'Caprica' Returns In A Small Way
Tough competition from networks, but likely not enough to save Syfy show
Attracting viewers to "Caprica" on a regular basis has been difficult, the "Battlestar Galactica" spinoff bouncing up and down in the ratings.
Unfortunately, its mid-season premiere started down, and it will take a significant bounce in the next couple of weeks to convince Syfy to give the show a second season.
"Caprica" attracted 900,000 viewers for "Unvanquished," according to overnight ratings from The Nielsen Co., losing 200,000 viewers -- or 18 percent of its audience -- from the midseason finale "End of Line." This was despite heavy marketing designed to let fans know the show was returning sooner than expected, and even advertising on other networks (although they didn't specify the date and time).
The show also lost 16 percent of its "Stargate: Universe" lead-in, which managed a little over 1 million viewers for its second episode of the second season.
These numbers were far lower than what Syfy had been pulling over the summer for shows like "Warehouse 13" and "Eureka." But just to note -- those shows were over the summer, when network competition is lighter. "Caprica" and SGU were scheduled for the fall, meaning it not only is going against fresh programming from the networks like CBS and ABC, but also beginning-of-the-season audiences, which tend to be larger for network television than the rest of the year.
For Tuesday, SGU was up against "Dancing With the Stars" on ABC, which earned a 10.6 rating/17 share, or 16.4 million viewers. Also, CBS aired "NCIS: Los Angeles," which picked up a 16.2 million viewers for a 9.9/16. With those two shows alone, nearly 33 million viewers were tied up in shows that, through Wednesday, are ranked fourth and fifth in terms of the highest-rated non-news, non-event programs for the week. The networks overall for the 9 p.m. timeslot had 51.7 million viewers to pull from, a high number for television overall.
The 10 p.m. slot wasn't as brutal in terms of what the networks were doing, but it was still tough. "The Good Wife" -- another top 10 show -- earned an 8.2/14 for CBS while freshman drama "Detroit 1-8-7" got a 5.3/9. Both shows attracted 21 million viewers in a timeslot where the overall audience generally shrinks considerably.
Nearly half of the top 10 shows for the week through Wednesday air on Tuesdays, making it one of the season's toughest nights, especially since CBS gets a tremendous boost in the 8 p.m. hour with the overall top-scripted series over the last few years "NCIS," which this past week attracted just under 20 million viewers all by itself for an 11.8/19.
That, of course, is not meant to make an excuse for Syfy's programming. It still is lower than the cable channel's expectations, meaning both "Stargate: Universe" and "Caprica" could be in trouble.
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by Athena28 | Fri, 10/08/2010 - 13:00 #1
As noted in this article: too much competition up against these shows by new network shows. But there's another problem: too long a break. I barely remember what happened the last time I watched the show. Show it in one 20 ep. (or however long the season is) block. Or take only a 1 month break. It just may be too long for people to wait & follow the storyline.
by mhinman | Sat, 10/09/2010 - 07:10 #2
True ... and it almost was a longer break than that for "Caprica"
by tonyslat | Sat, 10/09/2010 - 10:15 #3
I Can't get the network in Canada to watch this. I watch it by downloading it on torrent sites after. That is the only way I can ensure to get it.
DO the networks take that into consideration on how many are watching. Let's face it...times are changing and how people watch their entertainment is radically different. The old Neilson rating boxes on the TV is outdated.
Streaming on the websites is the way some of these networks need to consider NOW. Do their advertizing that way... STREAM when it is being viewed on the networks.Give options.
Get with the 21st Century.....
by mhinman | Thu, 10/14/2010 - 06:34 #4
Tony:
If you COULD get it on a network in Canada, would you be downloading it?
I only ask because you think illegal streams should be counted, but that's not your primary preference in watching a show, it seems.