A Guest Article By Cinema Static reader Tim Miller:
The figure that SyFy gave for Sanctuary ratings of 2.2 million average viewers each week are the Live + 7 Day numbers. Those are the number of total viewers plus all the DVR’d and downloads. Which is fine if you want to feel good about how many people are watching. The key numbers which determine how much a show can charge for advertising are the 18-49 demographic. Those are important to the network. Once the show is renewed it is irrelevant to the fans.
The ratings for December 11th are important because many of Sanctuary’s fans wanted to express their displeasure with the killing of Ashley (Emilie Ullerup). It appeared to them that the network was replacing her with Kate Freelander. Many swore they would continue to watch the show in order for it to get a season three but would not watch, DVR or download “Penance”. “Penance” was touted by the network and the producers to be Kate’s big episode with Michael Shanks (Jimmy).
If the numbers for that episode are significantly lower, SyFy may not want them published. The network does not want to admit that the loss of Emilie Ullerup has hurt the show or that fan backlash can impact a shows viewership.
Now, why would the network not want to admit that? It is my unsubstantiated conclusion that the network has never had any intention of bringing Emilie Ullerup back as Ashley. The network suspected that there would be some backlash. I don’t think they expected it to be this intense. The strategy was and still is to ignore it and wait for it to go away.
They used the “dramatic impact” argument as the cause of the secrecy surrounding season two. I don’t think that they can continue that argument for season three of Sanctuary. The spoiler argument is worn out and no longer credible. Many fans have said that if there is a season three they will not watch it without Ashley.
I believe that many people, like myself, are beginning to suspect that something is wrong. The longer the network and the producers continue their silence the more I suspect that I am right. As more people come to the same conclusion, some that have been watching to insure a season three and hoping for the “announcement” about Ashley will quit watching out of anger.
The creators and writers of Sanctuary made a fundamental mistake. They broke faith with the audience. They had developed the relationship between a mother and her daughter that was at the heart of “Sanctuary”. Then in two episodes ripped it out. Where is the beating heart? The show is now shallow and has a gaping wound which could only be filled by her return. If not repaired soon they will lose their audience.
The network can continue this ruse for only so long. What will be their next move?
As for the real ratings, the following is copied from “Your Entertainment now” from the article by Rosario T. Calabria. He has promised me he will keep looking for the elusive December 11, 2009 cable ratings.
“Lead-out Sanctuary will air its mid-season finale next Friday. Thus far this season, the show has averaged 1.60 million viewers (and a 1.0 HH rating) and a 0.5 A18-49 rating through eight episodes (not including the numbers from the 12/11 episode).
Compare with those numbers to season one’s average from January 13, 2009:
(live + same day plus all available time shifting data)
1.8 HH rating, 2.35M total viewers,
1.04M Adults 18-49 and
1.36M adults 25-54.
Like Stargate Universe, Sanctuary has performed a good deal better with the Live + 7 Day numbers, where it has averaged about 2.1 million viewers (not including the 12/4-12/11 episodes).”
I suspect that the 12/18 episode of Sanctuary that will feature Christopher Heyerdahl, who is very popular with the fans, will do much better. If so, I suspect we will get to see those figures on this coming Tuesday. I will not be surprised if all we get from December 11 will be the Live + 7 day.
Thanks for the words Tim!
{ 42 comments… read them below or add one }
Gees tone down the paranoia why don’t you? Syfy is suppressing the Nielsen numbers?!?!?!? ROFLMAO
Here they are :
1,363,000 viewers
0.9 HH
0.4 HH A18-49
There, OOOPS, I guess the boycott failed.
Oh and Sleepers airs in USA this Friday not Haunted, for some reason Syfy is airing the episodes out of order.
TC
Could you let me know the source for the ratings.
I really wanted them for this article. Thanks for posting them.
TC, you’re seriously going to brag about 1,363,000 viewers?
Bruce, I don’t think it’s paranoia at all, especially since syfy is notorious for their spin on everything and the numbers have not been published in the usual places. I truly hope that the network has heard the backlash and they listen because I’ve just barely hung on this season and if it weren’t for Amanda I would have bailed long ago. You are absolutely correct in your description of this season, a gaping wound that can only be filled by bringing Ashley back.
And just for the record, I didn’t like Kate before this episode and my opinion hasn’t changed one bit. If anything it made me like her less.
Personally I’m not sure I want her to return to that show. She is soo much better than that.
First,
TC: When Tim wrote the article, we were both wondering about the ratings. At times the ratings only seem to come out sooner when there’s something to brag about. Other times, we sometimes wait weeks to see numbers.
Tim couldn’t find the numbers when we were creating this beast!
That and you could be more constructive in how you present conversation.
ABT: Yea… the showrunners were all agog about how everyone would like what’s her face after seeing this episode.
All: It’s been my suspicions that when the upper management make a decision, the creative staff they’ve hired (In other words the showrunners bosses) needs to support the upper managements’ decisions. Whether they like it or not.
I’m with you Bruce, it seems strange that the numbers wouldn’t be published. I’ve looked on tvbythenumbers and also checked Travis Yanon with no luck. I’d love to know where you got them TC.
I haven’t watched a full episode of Sanctuary since Eulogy because I also feel like the heart was ripped out of the this show. I’ve read so many comments from fans who are only watching so there would be a season 3 and that was in the hopes Ashley was being brought back. If syfy fails to do this and those viewers leave, then what will happen? Just because they order 20 episodes doesn’t mean they won’t cancel it if people aren’t watching.
I realize that the fans who post on the forums and comment on these wonderful articles are a small chunk of the actual viewing audience, but I also imagine that you get a pretty good example of the fanbase. Enough to form a conclusion that a lot of fans aren’t thrilled with this season’s changes. Now if only syfy were brave and ballsy enough to admit that they screwed up.
I shall go on the record as well: I still don’t like Kate. Sorry DK.
Have been and always will be of the belief that it was not just the network that pulled Emilie, it was the the production company and the producer the one and only Amanda Tapping. Emilie was supposed to be a supporting character and Amanda was to be the center of the Sanctuary Universe. From the beginning it was a vehicle to showcase her no one else. When Emilie began to overshadow Amanda, as sometimes happens in a series program, Amanda was the one who engineered Emilie’s removal from the show. Now it’s “All Amanda all the Time” which is what she wanted when she devised the show a couple years ago. She may relent, but only if the show is terminal. But by then the damage would be done. I think they have realized the mistake they made but can’t figure out how to rectify it without looking bad or desperate. I for one have not watched the show since Emilie was ousted and probably won’t even if she is brought back. I have lost all respect for the network and especially Amanda Tapping.
I agree with you,there doing what they have too.To keep there lie alive to save face.There will never be a season 4 if they dont bring Ashley back.
“Ashley Magnus/Emilie Ullerup” was My Favorite Character on “Sanctuary” Now that She is Gone I Quit Watching. After “End of Nights” part 1, 2, and “Eulogy” “Season 2″ has just been so Horrible This “Season” it just does not match The Quality of “The First Season” by a Long Shot.
I Believe “The Network Executives” “Damian Kindler”, and “Amanda Tapping” were All Involved in getting “Emilie” Fired I Think They just Want The Show to Be More Mainstream So they could All make a Better Profit. After All this is a Business Not lets All Hold Hands and Be Friends Profit is “God” in the Film Business Not Friendship.
I Do Not Believe that They will Bring “Ashley/Emile” Back in Season 3 at All I Think They All Believe They Made The Right Descision. I Bet they are All Thinking the Fans will Eventually Fall in Line and those that Do Not (Collateral Damage) Will be Replaced be New Fans with The Show Becoming More Mainstream.
“Sanctuary” will most Likely get Cancelled Eventually with All this Stupid Politics of All The Executives, Their Jaw Dropping Dumb Business Sense, and How they Arrogantly Ignore The Fans Like Kings on a Throne.
I Believe “Emile Ullerup” is Better Off Without All of This Conflict Because She is Finding More Work Now and I know for Fact that when She goes to L.A. She will Find Another Better T.V Show, or be in a Incredible Movie She is going to have a Awesome Career.
Thanks for publishing this article Tim.
I too find it very strange that the numbers for Penance haven’t been aired yet.
Your Welcome Shelma32.
Emilie will have a great career. No matter what happens with Sanctuary.
“Emilie will have a great career. No matter what happens with Sanctuary.”
That’s exactly right.
wow this article was great!! really want Ashley to come back and the “silence” is indeed VERY suspicious!! glad to see a reliable source for the ratings!!! and their ARE falling!! by every episode! but the series still managed to get a season 3……..wonder how low the ratings will go before the series get cancelled if they don’t bring Ashley back…….it was a mistake!! they just have to admitt it!! well I quited watching the show a long time ago, and will only get back is Ashley gets back
To big fan and alphaomega, how dare you say that about Amanda. Let me tell you both something, Last month when Amanda was on a show called Innerspace, she said she was aware of how she knew fans were talking about Ash, and that they wanted her back? And this is what she said some weeks ago in London-
Q: How do you prepare yourself for intense and emotional scenes like the one in Eulogy?
AT: I’ll often find myself a quiet corner to prepare. A “good” thing about filming Eulogy was that I was already a mess. It was also the last scene that we shot and you can see my eyes getting puffier and puffier with each take. I also cry a lot more now that I’m a mother. A good phone company ad makes me want to cry! I was lucky because it was an emotional time for Emilie and myself, and I actually got to cry whereas Emilie had to hold it together. And that was hard for her. I just went to my hormonal happy place! And I know there has been a huge fan reaction to Ashley’s death, and we will find a way to bring her back. There are a lot of reasons behind the decision that was made, some of which you know, some of which you’ll never know, but we definitely want to find a way to get Emilie back.
And there’s that other interview where Amanda talks about getting her back, and on this page of the “we want Ash back” there’s a bunch of people supporting Amanda in her fight to get EU back. http://forums.syfy.com/index.php?showtopic…0&start=320
So far to me it seems that Amanda’s the only one who’s actually acknowledged the fan reaction towards Ash/EU and she’s made it clear she wants her back and fans have been supporting her in that, so why are some people here questioning her now? I don’t understand how after reading an interview by MW some people here are questioning Amanda now. People, she’s on our side, she’s trying to get her back, and even if she fails, and least *she* heard us and she knows what we want.
Hey gang…
I’ve met Amanda and I just don’t see her being of the mindset to be the top dog actor… it is her show, so by default she’s already the boss.
iuytre You Defend “Amanda Tapping” with The Passion of a Zealot are You even a “Emilie Ullerup” Fan in All of Your Posts on “Emilies Forum” the Only thing You Talk about is “Amanda Tapping” and how Great She is with Nothing of Real Positive Substance about “Emilie” that does Not Exalt “Amanda” into Saint Hood.
If You Want to Talk about “Amanda Tapping” and How Great You Think She is then go to a Forum Dedicated to Her but do not go on Inquistion of Thought like a Crusader of Faith Forcing People to Think Like You. As I said before on “The Emilie Ullerup Forum” there will Always be more than Point of View in Any Situation whether You Like it or Not.
I do not Believe What She says in Those Interviews because She is a Executive on The Show She has a hand in All Decisions and Her Main Motives is Profit above All else because The Enterainment Industry is a Business whether a Person Wants it to Be or Not. That would be Anybody Motives in Being in the Executive Position of any Business that involves Making a Profit there are no Saints among Executives Profit is the Only Motive.
Would You Trust Your Boss at Work if they were your Best Friend Fired You for No Reason then Promised to give you your Job Back in Time Although They made a Profit off of you losing your Job and will Continue to Make a Profit if You do not get Your Job Back.
The Network system is worse than the studio system of the 1930′s.
The networks treat the producers, actors, writers and directors of a show like chattel.
Once the product (in this case Sanctuary) is sold the creators lose a lot of control.
The only control they may have is how they carry out the networks orders.
Damian Kindler slyly slipped one by the network in writing “End of Nights”. He deliberately wanted the viewer’s response to be outrage.
The network is not likely to let that happen again.
Like Bruce, I see excessive network interference in this show.
I Still Believe “Damian Kindler”, and “Amanda Tapping” have Equal Influence with The Network Otherwise they would No Longer be Executive Producers or have any Creative Control in “Sanctuary” they would just Be Regular Producers But Every Body is Free to their Opinion and I have Mine.
Of Course,
I think I can speak for Bruce in saying that you are always welcome here.
Thanks for stopping by.
You know what alphaomega9997, you the ideal anti-Amanda fan. You think Amanda is this bad person, well let me tell you, and everyone here something, and you better read carefully.
A few years ago, a big fan of Amanda’s had gotten really sick, she had cancer and it was bad, and she also had kidney failure. So when they’d use the chemo to fight the cancer, it would damage her kidneys, but when they’d stop to let her kidneys heal, the cancer would come back. There was no way to save her, she didn’t make it.
But Amanda, being the wonderful person she is, out of the goodness of heart actually took time and called her in her hospital room, and thanked her for all the love and support she gave her over the years, and wished her peace in the next life. She thanked Amanda, and Amanda said she was lucky to have a fan like her. That is so…. WOOOOOOOW. I was just beyond amazed, blown away, and extremely proud of Amanda and even more privileged to be an Amanda fan. Things like that, only show how selfless, caring down to earth, generous and an overall good-hearted, kind person she is. I know Amanda has always been just wonderful and kind to her fans when she she meets them, she welcomes them, listens to them, keeps her eyes on them and makes them feel special, and it’s those people who feel warm and love from her. But to actually take the time to call them when they’re sick, and wish them well how incredibly selfless, honorable, and sweet is that? Amanda made her final days so full of love.
How dare you try and make her out to be a bad person, saying she wants all the fame and what not for herself, I knows dozens of fans who would say everything I say about her, they’ve met her and actors who work and have worked for her, I’ve never read a negative article where ANY of Amanda’s past co-starts, guest stars, extras or what not have said anything but kind words about about her, and I *KNOW* I never will. I’ve also never read a fan report saying anything other than such kind and sweet things about Amanda. Really, I’ve never read, “Meeting Amanda Tapping was a nightmare, she’s a fake and a diva.” And again, I *KNOW* I’ll never read that. it makes you appreciate who Amanda is even more. I’m sure she considers the people she’s with to be working “with” her and not “for” her.
Tim’s right. This place here, is about chatting about subjects that inspires us to say something… all opinions, when constructively presented, are welcome here.
So keep that in mind, keep it civil and have fun stating your opinions!
(Tim was right!)
Not to Devalue What She did for that Terminally Ill Fan but Visiting Sick Fans is No Longer a Exclusive Club It is Almost a Requirement for Most Celebrities Now Just Like Celebrities Adopting Children from Foreign Countries.
Just because You do not hear Stories about “Amanda Tapping” acting like other Executives does not mean She is Not Like Other Executives because Keeping Secrets to Keep ones Profitablility Up is not a Foreign Concept to The Entertainment Industry.
Hey TC!
Where’d you go?
Listen bud, we like the numbers you provided for us, but we need to like them with a source!!!
Now I’ve dug through all my press releases that my buds at NBC send me and I couldn’t find ratings that match yours.
Then I (Well, both Tim [article author] and myself] scoured the web.
What I did find for your numbers was this:
On 12/02/09: Larry King Live had 1,363,000 viewers.
Back on 1/16/09, MSNBC had 1,363,000 & on January 8th The O’Reilly Factor had the same number of reported viewers.
There’s a Dec 7th Syfy Forum entry that quotes the HH #, which quotes another forum, which quotes a blogspot article which brought down my firefox session…
Then I found a hollow post on another Syfy forum, where the moderator backed you up… sort… with a 1.4m #, but no source there.
~
Now I don’t mind a little snarky at times, but so far all I’m seeing is rude coupled with unsubstantiated numbers from someone’s hat.
Help us back YOU up TC with a ratings source… please. Back up your snark bud! Thanks.
Bruce Simmons
Owner / Editor
Cinema Static on SoB
Well Numbers do not lie. Freelander is not popular and the Actress who plays her just dose not have a talent acting.
Jonathan,
Her introduction (Agam Darshi) could have been handled better. No sooner had Ashley (Emilie Ullerup) been eliminated than her image came off the posters and was replaced by Kate’s (Agam Darshi). Emilie’s credit was quickly removed and replaced by Agam’s.
The fans interpreted that as Kate is meant to replace Ashley. Ashley would not return.
Had Ashley (Emilie) not been killed off I think Kate would have been accepted. Every story needs its rascals. We come love them because of their flaws.
Sanctuary ratings for 12/18 Sleepers – 1.376 million viewers, 0.4/1 A1849
I found this posted in comment section on tvbythenumbers by TVBill, and I’ll say what I’m thinking even though I get my head bitten off every time I suggest this in the forums: this ain’t great folks. Not even Tesla get the total viewer numbers above 1.4 million. I would suggest TPTB start thinking about what they need to do to get their numbers back up and the first thing that comes to mind is SIGN EMILIE for S3.
Lisa,
Did TVBill happen to say where he got those numbers.
I cannot accept them until I can validate the source. The truth is they might be worse. It maybe just started an internet rumor to hide the truth. (Yeah I’m paranoid so show me the source).
If true, then since it is Tuesday I assume Live+SD total.
LISA:
Don’t ever fret about leaving opinions at Cinema Static. That’s what we’re about… having good clean, civil conversations here.
And as Tim said, though we’ve seen numbers get tossed around, no one is saying where they’re getting them from.
Eh… actually, I’ve got someone I can ask… duh. Didn’t think of it until now.
Thanks for coming by Lisa.
-Bruce
Thanks Bruce, I appreciate that.
Tim, no he didn’t elaborate on where he got the numbers, he just mentioned that Travis Yanan usually posts the numbers for Sanctuary. So far he hasn’t.
Good hunting guys, I would love to know the true numbers or at least the source for the ones we’ve seen. One thing is for sure, these numbers are below last season’s lowest available numbers. The lowest I found was for Instinct and it was 1,520,000 Live + SD.
ASK and ye’ shall receive!
TV By The Numbers responded to some, eh hum, emails and here are the ratings:
On December 11 at 10pm Sanctuary averaged 1.363 million and a 0.4 adults 18-49 rating and
on December 18 at 10pm it averaged 1.376 million and a 0.4 rating with adults 18-49
So TC tossed out accurate nums. And so did Lisa.
Thanks Gang!
Thank You Bruce,
Which just raises more questions.
Why was it that hard to get them? How did the commenter get them?
“Penance” didn’t fair any worse than the last episode. So, no boycott from the fans.
However, I agree with Lisa.
The overall impact Of Ashley’s absence has had an impact. This year has not been as good as last year or as good as it could have been. Add the new figures to the chart above and you will agree.
Dirty little secret, unless you have one of those little boxes from Nielson your viewing habits aren’t included in those numbers. So, Don’t watch if you just aren’t happy with the show or it makes you feel better.
Overall, I stand by my article.
If SyFy and the producers announce the return of Emilie Ullerup as Ashley, I will proudly walk around with egg on my face and a great big smile.
Nope… no more questions. The commenter (TC) has a good source and that’s that. Robert suggested “off with the tin-foil hats”, there’s no conspiracy going on here!
It wasn’t hard to get them. It took Robert less than an hour to get them out after I asked. Just no one saw fit to report them.
Sometimes I might report on a show for a few episodes but then it gets to be old news to be repeating yourself so you just don’t do an article or two on something. I think it’s as simple as that. Robert over on TBTN’s proved that last night.
Damnit… I was really starting to like my tin-foil hat.
I guess SyFy is jumping for joy. Sanctuary beat
Jesse Ventura’s Conspiracy Theory (1.301 million average viewers last Wednesday December 16 at 10pm)
Same article at TBTN’s
Still going to wear my tin foil hat.
That was me BTW. Last name got dropped.
I just wish TC would have come forward with how he got the numbers, but eh.
I asked Robert for the numbers before you published. Funny that he didn’t come forward then and you didn’t ask him before. He simply ignored me. He just wasn’t interested.
Also Travis Yanan did Tweet that he never got December 11th’s numbers.
I still think SyFy would be happier if we didn’t know the ratings. They aren’t anything to brag about. Interesting that Robert didn’t think it important enough to publish for two weeks straight.
It is what he does isn’t it.
Tin foil hat still firmly in place.
Like I said, sometimes there’s so much less to it than the mountain that’s built up under it.
Posted by
iuytre
You know what alphaomega9997, you the ideal anti-Amanda fan. You think Amanda is this bad person, well let me tell you, and everyone here something, and you better read carefully.
Etc., etc.
What a load of crap. To say “you better read carefully” — who are you anyway, one of Amanda’s “”stormtroopers”
Anything she says in public is only to make her look like “Mother Teresa” rather than what she really is, a “pretentious diva”.
I posted on the Sanctuary site a similar comment that I did on Dec. 18th on this site and was immediately without warning removed from being able to post.
So much for freedom of speech! Or anything that might shine a light on the truth in this matter. They will stifle statements that put the blame where it belongs.
Shades of Iran!!!
Praise the Ayatollah Amanda — or else!!!
Big Fan: I have no problem with people voicing their opinions in a constructive, conversational mode that doesn’t attack other commentators.
I’m guessing the other site took offense to something you said. It does sound unfair that you were blocked without warning…
I used to visit a programmer’s website that used to block visitors if you question the site owners methods… they couldn’t handle constructive observations or criticism, so I get the frustration Big Fan.
To all:
I only start banning folks when they get derogatory on other folks in the comments section. I want people to feel free to express their opinion without fear of character attacks or reprisal here.
That’s what Brusimm.com is about here.
And that’s the way it should be.
I must say I have been an Amanda Tapping “fan”, ever since her days on SG-1. However, if she’s lying to us about “pitching a story” to bring Emilie Ullerup back on the show, I will make it my personal quest to speak out on every sanctuary forum I can find (If I get in that is, since I’m for whatever reason, not accepted on the forum on sanctuaryforall.com…. lol).
I’m not stating that AT is a bad person. I do raise questions to her “executive” influence on the show. I believe that whenever it was decided to kill off Ashley, she went along with it not even thinking about it twice. We all know, she has mentioned it numerous times herself, that they need lots of funding to keep this show rolling. I am sure Agam Darshi was a “cheap” addition towards keeping Emilie Ullerup, a rising star, around.
I am convinced that they did not expect the intensity of the backslash on killing off Ashley. So they decided to “give us hope” saying that “there is a chance” they could bring her back. Just to keep us around, keep the viewers for the remainder of the season. This is the feeling I’m getting from it, and I so hope that I’m wrong.
I did watch eps after Ashley got killed, just to keep my hope alive, just for the little moments that Ashley gets mentioned in it. But I will not watch S3 if Emilie Ullerup isn’t brought back.
Emilie still hasn’t been contacted yet. And still I’m keeping hope alive, but it decreases with every day that passes.
The network and executives of Sanctuary at this moment get no respect from me. They made a mistake, a huge one, and they just won’t admit it.
It just shows how little they actually care about “the fans”. It’s indeed just business.
@big fan
“When Emilie began to overshadow Amanda, as sometimes happens in a series program, Amanda was the one who engineered Emilie’s removal from the show. Now it’s “All Amanda all the Time”
I can’t agree with this ! You call yourself a big fan ? of what ?
Hope you are big fan on other show an no Sanctuary !!!! Amanda will always have my respect and she doing great job with Sanctuary !!!!!
Amanda is amazing actress and I believe that they had a good reason for what they did. but your idea that Emilie started to overshadowed Amadna is hilarious ! Let me laugh