Rueben's Ramblings

We are now through the first quarter of the year, with plenty of cable dramas, made-for-TV movies and mini-series airing in March.

Let’s take a look at how they performed this past month:

CABLE DRAMAS

MONDAYS:

Humans – The final five episodes of the second season of the AMC sci-fi drama aired during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:

March 6 – 457,000 viewers
March 13 – 435,000 viewers (Two Hours)
March 20 – 360,000 viewers (Season Finale Hour 1)
March 20 – 311,000 viewers (Season Finale Hour 2)

This averages out to 313,000 viewers for March. Humans was renewed by AMC for a third season and will likely return sometime in 2018.

The Breaks – The new VH1 scripted drama aired four episodes of its debut season during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:

March 6 – 1.4 million
March 13 – 1.2 million
March 20 – 1.1 million
March 27 – 1.1 million

This averages out to 1.2 million viewers for March. A new episode of The Breaks aired on April 3 with the next new episode set to air on VH1 on Monday, April 10 at 9 PM.

Bates Motel – Four new episodes of the fifth and final season of the A&E thriller aired during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:

March 6 – 1.3 million
March 13 – 1.2 million
March 20 – 1.4 million
March 27 – 1.3 million

This averages out to 1.3 million viewers for March. A new episode of Bates Motel aired on April 3 with the next new episode set to air on A&E on Monday, April 10 at 10 PM.

TUESDAYS:

The Haves and the Have Nots – Two new episodes of the fourth season, the penultimate episode and mid-season finale of the OWN soap opera aired during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:

March 7 – 2.4 million
March 14 – 2.6 million (Mid-Season Finale)

This averages out to 2.5 million viewers for March. The next new episode of The Haves and the Have Nots is expected to air on OWN this coming June.

Being Mary Jane – The finale three episodes of the third season of the BET drama aired during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:

March 7 – 837,000 viewers
March 14 – 903,000 viewers
March 21 – 891,000 viewers (Season Finale)

This averages out to 877,000 viewers for March. Season 4 of Being Mary Jane will premiere on BET on July 18.

Outsiders – Three new episodes of the second season of the WGN America drama aired during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:

March 7 – 721,000 viewers
March 14 – 728,000 viewers
March 21 – 886,000 viewers
March 28 – No episode aired

This averages out to 778,000 viewers for March. A new episode of Outsiders aired on April 4 with the next new episode set to air on WGN America on Tuesday, April 11 at 9 PM.

The Fosters – The Freeform family drama aired three more new episodes of is fourth season during the month. The ratings for those are as follows:

March 7 – No episode aired
March 14 – 705,000 viewers
March 21 – 686,000 viewers
March 28 – 693,000 viewers

This averages to 695,000 viewers for March. The penultimate episode of The Fosters aired on April 4 with the season finale set to air on Freeform on Tuesday, April 11 at 8 PM.

Switched at Birth – The Freeform family drama aired four more new episodes of its fifth and final season during the month. The ratings are as follows:

March 7 – 435,000 viewers
March 14 – No episode aired
March 21 – 502,000 viewers (100th Episode)
March 28 – 474,000 viewers

This averages out to 470,000 viewers for March. The penultimate episode of Switched at Birth aired on April 4 with the series finale set to air on Freeform on Tuesday, April 11 at 9 PM.

Imposters – The new Bravo drama aired four more new episodes of its debut season during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:

March 7 – 701,000 viewers
March 14 – 872,000 viewers
March 21 – 804,000 viewers
March 28 – 637,000 viewers

This averages out to 754,000 viewers for March. The penultimate new episode of Imposters aired on April 4 with the finale set to air on Bravo on Tuesday, April 11 at 10 PM.

The Americans – The FX Russian spy drama aired its fifth season premiere on March 7, airing four episodes during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:

March 7 – 925,000 viewers (Season Premiere)
March 14 – 944,000 viewers
March 21 – 796,000 viewers
March 28 – 890,000 viewers

This averages out to 889,000 viewers for March. A new episode of The Americans aired on April 4 with the next new episode set to air on FX on Tuesday, April 10 at 10 PM

If Loving You Is Wrong – The OWN soap opera returned for the remainder of its third season on March 21, airing two episodes during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:

March 21 – 2 million (Spring Premiere)
March 28 – 2 million

This averages out to 2 million viewers for March. A new episode of If Loving You Is Wrong aired on April 4 with the next new episode set to air on OWN on Tuesday, April 10 at 9 PM.

Rebel – The new BET drama aired its two-hour debut on March 28, earning 705,000 viewers. A new episode of Rebel aired on April 4 with the next new episode set to air on BET on Tuesday, April 10 at 10 PM.

WEDNESDAYS:

Six – The new History Channel military drama aired the final two episodes of its debut season during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:

March 1 – 1.3 million
March 8 – 1.6 million (Season Finale)

This averages out to 1.5 million viewers for March. Six has been renewed for a second season by the History Channel, but an official airdate has yet to be announced.

The Magicians – The magical Syfy series aired five more new episodes of its second season during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:

March 1 – 782,000 viewers
March 8 – 626,000 viewers
March 15 – 708,000 viewers
March 22 – 611,000 viewers
March 29 – 724,000 viewers

This averages out to 690,000 viewers for March. A new episode of The Magicians aired on April 5 with the next new episode set to air on Syfy on Wednesday, April 12 at 9 PM.

The Expanse – The Syfy space series aired five new episodes from its second season during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:

March 1 – 625,000 viewers
March 8 – 451,000 viewers
March 15 – 460,000 viewers
March 22 – 471,000 viewers
March 29 – 573,000 viewers

This averages out to 516,000 viewers for March. A new episode of The Expanse aired on April 5 with the next new episode set to air on Syfy on Wednesday, April 12 at 10 PM.

Legion – The new FX sci-fi series aired the final five episodes of its debut season during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:

March 1 – 750,000 viewers
March 8 – 795,000 viewers
March 15 – 732,000 viewers
March 22 – 716,000 viewers
March 29 – 812,000 viewers (Finale)

This averages out to 761,000 viewers for March. Legion has been renewed for a second season by FX, but an official airdate has not been announced.

The Quad – The new BET university-set drama aired the final four episodes of its debut season during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:

March 1 – 788,000 viewers
March 8 – 797,000 viewers
March 15 – 784,000 viewers
March 22 – 691,000 viewers (Finale)

This averages out to 765,000 viewers for March. A second season of The Quad has yet to be announced by BET.

Major Crimes – The long-running TNT crime series aired five episodes of its fifth season during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:

March 1 – 2.3 million
March 8 – 2.5 million
March 15 – 2.3 million
March 22 – 2.4 million
March 29 – 2.4 million

This averages out to 2.4 million viewers for March. Part 1 of the season finale of Major Crimes aired on April 5 with the conclusion of the season finale set to air on TNT on Wednesday, April 12 at 9 PM.

Hap and Leonard: Mucho Mojo – The second season of the SundanceTV series premiered on March 15, airing three episodes during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:

March 15 – 218,000 viewers (Season Premiere)
March 22 – 109,000 viewers
March 29 – 152,000 viewers

This averages out to 160,000 viewers for March. A new episode of Hap and Leonard: Mucho Mojo aired on April 5 with the next new episode set to air on SundanceTV on Wednesday, April 12 at 10 PM.

Greenleaf – The OWN drama about the Memphis megachurch aired its second season premiere on March 15, with three episodes airing during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:

March 15 – 1.6 million (Season Premiere)
March 22 – 1.3 million
March 29 – 1.3 million

This averages out to 1.4 million viewers for March. A new episode of Greenleaf aired on April 5 with the next new episode set to air on OWN on Wednesday, April 12 at 10 PM.

Rogue – The DirecTV police drama returned for its final season on March 22, airing two episodes during the month; however ratings could not be tracked down for either episode. A new episode of Rogue will air on April 5 with the next new episode set to air on DirecTV on Wednesday, April 12 at 9 PM.

THURSDAYS:

Nashville – The music-themed CMT drama aired four more new episodes of its fifth season during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:

March 2 – 1.1 million
March 9 – 965,000 viewers (Mid-Season Finale)

This averages out to 1 million viewers for March. New episodes of the fifth season of Nashville will air on CMT, but an official return date has yet to be announced.

Sun Records – The new 50’s-based CMT drama focusing on the birth of rock-n-roll aired five more episodes of its debut season during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:

March 2 – 639,000 viewers
March 9 – 556,000 viewers
March 16 – 530,000 viewers
March 23 – 494,000 viewers
March 30 – 508,000 viewers

This averages out to 545,000 viewers for March. The penultimate episode of Sun Records will air tonight (April 6) with the season finale set to air on CMT on Thursday, April 13 at 10 PM.

Colony – The sci-fi USA Network drama aired five more new episodes of its second season during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:

March 2 – 780,000 viewers
March 9 – 774,000 viewers
March 16 – 783,000 viewers
March 23 – 804,000 viewers
March 30 – 819,000 viewers

This averages out to 792,000 viewers for March. The season finale of Colony will air tonight (April 6). The ratings for that episode will be featured in next month’s report. Colony has also been renewed for a third season by the USA Network.

FRIDAYS:

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

SATURDAYS:

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

SUNDAYS:

Homeland – The Showtime drama aired four more new episodes of its sixth season during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:

March 5 – 1.4 million
March 12 – 1.3 million
March 19 – 1.3 million
March 26 – 1.4 million

This averages out to 1.4 million viewers for March. The penultimate episode of Homeland aired on April 2 with the season finale set to air on Showtime on Sunday, April 9 at 9 PM.

Billions – The Showtime drama aired four new episodes of its second season during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:

March 5 – 851,000 viewers
March 12 – 981,000 viewers
March 19 – 857,000 viewers
March 26 – 922,000 viewers

This averages out to 903,000 viewers for March. A new episode of Billions aired on April 2 with the next new episode set to air on Showtime on Sunday, April 9 at 10 PM.

When Calls the Heart – The Hallmark Channel period piece drama aired four new episodes of its fourth season during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:

March 5 – 2.1 million
March 12 – 2.2 million
March 19 – 2 million
March 26 – 2 million

This averages out to 2.1 million viewers for March. A new episode of When Calls the Heart aired on April 2 with the next new episode set to air on the Hallmark Channel on Sunday, April 9 at 9 PM.

Big Little Lies – The new HBO crime mystery drama aired four new episodes during March as well as the season finale airing on April 2. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:

March 5 – 1 million
March 12 – 1 million
March 19 – 1.2 million
March 26 – 1.4 million
April 2 – 1.9 million (Season Finale)

This averages out to 1.3 million viewers for this time period. Big Little Lies has yet to be renewed for a second season by HBO yet.

The Walking Dead – The AMC zombiefest series aired four new episodes of its sixth season during March as well as the season finale on April 2. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:

March 5 – 10.2 million
March 12 – 10.7 million
March 19 – 10.3 million
March 26 – 10.5 million
April 2 – 11.3 million (Season Finale)

This averages out to 10.6 million viewers for March. The Walking Dead will return to AMC for its seventh season on October 23.

Into the Badlands – The AMC martial arts drama returned for its second season on March 19, airing two episodes during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:

March 19 – 3.4 million (Season Premiere)
March 26 – 3.4 million

This averages out to 3.4 million viewers for March. A new episode of Into the Badlands aired on April 2 with the next new episode set to air on AMC on Sunday, April 9 at 10 PM.

The Missing – The Starz drama aired four new episodes of its second season during March as well as the season finale airing on April 2. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:

March 5 – 167,000 viewers
March 12 – 158,000 viewers
March 19 – 183,000 viewers
March 26 – 122,000 viewers
April 2 – 209,000 viewers (Season Finale)

This averages out to 168,000 viewers for the time period. The Missing has yet to be renewed for a third season by Starz.

Black Sails – The period piece Starz drama aired four more new episodes of its fourth and final season during March as well as the series finale on April 2. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:

March 5 – 448,000 viewers
March 12 – 505,000 viewers
March 19 – 473,000 viewers
March 26 – 501,000 viewers
April 2 – 568,000 viewers (Series Finale)

This average out to 499,000 viewers for the time period.

The Arrangement – The E! Hollywood-themed drama debuted on March 5, airing four episodes during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:

March 5 – 848,000 viewers (DEBUT)
March 12 – 714,000 viewers
March 19 – 799,000 viewers
March 26 – 645,000 viewers

This averages out to 752,000 viewers for March. A new episode of The Arrangement aired on April 2 with the next new episode set to air on E! on Sunday, April 9 at 9 PM.

Mercy Street – The PBS period drama aired its final episode ever on March 5, but ratings could not be tracked down for that final episode.

Victoria – The PBS period piece drama aired its season finale on March 5, but ratings could not be tracked down for that finale episode. Victoria will return for a second season on PBS.

MADE-FOR-TV MOVIES AND MINI-SERIES

There were ten made-for-TV movies and/or mini-series to air in March. Here is how each of them performed in the ratings:

When We Rise (4-night mini-series) [ABC] – 2.9 million average
Campfire Kiss (Hallmark Channel) – 2.3 million
Feud: Bette & Joan (8-part mini-series) [FX] – 1.5 million average (4 parts in March)
Mommy’s Little Boy (Lifetime) – 1.4 million
Double Mommy (Lifetime) – 1.4 million
Stalker’s Prey (Lifetime) – 1.4 million
Dead Over Heels: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1.3 million
Murder She Baked: Just Desserts (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1.3 million
Custody (Lifetime) – 1.2 million
To Walk Invisible: The Bronte Sisters (PBS) – No ratings could be tracked down

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