Printer Friendly - SMASH tanks in ratings
Posted by BroadwayBen 2013-02-06 13:52:59
Rough opening...
http://www.deadline.com/2013/02/tv-ratings-smash-season-two-premiere-downncis-raising-hope/#more-423041
SMASH tanks in ratings
Posted by Phyllis Rogers Stone 2013-02-06 13:53:54
I like Smash.
SMASH tanks in ratings
Posted by songanddanceman2 2013-02-06 14:03:10
Shocked at how low, hope it gets adjusted up because they almost seem too low to be true.
Shame its not on next week (more great programing from NBC) guess we will have to see how it does in a couple of weeks. NBC could really do with showing last nights episode again before the next one
SMASH tanks in ratings
Posted by yankeefan7 2013-02-06 14:06:26
Shame because I really enjoyed it last night. I know it is kind of a "Broadway" soap opera but found it entertaining and some really nice singing performances. (Hilty,Jordan)
SMASH tanks in ratings
Posted by suestorm 2013-02-06 14:46:06
maybe when the DVR ratings come out, theyll be a good story there
SMASH tanks in ratings
Posted by RaisedOnMusicals 2013-02-06 14:53:40
I think that it suffered alot from a two hour premiere. Too many people won't watch a two hour show live, no matter what. Some will do as I did, which is to DVR it and wait 30 minutes or so to start watching and then fast forward through all of the commercials, so that it takes about 90 minutes to watch, but even that is a detriment to a show like this, which is really meant to be shown in a 60 minute episode. I guess they combined last night's show with "next week's" show, and everyone is right-HOW STUPID CAN NBC BE? Build momentum for a featured show and then give it all up in a week????
SMASH tanks in ratings
Posted by welcometothetheater 2013-02-06 15:45:16
This could be a stretch, but could it be that many fans watched the preview for the first hour (which I feel was a promotional/marketing mistake) and then either only watched the second hour or set their DVR so they could fast forward through what they'd already seen?
SMASH tanks in ratings
Posted by Blockhead24 2013-02-06 15:47:38
"maybe when the DVR ratings come out, theyll be a good story there"
those numbers are going to have to be reallllly good to save the show
SMASH tanks in ratings
Posted by chanel 2013-02-06 15:47:43
It didn't have "The Voice" as a lead-in last night. That's a major factor.
SMASH tanks in ratings
Posted by suestorm 2013-02-06 16:19:40
i wish this show was on SHOWTIME, HBO, AMC or FX. they wouldnt have to worry about the ratings as much. even worse then being canceled is if they change the show to try and make it more popular
SMASH tanks in ratings
Posted by hyperbole_and_a_half 2013-02-06 16:29:31
I'm not really surprised, since their entire promotional campaign for season two has been "SMASH: we promise not to be so ****iñg horrible this season, we swear".
SMASH tanks in ratings
Posted by ray-andallthatjazz86 2013-02-06 16:36:58
This unfortunately seals the fate of the show. There is no coming back from that kind of ratings. I love the experience of watching the show but it's so bad that this shouldn't be a surprise to anyone, especially since NBC should have always kept it as a follow up to THE VOICE, it's what made sense for that network. I can't believe they aren't airing an episode next week, it will return to even more dismal ratings. This is yet another example that network dramas are dying, SMASH just can't compete with some of the brilliant stuff that's on basic and premium cable.
SMASH tanks in ratings
Posted by Blockhead24 2013-02-06 17:02:30
NBC Smash (9-11PM) -Season Premiere 1.2/3 (18-49) 4.48 million viewers
http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/02/06/tuesday-final-ratings-smash-new-girl-betty-whites-2nd-annual-90th-birthday-special-and-vegas-adjusted-down/168304/?utm_campaign=WP%20%3E%20Twitter&utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitter
SMASH tanks in ratings
Posted by Phyllis Rogers Stone 2013-02-06 17:09:02
IT IS A SMASH
SMASH tanks in ratings
Posted by Wicked Fanatic 2013-02-06 17:14:23
It's not NBC's decision to not air an episode next week. It's because Prsident Obama will be making his State of the Union Address which preempts all programming on the networks.
SMASH tanks in ratings
Posted by Phyllis Rogers Stone 2013-02-06 17:14:52
And that address will be a SMASH!
SMASH tanks in ratings
Posted by EricMontreal22 2013-02-06 20:30:31
They should have started the week after the Innaugeration Speech. I admit I really enjoy watching the show (when it's good and when it's bad), but I realized two episodes back to back was a bit hard for me to take.
It will run its season (being on NBC where Parenthood--a much cheaper show--didn't do all that much better, and the fact Greenblat loves it), but unless something bizarre happens, I can't see it returning.
Theresa Rebeck is probably throwing a party, though. (Well, except she doesn't like being in a room with a lot of other people, so a small one...)
SMASH tanks in ratings
Posted by songanddanceman2 2013-02-06 21:16:44
I don't think it can be written off just yet considering its ONE week in to its new season. Many wont have watched because the episode was available before hand and it also had a crappy lead in with Betty Whites Birthday
SMASH tanks in ratings
Posted by Matt Rogers 2013-02-06 21:40:13
Did anyone notice that during the preview for the next episode, it said "Smash returns on February 19", meaning, there is not even an episode next Tuesday. What the hell??? They are trying to build a show and then they skip a week after the two-hour premiere??? Who is running that network??? Who, other than all of us (and maybe not all of us) on here will even think to return? Sheesh! It's almost as if they want to cancel it.
SMASH tanks in ratings
Posted by Bettyboy72 2013-02-06 21:40:53
While I dont think we can write the show off-this does not bode well. If a heavily hyped premiere with a new cast, including an Oscar winner can't garner a kill in the ratings on its big return, it does not look good at all.
SMASH tanks in ratings
Posted by Wynbish 2013-02-06 21:41:15
Who is running that network???
Someone not wanting to interrupt Obama's State of the Union...
SMASH tanks in ratings
Posted by FindingNamo 2013-02-06 21:42:59
No we hadn't noticed that Matt. I wonder why they would not show Smash next week?
SMASH tanks in ratings
Posted by Bettyboy72 2013-02-06 21:43:00
DVR or DNR?
SMASH tanks in ratings
Posted by Matt Rogers 2013-02-06 21:46:25
VERY good point. I did not realize that was coming up so quickly and of course that takes priority, but seriously, they are taking a chance putting this on hiatus right after the premiere. Why wouldn't they have waited to launch until after the State of the Union? I don't get it.
SMASH tanks in ratings
Posted by Phyllis Rogers Stone 2013-02-06 21:51:21
Wait? It's not on next week?
SMASH tanks in ratings
Posted by broadwaybabytn 2013-02-06 21:52:06
Last year, 30 Rock got an average of 4.6 million viewers. Parks and Recreation got an average of 4.4 million viewers, opening with 4.11 million. Community got 4.04 million viewers on average, opening with 3.93 million. NBC renews shows with bad ratings sometimes, because it's what they have.
SMASH tanks in ratings
Posted by EricMontreal22 2013-02-06 21:54:31
Yeah, being on NBC gives it a big up. The fact each episode reportedly costs $3mill+ though is not such a good thing (but that's why, they can't really afford to not show the remaining episodes).
SMASH tanks in ratings
Posted by broadwaybabytn 2013-02-06 21:58:28
Eric, that's a very good point.
SMASH tanks in ratings
Posted by Bettyboy72 2013-02-06 21:59:40
It's way too expensive-if it doesnt pull ratings, it will get the axe.
SMASH tanks in ratings
Posted by EricMontreal22 2013-02-06 22:15:16
They don't really have other hour shows to replace it at the moment (according to EW anyway)--and as mentioned, the fairly expensive Do No Harm and Deception have been doing about the same or worse--and Smash had a larger episode order as well as is further along in filming. But I have no clue how many have been shot--so they could pull the plug before airing all 12 or however many were ordered.
SMASH tanks in ratings
Posted by wonkit 2013-02-06 22:22:32
If they were smart, they would start promoting HANNIBAL and open it in late April. They haven't confirmed the air date for it, but now is the time, mes amis.
SMASH tanks in ratings
Posted by frogs_fan85 2013-02-06 22:36:09
The rating got adjusted up to a 1.2:
http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/02/06/tuesday-final-ratings-smash-new-girl-betty-whites-2nd-annual-90th-birthday-special-and-vegas-adjusted-down/168304/
SMASH tanks in ratings
Posted by Phyllis Rogers Stone 2013-02-06 22:38:51
Sounds like a smash to me!
SMASH tanks in ratings
Posted by Eris0303 2013-02-07 00:30:50
It's not NBC's decision to not air an episode next week. It's because Prsident Obama will be making his State of the Union Address which preempts all programming on the networks.
They can't do anything - the President is in TECH!
SMASH tanks in ratings
Posted by Midnight Radio 2013-02-07 00:52:03
Is it just me, or does Phyllis seem SMASHed?!
SMASH tanks in ratings
Posted by Phyllis Rogers Stone 2013-02-07 00:54:10
Midnight Radio, that comment is a SMASH!
SMASH tanks in ratings
Posted by Midnight Radio 2013-02-07 01:04:14
SMASH tanks in ratings
Posted by WhizzerMarvin TrinaJasonMendel 2013-02-07 01:52:35
Eris- I don't think anyone is blaming NBC for not airing an episode next week. The issue is they should have held off airing any episodes until after the State of the Union, as they knew that day would have no original programming months in advance. They attempted to build momentum only to stop it dead in its tracks again.
SMASH tanks in ratings
Posted by broadwaydevil 2013-02-07 02:28:28
Midnight Radio - how have I never seen that brilliant GIF before?
SMASH tanks in ratings
Posted by broadwayfever 2013-02-07 02:29:38
It should've been a 1 hour show...ending with Jeremy Jordan singing "Broadway, Here I come."
The lead in show was also Betty Whites 2nd Annual 90th Birthday Special...not what you really want when you're trying to attract the 18-49 demo.
Hopefully, it'll do better in 2 weeks because I actually liked the show.
SMASH tanks in ratings
Posted by Idiot 2013-02-07 02:51:59
I don't know about yoos guys, but my TiVo for some reason just didn't start recording the show this season. If it's a system wide glitch, that could explain some of the dip.
SMASH tanks in ratings
Posted by EricMontreal22 2013-02-07 03:02:45
Agreed precisely with Whizzer. To advertise the premier as much as they did--and then to skip a week immediately, just kills all intention. Surely they knew the date issue months back... I guess that's why we got two episodes...
SMASH tanks in ratings
Posted by HopeChanged 2013-02-07 06:01:34
I only watched certain episodes last season because Will Chase was in them and I love his voice. Plus, he's sexy as hell. No desire to watch it this season without him.
SMASH tanks in ratings
Posted by Blockhead24 2013-02-07 06:22:17
^right there with you
SMASH tanks in ratings
Posted by Luscious 2013-02-07 09:17:04
"The return of "Smash" on Tuesday got smashed in the ratings. According to EW, it's currently the lowest-rated series on broadcast television."
"Here's a simpler way to put it: If NBC broadcast someone doing bunny shadow puppets over a white background for two hours, the ratings could not possibly be much lower."
It's days are numbered... in the single digits.
SMASH tanks in ratings
Posted by suestorm 2013-02-07 09:59:41
shows like 2 1/2 Men are huge hits and shows like SMASH and FRINGE are ratings starved. what is wrong with this country!
SMASH tanks in ratings
Posted by SporkGoddess 2013-02-07 10:06:01
I dunno, Smash was so terrible last season that I can't really blame people for not coming back to it.
SMASH tanks in ratings
Posted by artscallion 2013-02-07 10:12:36
^^^ Yeah, I'm not at all surprised. And now I'm gladly relieved of having to make the decision of whether or not to continue hope watching it.
SMASH tanks in ratings
Posted by kyl3fong2 2013-02-07 10:12:48
@Luscious -- That article is incorrect. SMASH is definitely not the lowest rated show on Broadcast TV. Do No Harm premiered to a 0.9 rating and was the lowest series debut ever for any show. Plus Deception also rates lower as does The New Normal.
SMASH tanks in ratings
Posted by Kad 2013-02-07 11:21:42
"Last year, 30 Rock got an average of 4.6 million viewers. Parks and Recreation got an average of 4.4 million viewers, opening with 4.11 million. Community got 4.04 million viewers on average, opening with 3.93 million. NBC renews shows with bad ratings sometimes, because it's what they have."
The difference is that those shows have prestige. They're critical darlings with strong, dedicated followings. And 30 Rock has a wheelbarrow full of awards, both nominated and won.
Smash is not sincerely beloved by very many.
SMASH tanks in ratings
Posted by StageGuy99 2013-02-07 11:28:38
SMASH does have something that 30 Rock and the others don't... songs to sell on iTunes. Jordan's song already made the charts, so if the new songs continue to do well, then that's added income and more incentive for them to keep the show going.
SMASH tanks in ratings
Posted by mridley2 2013-02-07 12:08:25
"The difference is that those shows [30 Rock, Parks & Rec] have prestige. They're critical darlings with strong, dedicated followings. And 30 Rock has a wheelbarrow full of awards, both nominated and won. "
Don't forget 30 Rock (and Parks & Rec will follow behind) was sold into syndication for $800K per episode. That's major bank. Smash will most likely never generate that level of revenue. No matter how many seasons are a SMASH!
SMASH tanks in ratings
Posted by Kad 2013-02-07 12:26:10
I question whether the relative success of Smash's recordings will be able to offset the ratings and reviews. It's certainly no Glee, in terms of music sales.
SMASH tanks in ratings
Posted by winston89 2013-02-07 13:48:06
i think that there are a couple of issues at play here. First off, I find it mildly ironic that the reason for this show's midseason premier was because NBC stated that if they started it in the fall, then they would have to stop showing it for a bit due to the news around the election. That makes sense to me. However, I find it stupid to start the season (double episode or not) and then skip a week due to the State of the Union. I echo what others have said here, that they should have waited to start the week after the speech that way they could have shown all the episodes straight through. Not, create some momentum and kill it right away.
I only watched the first episode of the two episode premier, and I could notice a big change in the show, hard to describe, something that I can't quite put my finger on, but a difference in the show between the first season and this one. I think that if the first season were like this one, the show would be drastically different overall.
Lastly, I don't get this notion of putting season or series premiers online to stream from various venues. NBC isn't the only one that does this. To me, it's just common sense that if you're going to do this, don't expect great ratings for when the episode actually airs. As far as I'm concerned, that's just a sign of the networks wanting to shoot themselves in the foot. You can't give the premier to people in advance and then expect high ratings when it actually airs.
SMASH tanks in ratings
Posted by suestorm 2013-02-07 14:25:05
Lastly, I don't get this notion of putting season or series premiers online to stream from various venues. NBC isn't the only one that does this. To me, it's just common sense that if you're going to do this, don't expect great ratings for when the episode actually airs. As far as I'm concerned, that's just a sign of the networks wanting to shoot themselves in the foot. You can't give the premier to people in advance and then expect high ratings when it actually airs.
GOODPOINT WINSTON
all you have to do is look at the big newspapers and magazines... they are dying, why? you can get it online for free.
SMASH tanks in ratings
Posted by jasonf 2013-02-07 16:36:01
I have to say the season premiere was way better than last season's mess. I actually enjoyed the premiere and the music was pretty fantastic in these episodes.
I think a storm of things caused problems - the premiere being available online, a TERRIBLE lead-in, and the fact that it was two hours pretty much guaranteed bad ratings. How many people will watch two hours of any show in one night as it's live? Similarly, and I don't know if this has an impact, don't most professionals who work in theater actually WORK during that time? I don't know how big an impact that might have on ratings, but I'd assume some...
SMASH tanks in ratings
Posted by cabaretman24 2013-02-07 18:22:59
Well I dont think they needed all these new characters develop the ones you had breakups happen backstabbers stay around why write them off
SMASH tanks in ratings
Posted by Borstalboy 2013-02-07 18:49:47
Why did they move it to Tuesday?
I liked having a little SMASH start my week.
SMASH tanks in ratings
Posted by chewy5000 2013-02-07 19:17:19
If you're getting SMASHED that early, you should seek help.
SMASH tanks in ratings
Posted by winston89 2013-02-07 20:54:57
Borstalboy, I believe that they moved it to Tuesdays to give Revolution the timeslot that Smash had in its first season.
And, Jasonf, I am sure that there are people in the theatre community that watch the show, but I don't think that it's a big enough demographic to impact the ratings. Furthermore, season one aired at a time when people in the theatre would be working anyway.
SMASH tanks in ratings
Posted by EricMontreal22 2013-02-08 17:02:05
"@Luscious -- That article is incorrect. SMASH is definitely not the lowest rated show on Broadcast TV. Do No Harm premiered to a 0.9 rating and was the lowest series debut ever for any show. Plus Deception also rates lower as does The New Normal. "
Plus any show on the CW--what a weird article
SMASH tanks in ratings
Posted by ucjrdude902 2013-02-08 18:15:52
And just like that NBC cancels "Do No Harm". Is this a good sign for SMASH?
SMASH tanks in ratings
Posted by beensince1987 2013-02-08 20:26:23
So if SMASH's rating goes down around 20% (since DO NOT HARM went down 22% in second week) in 2 weeks NBC might pull plug on this?
Hope not. It is a guilty pleasure (and really bad one at that) for me.
http://www.deadline.com/2013/02/do-no-harm-cancelled-after-two-airings/
SMASH tanks in ratings
Posted by yankeefan7 2013-02-09 09:03:59
Makes you wonder. I enjoyed the first year even with it's faults. The first two episodes this year were much better and I like the elimination of several characters. I hope it catches on a bit and NBC gives it a chance. I don't like the way NBC scheduled the premier one week and then show will not be on for two weeks.I remember many years ago ABC killed a show I loved "Murder One" by erractic scheduling which cost the show its audience.
SMASH tanks in ratings
Posted by East Village 2013-02-09 09:15:52
I think it's over. There's no way NBC can order more episodes with the ratings that low
SMASH tanks in ratings
Posted by Phyllis Rogers Stone 2013-02-09 12:12:47
SMASH tanks in ratings
Posted by winston89 2013-02-09 12:19:26
I don't think that the ratings for season premier spell out doom for this show.I still stand by the fact that they were stupid enough to show the premier in advance. And, that A, no one is going to watch two hours of a show (favorite or not) in the age of Tivo/DVR. And, that everyone who really wanted to see it, most likely saw it in advance. If they were smart, they wouldn't have put the season premier online before its air date. Not to mention that they are stupid enough to have this show go to the wayside for a week for The State of The Union. Maybe they should have waited to start the season until the week after the speech? I don't know.
SMASH tanks in ratings
Posted by yankeefan7 2013-02-09 14:06:58
Winston89 - excellent points. I believe a lot of series TV shows you can't see the episode on-line until 8 days after it airs. You hit the nail on the head about State of Union sppech also, why not wait until the week after. I remember in the early days of the FOX series "24", one of the keys they said to building and keeping the audience was that the show never missed a week once it started the season.
SMASH tanks in ratings
Posted by winston89 2013-02-09 19:43:15
Yankeefan, thanks. And, there is something that I wanted to add. I get NBC's reason for not wanting to start season 2 of Smash in the fall. They said that if they had done that, then they would have built up a momentum and had to stop it with the election coverage. Yet, that's the exact thing that they are doing. Not with election coverage, but with the speech. Now, granted, I do kind of get where NBC is coming from. A lot of the NBC shows that started around september that had to take a break for the election, aren't starting back up again till March. Not the same as missing a week, but still, not good either.
And, Yankeefan, I don't believe you're correct about watching TV shows online. Typically, most shows are available online/on demand the next day.
SMASH tanks in ratings
Posted by AEA AGMA SM 2013-02-09 20:06:32
Here's one thing to remember, though. The season 1 premiere was available for viewing online well in advance of the actual airing as well and yet it was still able to pull in much better numbers.
Let's face it, they lost their audience after the ridiculous inconsistency of the first season and are going to have to work pretty hard to win some of those folks back.
SMASH tanks in ratings
Posted by beensince1987 2013-02-10 00:19:36
Wasn't last year that all the critics said premiere was great but it would take few episodes in to pick up the pace but whole season turned out to be pretty bad?
Sounds like exactly the same this season to me.
Not sure how many episodes NBC ordered for this season, but maybe they want season finale to be the last week of TV season and that's why they had to start on the 5th (includes the pre-empted this coming week)? It's usually first few weeks of May.
Not sure why NBC moved it to Tuesday, and is State of the Union on Tuesday every year?
SMASH tanks in ratings
Posted by ucjrdude902 2013-02-10 00:30:32
Didn't they order a full season which for Smash is like 16 episodes?
SMASH tanks in ratings
Posted by Phyllis Rogers Stone 2013-02-10 00:32:07
I think we should call them Smashisodes.
SMASH tanks in ratings
Posted by winston89 2013-02-10 02:14:36
While the State of the Union has been on a Tuesday the past couple of years, that is something that just by chance. For example, the 2010 one was on a Wednesday. But, it is always at 9.
NBC moved it to Tuesday because they wanted to air their new show Revolution to air after The Voice (Revolution picks back up again in on March 25th, the same day as The Voice starts.)
And, AEA AGMA SM, while I am not sure with you about the audience being gone, I do have this to say though about the fact that both season premiers being aired in advance online. That is that the pilot was so well reviewed that it even got people who missed the short online viewing period to give it a chance. However, putting the season two premier, of a show that spent a season going back and forth between being really good and horrible to watch is a bad idea for two reasons. First off, It's a bad idea because it allows what a dwindling fan base to watch it early and miss it live altogether. And, the issue was that they made it a two hour episode. No one is going to want to watch a 2 hour episode that late in the evening live, of any show. I understand that they wanted to have two episodes out since they are missing next week because of the speech, but still.
SMASH tanks in ratings
Posted by yankeefan7 2013-02-10 08:09:21
Winston89 - Another good point you made was having the 2 hr premier start so late. If they are going to do 2 hrs, they should have done 8p-10p. I got my daughter to give it a try and she like the first episode but did not watch the 2nd because she had to get up at 6a for work the next morning.
SMASH tanks in ratings
Posted by beensince1987 2013-02-10 10:15:38
I think what NBC is doing is they put a new series they believe to be strong to have the best lead-in (The Voice (what else does NBC have?)) so it can grab the audience and survive, then second season it can be moved somewhere else so new show can have the same chance. This season REVOLUTION is that show.
And Greenblatt being behind SMASH and in the chair of NBC Entertainment, the show got that spot last season.
If this show was on CBS, I don't think it would've gotten renewed with last years numbers.
SMASH tanks in ratings
Posted by ucjrdude902 2013-02-10 10:35:18
If they've already filmed 14 out of 17, they'd be stupid to not just show the rest IF they were to cancel the show.
SMASH tanks in ratings
Posted by yankeefan7 2013-02-10 11:24:48
Winston89- see below from Fox shows which was what I was talking about in post.
"You can unlock the latest full episode now by signing in to FOX.com and then connecting to a participating TV provider account; otherwise, episodes are available for viewing 8 days after the airdate. Select an episode to sign in."
SMASH tanks in ratings
Posted by dtzumbrunnen 2013-02-11 07:39:06
The 8 day lag has to do with how the Nielsen numbers are calculated. Although most advertisers only pay for the C+3 ratings (current day plus next 3 via DVR), Nielsen also releases C+7 ratings (Current day plus next 7 via DVR) - so Fox is trying to ensure that ANY watching that happens gets counted in their ratings. If it was just on Hulu it wouldn't get captured there.
