“Off the Map” Ratings Fall With Weaker “Cougar Town” Lead-In

Although the drop-off has been slower than that of numerous struggling new drama series, ABC’s “Off the Map” is starting to dip into dangerous territory.

After holding reasonably steady in the adults 18-49 demo last week, the show dropped another 14% to a 1.8 rating Thursday. With just 5.09 million viewers, the show, though stronger than failed timeslot series “The Whole Truth,” is looking like a bust.

Of course, the series certainly would have valued more support; lead-in “Cougar Town” dipped to a season low in the 9:30PM slot. Since ABC aired a “Modern Family” re-run, the Courteney Cox-starrer did not benefit from the monster comedy lead-in and dipped to a 2.1 with 5.08 million viewers.

Most notable about the poor performance for “Cougar Town,” which has already been renewed for a third season, is the fact that the “Modern Family” re-run over-performed with a 2.6 rating. That meant that “Cougar Town,” expected to be “on its own” this week, actually received a respectable comedy lead-in en route to its troubling 2.1 rating.