THR's James Hibberd, in a piece on some Syfy pilot pickups that also wanders into the territory that of course Syfy is considering other BSG spinoffs, quotes Syfy VP of development Mark Stern on Caprica's ratings:
When asked about the chances of its modestly performing spinoff “Caprica” getting a renewal, Stern was bullish. He pointed to the show recently hitting a series high in the adult demographic using Live+7 ratings, drawing 1.6 million viewers and 913,000 adults 18-49.
“We have a lot of hope for that show,” Stern said. “The (DVR data) has been very promising and growing week after week. The ratings don't reflect the potential audience."
Perhaps we need TV network executive excuse Bingo to complement Fan Excuse Bingo. "Our Audience doesn't watch TV" (a Ben Silverman gem) would be center square.
The ratings don't reflect the potential audience? No? What does then? Total world population, perhaps?
I'm not trying to be snarky. If what Stern meant is that the Live+SD viewing doesn't reflect the total viewing audience, I agree, but those are still ratings. Indeed, bumping up from a .4 with adults 18-49 in the live+SD ratings to a .7 in the Live+SD ratings is huge growth on a percentage basis. The problem is that it's still tiny in the absolute.
Is the show more popular when DVR is factored in? Sure. More popular yes. A lot more popular even, on a percentage basis. But still not very popular. The real question though is does Syfy make a lot more money in commercial ad revenue when those huge increases in DVR viewing are factored in?
Sadly for Syfy the answer is "no." It only makes a little bit more money.
While I believe Mr. Stern is hopeful, I don't know if I'd agree with Hibberd that Stern is bullish, though I agree he is at least trying to appear bullish.
But c'mon, it's not like he and the other execs at Syfy are running around high fiving each other over the DVR numbers. "Woo-hoo! With Live+7 viewing factored in "Caprica" narrowly edged out "The Soup!*" Yes!"
Potential is nice, but it's hard to monetize. Of course, I'm not really sure if the Syfy strategy of sticking its more expensive programming on Friday nights when fewer people are around to watch it anyway makes sense anymore. In 2005 it might have still made sense. Now, I'm not so sure. Some scripted dramas on cable grow during their first season and grow in their second season when compared to the first. I don't love the chances of that happening for Caprica on a Friday night. We'll see.
*It might not have edged out "The Soup." I didn't see "The Soup's" Live+7 numbers for Friday 2/26. In the Live+SD numbers that night it beat "Caprica" .6 vs. .4 with adults 18-49.
Sounds like a fan excuse. Hey we only got canceled because the ratings didn't reflect the potential audience!
First off, I wouldn't be surprised in the slightest if Syfy wound up canceling Caprica after the season ends. The ratings are abysmal as we know, and show no signs of improving significantly. Fortunately for all of us here, the finale won't wind up airing till December or January, so we probably have a long wait for this to be resolved!
One advantage the show seems to have is that at least some of the execs enjoy it, and want it to succeed beyond purely capitalistic reasons. They don't seem quite ready to let go of BSG as a franchise, so they're probably more willing to be patient with Caprica. I also wonder what might happen if they gave it a renewal around the time it comes back from hiatus in October. Based on comments here and elsewhere, there does seem to be a small, notable contingent of viewers who are tuning out or not even giving the show a chance based on the ratings status. Maybe it's only worth a tenth of a point in 18-49, maybe more, maybe less.
As a viewer, I find myself enjoying the show more and more as it goes on (the 3/5 episode being the exception), and I do hope it gets to continue. But based on the numbers, the only thing that could justify a renewal from a business standpoint might be the impact of DVD sales when that comes into play down the road. It's likely too expensive to be sustainable on its own in the current state.
I tried to like Caprica but it is just not entertaining to me and I was a Galactica fan.
Then I read today, Syfy wants to do another Galactica spinoff?
How about bring Farscape back instead or even Journeyman.
I think the fact that Stern is talking to the press about wanting other BSG spinoffs so soon into Caprica's run says more about SyFy's real thoughts about its ratings performance than his lukewarm spin about “potential audience”.
To be honest, I'm not sure if any BSG spinoff will ever work. BSG told a complete story.
I am a science fiction fan. I tried to like this show, but after watching the first 3 episodes I stopped watching this show. The story is tedious and slow. I think SyFy has dropped the ball with Caprica and the new Stargate as both of them are not nearly as good as their predecessors.
They won't cancel Caprica after 1 season. They love Moore and they are thinking on doing more BSG related stuff. Also, much like Fringe, there is a BSG game mmo on the horizon which means they want to keep that universe in the public eye for a while. I am sure Caprica will also sell boat loads of DVD's just like BSG did.
Caprica is much better than I ever hoped it would be. It's a great show that stands on its own. Why it's not watched more? It's anyone's guess. Not crappy enough?
I don't see it being renewed. I really, really wanted to like it. I loved BSG. I like half of the characters and most of the actors on the show to me are good. However, I'm not interested in a show mostly devoted to virtual reality, the mob, and some terrorist sex cult. Only a couple of character for me are even remotely likeable. I really don't get why shows continually have to make most of their characters unlikeable. For me there is no one on the show to root for. I was actually interested in a series on how the cylons were created but what the writers have given us is pretty putrid in my opinion.
I don't see it being renewed. I really, really wanted to like it. I loved BSG. I like half of the characters and most of the actors on the show to me are good. However, I'm not interested in a show mostly devoted to virtual reality, the mob, and some terrorist sex cult. Only a couple of character for me are even remotely likeable. I really don't get why shows continually have to make most of their characters unlikeable. For me there is no one on the show to root for. I was actually interested in a series on how the cylons were created but what the writers have given us is pretty putrid in my opinion.
I'm trying to like Caprica I just don't know, it's a little dull. I was never a big fan of '70's Battle Star Glatica but I did like the remake. It took me a while to catch on. Some shows need time to develop . I a big fan of fantasy sci-fi action shows. I always try support scripted cable shows, they give those shows a chance, lot of them aren't instant hit, it takes time to get an audience.
Well, I'm just remembering what moving BSG to Sunday's did: really hurt the show's ratings. Granted, 10PM on Sunday isn't exactly the most watched TV time in America…
This reads as a network really liking a show but not getting the ratings they need to keep it alive. So they're making excuses and trying to talk it up.
But that's a standard Syfy excuse. When they talk about ratings they always talk about the +7, if they didn't virtually all their shows are under performing. I'm kind of surprised the CW doesn't use this one more often.
It's a silly excuse because if we accept it and Syfy is in how many homes? Then we can point to the ratings of virtually any Syfy show and say 'your shows are not doing well at all', not if we compare them to other basic cable channels or even, as this site has pointed out, Spartacus on Starz.
Syfy are you sure you want to open up that can o'worms? lol
I like the idea of TV network executive excuse Bingo!
I thought Caprica was going to be junk. I’ve been so disappointed since before Scifi changed it’s name. But I’ve been surprised. There are great science fiction elements in the story and the main characters are captivating. Yes Battlestar is still there, but this show stands on its own. When you look back at the great shows this network failed to support and the total junk that gets turned out – like the giant “—- fill in snake, rat, toad, hamster, shark—” of the week, ratings reflect fans who are tired of getting into shows that just end. If any show needed a chance to grow it is Caprica. I’d love it if they’d air episodes on Friday and Sunday nights for a few weeks to introduce more people to the show. Look, there is a great love of real science fiction, but this network has burned so many fans over the past few years. People are afraid to get attached to a new show only to have it just vanish. If folks start tuning in they will get drawn into the stories.
Caprica separates the sci-fi kids looking for bumpy headed aliens, laser guns and warfare, from the sci-fi adults who are open to new genres that challenge the mind… RDM evolved the face of sci-fi with BSG and differentiated sci-fi fare… Caprica is another evolution of sci-fi from RDM's brilliant mind and creates a new differentiation, a new genre…
Yes, there will be those who hate it, and there will be those who love it.. but love it or hate it, you've been talking about it… notice the tremendous buzz it already has and debates it has created among those who like it and those who do not…
The success of such stories/ content are not solely based on present TV ratings, especially if you are introducing another differentiated sci-fi product… but like any good new product, it is slowly building its base and finding its own audience… Then, as it builds critical mass – the word of mouth will drive an increased audience to watch future seasons and spend money on DVDs, merchandise and even other forms of entertainment related to the franchise eg. games…
DVD-R aside as well, it is true that the audience may not be watching Caprica in the conventional sense – ie. via TV… The ratings would probably go skywards even more if one would factor in the not-so-legal way of watching the show via countless streaming websites and through torrents.. Syfy has done the smart-move of putting the show on its website as well – with advertising (the last episode being sponsored by Allstate). Hence, the viewership on the website should be considered as well… And finally, even more so – there is a likelihood of viewers watching it even more than once through the website – hence being exposed to Allstate commercials more than once…
Syfy looks to be invested in this for the long haul.. which is a smart strategy… Great franchises were not built in a season… But if you stick with the formula, build a following over a few seasons; then chances are you could have a franchise of mythical proportions that reward in multiple licensing ways….
You've only changed the face of science fiction or anything for that matter if your 'success' is repeatable otherwise it's a one shot. Unless the BSG template can be copied in such a way that it makes money, it's just a great show that's gone. Caprica could be the best written show on TV but if no one's watching it, it's a footnote in TV history. I do watch it but I'm not blind to its faults and I don't think Syfy is either. They're a business and the bottom line is can they afford to carry Caprica with the ratings that exist right now? Do they have deep enough pockets to pay for the show? Frankly Mr. Stern is making excuses that make him sound like a fan and not a businessman but what's he suppose to say? Oops I think 'we' just made a bad call and right when Comcast is looking at all the NBCUniversal 'property' too.
I'm guessing that for the writers BSG was a complete fluke in being a great show.
I'm not really a Caprica fan (I don't even watch it) but I completely agree that all those expensive shows they air on Fridays would do better on a different night. For most networks, Friday is the night of death… for Syfy? It's for w/e reason held up as the holy grail of time-slots.
Maybe they can go back to BSG and say its finale was just a dream sequence. ;–). I miss all the babes with guns – Boomer, Six, Starbuck. . .
I also liked Firefly/Serenity. So what's Joss Whedon doing these days?