Futurama delivers strong ratings!

[Reply #400 on:]

And I'll go into people's houses at night and wreck up the place!

Aaaaaahhhhrrrrrrrrrrrrroooooo ooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!

[Reply #401 on:]

Except I don't think that "gloom and doom" is justified.  The last two episodes' low numbers are due to specific factors outside their control (4th of July for ToB, Direct TV boycott of Viacom networks for ZD), if they had not happened, the ratings would be in line with the numbers since early in 6B.

[Reply #402 on:]

MuchAdo.. lease stop using ellipsis'... in all your posts... not arguing with you... or trying to fight... but it's really annoying... and unnecessary... thanks...

In other news, I'm slightly worried people may give up on trying to watch the show. Many people abandon what they regularly watch when the schedule gets messed up, they either can't be bothered to catch up or completely forget about it...

[Reply #403 on:]

As I said before, I think that "Thief of Baghead" was down because it was July 4th, while "Zapp Dingbat" was down because of the Viacom boycott by Direct TV -- that's 20 million potential viewers lost out of 127 million, or a 16% drop. This means that 1.4 million Futurama viewers (including Direct TV subscribers) drops to 1.18 million without Direct TV -- almost exactly matching the actual drop in numbers.

That...makes sense. I didn't think the DTV thing would have such a big impact, but I guess it did. I'm glad someone did that math on that.

I hate Viacom and Direct TV so much right now. I don't even have cable, but now Viacom is pulling down streaming episodes of a lot of their shows (including my precious Daily Show and Colbert Report) in order to retaliate.

[Reply #404 on:]

I agree with Mongo. There's legitimate reasons behind it. Let's only worry when it's actually out of the ordinary for the low ratings

[Reply #405 on:]

Notice how neither The Daily Show or The Colbert Report were on the list of ratings. Futurama isn't the only one getting shafted from this.

[Reply #406 on:]

Notice how neither The Daily Show or The Colbert Report were on the list of ratings. Futurama isn't the only one getting shafted from this.

Because they were on breaks the past two weeks?

[Reply #407 on:]

Oh    that's news to me. Still these ratings are the direct result of some corporate BS. I'm sure Comedy Central realizes this.

[Reply #408 on:]

Not sure how much weight one should put on the 10PM Wed. airing. People
probably know that the same episode airs again a couple of hours later and
again through the week. I've seen ZD 3 times already. There isn't a whole
lot of need to make sure one sees a new episode on the first airing since
regular viewers know there will be multiple airings during the week. It's not
like the "old" days when an episode would play once and then maybe once
more 3-6 months later during the re-run season.

[Reply #409 on:]

And I'll go into people's houses at night and wreck up the place!

Aaaaaahhhhrrrrrrrrrrrrroooooo ooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!

[Reply #410 on:]

Let us all wait until next years season seven-b has had it's ratings start  to come in before we all panic.

No need, we find out if it's been renewed or not in spring 2013.

Well, the staff/cast do.

[Reply #411 on:]

And I'll go into people's houses at night and wreck up the place!

Aaaaaahhhhrrrrrrrrrrrrroooooo ooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!

[Reply #412 on:]

Panicking is for losers with funny eyebrows.

[Reply #413 on:]

Hey, I'm a loser with funny eyebrows but panicking is something I just don't do. Let's have less discrimination against losers with funny eyebrows!

[Reply #414 on:]

Sorry, but we are an equal discrimination employer.

[Reply #415 on:]

No indication that the DirectTV / Viacom dispute will be ending anytime soon, it looks like it might drag on for weeks or months more.  This destroys the Futurama viewership numbers for the forseeable future, and worse, will probably steadily reduce the numbers for when the dispute is finally resolved, as some of the DirectTV viewers might stop bothering to watch for the show.

So without DirectTV, expect around 1.1 to 1.2 million viewers again for "The Butterjunk Effect" tomorrow.

[Reply #416 on:]

I thought it was a dispute with Dish Network?

[Reply #417 on:]

I thought it was a dispute with Dish Network?

  please, Dish Network already has too many satellite issues on their hands right now.

[Reply #418 on:]

Numbers for "The Butterfly Effect: 1.19M



Considering the Direct TV lockout of Viacom stations, this is actually fairly good.  It would translate into about 1.41 million without the lockout.

[Reply #419 on:]

Just seen 3 tweets about this whole DirecTV/Viacom thing coming to an end? Ratings should go back up next week.

Numbers for "The Butterfly Effect

Butterjunk.

[Reply #420 on:]

And I'll go into people's houses at night and wreck up the place!

Aaaaaahhhhrrrrrrrrrrrrroooooo ooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!

[Reply #421 on:]

^^^

...

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...

...

...

...

...what?

[Reply #422 on:]

I think that in perspective, these ratings aren't bad. I do think that if the show doesn't pick up and start averaging around the 1.4M mark again we might see a smaller budget on renewal (again), but I suppose that's something that the production staff will just have to feel their way around if it happens.

On the whole, not too bad.

[Reply #423 on:]

^^^
...what?

Don't bother with Raven Seldon over there.  He's just a crazy old man spouting nonsense.

[Reply #424 on:]

And I'll go into people's houses at night and wreck up the place!

Aaaaaahhhhrrrrrrrrrrrrroooooo ooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!

[Reply #425 on:]

I feel Futurama may in fact be doomed/cursed to come in fours everytime it dies and comes back.

This here is in fact an interesting idea. The thought of a casual viewer's "temporary, circular interest in Futurama" might possibly apply.

- Series like Simpsons/American Dad/Family guy featuring on the present everyday life might be more suitable for casual/regular viewing.

- While Futurama (due to it's niche market appeal) might create only a temporary interest in the casual viewer, who will say after a while "Okay..I had my share of Sci Fi parodies, and that is enough for now".

Leading to a circle when the casual viewer's induced ratings decline leads to the show cancellation, but other income sources (direct to DVD, other merchandise) with the hardcore fans holding the buying power granting a motive to revive the show. When -with enough time having passed- the casual viewer might think "Hm..haven't watched that for a while, might tune in again..."
And so the circle will start again.

Mere speculation of course. Other factors will possibly come into play:

E.g. should one of the great series be cancelled (Simpsons, Family Guy, American Dad, South Park) and not be replaced by anything new, some viewers are almost certain to watch Futurama for a while on a "Hm...better than nothing" basis.
Timeslot, of course, etc, etc, etc...

[Reply #426 on:]

And I'll go into people's houses at night and wreck up the place!

Aaaaaahhhhrrrrrrrrrrrrroooooo ooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!

[Reply #427 on:]

Show spoiler

What caught me off guard about it (spoilers ahead)... I assume Fry and Leela get married... b/c Cohen acted like it would be okay to end after season seven... stating how proud he was of all the shows and simply reffered to it as a series finale.... he usually says "can serve as".. so it must be a big ass season finale!

Show spoiler

So far, we know a jewelry store will be involved. But a RING is not explicitely mentioned. Considering some previews often deliberately misleading nature, there might be other explanations. E.g. something like a diamond being necesarry to focus a laser/being an essential part of some savetheuniverseonceagain machine, with that store the only place the only source close enough to acquire one in time, etc..

Considering Fry's "Being the savior comes at a high price", he might acutally acquire some ring for a proposal, but then has to sacrifice it for said machine.

[Reply #428 on:]

As much as we all argue about shit on here.. everyone of us diehards is the only reason the show is still on.

Not at all true. The show's Facebook page has over 21 million likes. If you search the hashtag '#futurama' on Twitter, 99% of the tweets are praise from casual viewers. (Plus tweets from bigger fans.) If you search it tonight when the new episode is airing (preferably during one of the ad breaks), you'll see many people tweeting about how funny it is and quotes and shit.

Even people who I didn't think would like Futurama tweet about it. (People put stuff such as "benders mah nigger" and "futurama is my shit yo". Yes, real examples.) The DVD sales do tremendous, and someone posted on PEEL a few months ago that like every copy of a Futurama DVD had been sold out at his/her local Walmart.

[Reply #429 on:]

Aaaaahhhhhrrrrrrooooooooooooo ooooo!!!!!!!!!!!

[Reply #430 on:]

Again this is just fun speculation.. no need to scream fowl.

My chickens do not scream, they squawk.

[Reply #431 on:]

Again this is just fun speculation.. no need to scream fowl.

My chickens do not scream, they squawk.

And "Cows go moo", as Fry already explained to Leela

* Inquisitor Hein felt the need to share that essential piece of information

[Reply #432 on:]

As much as we all argue about shit on here.. everyone of us diehards is the only reason the show is still on.

Not at all true. The show's Facebook page has over 21 million likes. If you search the hashtag '#futurama' on Twitter, 99% of the tweets are praise from casual viewers. (Plus tweets from bigger fans.) If you search it tonight when the new episode is airing (preferably during one of the ad breaks), you'll see many people tweeting about how funny it is and quotes and shit.

Even people who I didn't think would like Futurama tweet about it. (People put stuff such as "benders mah nigger" and "futurama is my shit yo". Yes, real examples.) The DVD sales do tremendous, and someone posted on PEEL a few months ago that like every copy of a Futurama DVD had been sold out at his/her local Walmart.

Whatever, then why are only one million + people watching it?

Everyone I know likes Futurama.. yet no one watches it, odd.. but sadly true.

Facebook 'likes' don't mean shit.. The Simpsons has 53 million likes.. and it has had the lowest ratings of all time by the end of last season.

Family Guy only has 43 million likes... yet has been beating the Simpsons in the ratings week after week for the last few years.

Likes... don't... mean.... shhiiiiitt.

A.D! only has 13 million likes... yet re-runs (aired at the same time) on AS beat new Futurama's on CC every week.

Sit the fuck down, and shut the fuck up.

A large percentage of those likes would come from people outside the US.

Really, the show is fine at the moment. I see nothing to be worried about.

Even if 7 is out last season, I'd be satisfied.

[Reply #433 on:]

I agree with UrinalLegend.

Futurama has many international fans who cannot watch the show on Comedy Central when new episodes premiere. People also catch the new episodes when they rerun later in the week. The show also appeals to a younger, more computer-literate demographic, more likely to watch online at their convenience.

So long as the ratings remain decent by CC's standards, I think we'll continue to see more Futurama. Especially with the fandom's willingness to buy merchandise and DVDs.

And I agree with what UrinalLegend said about being satisfied if season 7 was the last season. I'd prefer it if they kept making new seasons, but I think 140 episodes is a decent run and I wouldn't feel like it was cut off in its prime like it was when Fox canceled it so many years ago, right after seasons 3 and 4.

I have high hopes for tonight's episode, I must say. The Six Million Dollar Mon might be a lot of fun. I had a bad feeling about the political episode (Decision) and the acting episode (Baghead) and the drug episode (Butt-junk), but the cybernetic augmentation storyline seems more suited to Futurama's strength - being a Sci-fi comedy rather than a social commentary with a little obligatory scifi stuff thrown in.

[Reply #434 on:]

Futurama has many international fans who cannot watch the show on Comedy Central when new episodes premiere. People also catch the new episodes when they rerun later in the week. The show also appeals to a younger, more computer-literate demographic, more likely to watch online at their convenience.

Since I am one of those people who cannot watch episodes on CC, I would agree with this.

So long as the ratings remain decent by CC's standards, I think we'll continue to see more Futurama. Especially with the fandom's willingness to buy merchandise and DVDs.

Agreed.

I have high hopes for tonight's episode, I must say. The Six Million Dollar Mon might be a lot of fun. I had a bad feeling about the political episode (Decision) and the acting episode (Baghead) and the drug episode (Butt-junk), but the cybernetic augmentation storyline seems more suited to Futurama's strength - being a Sci-fi comedy rather than a social commentary with a little obligatory scifi stuff thrown in.

As far as I can tell, the remaining six episodes of this broadcast season are almost all good-to-excellent.  The only question mark to me is "31st Century Fox", which has what sounds like a rather weak premise (a robotic fox hunt), and the only clip released so far (the horse riding atop Bender) was obvious and lame in my opinion, but really it's too early to say if it will be good or not.

[Reply #435 on:]

Futurama has many international fans who cannot watch the show on Comedy Central when new episodes premiere. People also catch the new episodes when they rerun later in the week. The show also appeals to a younger, more computer-literate demographic, more likely to watch online at their convenience .

But that would be illegal. And I am quite shocked to hear that a Peel mod -who is supposed to be a posterboy for moral integrity- even HINTS at such a possibility...
(Na, kidding aside. I think TNUK made once a good post, basically saying "Okay...when non Americans review the new episodes on Peel...anyone got any doubts where they saw that one" )

[Reply #436 on:]

Acknowledging that it happens isn't the same thing as encouraging it, Heinypie

[Reply #437 on:]

Futurama has many international fans who cannot watch the show on Comedy Central when new episodes premiere. People also catch the new episodes when they rerun later in the week. The show also appeals to a younger, more computer-literate demographic, more likely to watch online at their convenience .

Yes.  I am fairly certain that those in charge of whether a show lives or not also know this.  They won't use TV viewership alone to decide, because honestly, it's a dated system.  Even though they probably don't approve, they know that today's modern viewers are going to watch programming on the most convenient avenue available to them, and if they are dedicated, they will purchase the physical media.  They also know that Futurama's viewers have that dedication.

[Reply #438 on:]

There's also legal downloads on iTunes and so forth, and it does well on those.

I have to admit, I "acquire" episodes all the time even though I have the iTunes pass...they just take too long (middle of the night) to become available, versus other sources that are up within minutes. This is something content-providers should start considering as well.

Casual viewing is a tricky thing. Especially with how often CC runs reruns of it, who's to say that people just get their "fill" of it and move on for a while? The reruns clearly do well enough for the network to be running 5 episodes a day or something. The same people skipping on the new episodes could be watching repeats earlier in the same day they air.

[Reply #439 on:]

Whatever, then why are only one million + people watching it?

'Cause a lot of fans are not yet aware of the new time slot, maybe they can't catch it/forget it's on, there was the whole Viacom vs. DirecTV thing, plus many, many fans live in countries where the new episodes are not yet available.

Sit the fuck down, and shut the fuck up.

What the fuck is your problem? I wasn't responding to you in a negative manner. And I'm meant to be the teenager.