Horror shows are top performing programs in prime time standard and cable station networks. Creep shows build strong fan bases by attracting viewers to witches, voodoo, zombies, vampires, and supernatural phenomena. Surging enthusiasm tempts networks to add more shows from the horror genre.
American Horror Story: Coven is the number 1 cable show
FX’s American Horror Story: Coven features popular actresses, Jessica Lange, Angela Bassett, and Kathy Bates, and strong supporting actresses. Witches learn to harness their powers in a training school, but are at odds with the supreme witch and New Orleans’ voodoo queen, Marie Laveau. Coven maintained high consistent ratings through the end of November and averaged 7.7 million viewers its four opening episodes. Coven tops the best 100 cable channel shows run all day for adults, 18-49.
High rated hit Walking Dead slated for renewal
AMC television networks’ Walking Dead is a story about surviving a Zombie Apocalypse. Deputy Rick Grimes fights to protect people against flesh eating Zombies. The show averaged 8.7 million viewers Sunday night, November 3. Walking Dead scored 8 percentage points higher than NBC’s Sunday Night Football. The Zombie action drama is super successful in its fourth season and like the inspirational comic book, exceeds expectations. Producers don’t see any end in sight.
Tom Mison and Nicole Beharie team-up with strong acting chemistry
Sleepy Hallow is a one hour horror drama based on the classical short story written by Washington Irving. Ichabod Crane reawakens in modern day Sleepy Hollow and battles the headless horseman, a decapitated Hessian — one of the four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. Lt. Abbie Mills, a black police woman, adjusts from her stunned disbelief and becomes Crane’s close friend and ally. Sleepy Hollow’ actor Tom Mison and actress Nicole Beharie form an engaging partnership that entertain viewers.
Sleepy Hollow’s season premiere scored strong ratings and reached 10.1 viewers. It averaged 6.94 million viewers and a key 2.5 demo rating after returning from a Major League Baseball championship break. Sleepy Hollow and a sci-fi adventure, Almost Human boosted Fox ratings 89 percent higher in comparison to last season. Sleepy Hollow won T.V. Guide. Com’s Fall Popularity Contest, gaining 85 percent approval rating. The hit show averaged a 2.9 rating among 18-to-49 year-old age groups that viewed the original episodes on days shown. Once a week playbacks increased their rating to 4.9. Sleepy Hollow is scheduled for another season.
The CW horror shows Renew/cancel index
Vampire Diaries 1.61
Supernatural 1.40
The Originals 1.33
A rating of 1.1 is considered strong for network television.
Vampire Diaries earn strong ratings approaching its 100th episode
Vampire Diaries still leads CW’s horror programming and approaches its 100th episode in early 2014. Vampire brothers Salvatore and their main squeeze, Elena Gilbert, and her doppelganger, Katherine, continue their adventures in Mystic Falls, Virginia. They maintain a strong fan following.
Supernatural still shows strong ratings in its 9th season. Sam and Dean Winchester are demon hunters and get involved with angels, ghosts, and paranormal people. CW’s Tuesday nights paired successful horror dramas; The Originals and Supernatural scored higher Tuesday night ratings with 18 to 49er age groups since four years ago, September 8, 2009, and its highest rating among adults 18 to 34 since two years ago.
The Originals cast was featured in previous seasons of Vampire Diaries. The original family of vampires, Klaus, and his brother, Elijah, and his sister Rebekah, return to New Orleans. Evil Klaus wants to take over the city that is under the protection of another vampire, Marcel. The Originals ranked fifth in T.V. Guide.com’s Fall Popularity Contest, gaining 57 percent approval rating. The Originals and Supernatural placed fifth with 18-49 year-old demographics.
Lifetime scores a hit with Witches of East End
Lifetime renewed Witches of East End for another season because of solid ratings. Lifetime’s General Manager, Rob Sharenow is elated. The story opens in a rich Long Island, North Hampton home. A mother witch conceals secrets from her daughters; they’re potent latent witches. One daughter gets engaged to a wealthy suitor and complications force mother’s confession. Witches of East End stars Julia Ormond. The show interweaves naughty black magic, romance, and amusing comedy.
NBC’s Grimm and Dracula are double feature horror on Friday nights
NBC premiered their new version of Dracula, October 25, 2013, and scored a solid 1.8 rating among the 18-49 age demographic. There are concerns the show might get cancelled. November 8, the show almost lost an entire rating point, but showed promise again, equaling its premiere rating the following week. Recent 3 day DVR returns were positive and increased the pilot episode viewership to 56 percent and a 2.8 rating. Grimm, the police detective, fairy-tale adult horror show is averaging 5.7 million viewers and growing 15 percent each week in the 18-49 age demographic. Grimm is in its third season and returning in 2014.
Conclusion
Successful horror shows ratings influence television creative personnel to create new ones. WGN America plans to release a show about Salem witchcraft trials and CBS considers remaking the witch series, Charmed. Will horror drama continue to reach high peaks? Should audiences tire of vampires, witches, and Zombies, different genre programming eagerly waits to take their place. Die-hard horror fans echo, “Never!”