Fall’s New Shows: Which Could Be Renewed? Which Have Us Worried?
The 2024-2025 TV season has officially kicked off, bringing with it several new titles for viewers to latch onto, but will all of them succeed?
In today’s TV landscape, ratings can make or break a new show (or even old favorites). While new shows continue to find their audiences, we’re taking a look at how their initial ratings could influence chances for renewal. Ranging from the already-renewed Fox animation series Universal Basic Guys to buzzy early favorites Matlock and High Potential, we’re breaking down everything you need to know so far.
Scroll down for a closer peek at how the new titles stack up.
Universal Basic Guys
Premiered: Sunday, September 8th
Prediction: There isn’t too much to predict as the show’s already been renewed for Season 2.
Universal Basic Guys got off to a strong start on its premiere night wrangling in 4.025 million viewers with a rating of 1.18 among the 18-49 demo, but that is likely due to an NFL lead which also boosted numbers when the third episode aired on September 22nd.
Average (four episodes): 0.49 rating, 1.679 million viewers
The Golden Bachelorette
Premiered: Wednesday, September 18th
Prediction: A renewal is all but imminent for this crowd-pleaser.
The Golden Bachelorette has the benefit of being platformed by a long-adored franchise, and it certainly shows as the series saw a 17.24% increase in ratings from the premiere to its second episode from 0.29 to 0.34, but viewership did dip slightly by less than 5% to 2.690 million viewers in week two.
Average (two episodes): 0.32 rating, 2.752 million viewers
Matlock
Premiered: Sunday, September 22nd
Prediction: Early buzz and intrigue pointed to a promising future for the series which has since been renewed for Season 2.
Matlock‘s arrival stirred up plenty of attention in its debut, but can its big debut numbers carry over when Episode 2 arrives weeks later?
Average (one episode): 0.44 rating, 7.742 million viewers
Rescue: HI-Surf
Premiered: Sunday, September 22nd
Prediction: Things are not looking good for a renewal.
Rescue: HI-Surf‘s debut delivered big numbers following an NFL lead-in with 4.772 million viewers and a 1.11 rating, but that number has dipped majorly, decreasing each week with its most recent installment pulling in less than half the amount of viewers with 2.094 million and 0.17 rating.
Average (three episodes): 0.49 rating, 3.070 million viewers
Brilliant Minds
Premiered: Monday, September 23rd
Prediction: It’s a little too early to tell.
Brilliant Minds has delivered somewhat consistent viewership since its premiere with a small drop of 11.71% in viewership from the debut episode to its second installment which brought in 3.462 million for a rating of 0.27.
Average (two episodes): 0.28 rating, 3.692 million viewers
High Potential
Premiered: Monday, September 23rd
Prediction: As one of Fall TV’s buzzier new shows we have high hopes for this newbie’s renewal.
High Potential has arrived with a modest start, the show’s 2.28% viewership increase to 3.675 million between the premiere and second episodes hints at the potential for growth in the weeks ahead even if the ratings dipped 11.43%.
Average (two episodes): 0.33 rating, 3.634 million viewers
Murder in a Small Town
Premiered: Tuesday, September 24th
Prediction: It’s still a little early to tell for certain, but this show is among the lower end of the ratings scale.
As far as new shows go, Murder in a Small Town will have to grow over time if it plans to stick around as it debuted on the lower end of the ratings scale.
Average (one episode): 0.22 rating, 2.285 million viewers
Doctor Odyssey
Premiered: Thursday, September 26th
Prediction: The tides certainly appear to be in this show’s favor after a strong premiere showing.
Doctor Odyssey kicked off with a strong start, delivering one of the higher-rated debut episodes of the new series slate. Can it hold onto and build onto the first episode’s ratings is the bigger question at play.
Average (one episode): 0.40 rating, 4.226 million viewers
The Summit
Premiered: Sunday, September 29th
Prediction: The format works in this show’s favor.
Will The Summit be able to hold on? It’s a little too soon to tell for certain after just one episode, but considering the success of CBS’s other outdoor competitions and the new show’s decent premiere ratings, there’s a strong case for a return.
Average (one episode): 0.32 rating, 3.033 million viewers
NCIS: Origins
Premiered: Monday, October 14th
Prediction: The show isn’t its flagship’s success, but the franchise name keeps things in the show’s favor for now.
NCIS: Origins started fairly strong in its debut week, but has dropped in ratings each week since suggesting that it may take some time for stats on a consistent audience to emerge.
Average (four episodes): 0.33 rating, 4.472 million viewers
Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage
Premiered: Thursday, October 17th
Prediction: The series has already been given a full season order at CBS hinting at the strong possibility of a Season 2 renewal.
Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage follows in the footsteps of two hit comedies and seems to be continuing that streak with the best ratings for a new show this TV season, so far.
Average (two episodes): 0.50 rating, 6.483 million viewers
Happy's Place
Premiered: Friday, October 18th
Prediction: Reba McEntire is a bonafide hit on NBC, and her long-awaited return to headlining her own scripted show has yielded promising results.
While Happy’s Place may not be the biggest show this season, but it’s comfortably running at the middle of the pack and has room for possible growth with a flashy Reba reunion on the horizon.
Average (two episodes): 0.32 rating, 3.759 million viewers
Poppa's House
Premiered: Monday, October 21st
Prediction: The father-son team-up at the center of this new CBS comedy is sure to suck in viewers as the season unfolds.
Poppa’s House may have seen a small dip in ratings between its first episode and second, but it has maintained a decent audience compared to its fellow freshman series and only time will tell if that will pay off for renewal chances.
Average (two episodes): 0.40 rating, 3.869 million viewers
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