Ratings - Then and Now

[Muffit]

Hi Mods, I hope this is okay to post here too, as it is quite relevant to both good and bad forums. Nothing negative or offensive intended, just a heads up in case some didn't know...

*

For those who might not remember, here are the ratings for the original BSG debut (Saga of a Star World in 1978) versus the mini ratings of this week in 2003:

9/17/78-Saga Of A Star World 44.6

12/9/03-SciFi Mini Series 3.8 (best night, night 2)

Oddly, the onscreen TV guide listed the original as a "ratings flop". Hmm. Anyway, I know some are happy as things are. That's okay. I am just musing. Just imagine what could have been...

Muffit :muffit:

[malachi42]

But one is network and one is cable. They're not really comparable.

[Gemini1999]

Another factor is the fact that when BSG premiered in '78, there were only 3 major networks and a very small handful of local independent stations. Cable was almost non-existent at the time. Basically, people had very few channel options to turn to and the big 3 pretty much ruled prime time.

BSG was also big in '78 as it was surfing the wave of the popularity of Star Wars. For the first time, folks had the chance to see big budget Sci-Fi in their homes instead of the movie theaters.

Even if the miniseries was much better than it was, there is just too many choices for people for it to compete with - the only way for it to have gotten a bigger audience would have been for it to be run on one of the primary network channels or something like HBO or Showtime.

The best rating that Sci Fi could have realistically expected was one that would only be marginally higher than what it got, given the fact that SciFi is a niche market channel at most.

Regards,
Bryan
________
LovelyWendie (http://www.lovelywendie99.com/)

[thomas7g]

But on the other hand, the original is probably THE most watched show in television scifi History. It aired on the number one network and managed to be in the top ten of the weeks ratings. Number 5 to be exact.

That's pretty dang impressive.

Hey you, adorable daggit girl! I've been seareching for that stat for ages. Where did ya get it?

[lordpenquin]

Not comparable in those terms at all. Granted, overall the original had higher ratings proportionaly, but the popularity of star wars and the new concept of prime time sci-fi drew in people. The fact that sci-fi is a niche channel, and has a rep for bad movies did not help. That, and the hardcore fans of TOS that were determined NOT to watch it under any circumstances at all. There were more things wrong with the mini than right, but there were some redeaming qualities to it. I hope it gets picked up for at least one season. I need to see more vipers!

[callsignfalcon]

ANd is just under Taken and Dune in ratings for sci-fi.... http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire/art-sfc.html?2003-12/11/12.00.sfc is where you can find the article

[thomas7g]

The 3.5 may not be exactly right.

I think the night's rating included the terminator2 movie before hand. So that may have had an effect. maybe that is why the ratings went up the second night.

[thomas7g]

btw the scifi article listed above is just a rewording of the articles here

http://www.mediaweek.com/mediaweek/search/search_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=2047805
http://www.mediaweek.com/mediaweek/search/search_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=2048559

[amberstar]

Thank you Muffit.

I know the stats may not be able to be fairly compared, but I think that it shows what could have been.
If all fans could have been reached and more elements of TOS were intact in the mini, or if it was an up to date continuation the raitings could have been through the roof!

Sorry, Mufits musing is contagious :D

Amber