While many of us were rejoicing that our favorite superhero shows were returning this week, it sure does seem like not enough shared our jubilation. In fact, both Gotham and Supergirl failed to attract more viewers than ever before. True, this is only one week’s worth of ratings, but the situation really does deserve a closer look.
First, let’s look at the numbers themselves. Gotham posted a 1.0 rating and roped in 2.99 million viewers, tying a series low. As for Supergirl, it achieved its own series low with a 0.5 demo rating and 1.80 million views. It’s quite unfortunate this happened because both shows certainly put forth a solid effort.
Now, let’s get down to brass tacks. It’s been known for months that The CW renewed each of their DC superhero shows for next season, but it’s also public knowledge that ratings for superhero shows in general are down across the board this year. While their individual quality is subjective, it puts forth the question as to how long networks will overlook this.
For the foreseeable future, comic book based properties will continue to dominate at the box office, but the small screen is a different ballgame because, after all, we each have only so much free time that we’re afforded and can keep up with only so many shows.
But whereas The CW is likely to give Supergirl and its Arrowverse brethren the benefit of the doubt before they completely bottom out, Gotham is really on thin ice as industry pundits have already said it to be on the bubble. Quite frankly, Fox themselves could be to blame for allowing it to go on a three-month hiatus partway through its season, a length normally reserved for the summer months.
Going forward, the best thing to do may be to pare down to the essentials so this genre doesn’t burn itself out on TV as opposed to green-lighting one series after another, no matter whom the headliners may be.