While the 2015-2016 TV season came to an end on the major networks in May there were still plenty of programming options throughout the month over on all of the cable channels. Here is how those dramas, made-for-TV movies and mini-series performed in May:
CABLE DRAMAS
MONDAYS:
Bates Motel – The final three episodes of the fourth season of the A&E drama aired during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:
May 2 – 1.5 million
May 9 – 1.4 million
May 16 – 1.5 million (Season Finale)
This averages out to 1.5 million viewers for May. Bates Motel will be back for a fifth season on A&E.
Damien – The new A&E thriller aired the final two new episodes of its debut season during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:
May 2 – 406,000 viewers
May 9 – 405,000 viewers (Series Finale)
This averages out to 406,000 viewers for May. Damien was not renewed for a second season by A&E.
Hunters – The new alien-themed thriller aired five new episodes of its debut season on Syfy during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:
May 2 – 325,000 viewers
May 9 – 367,000 viewers
May 16 – 288,000 viewers
May 23 – 255,000 viewers
May 30 – 168,000 viewers
This averages out to 281,000 for May. A new episode of Hunters will air on Syfy on Monday, June 6 at 10 PM.
12 Monkeys – The time-travel apocalyptic-themed series aired five more new episodes of its second season during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:
May 2 – 405,000 viewers
May 9 – 425,000 viewers
May 16 – 367,000 viewers
May 23 – 343,000 viewers
May 30 – 423,000 viewers
This averages out to 393,000 viewers for May. A new episode of 12 Monkeys will air on Syfy on Monday, June 6 at 9 PM.
Turn: Washington’s Spies – The AMC period piece drama aired five more new episodes of its second season during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:
May 2 – 458,000 viewers
May 9 – 580,000 viewers
May 16 – 504,000 viewers
May 23 – 603,000 viewers
May 30 – 591,000 viewers
This averages out to 547,000 viewers for May. A new episode of Turn: Washington’s Spies will air on AMC on Monday, June 6 at 10 PM.
Scream – The MTV series based on the franchise film of the same name returned for the start of its second season on May 30, earning 402,000 viewers. A new episode of Scream will air on MTV on Monday, June 6 at 11 PM.
TUESDAYS:
Stitchers – The FreeForm drama aired the final four episodes of its second season during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:
May 3 – 356,000 viewers
May 10 – 392,000 viewers
May 17 – 374,000 viewers
May 24 – 380,000 viewers (Finale)
This averages out to 376,000 viewers for May. Stitchers has yet to be renewed by FreeForm.
If Loving You Is Wrong – The OWN soap opera aired the final four episodes of its second season during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:
May 3 – 2.3 million
May 10 – 2.4 million
May 17 – 2.3 million
May 24 – 2.4 million (Finale)
This average out to 2.4 million viewers for May. If Loving You Is Wrong has yet to be renewed by OWN for a third season.
WEDNESDAYS:
Underground – The WGN America period piece drama aired the final two episodes of its debut season during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:
May 4 – 905,000 viewers
May 11 – 1 million viewers (Season Finale)
This averages out to 953,000 viewers for May. Underground has been renewed by WGN America for a second season.
The Americans – The Russian spy drama aired four more episodes of its fourth season during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:
May 4 – 1 million
May 11 – 895,000 viewers
May 18 – 817,000 viewers
May 25 – 805,000 viewers
This averages out to 879,000 viewers for May. A new episode of The Americans aired on June 1 with the next new episode set to air on FX on Wednesday, June 8 at 10 PM.
Royal Pains – The 8th and final season of the USA Network series returned on May 18, airing two episodes during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:
May 18 – 1.3 million (Season Premiere)
May 25 – 1.2 million
This averages out to 1.3 million viewers for May. A new episode of Royal Pains aired on June 1 with the next new episode set to air on the USA Network on Wednesday, June 8 at 10 PM.
THURSDAYS:
Orphan Black – The BBC America series aired four more new episodes of its fourth season during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:
May 5 – 218,000 viewers
May 12 – 223,000 viewers
May 19 – 248,000 viewers
May 26 – 258,000 viewers
This averages out to 237,000 viewers for May. A new episode of Orphan Black aired on June 2 with the next new episode set to air on BBC America on Thursday, June 9 at 10 PM.
FRIDAYS:
Banshee – The Cinemax series aired its last three episodes of its fourth and final season during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:
May 6 – 425,000 viewers
May 13 – 424,000 viewers
May 20 – 500,000 viewers (Series Finale)
This averages out to 450,000 viewers for May.
Wynonna Earp – The new supernatural-laced Syfy series aired four more new episodes of its debut season during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:
May 6 – 548,000 viewers
May 13 – 404,000 viewers
May 20 – 574,000 viewers
May 27 – 391,000 viewers
This averages out to 479,000 viewers for May. A new episode of Wynonna Earp aired on June 3 with the next new episode set to air on Syfy on Friday, June 10 at 10 PM.
SATURDAYS:
Outlander – The Starz period piece drama aired four more new episodes of its second season during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:
May 7 – 1.1 million
May 14 – 1 million
May 21 – 1.1 million
May 28 – 1.1 million
This averages out to 1.1 million viewers for May. A new episode of Outlander will air on Starz on Saturday, June 4 at 9 PM.
SUNDAYS:
Motive – The Canadian police series moved from Friday nights to Sunday nights starting on May 1, airing five episodes during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:
May 1 – 841,000 viewers
May 8 – 878,000 viewers
May 15 – 840,000 viewers
May 22 – 840,000 viewers
May 29 – 901,000 viewers
This averages out to 860,000 viewers for May. A new episode of Motive will air on the USA Network on Sunday, June 5 at 10 PM.
Fear the Walking Dead – The AMC zombie fest aired four more new episodes of its second season, including its mid-season finale, during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:
May 1 – 4.8 million
May 8 – 4.4 million
May 15 – 4.5 million
May 22 – 4.4 million (Mid-Season Finale)
This averages out to 4.5 million viewers for May. New episodes of Fear the Walking Dead will return for the rest of its second season on AMC this August.
Good Witch – The family friendly Hallmark Channel series aired five more new episodes of its second season during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:
May 1 – 2 million
May 8 – 1.9 million
May 15 – 2 million
May 22 – 2.2 million
May 29 – 2 million
This averages out to 2 million viewers for May. A new episode of Good Witch will air on the Hallmark Channel on Sunday, June 5 at 9 PM.
Game of Thrones – The epic HBO drama aired five new episodes of its sixth season during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:
May 1 – 7.3 million
May 8 – 7.3 million
May 15 – 7.8 million
May 22 – 7.9 million
May 29 – 6.7 million
This averages out to 7.4 million viewers for May. A new episode of Game of Thrones will air on HBO on Sunday, June 5 at 9 PM.
Penny Dreadful – The Showtime thriller returned for the start of its third season on May 1, airing five episodes during the month. The ratings for those episodes are as follows:
May 1 – 540,000 viewers (Season Premiere)
May 8 – 554,000 viewers
May 15 – 599,000 viewers
May 22 – 482,000 viewers
May 29 – 656,000 viewers
This averages out to 566,000 viewers for May. A new episode of Penny Dreadful will air on Showtime on Sunday, June 5 at 10 PM.
Preacher – The new AMC series based on the graphic novel debuted on May 22, earning 2.4 million viewers. A new episode of Preacher aired on June 5 with the next new episode set to air on AMC on Sunday, June 12 at 10 PM.
MADE-FOR-TV MOVIES AND MINI-SERIES
There were over a dozen made-for-TV movies that aired during May for which ratings could be tracked down:
Tulips in Spring (Hallmark Channel) – 2.1 million
Date With Love (Hallmark Channel) – 1.9 million
Where’s My Baby (Lifetime) – 1.1 million
All the Way (HBO) – 1.1 million
The Maid (Lifetime) – 1.1 million
I Am Watching You (Lifetime Movie Network) – 949,000 viewers
The Real MVP: The Wanda Durant Story (Lifetime) – 901,000 viewers
Pretty Little Addict (Lifetime) – 889,000 viewers
Broken Promises (Lifetime) – 837,000 viewers
Karen Kingsbury’s A Time to Dance (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 782,000 viewers
Trust No One (Lifetime) – 751,000 viewers
Below the Surface (Lifetime Movie Network) – 633,000 viewers
Chasing Waterfalls (TV1) – 222,000 viewers
The Dresser (Starz) – 109,000 viewers
There were also two mini-series that aired during May for which ratings could be tracked down:
Roots (A&E, History Channel, Lifetime and Lifetime Movie Network) [4 parts] – 1.3 million (average over 2 nights over 4 networks)
The Night Manager (6-part) [AMC] – 715,000 viewers (average) [4 episodes aired in May]
The Last Panthers (6-part) [Sundance TV] – 38,000 viewers (average) [3 episodes aired in May]
There were also the following mini-series and movies for which ratings could not be tracked down for May:
Call the Midwife (PBS)
Grantchester (PBS)
Mr. Selfridge (PBS)
Rebellion (5-part] [Sundance TV]
The Game of Love (UP Channel)
Wallander (PBS)
Ratings results for the cable dramas, the mini-series and the made-for-TV movies that have and will air in June that can be tracked down will be provided as soon as possible in July.
Rueben's Ramblings 