© ABC
The new "found footage" horror TV show The River debuted on Tuesday with lackluster numbers: 7.5 million total viewers and a 2.4 rating in the 18-49 adult demographic. By comparison, last month's Alcatraz premiere (presumably targeting the same viewers) delivered 10 million total viewers and a 3.3 rating in the 18-49 demo.
If the people that did tune in like the show (I personally think it's just OK so far; the pacing is too quick, the dialogue too expository, the acting and cinematography too polished, the plot too muddled, the characters too bland.), there's a chance the ratings could improve, but given that season premieres tend to be among the highest rated for any show, this result already puts The River on the bubble as to whether or not it will return for a second season.
As far as other current horror/suspense shows are concerned, here's a handy rundown, with odds courtesy of TV By the Numbers:
- American Horror Story: Renewed for Season 2.
- Dexter: Renewed for Seasons 7 AND 8.
- Fringe: 50-50 chance of renewal.
- Grimm: Likely to be renewed.
- The Secret Circle: More likely to be renewed than canceled.
- Supernatural: Likely to be renewed.
- Teen Wolf: Season 2 airing this summer.
- True Blood: Season 5 airing this summer.
- The Vampire Diaries: Likely to be renewed.
- The Walking Dead: Renewed for Season 3.
Source: TV By the Numbers, Entertainment Weekly
Comments
I watched most the first hour of “The River,” but then I fell asleep and missed the rest of the premiere episode. I dozed off from boredom, rather than exhaustion. The found-footage trick quickly got old for me. I think the premise of the show is extremely interesting and intriguing, but I’m not a fan of the found-footage editing/look/feel.