UPDATE: Friday Night Lights has been picked up by DirecTV and NBC through the 2010-11 Season.
A cult fan and critic darling last season, but not a viewer favorite [#133 in HHs, and #127 in 18-49 viewers], NBC's Friday Night Lights [Friday 9PM Eastern] returned this season hoping to build its viewership.
Once again we ask, Renew or Cancel?
Friday Night Light's Rank among NBC Shows, All Shows
| Date | Viewer Rank among NBC Shows | Viewer Rank among all Shows |
|---|---|---|
| 10/5 | #19 of 23 | #68 of 234 |
| 10/12 | #19 of 23 | #77 of 226 |
| 10/19 | #20 of 24 | #79 of 226 |
| 10/26 | #18 of 22 | #79 of 225 |
This season, Friday Night Lights has typically finished at the bottom of all non-rerun NBC shows. Among all broadcast shows, it has typically finished behind every ABC, CBS, and Fox first run shows with the exception of Next Great American Band. It has regularly been beating CW shows.
How is it doing against its competition on Wednesday?
Friday Night Light's Viewership and Rankings for its 9PM Friday Timeslot.
| Date | Viewers (Rank) | Adults 18-49 (Rank) | Adults 18-34 (Rank) | Adults 25-54 (Rank) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10/5 | 6.37m (2) | 2.78m (2) | 1.04m (3) | 3.03m (2) |
| 10/12 | 5.46m (4) | 2.27m (5) | 0.93m (4) | 2.75m (4) |
| 10/19 | 5.37m (3) | 2.47m (4) | 0.92m (2) | 2.83m (3) |
| 10/26* | 5.27m (4) | 2.15m (4) | 0.87m (3) | 2.29m (4) |
| 11/2** | 5.45m |
Friday Night Lights audience started low and has continued to drift downward in all demo categories.
It consistently finishes behind ABC's Women's Murder Club and CBS's Moonlighting in all categories, and behind Univision's Destilando Amor in the youth demos.
Friday Night Light's Lead-In Audience Lost from Deal or No Deal
| Date | Lead-In Audience Lost |
|---|---|
| 10/5 | -24% |
| 10/12 | -46% |
| 10/19 | -41% |
| 10/26* | -49% |
| 11/2** | -41% |
Friday Night Lights follows one of NBC's biggest shows, Deal or No Deal, but, except for the debut week, almost half the audience tunes out before watching.
Conclusions
Negatives
- NBC's lowest rated first run timeslot.
- Nearly the lowest rated show among all ABC, NBC, CBS and Fox shows.
- Audience still trending down in all demographic categories.
- Consistently finishes 3rd or 4th in all demo categories vs. its timeslot competition.
Positives
- Whatever caused NBC to renew it after the end of last season.
Verdict: Turn out the lights. Solid Cancel.
The writers strike begins on 11/5. I would not expect FNL to return after all its available episodes are telecast.
Wondering about other shows? Check our all our Renew or Cancel? posts.
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*Live, all other data is Live+SD
** From Fast Overnight Data
Nielsen TV Ratings Data: ©2007 Nielsen Media Research, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
its a great show. i wish CW could buy it out and continue it. Would be good ratings for them. is that even poss?
people need to tune in
its a great show. i wish CW could buy it out and continue it. Would be good ratings for them. is that even poss?
people need to tune in
its a great show. i wish CW could buy it out and continue it. Would be good ratings for them. is that even poss?
people need to tune in
its a great show. i wish CW could buy it out and continue it. Would be good ratings for them. is that even poss?
people need to tune in
its a great show. i wish CW could buy it out and continue it. Would be good ratings for them. is that even poss?
people need to tune in
It is definitely possible that the show could move to a cable net. More likely that happens with a “friendly” network, ala Law & Order:CI’s move to USA.
It is definitely possible that the show could move to a cable net. More likely that happens with a “friendly” network, ala Law & Order:CI’s move to USA.
It’s a good show and should stay on the air somewhere. It is on a terrible night in a terrible time slot.
It’s a good show and should stay on the air somewhere. It is on a terrible night in a terrible time slot.
It’s a good show and should stay on the air somewhere. It is on a terrible night in a terrible time slot.
It’s a good show and should stay on the air somewhere. It is on a terrible night in a terrible time slot.
It’s a good show and should stay on the air somewhere. It is on a terrible night in a terrible time slot.
I am praying that if it is canceled by NBC, USA or the CW picks it up. It would do great on the CW.
I am praying that if it is canceled by NBC, USA or the CW picks it up. It would do great on the CW.
I am praying that if it is canceled by NBC, USA or the CW picks it up. It would do great on the CW.
Renew. Simple as that. But it needs a better time slot..It looks like Journeyman won’t be around much longer with the ratings its getting which is a shame, but perhaps FNL can take mondays at 10pm..
Renew. Simple as that. But it needs a better time slot..It looks like Journeyman won’t be around much longer with the ratings its getting which is a shame, but perhaps FNL can take mondays at 10pm..
Renew. Simple as that. But it needs a better time slot..It looks like Journeyman won’t be around much longer with the ratings its getting which is a shame, but perhaps FNL can take mondays at 10pm..
Renew. Simple as that. But it needs a better time slot..It looks like Journeyman won’t be around much longer with the ratings its getting which is a shame, but perhaps FNL can take mondays at 10pm..
Renew. Simple as that. But it needs a better time slot..It looks like Journeyman won’t be around much longer with the ratings its getting which is a shame, but perhaps FNL can take mondays at 10pm..