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The third week of a network season is a critical one. Ratings erosion after a series or season premiere is expected and even acceptable, because it’s understood that not every viewer drawn by hype and marketing will be a satisfied customer. But a continued fall in Week 3 can be a sign of trouble, and if that decline is from a number that wasn’t great to begin with, the trouble could be serious. That being said, let’s take a look at where the networks stand as they begin this crucial week. (Note: since only 2 networks debuted their Monday schedules on the season’s first official day, we’ll include the next Monday in our review of the week.)FOX
Thriving:
NEW GIRL – With a well-deserved full-season pick-up, this is one of the bona fide hits of the new season, so much that the network is already using it as a piece in its scheduling games–a repeat airs in the 9:30PM slot this Thursday , and a new episode next Wednesday at the same time to target the other networks’ new sitcoms.
X-FACTOR – OK, it’s not a blockbuster. But its solid ratings are giving FOX wins on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and that’s the kind of “disappointment” any network would envy.
TERRA NOVA – Similarly, its 3.1 rating isn’t blowing anyone away. Paired with HOUSE, however, it’s keeping the network a strong 2d on Mondays.
Holdovers – HOUSE and the Sunday animation line-up.
Struggling:
GLEE – OK, not “struggling”–it’s still a very strong 2d place in its timeslot. But its time as a phenomenon seems to have passed.
FRINGE – It’s already the poster child for “barely hanging on;” one or two ticks lower and it’ll have to air in a parallel universe.
Dying:
There are certainly areas for improvement on the FOX schedule, but none of them are disasters.
GRADE: A-minus
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