According to Syfy this is the most watched year in their 17 year history. I am not going to repeat their press release here. I guess that even if Sanctuary only contributed one viewer they would say that Sanctuary helped them achieve this great accomplishment. The truth is that Sanctuary is barely averaging the ratings that it had last year.
| Source | Live+7 Total Viewers | Live+7 HH rating | Live+7 A18-49 Viewers |
| NBC Press Release S2 | 2.16M | 1.6 | 1.0M |
| TV By The Numbers S2 | 2.1M | 1.6 | .967M |
| Difference- | -.06M | 0 | -.033M |
| Season 1 Jan. 13,2009 | 2.35M | 1.8 | 1.04 |
| Difference-S1to S2 NBC/TVBTN’s | -0.19M/-0.25M | 1 | 0.571428571 |
While reviewing Syfy’s press release, it brags about the percentage increase in the other scripted shows, it only mentions Sanctuary’s average ratings. I think the article quoted below is more telling.
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TV By The Numbers article titled Stats Junkie: A Look at Syfy’s Top Scripted Shows for 2009 – Warehouse 13, Battlestar Galactica, Stargate Universe and Eureka :
“So how did these shows rank against all of the basic cable scripted universe and not just on Syfy?
Live+SD viewing with adults 18-49
- Warehouse 13 was #22 in
- BSG was #23,
- SGU was #24 and
- Eureka was #28.
adults 18-49 in Live+7 viewing
- BSG was #19 with ,
- Warehouse 13 was #21,
- SGU was #24 and
- Eureka was #25.”
Finally, I know some of you would like to see how Sanctuary fared along all these same lines, but because it was not among basic cable’s top 50 scripted shows with adults 18-49 for 2009 in the spreadsheet I saw, I can’t tell you. Sorry.
(Editor’s Note: When I requested Nielsen for the full set of numbers, they directed me to their RSS feeds that report top-10 at best. This editor said ‘grr.’)
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Not only did Syfy’s other scripted shows make the top 50 basic cable scripted shows but in the key 18-49 demographic they were in the top 25. Sanctuary didn’t make the top 50.
I wrote an article a few weeks ago wondering if there was a conspiracy afoot, since I could not find any reports on a specific episode for Sanctuary. Of course, there is no conspiracy. The truth is that the show wasn’t doing well enough for anybody but the die-hard fans to care. The only source for any kind of ratings numbers were only available in a comment on the Syfy forum prior to publishing but I had a tough time staking a reputation on a forum comment.
A week later Bruce (That crazy editor here on Cinema Static) inquired with Robert over on TV By the Numbers about the ratings. I now consider them verified.
I don’t want to see Sanctuary fail. I was a fan of the show from its inception. If I didn’t care about the show I would say nothing. I have always been a fan of Amanda Tapping and a constant viewer of the Syfy network. I only started to speak out when what can only be described as network interference in the casting of Sanctuary became blatantly obvious. It was my stated opinion in the previous article that the network needs to correct their mistake and restore Emile Ullerup (Ashley Magnus) as a full cast member. As a fan of the show I would not accept anything less. A recurring role or cameo appearance would only generate viewership for a few episodes. I would have been just as angry with the network had Colonel Carter (Amanda Tapping)been killed off after one season of SG-1.
There is no way of knowing if Sanctuary’s ratings would have been better or if It would have made it into the top 50 of the cable scripted shows, if Emilie Ullerup was still with the show. I think it would be on that spreadsheet. I think that it would be somewhere close to Eureka. I think that the network knows it. The only question is whether Syfy will fix the mistake.
There has been a rumor on the forums that there may be a hint in an upcoming episode that Ashley may return. I am highly skeptical. I think that is a lot of wishful thinking on the part of the fans. There are only three episodes left. The last two are the season finale and I would put money on Ashley not being in the finale.
Would you?
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Sanctuary, Ratings and The Ashley Fanatics Spin.
Oh dear, it looks like they’re at it again! They don’t like some changes in the series so EVERYTHING is therefore bad and the ratings prove it apparently.
Yes, it’s me again inserting my sarcastic self into the ridiculous comments made by some uninformed Ashley fans.
According to Tim “The truth is that Sanctuary is barely averaging the ratings that it had last year.” – do you not see how ridiculous this statement is? Season 1 was a hit so wouldn’t being able to average last years ratings mean that this year was a hit too? I suggest Tim leaves off on the idiocy of harping on how badly the show is doing in the ratings in Season 2 because Syfy ordering a third season with an increase in the number of episodes completely gives lie to that stance.
The Save Ashley contingent would do a lot better and get more support to get Ashley back if they would stop with the idiotic Ashley is gone so the season is totally bad line and the OMG look at the bad ratings they’ll never get renewed line. There are a LOT of people that want Ashley back but won’t join in the fight because of the incessant need of a select few to bash the existing series in the process.
Oh and by the way Tim, if you want to try and prove something using the ratings to bolster your stance you might want to do some homework. You try and make a big deal out of Sanctuary not being on that Top 50 list for 18-49′s when in actual fact Sanctuary continues to have the same profile as it did last year, it skews older and female, it didn’t get on the 18-49 lists last year (it runs just under the Syfy average in that demo by the way) so it’s no surprise that it didn’t this year. The median age last year was 49 and surprise, surprise!! it’s 49 so far this year. No change.
It’s not doing badly, it’s a niche show with a solid but small viewership that manages to bring in ratings (total) that are above average for Syfy, while slotted in the dismal 10pm Friday’s in the highly contested fall season. Probably one of the reasons Syfy has ordered a third season and increased the episodes wanted to 20
TC
I don’t think you are being sarcastic at all. I take no offense.
Your opinion is very articulate and informed.
I thank you for your comment.
I mean that sincerely.
It is just my opinion that Sanctuary would have increased viewership had Ashley not been killed off.
I personally would have enjoyed the season more.
TC, he didn’t say that everything was bad. The point that Tim is trying to make, is that the ratings are lower than last season no matter how hard syfy tries to spin it. He has shown numbers to back up that statement. He didn’t bash the show, just shared his opinion that he wasn’t happy with the changes that he felt syfy inflicted on the Sanctuary EP’s.
The ratings for Sanctuary are lower than last year. Period. Not low enough to get canceled, and yes they got renewed, but have you seen the number of people commenting that if things don’t change, they’ll stop watching? It’s not just about Ashley or Kate, the tone of the show has changed and a lot of fans aren’t happy about it. The goal of any tv show is to grow it’s audience or at least maintain the one it already has. Sanctuary S2 has not accomplished either of those goals. Do you really think that syfy will hesitate to yank this show if the numbers keep dropping?
For instance:
S1
ep 8 – 1,746,000
ep 9 – 1,538,000
ep 10 – 1,703,000
S2
ep 8 – 1,328,000
ep 9 – 1,363,000
ep 10 – 1,376,000
Live + SD from tvbythenumbers
I don’t want Sanctuary to fail if for no other reason than I love AT and she’s put so much into it. But that being said, I loved the dark, mysterious, steampunk feel of S1 and they’ve lost it or given it up for an attempt at more action. I gave up on S2 and so did many others, but I will watch S3 if things change. I refuse however to watch a show no matter what is done to it. We’re not doing the show runners any favors by not letting them know how we feel. Do it in a respectful way of course but they need to hear the bad along with the good.
Tim, I agree with you. I think the viewership would have increased and the season would have been better if Emilie Ullerup were still on the show.
Sorry for the double post, but I wanted to add the ratings for the final episodes:
S1
ep 11 – 1,520,000
ep 12 – 1,850,000
ep 13 – 1,990,000
S2
ep 11 – 1,404,000
ep 12 – 1,493,000
ep 13 – 1,493,000
Everyone will draw their own conclusions as to why of course, but if I were the folks in charge of this show, I would be asking myself – “what has changed from S1 to S2 that would make us lose SO many viewers?” Hmmmm, what could it be?
Never apologize for bringing some facts to the table Lisa! (That’s a BruSimm rule!!!)
I agree with Lisa
No matter what SANCTUARY RULES !!!
They still have their fans no matter what ratongs said !!!
That’s my opinion !
I watched Sanctuary from the beginning and at first didn’t like the Ashley character, but as the season continued I began to not only like the Ashley character, but she became a major player. I am only semi watching season3, but fast forward thru the episodes and it’s no longer on my DVR list…they lost me. I think the show has gone down the drain.