Update: “Once Upon a Time in Wonderland” did not change the minds of those who found the spin-off pointless and ill-advised. Thursday’s premiere delivered a weak 1.7 adults 18-49 rating with 5.8 million viewers.
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Unable to rival the overnight ratings of its mothership series–or even what failed “Last Resort” delivered on the comparable night last season–“Once Upon a Time in Wonderland” started slowly for ABC.
According to TV Media Insights, the spin-off delivered a disappointing 3.6 overnight metered market rating in its debut Thursday. Unimpressive in a vacuum, the number looks particularly soft when compared to the 4.9 for this week’s “Once Upon a Time.”
Though its presumably-younger-skew might produce a comparable or even better number in adults 18-49, the “Wonderland” premiere was also down from the 4.7 posted by last year’s timeslot occupant “Last Resort.”
Still competitive on Sunday nights, the two third season episodes of ABC’s “Once Upon a Time” have definitely shown signs of ratings wear. Given that declining interest in the franchise, a lack of buzz surrounding the spin-off and the difficulty ABC has faced launching dramas in the Thursday at 8PM timeslot, few had high hopes for the “Wonderland” premiere.
But the absence of optimism does not change the reality of the performance.
