If the live+same-day ratings are any indication, absence did make hearts grow fonder for Lifetime’s “UnREAL.”
Monday’s third season premiere, which was the first episode since the summer of 2016, delivered a series low performance.
According to live+same-day data posted by Showbuzz, Monday’s “UnREAL” premiere drew a 0.08 adults 18-49 rating and averaged 252,000 overall viewers.
No previous had gone below 0.18 in the demo or 411,000 in overall viewership.
The numbers may receive a substantial uptick once DVR, on-demand and streaming numbers are tabulated, but said uptick will not turn the premiere into a ratings hit.
Granted, “UnREAL” has never been a particularly strong live+same-day ratings performer. Its value always hinged on its critical acclaim, passionate core fanbase and media buzz. Whether those elements will remain strong over the course of the third season, of course, remains to be seen.
