. That girl was probably a teenager and only wants to watch shows with hot, young guys on it, and won't give anything else a chance (Fringe has it's share of good looking men, but they are probably too old for her to crush on if she is really young.)

I love the fact that Fringe has characters of all different ages, and allows the older characters to have lots of depth and be in the spotlight too. There aren't a lot of shows on TV that allow actors in their 50s and 60s to shine like Fringe does. John Noble is a brilliant actor (give the man an Emmy already), and he is also one of the best things about Fringe. It hurts me to hear that someone could be so hateful to him just because he is an older man.

[RoughDiamonds]

The actual rating is dependent on the demographics that fall between 18-49 I believe. So while there might be more viewers, the ones that fall into this age range decreased from last week. This is the demographics that advertisers care about most.

I completely believe that the drop in ratings is attributed to March Madness in the US (which is like World Cup Soccer equivalent but the sport is college basketball that runs televised pretty much yup, you guessed it, MARCH). I also believe FOX knows this which is why they have been pretty quiet.

About the negative comments, I believe there are about 2 trolls (possibly a third) that consistently post very negative comments on the show or the main actors (except Josh Jackson). Once you read enough articles, you'll recognize them immediately.

[Omniscient_Jay]

I think some eccentric reclusive billionaire should come out and fund the show and pay Fox so that they can keep it on air despite the fact that Fringe might not be raking in as much cash as it could...:hope::P

[RETLAW]

How come this weeks rating was 1.3 and last weeks rating was 1.4/5? There were more viewers this week..

Also wow at some of the comments on that Fringe ratings article..



Like seriously?
That's not how ratings work. Also, the total viewership is pretty much irrelevant to advertisers. The all important commercial ratings and 18-49 demo is what matters. Remember the Nielsen Ratings are just a business tool for the advertising industry (which keeps the for-profit TV networks in business), not a measure of popularity of a show, or how "good" it is.


I think some eccentric reclusive billionaire should come out and fund the show and pay Fox so that they can keep it on air despite the fact that Fringe might not be raking in as much cash as it could...:hope::P

Can this said billionaire resurrect some of my past favorite canceled shows? I see a funded Joss Whedon and J.J. Abrams channel...a fanboy can dream.:happy15:

[paburrows]

Joel Wyman tweeted that Fringe has not been canceled yet!


Clarita: I read somewhere that Fringe isn't getting renewed! I know you'll give me a straight answer!
We'll do you one better and let show runner Joel Wyman take this one. Joel tweeted just today (http://twitter.com/#!/JWFRINGE/status/49894489736744960) that even though there are rumors running rampant on the internet that Fringe is a goner, it's not true at all. "I just hopped on and saw all this. Fringe is not canceled. Some people love bad news so much they make it up!" And Fringe fans better bookmark his Twitter page (http://twitter.com/#!/JWFRINGE), because he then tweeted (http://twitter.com/#!/JWFRINGE/status/49896501639524352): "We will come here first with the news of a pickup."


http://tinyurl.com/4a49xwh

[Roxiestar74]

Joel Wyman tweeted that Fringe has not been canceled yet!


Clarita: I read somewhere that Fringe isn't getting renewed! I know you'll give me a straight answer!
We'll do you one better and let show runner Joel Wyman take this one. Joel tweeted just today (http://twitter.com/#%21/JWFRINGE/status/49894489736744960) that even though there are rumors running rampant on the internet that Fringe is a goner, it's not true at all. "I just hopped on and saw all this. Fringe is not canceled. Some people love bad news so much they make it up!" And Fringe fans better bookmark his Twitter page (http://twitter.com/#%21/JWFRINGE), because he then tweeted (http://twitter.com/#%21/JWFRINGE/status/49896501639524352): "We will come here first with the news of a pickup."


http://tinyurl.com/4a49xwh

That gives me some hope, thanks for posting this!

[paburrows]

Yeah while anything can still happen, this and the fact that they are casting a new agent for season 4 really gives me confidence about the future of the show.

[Frog]

Know what might help, is if we all went to the FoxBroadcasting youtube page and bumped up all the views on Fringe videos. Make them go viral. (My desperation is showing) :D

[Frog]

Ooh, there's also a daily poll going on at imDB, for those who have accounts. Fringe is winning "What show should be renewed?" imDB's a popular site, voting can't hurt.