Supernatural Gets More CW Kudos, But Is It Enough To Keep Timeslot For Next Season?
Sure, the CW puts out a lot of these press releases. It’s just been a while that one has emphasized Supernatural. I never tire of that.
From this morning’s CW Press Release:
THE CW’S “SUPERNATURAL†POSTS BEST DEMOS IN MONTHS;
“VAMPIRE DIARIES†WINS WITH YOUNG WOMEN
SUPERNATURAL Hits Its Best Ratings in Adults 18-34 and Women in Months
THE VAMPIRE DIAIRES Wins 8pm Hour with Females 12-34 and Female Teens
April 23, 2010 (Burbank, CA) – The CW thriller SUPERNATURAL climbed to some of its highest ratings in key demos in months, posting its best adults 18-34 (1.4/4) since 1/21/10, its best women 18-34 (1.5/5) since 2/4/10 and its best women 18-49 (1.4/4) since 1/28/10,according to preliminary live plus same day Nielsen ratings for Thursday, April 22, 2010.
THE VAMPIRE DIARIES won the 8:00-9:00p.m. hour in females 12-34 (2.5/8) and female teens (2.7/10). VAMPIRE DIARIES improved over last week among viewers (3.27mil) and female teens.
SUPERNATURAL grew week-to-week in every demo, including 15% in women 18-34, 17% in adults 18-34, 8% in women 18-49, 8% in adults 18-49 (1.3/3), 50% in female teens (1.2/4) and 10% in total viewers (2.69mil).
Overall, The CW had its best Thursday night since 2/4/10 among adults 18-34 (1.6/5).
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I know this is for the advertisers benefit, but it’s pretty interesting to see considering reports out of the Vancouver trades talk about how the CW is counting on at least one pilot just filmed to be the new companion for The Vampire Diaries on Thursday. Here’s a comment I was sent from a Vancouver publication:
“Another hopeful new series for the CW network is shooting ins inaugural episode here (Vancouver). Entitled Betwixt, the sci-fi plot centres on a group of teenage “changelings” who have the power to change into strange creatures. The show will star Josh Henderson, Jessy Schram and David Gallagher. If the series takes off, it’s expected to be paired with the CW’s popular supernatural drama Vampire Diaries next season…..”
Remember, a few months ago I was hearing ramblings about this and wrote my pitch on the idea of “Supernatural” going to Fridays. Granted there’s still no decision on this, but it seems The CW hasn’t given up on the idea. We’ll know for sure at the upfronts next month.
I’m not concerned if Supernatural moves to Fridays. It may take a ratings hit, it may not. Face it, there’s a lot less pressure on Fridays and if Betwixt doesn’t do much in the slot that will only be to Supernatural’s benefit as a comparison.
On the other hand, if Vampire Diaries and Betwixt do well that also will take some pressure of SPN since the CW will have two new shows doing well while SPN and SMV soldier on as they have, together, only this time on Fridays.
Anyway, we’ve got our sixth season and while a seventh and an eighth would be cool that’s only if the stories stay as compelling and the writing as tight as it has been thus far. Compared to The Vampire Diaries and Smallville, both of which I have been giving some eyeball time to just to see what’s what, Supernatural has far tighter plotting and writing while TVD and SMV seem to have an awful lot of pretty people moving around giving fairly lackluster performances and underwhelming stories to tell. (although admittedly Damon on TVD is well-acted and intriguing to watch…still, locking his brother up to detox, having a brother (Stephan) seeming to be convinced at his ability to control his lust for human blood…hmm, been there, done that and much better too…I’m just saying.
Not that I’m biased. No, no, no.
I have a feeling that any other series in the 9 PM death slot isn’t going to make it or have anywhere near the ratings that SUPERNATURAL has gotten. I personally hope that whatever the CW slots in there does MISERABLY! I have always felt that SUPERNATURAL did admirably there because it was a quality show with a loyal following. Put anything else there, forget it!
Love, Robin
I agree with Elle2 here. Vampire Diaries didn’t grip me, been there, done that, but with two more shows on the road, there might indeed be taken some pressure of our show.
If Supernatural was to move to Fridays, I would, at least, not have to go to work a complete basket case, as I have been in recent times… There is some advantage in that.
Biased? we? Never :-), JAS
I thought the same thing, Jas. Work the day following SPN is a bear after a sad episode.
TVD is not that appealing to me either. It’s stories aren’t that involved but it’s in a family time slot so maybe that’s why.
Supernatural always did good following SMV, and I don’t see why that would change at all. I don’t know what other shows are opposite that time slot now, but I doubt it would change SPN ratings much. Might give CW better Friday night ratings, and certainly a whole new audience would find SPN.
I remember when I first heard about Betwixt and Nikita being ordered to pilot, my first thought was, “I bet one of them will get paired with Vampire Diaries.” So Supernatural possibly going to Friday isn’t too much of a surprise.
And honestly? For all the stupid moves The CW has made over the years, I think it makes sense. First of all, it is RIDICULOUS that a prime time network (OK, “netlet”), regularly dedicates 2 hours worth of weekday prime time to reruns, especially since they gave up Sunday nights. The 9 PM Friday slot has been wasted all season (and 9 PM Wednesday as well). Smallville has shown some impressive numbers on Friday and worked well with Supernatural. If both shows were able to pull about 2 million viewers Friday, I think the bosses would be happy.
Second, Supernatural will be in its 6th season. Who knows, with the actors’ contracts coming up for renewal it could be the last. And it makes sense that The CW would use Vampire Diaries to support a new show that could help strengthen the brand rather than a show that might be on its last legs. And if it isn’t Supernatural’s last season, it would help anchor Friday night when Smallville goes.
The only concern I have with Friday’s is sports preemption. I don’t know about the rest of you, but I live in Red Sox Nation, and if my affiliate has a choice between the CW Friday night lineup and the Red Sox…well, they’ll pick baseball. In fact they did so last week (and the Sox weren’t even playing!).
I really like Vampire Diaries so I hope they don’t move Supernatural to Friday. I like that my two favorite shows come on back to back.
Also, TVD is based upon a series of books written back in the early 90’s so they did the “struggle with blood” story first, I’m just saying.
If this isn’t a sign that Supernatural is moving to Fridays, I don’t know what is.
http://tvbythenumbers.com/2010/05/06/cw-to-air-moonlight-repeats-with-the-vampire-diaries-encores-beginning-june-3/50747