We are one month closer to the end of the 2014-2015 TV season. Where did the time go? This season has seemingly gone by so fast, don’t you think? Despite that there was plenty of programming options on the cable front for TV viewers to enjoy. Let’s take a look at how all of the cable dramas, made-for-TV movies, mini-series and/or event series fared in the ratings for the month of April.
First, here are the ratings for the cable dramas:
CABLE DRAMAS
MONDAYS:
Better Call Saul – The AMC prequel aired its season finale on April 6, earning 2.5 million viewers. The network also gave the show an early season two renewal, but a specific airdate has yet to be announced.
Bates Motel – The A&E series returned for its second season on April 9, airing four episodes during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:
April 6 – 1.8 million
April 13 – 1.7 million
April 20 – 1.7 million
April 27 – 1.8 million
This averages out to 1.8 million viewers for April. A new episode of Bates Motel aired on May 4 with the next new episode set to air on A&E on Monday, May 11 at 9 PM.
The Returned – This Americanized version of the French original debuted on A&E on April 9, airing four episodes of its debut season during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:
April 6 – 1.1 million
April 13 – 1.1 million
April 20 – 873,000 viewers
April 27 – 827,000 viewers
This averages out to 975,000 viewers for April. A new episode of The Returned aired on May 4 with the next new episode set to air on A&E on Monday, May 11 at 10 PM.
Turn Washington’s Spies – The second season of the AMC period piece drama returned with a two-hour premiere on April 13, airing 4 episodes during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:
April 13 – 827,000 viewers (Two-Hour Premiere)
April 20 – 865,000 viewers
April 27 – 591,000 viewers
This averages out to 761,000 viewers for April. A new episode of Turn Washington’s Spies aired on May 4 with the next new episode set to air on AMC on Monday, May 11 at 10 PM.
TUESDAYS:
Justified – The long-running FX came to a close with its final two episodes during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:
April 7 – 1.8 million
April 14 – 2.2 million (Series Finale)
This averages out to 2 million viewers for April.
Being Mary Jane – The BET drama aired two episodes during the month, including a two-hour season finale. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:
April 7 – 1.4 million
April 14 – 1.5 million (Two-Hour Finale)
This averages out to 1.5 million viewers in April. Being Mary Jane will return to BET for a third season at an as-yet unannounced date.
Finding Carter – The MTV drama actually returned for its second season on March 31, airing five episodes during the time period. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:
March 31 – 1.1 million
April 7 – 829,000 viewers
April 14 – 822,000 viewers
April 21 – 791,000 viewers
April 28 – 761,000 viewers
This averages out to 861,000 viewers for April. A new episode of Finding Carter aired on MTV on May 5 with the next new episode set for Tuesday, May 12 at 10 PM.
If Loving You Is Wrong – The OWN drama returned for rest of its debut season on March 24, airing two episodes in March and four episodes in April. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:
March 24 – 3 million (Mid-Season Return)
March 31 – 2.5 million
April 7 – 2 million
April 14 – 2.3 million
April 21 – 2.2 million
April 28 – 2 million
This averages out to 2.3 million viewers for that time period. A new episode of If Loving You Is Wrong aired on May 5 with the next new episode set to air on OWN on Tuesday, May 5 at 10 PM.
WEDNESDAYS:
The Americans – This FX spy drama aired the final four episodes of its third season during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:
April 1 – 895,000 viewers
April 8 – 1 million
April 15 – 975,000 viewers
April 22 – 1.2 million (Season Finale)
This averages out to 1 million viewers for April. The Americans has been renewed for a fourth season by FX with a yet-to-be announced airdate.
Broadchurch – The BBC America drama aired the final four episodes of its second season during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:
April 1 – 339,000 viewers
April 8 – 367,000 viewers
April 15 – 382,000 viewers
April 22 – 433,000 viewers (Series Finale)
This averages out to 380,000 viewers for April. Broadchurch was given a third season renewal by BBC America, but an airdate has yet to be announced.
Ripper Street – The BBC America period piece drama returned for its third season on April 29, earning 197,000 viewers. A new episode of Ripper Street aired on BBC America on May 6 with the next new episode set to air on Wednesday, May 6 at 10 PM.
The DirecTV drama Full Circle: Chicago Payback aired five more episodes of its current season during the month; but ratings for those episodes could not be tracked down. A new episode aired on DirecTV on May 6 with the next new episodes set to air on Wednesday, May 13 at 8 PM.
THURSDAYS:
Vikings – The History Channel period piece drama aired the final four new episodes of its third season during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:
April 2 – 2.2 million
April 9 – 2.6 million
April 16 – 2.5 million
April 23 – 2.7 million (Season Finale)
This averages out to 2.5 million viewers for April. Vikings has been renewed for a fourth season on the History Channel, but an official airdate has not been announced yet.
Dig – The new USA Network drama premiered on April 5, airing four episodes of its debut season during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:
April 2 – 925,000 viewers
April 9 – 948,000 viewers
April 16 – 1.1 million
April 23 – 937,000 viewers
April 30 – 1.1 million
This averages out to 1.5 million viewers for April. The season finale of Dig aired on May 7 and that rating will be provided in next month’s report. There is no report on whether the USA Network will continue Dig with a second season or not.
Olympus – The Syfy drama debuted on April 2, airing five episodes during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:
April 2 – 894,000 viewers (DEBUT)
April 9 – 709,000 viewers
April 16 – 718,000 viewers
April 23 – 652,000 viewers
April 30 – 612,000 viewers
This averages out to 717,000 viewers for April. A new episode of Olympus aired on Syfy on April 7 with the next new episode set to air on Thursday, May 21 at 10 PM.
The Red Road – The Sundance drama returned for its second season on April 2, airing five episodes during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:
April 2 – 191,000 viewers (Season Premiere)
April 9 – 160,000 viewers
April 16 – 204,000 viewers
April 23 – 165,000 viewers
April 30 – 165,000 viewers
This averages out to 177,000 viewers for April. The season finale of The Red Road aired on Sundance on May 7 with the ratings for that episode to be included in next month’s report.
Fortitude – The new Pivot event series aired the final three episodes of its debut season during April, but ratings could not be tracked down for those episodes. Fortitude was given a second season order, but a return date has yet to be announced.
FRIDAYS:
12 Monkeys – The new Syfy series aired the final two episodes of its debut season during the month. The ratings for those are as follows:
April 3 – 580,000 viewers
April 10 – 661,000 viewers (Season Finale)
This averages out to 621,000 viewers for April. 12 Monkeys has received a second season order from Syfy, but no official airdate has been set yet.
Helix – The Syfy thriller aired the final two episodes of its second season during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:
April 3 – 540,000 viewers
April 10 – 438,000 viewers (Series Finale)
This averages out to 489,000 viewers for April. Helix was cancelled by Syfy.
SATURDAYS:
Good Witch – The Hallmark Channel series aired the final three episodes of its debut season, including the two-hour finale, during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:
April 4 – 1.8 million
April 11 – 1.9 million
April 18 – 2.3 million (Two-Hour finale)
This averages out to 2 million for April. Good Witch will return to the Hallmark Channel for a second season sometime in 2016.
When Calls the Heart – The beloved Hallmark Channel drama returned for its second season, airing a two-hour premiere on April 25, earning 1.9 million viewers. A new episode of When Calls the Heart aired on May 2 with the next new episode, a two-hour special airing, set to air on Saturday, May 16 at 8 PM.
Outlander – The much anticipated mid-season return of the Starz drama happed on April 4 with four more episodes of the debut season airing during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:
April 4 – 1.2 million (Mid-Season Return)
April 11 – 860,000 viewers
April 18 – 1.1 million
April 25 – 1.1 million
This average out to 1.1 million viewers for April. New episodes of Outlander aired on May 2 and May 9 with the next new episode set to air on Saturday, May 16 at 9 PM on Starz.
Orphan Black – The critically-acclaimed BBC America drama returned for its third season on April 18, airing two episodes during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:
April 18 – 535,000 viewers
April 25 – 420,000 viewers
This averages out to 478,000 viewers for April. New episodes of Orphan Black aired on May 2 and May 9 with the next new episode will air on Saturday, May 16 at 9 PM on BBC America.
Tatau, the new BBC America drama debuted on April 18 with two episodes airing during the month. Ratings for the debut episode could not be tracked down, but the second episode received 124,000 viewers. The show was then moved to 11 PM and aired new episodes on May 2 and May 9 with the next new episode set to air on BBC America on Saturday, May 16 at 11 PM.
SUNDAYS:
The Royals – The first scripted drama on E! aired four new episodes of its debut season during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:
April 5 – 1.1 million
April 12 – 1.1 million
April 19 – 1.1 million
April 26 – 1.1 million
This averages out to 1.1 million viewers for April. A new episode of The Royals aired on May 3 and May 10 with the next new episode set to air on E! on Sunday, May 17 at 10 PM.
Mad Men – The final episodes EVER of the AMC period piece returned on May 5, airing four episodes during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:
April 5 – 2.3 million
April 12 – 2 million
April 19 – 1.9 million
April 26 – 1.8 million
This averages out to 2 million viewers for April. New episodes of Mad Men aired on AMC on May 3 and May 10 with the series finale set to air on Sunday, May 17 at 10 PM.
Salem – The second season of the WGN America thriller premiered on April 5, airing four episodes during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:
April 5 – 510,000 viewers (Season Premiere)
April 12 – 376,000 viewers
April 19 – 495,000 viewers
April 26 – 331,000 viewers
This averages out to 428,000 viewers for April. New episodes of Salem aired on WGN America on May 3 and May 10 with the next new episode set to air on Sunday, May 17 at 10 PM.
The Lizzie Borden Chronicles – The TV version of the made-for-TV movie debuted on April 5, airing four episodes during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:
April 5 – 1.1 million (DEBUT)
April 12 – 985,000 viewers
April 19 – 723,000 viewers
April 26 – 799,000 viewers
This averages out to 902,000 viewers for April. New episodes of The Lizzie Borden Chronicles aired on Lifetime on May 3 and May 10 with the next new episode set to air on Sunday, May 17 at 10 PM.
Game of Thrones – Season five of the HBO critically-acclaimed series premiered on April 12, airing three episodes during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:
April 12 – 8 million (Season Premiere)
April 19 – 6.8 million
April 26 – 6.7 million
This averages out to 7.2 million for April. New episodes of Game of Thrones aired on HBO on May 3 and May 10 with the next new episode set to air on Sunday, May 17 at 9 PM.
MADE-FOR-TV MOVIES AND MINI-SERIES
There were only a little over a handful of made-for-TV movies and/or mini-series that aired on the cable networks during April. Here is a list of those for which ratings could be found:
The Dovekeepers (Part 2 on CBS) – 6.4 million
Cleveland Abduction (Lifetime) – 3.1 million
Seeds of Yesterday (Lifetime) – 1.8 million
Garage Sale Mystery: The Deadly Room (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1.4 million
The Casual Vacancy (3-Part Mini-Series on HBO) – 115,000 (average for all 3 parts)
And here is a list of those that aired during April for which ratings could NOT be found:
Aurora Teagarden: A Bone to Pick (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries)
Call the Midwife (PBS)
Mr. Selfridge (PBS)
The Music in Me (UP Channel)
Wolf Hall (PBS)
Ratings results for the cable dramas, the mini-series and the made-for-TV movies that are set to air in May that can be tracked down will be provided as soon as possible in June.
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