Rueben's Ramblings

We are now a month and a half into the new year and there were a lot of programming options on the cable networks last month, including new and returning dramas, mini-series and made-for-TV movies. Let’s take a look at how these programming options fared in the ratings throughout January.

CABLE DRAMAS

MONDAYS:

Shadowhunters – The second season of the Freeform fantasy series got started on January 2, airing five episodes during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:

January 2 – 1.2 million (Season Premiere)
January 9 – 749,000 viewers
January 16 – 811,000 viewers
January 23 – 641,000 viewers
January 30 – 581,000 viewers

This averages out to 796,000 viewers for January. New episodes of Shadowhunters aired on February 6 and February 13 with the next new episode set to air on Freeform on Monday, February 20 at 8 PM.

Beyond – The new Freeform drama debuted on January 2, also airing five episodes during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:

January 2 – 1.2 million (DEBUT)
January 9 – 599,000 viewers
January 16 – 506,000 viewers
January 23 – 412,000 viewers
January 30 – 381,000 viewers

This averages out to 620,000 viewers for January. New episodes of Beyond aired on February 6 and February 13 with the next new episode set to air on Freeform on Monday, February 20 at 9 PM.

TUESDAYS:

Teen Wolf – Five new episodes, including the mid-season finale, of the sixth and final season of the MTV thriller aired during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:

January 3 – 453,000 viewers
January 10 – 425,000 viewers
January 17 – 441,000 viewers
January 24 – 494,000 viewers
January 31 – 445,000 viewers (Mid-Season Finale)

This averages out to 452,000 viewers for January. Teen Wolf will return with its final 10 episodes on MTV sometime this summer.

Sweet/Vicious – The final five episodes of the MTV drama’s first season aired during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:

January 3 – 166,000 viewers
January 10 – 142,000 viewers
January 17 – 161,000 viewers
January 24 – 239,000 viewers (Two-Hour Finale)

This averages out to 142,000 viewers for January. The fate of a second season for Sweet/Vicious still hangs in the balance by MTV.

Good Behavior – The final two episodes of the new TNT drama aired during the month. The ratings are as follows:

January 3 – 831,000 viewers
January 9 – 895,000 viewers (Finale)

This averages out to 863,000 viewers for January. Good Behavior will return to TNT for a second season, but an official air date has yet to be announced, but it is anticipated to return in the fall.

Shooter – The USA Network series aired the final three episodes of its debut season during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:

January 3 – 1.4 million
January 10 – 1.4 million
January 17 – 1.4 million

This averages out to 1.4 million viewers for January. The USA Network gave Shooter a second season renewal, but an official return date has yet to be announced.

The Haves and the Have Nots – The OWN soap opera returned for its fourth season on January 3, airing five episodes during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:

January 3 – 3 million (Return)
January 10 – 2.2 million
January 17 – 2.7 million
January 24 – 2.4 million
January 31 – 2.7 million

This averages out to 2.6 million viewers for January. A new episode of The Haves and the Have Nots aired on February 7 with the next new episode set to air on OWN on Tuesday, February 14 at 9 PM.

Being Mary Jane – The 4th season of the BET drama returned on January 10, airing three episodes during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:

January 10 – 1.2 million (Premiere)
January 17 – 892,000 viewers
January 24 – No episode aired
January 31 – 1.2 million

This averages out to 1.1 million viewers for January. A new episode of Being Mary Jane aired on February 7 with the next new episode set to air on BET on Tuesday, February 14 at 10 PM.

Taboo – The new FX period piece debuted on January 10, airing four episodes during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:

January 10 – 1.8 million (DEBUT)
January 17 – 1.1 million
January 24 – 1.1 million
January 31 – 1.3 million

This averages out to 1.3 million viewers for January. A new episode of Taboo aired on February 7 with the next new episode set to air on FX on Tuesday, February 14 at 10 PM.

Outsiders – The second season of the WGN America drama returned on January 24, airing two episodes during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:

January 24 – 932,000 viewers (Season Premiere)
January 31 – 834,000 viewers

This averages out to 883,000 viewers for January. A new episode of Outsiders aired on February 7 with the next new episode set to air on WGN America on Tuesday, February 14 at 9 PM.

The Fosters – The Freeform family drama returned with new episodes of its fourth season on January 31, earning 916,000 viewers. A new episode aired on February 7 with the next new episode set to air on Freeform on Tuesday, February 14 at 8 PM.

Switched at Birth – The Freeform family drama returned for the start of its fifth and final season on January 31, earning 598,000 viewers. A new episode aired on February 7 with the next new episode set to air on Freeform on Tuesday, February 14 at 9 PM.

WEDNESDAYS:

Salem – The WGN America horrorfest aired the last four episodes of its third and final season during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:

January 4 – 259,000 viewers
January 11 – 268,000 viewers
January 18 – 236,000 viewers
January 25 – 233,000 viewers (Series Finale)

This averages out to 249,000 viewers for January.

Vikings – The History Channel period piece aired the final five episodes of its fourth season during January with its season finale airing on February 1. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:

January 4 – 2.4 million
January 11 – 2.4 million
January 18 – 2.5 million
January 25 – 2.4 million
February 1 – 2.7 million (Finale)

This averages out to 2.5 million viewers for the above time period. Vikings will be back for a fifth season on the History Channel at some point later this year.

Incorporated – Four new episodes of the debut season of the Syfy series aired during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:

January 4 – 424,000 viewers
January 11 – 499,000 viewers
January 18 – 406,000 viewers
January 25 – 547,000 viewers (Hour 1 of Finale)
January 25 – 409,000 viewers (Hour 2 of Finale)

This averages out to 457,000 viewers for January. A second season of Incorporated has yet to be announced by Syfy.

Too Close to Home – The second season of the TLC drama returned on January 4, airing four new episodes during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:

January 4 – 1 million (Premiere)
January 11 – 1 million
January 18 – 1.1 million
January 25 – 1.2 million

This averages out to 1.1 million viewers for January. New episodes of Too Close to Home aired on February 1 and February 8 with the next new episode set to air on TLC on Wednesday, February 15 at 10 PM.

Girlfriend’s Guide to Divorce – The third season of the Bravo drama returned on January 18, airing two episodes during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:

January 18 – 368,000 viewers
January 25 – 403,000 viewers

This averages out to 386,000 viewers for January. New episodes of Girlfriends’ Guide to Divorce aired on February 1 and February 8 with the next new episode set to air on Bravo on Wednesday, February 15 at 10 PM.

Six – The new History Channel military drama debuted on January 18, airing two episodes during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:

January 18 – 1.7 million (DEBUT)
January 25 – 1.5 million

This averages out to 1.6 million viewers for January. New episodes of Six aired on February 1 and February 8 with the next new episode set to air on the History Channel of Wednesday, February 15 at 10 PM.

The Magicians – The magical Syfy series returned for the start of its second season on January 25, earning 1.3 million viewers. New episodes aired on February 1 and February 8 with the next new episode set to air on  on Wednesday, February 15 at 9 PM.

Suits – The long-running USA Network series returned for the rest of its sixth season on January 25, earning 1.4 million viewers. New episodes aired on February 1 and February 8 with the next new episode set to air on the USA Network on Wednesday, February 15 at 10 PM.

Ice – The new DirecTV drama aired three new episodes of its debut season during January, but ratings for those episodes could not be tracked down. A new episode aired on DirecTV on February 1 with the season finale set to air on February 8 at 8 PM.

THURSDAYS:

Nashville – The music-themed drama moved to CMT for its fifth season starting on January 5 with a two-hour season premiere, airing a total of five new episodes during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:

January 5 – 1.2 million (Hour 1 of Season Premiere)
January 5 – 1.2 million (Hour 2 of Season Premiere)
January 12 – 1.1 million
January 19 – 963,000 viewers
January 26 – 932,000 viewers

This averages out to 1.1 million viewers for January. New episodes of Nashville aired on February 2 and February 9 with the next new episode set to air on CMT on Thursday, February 16 at 9 PM.

Colony – The sci-fi USA Network drama returned for its second season on January 12, airing three new episodes during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:

January 12 – 926,000 viewers (Season Premiere)
January 19 – 881,000 viewers
January 26 – 777,000 viewers

This averages out to 861,000 viewers for January. New episodes of Colony aired on February 2 and February 9 with the next new episode set to air on the USA Network on Thursday, February 16 at 10 PM.

FRIDAYS:

NOTE: There weren’t any cable network dramas airing on Friday nights in January.

SATURDAYS:

NOTE: There weren’t any cable network dramas airing on Saturday nights in January.

SUNDAYS:

The Affair – The Showtime series aired the final five episodes of its third season during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:

January 1 – 480,000 viewers
January 8 – 654,000 viewers
January 15 – 612,000 viewers
January 22 – 793,000 viewers
January 29 – 725,000 viewers (Finale)

This averages out to 653,000 viewers for January. The Affair was renewed for a fourth season by Showtime.

The Royals – The E! network drama aired five new episodes of its second season during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:

January 1 – 458,000 viewers
January 8 – 654,000 viewers
January 15 – 464,000 viewers
January 22 – 565,000 viewers
January 29 – 502,000 viewers

This averages out to 529,000 viewers for January. A new episode of The Royals aired on February 12 with the season finale set to air on E! on Sunday, February 19 at 10 PM.

The Librarians – The TNT fan-favorite aired the finale four episodes of its third season during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:

January 1 – 1.8 million
January 8 – 2 million
January 15 – 1.6 million
January 22 – 2 million (Finale)

This averages out 1.9 million viewers for January. TNT has renewed The Librarians for a fourth season that will air later this year.

Homeland – The Showtime drama returned for its sixth season on January 15, airing three episodes during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:

January 15 – 1.1 million (Season Premiere)
January 22 – 1.5 million
January 29 – 1.1 million

This averages out to 1.2 million viewers for January. A new episode of Homeland aired on February 12 with the next new episode set to air on Showtime on Sunday, February 19 at 9 PM.

The Young Pope – The new HBO series debuted on January 15, airing six, including new episodes on Monday nights, episodes during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:

January 15 – 963,000 viewers (DEBUT)
January 16 – 713,000 viewers
January 22 – 681,000 viewers
January 23 – 528,000 viewers
January 29 – 582,000 viewers
January 30 – 447,000 viewers

This averages out to 652,000 viewers for January. The final four episode of the debut season of The Young Pope aired on HBO throughout February. Those numbers will be featured in the next report.

Mercy Street – The PBS period dram returned for a second season on January 22, airing two episodes during the month, but ratings could not be tracked down. New episodes aired on February 5 and February 12 with the next new episode set to air on PBS on Sunday, February 19 at 8 PM.

Victoria – The 8-episode event series debuted on PBS on January 15, airing three episodes during the month, but ratings could not be tracked down. New episodes aired on February 5 and February 12 with the next new episode set to air on PBS on Sunday, February 19 at 9 PM.

Black Sails – The period piece Starz drama returned for its fourth and final season on January 29, earning 738,000 viewers. New episodes aired on February 5 and February 12 with the next new episode set to air on Starz on Sunday, February 19 at 9 PM.

MADE-FOR-TV MOVIES AND MINI-SERIES

There were a little over a dozen made-for-TV movies and mini-series that aired in January. Here is how each of them performed in the ratings:

The New Edition Story (BET) [Three-Part Mini-Series] – 4.1 million (average)
A Rose for Christmas (Hallmark Channel) – 3.5 million
Love on Ice (Hallmark Channel) – 2.8 million
A Royal Winter (Hallmark Channel) – 2.7 million
The Birthday Wish (Hallmark Channel) – 2.4 million
Beaches (Lifetime) – 2.2 million
Mommy, I Didn’t Do It (Lifetime) – 1.4 million
Framed for Murder: A Fixer Upper Mystery (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1.3 million
Love by the 10th Date (Lifetime) – 1.2 million
Love Locks (Hallmark Channel) – 1.1 million
Under the Bed (Lifetime) – 1.1 million
Garage Sale Mystery: The Art of Murder (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1.1 million
Open Marriage (Lifetime) – 1 million
A Surrogate’s Nightmare (Lifetime) – 815,000 viewers
Girls Night Out (Lifetime Movie Network) – 564,000 viewers

Ratings results for the cable dramas, mini-series and made-for-TV movies that have and will air in February that can be tracked down will be provided as soon as possible in March.