2015 has come to a close with plenty of cable dramas to enjoy throughout December and lots of holiday made-for-TV movies to watch. Let’s take a look at how these programming options for the last month of the year fared in the ratings.
CABLE DRAMAS
MONDAYS:
Fargo – The acclaimed ABC anthology series aired the final two episodes of its second season during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:
December 7 – 1.3 million
December 14 – 1.8 million (Season Finale)
This averages out to 1.6 million viewers for December. Fargo was renewed for a third season by FX and will return sometime later in 2016.
Major Crimes – The TNT drama aired three more new episodes of its current fourth season, including its mid-season finale, during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:
December 7 – 3.3 million
December 14 – 3 million
December 21 – 3.7 million (Mid-Season Finale)
This averages out to 3.3 million viewers for December. Major Crimes will return with new episodes on TNT starting on Monday, February 15 at 9 PM.
Legends – The TNT spy drama aired the final six episodes of its second and recently announced final season during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:
December 7 – 688,000 viewers
December 14 – 514,000 viewers
December 21 – 824,000 viewers
December 27 – 515,000 viewers (Part 1 of 3 – Series Finale)
December 27 – 405,000 viewers (Part 2 of 3 – Series Finale)
December 27 – 325,000 viewers (Part 3 of 3 – Series Finale)
This averages out to 545,000 viewers for December. Legends was cancelled by TNT.
TUESDAYS:
Finding Carter – The MTV drama aired the final three episodes of its second season during the month. The ratings for those episode are as follows:
December 1 – 303,000 viewers
December 8 – 358,000 viewers
December 15 – 337,000 viewers (Part 1 of 2 – Season Finale)
December 15 – 334,000 viewers (Part 2 of 2 – Season Finale)
This averages out to 333,000 viewers for December. Finding Carter has yet to be renewed for a third season by MTV.
Manhattan – The WGN America period piece drama aired the final three episodes of its second season during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:
December 1 – 308,000 viewers
December 8 – 240,000 viewers
December 15 – 201,000 viewers (Season Finale)
This averages out to 250,000 viewers for December. Manhattan has yet to be renewed for a third season by WGN America.
Being Mary Jane – The BET drama aired the final three episodes of its third season during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:
December 1 – 1.4 million
December 8 – 1.1 million
December 15 – 1.7 million (Season Finale)
This averages out to 1.4 million viewers for December. Being Mary Jane has yet to receive a fourth season renewal from BET.
Girlfriend’s Guide to Divorce – The Bravo drama returned for its second season on December 1, airing five new episodes during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:
December 1 – 707,000 viewers (Season Premiere)
December 8 – 628,000 viewers
December 15 – 596,000 viewers
December 22 – 570,000 viewers
December 29 – 633,000 viewers
This averages out to 627,000 viewers for December. The next new episode of Girlfriend’s Guide to Divorce will air on Tuesday, January 5 on Bravo at 10 PM.
The Expanse – The 10-part mini-series aired its two-night debut on Syfy on December 14 and 15 and aired two more new episodes throughout the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:
December 14 – 1.2 million (DEBUT)
December 15 – 854,000 viewers
December 22 – 676,000 viewers
December 29 – 633,000 viewers
This averages out to 841,000 viewers for December. The next new episode of The Expanse will air on Syfy on Tuesday, January 5 at 10 PM. The mini-series also recently received a second season renewal by the network.
WEDNESDAYS:
American Horror Story: Hotel – The FX anthology series aired three more new episodes of its current season, including its mid-season finale, during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:
December 2 – 2.3 million
December 9 – 2.1 million
December 16 – 1.8 million (Mid-Season Finale)
This average out to 2.1 million viewers for December. The next new episode of American Horror Story: Hotel will air on FX on Wednesday, January 6 at 10 PM.
Kingdom – The DirecTV series aired the final three episodes of its second season during the month, but ratings could be not tracked down. Kingdom will return for a third season sometime in 2016.
THURSDAYS:
Haven – The final four episodes of the fifth and final season of the Syfy drama aired during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:
December 3 – 626,000 viewers
December 10- 741,000 viewers
December 17 – 679,000 viewers (Part 1 of 2 – Series Finale)
December 17 – 528,000 viewers (Part 2 of 2 – Series Finale)
This averages out to 644,000 viewers for December. Haven, of course, came to a planned end this year.
FRIDAYS:
Z Nation – The zombie series aired the final three episodes of its second season on Syfy during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:
December 4 – 969,000 viewers
December 11 – 826,000 viewers
December 18 – 1.1 million (Season Finale)
This averages out to 965,000 viewers for December. Z Nation was renewed for a third season by Syfy and it will air sometime in 2016.
The Knick – The Cinemax period piece aired the final three episodes of its second season during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:
December 4 – 266,000 viewers
December 11 – 199,000 viewers
December 18 – 275,000 viewers (Season Finale)
This average out to 247,000 viewers for December. The Knick has yet to be renewed for a third season on Cinemax.
Satisfaction – The USA Network drama aired the final three episodes its second season during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:
December 4 – 612,000 viewers
December 11 – 636,000 viewers
December 18 – 636,000 viewers (Season Finale)
This average out to 628,000 viewers for December. The USA Network has yet to renew Satisfaction for a third season.
Unforgettable – The former CBS series that was picked up by A&E actually aired its two-hour season premiere of its fourth season on November 27 and aired three new episodes throughout December. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:
November 27 – 839,000 viewers (Part 1 of 2 – Season Premiere)
November 27 – 706,000 viewers (Part 2 of 2 – Season Premiere)
December 4 – 921,000 viewers
December 11 – 941,000 viewers
December 18 – 1 million
This average out to 881,000 viewers for December. A new episode of Unforgettable aired on A&E on January 1 with the next new episode set to air on Friday, January 8 at 8 PM.
Doctor Who – The Christmas episode of Doctor Who entitled “The Husbands of River Song” aired on BBC America the holiday, earning 1.2 million viewers.
Call the Midwife – The holiday episode of the PBS mini-series also aired on Christmas, but ratings could not be tracked down for this special airing. A new season of Call the Midwife will premiere on PBS on Sunday, April 3 (check your local listings for airtime).
SATURDAYS:
Da Vinci’s Demons – The final four episodes of the show’s third and final season on Starz aired during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:
December 5 – 102,000 viewers
December 12 – 120,000 viewers
December 19 – 120,000 viewers
December 26 – 202,000 viewers (Series Finale)
This averages out to approximately 136,000 viewers for November. Starz decided to make this Da Vinci’s Demons last year on the air.
The Returned – The French original series aired the final two episodes of its second season on Sundance TV during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:
December 5 – 72,000 viewers
December 12 – 62,000 viewers (Season Finale)
This averages out to 67,000 viewers for December. A third season of The Returned has yet to be announced.
When Calls the Heart – The holiday special “New Year’s Wish” aired on December 26, earning 2.5 million viewers. The series will return for a third season on Hallmark Channel on Sunday, February 21 at 9 PM.
SUNDAYS:
Homeland – The Showtime drama aired the final three episodes of its current and fifth season during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:
December 6 – 1.7 million
December 13 – 1.8 million
December 20 – 2.1 million (Season Finale)
This averages out to 1.9 million viewers for December. Homeland was renewed for a sixth season by Showtime and will air sometime in 2016.
The Affair – The Showtime drama aired the final three episodes of its second season during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:
December 6 – 833,000 viewers
December 13 – 989,000 viewers
December 20 – 1.1 million (Season Finale)
This averages out to 974,000 viewers for December. The Affair received a third season order from Showtime and will air sometime in 2016.
The Librarians – The popular TNT series aired the final four episodes of its second season during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:
December 6 – 2.2 million
December 13 – 2.2 million
December 20 – 1.9 million
December 27 – 2.2 million (Season Finale)
This averages out to 2.1 million for December. The Librarians was renewed for a third season by TNT and will air sometime in 2016.
Agent X – The new TNT spy drama aired the final five episodes of its debut season during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:
December 6 – 987,000 viewers
December 13 – 1.2 million
December 20 – 1.2 million
December 27 – 1.2 million (Part 1 of 2 – Series Finale)
December 27 – 1.1 million (Part 2 of 2 – Series Finale)
This averages out to 1.1 million viewers for December. Sadly, TNT did not renew Agent X for a second season.
Flesh and Bone – The new Starz ballet themed drama aired the final four episodes of its debut season during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:
December 6 – 122,000 viewers
December 13 – 73,000 viewers
December 20 – 116,000 viewers
December 27 – 93,000 viewers (Series Finale)
This averages out to 101,000 viewers for December. Flesh and Bone was only given a one season order by Starz and won’t be returning.
Into the Badlands – This new AMC drama aired the final three episodes of its debut season during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:
December 6 – 2.4 million
December 13 – 2.2 million
December 20 – 2.2 million (Season Finale)
This averages out to 5.5 million viewers for December. Into the Badlands has yet to be renewed for a second season by AMC.
The Royals – The controversial E! series aired four more new episodes of its second season during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:
December 6 – 627,000 viewers
December 13 – 653,000 viewers
December 20 – 705,000 viewers
December 27 – 671,000 viewers
This averages out to 664,000 viewers for December. A new episode of The Royals will air on E! on Sunday, January 3 at 10 PM.
MADE-FOR-TV MOVIES AND MINI-SERIES
Once again, there were nearly two dozen made-for-TV movies and/or mini-series that aired on the cable networks during December. The following were the movies where ratings could be found:
Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors (NBC) – 12.8 million
The Wiz Live (NBC) – 11.1 million
Christmas Land (Hallmark Channel) – 4.2 million
A Christmas Melody (Hallmark Channel) – 4 million
On the Twelfth Day of Christmas (Hallmark Channel) – 3.5 million
Just in Time for Christmas (Hallmark Channel) – 3.5 million
The Flight Before Christmas (Lifetime) – 1.8 million
Last Chance for Christmas (Lifetime) – 1.3 million
Childhood’s End [3-Night Mini-Series] (Syfy) – 1.3 million (average over 3 nights)
Wish Upon a Christmas (Lifetime) – 1.1 million
Becoming Santa (Lifetime) – 1.1 million
Debbie Macomber’s Dashing Through the Snow (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1 million
Magic Stocking (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 922,000 viewers
A Dangerous Arrangement (Lifetime) – 744,000 viewers
Maid for Murder (Lifetime) – 676,000 viewers
The Royal Family Christmas (TV One) – 343,000 viewers
A Baby for Christmas (UP Channel) – 316,000 viewers
Beverly Hills Christmas (UP Channel) – 306,000 viewers
And here are the rest of the made-for-TV movies that aired during December where ratings could NOT be found:
A Christmas Truce (ION)
Christmas Reunion (ION)
How Sarah Got Her Wings (ION)
Merry Kissmas (ION)
Stalked By My Doctor (Lifetime)
The Spirit of Christmas (Lifetime)
Ratings results for the cable dramas, the mini-series and the made-for-TV movies that are set to air in January that can be tracked down will be provided as soon as possible in February.
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