Cancellation is far from imminent or even yet a real possibility, but NBC’s “The Event” is not showing long-term promise in the ratings department.
The serialized drama dropped another 17% in the ratings this week, posting a 2.4 adults 18-49 demographic for episode three. Total viewership was down to 7.46 million viewers.
Television analysts were somewhat forgiving of last week’s 20% decline due to the fact that heavily-hyped shows almost always bleed from their premieres. Moreover, at a 2.9 rating in the demo, it was not as if “The Event” had suddenly become a weak link for the struggling NBC.
This week’s massive drop is more alarming. A 2.4 rating is nothing to celebrate regardless, and the fact that the show seems to be on a ratings free fall is even more discouraging. Serialized dramas require a true viewer commitment, and it is thus quite difficult for a series of the sort to make significant ratings gains over the course of the season (so there is little hope of the show suddenly jumping back above a 3.0). The focus now is on finding the bottom.
The buffer preventing this show from entering “failure” territory is rapidly shrinking; in order to demonstrate long-term value (beyond a full first season), the show immediately needs to stabilize.
— Things are even worse for “The Event”‘s Monday lead-in and lead-out series. 8PM veteran “Chuck” continues to baffle regarding its presence in the lineup; it averaged a mere 1.9 with 5.36 million viewers. Freshman 10PM series “Chase” dropped all the way to a 1.7 with 5.83 million viewers. It seems safe to conclude that “Chase” will not be receiving a second season from the peacock.
I wonder what commitment NBC has for “The Event”. I love it – for me it fills the gap left by “Lost” and “24”. There is definitely a loyal, almost rabid following for shows like this and I don’t see why only series that placate the lowest common denominator of the viewing public seem to make it. At least “The Event” tries to do something original instead of being a cookie cutter copy of another show. Not everyone wants to see crime procedurals every night (I avoid all except for Hawaii Five-O because Grace Park is in it!)
The event is a far cry from Lost or 24. It does a mediocre job of filling the void for me. I think being up against Monday Night Football is killing the potential for male viewership, I know I flipped back and forth all night. Move “The Event” away from MNF or they’ll see it die an early death.
I have not been able to watch The Event on Monday nights so I have to purchase it from Apple’s iTunes. I don’t know how many other people are in my category and I certainly wouldn’t be picked up for ratings. I think the show is pretty good. There is enough storyline and surprises to make it worth it. The production quality is quite good and the cast including Blair Underwood is well suited for the roles they are playing. It is different enough to keep me and quite a few of our friends coming back. I do agree, putting it up against Monday Night Football isn’t the smartest thing to do. Tough to be Monday Night Football with anything let alone a new series.
The problem is NBC cancelled Law & Order, a show which always had solid but not great ratings, and replaced it with a ton of unproven shows. Outlaw and Undercovers are toast. Chase is on life support. The Event is falling in ratings becuase it’s too hokey. Even LOLA, which did well in ratings, is a terrible show.
NBC needs to quickly order episdoes for Law & ORder. Will involve rebuilding a squad room but the other sets are still present.
Why on earth do you put a huge show up against mon night football. Put this on Wednesday and it rules. I lve the show
I hope this means that they will cancel it and bring back Heroes!!!!
My wife and I just loved the Event. Both of us work nights, but have recorded it every time it was on. Please don’t cancel this show.