Have you seen the ratings for 8.22?

[dragonheart]

 NCIS Season 8 Ratings by episode

8x01, Spider and the Fly: 3.9/10 (total viewers: 18.92 million)
8x02, Worst Nightmare: 4.0/11 (total viewers: 18.74 million)
8x03, Short Fuse: 3.7/11 (total viewers: 19.48 million)
8x04, Royals and Loyals: 3.7/11 (total viewers: 19.48 million)
8x05, Dead Air: 4.2/12 (total viewers: 19.08 million)
8x06, Cracked: 4.1/11 (total viewers: 19.38 million)
8x07, Broken Arrow: 4.0/11 (total viewers: 19.872 million)
8x08, Enemies Foreign: 3.9/11 (total viewers: 19.45 million)
8x09, Enemies Domestic: 3.9/11 (total viewers: 18.80 million)
8x10, False Witness: 4.0/12 (total viewers: 19.868 million)
8x11, Ships in the Night: 4.45/12 (total viewers: 21.93 million)
8x12, Recruited: 4.1/11 (total viewers: 20.97 million)
8x13, Freedom: 4.6/12 (total viewers: 22.7 million)
8x14, Man Walks Into a Bar...: 4.2/12 (total viewers: 20.30 million)
8x15, Defiance: 3.7/11 (total viewers: 19.47 million)
8x16, Kill Screen: 4.4/12 (total viewers: 21.28 million)
8x17, One Last Score: 3.8/11 (total viewers: 19.19 million)
8x18, Out of the Frying Pan: 3.8/12 (total viewers: 19.11 million)
8x19, Tell-All: 3.8/11 (total viewers: 18.26 million)
8x20, Two-Faced: 3.6/11 (total viewers: 18.79 million)
8x21, Dead Reflection 3.8/11 (total viewers: 19.20 million) data added 04/13/11
8X22, Baltimore 3.5/11 (total viewers: 17.32 million) data added 05/04/11
8x23, Swan Song 3.5/11 (total viewers: 17.10 million) data added 05/12/11
8x24, Pyramid (Season Finale)

Even though our ratings numbers are still comparatively large against the competition - what's going on with the continued decline in targeted market?
3.5 for a much hyped/much anticipated episode coming off a two week hiatus? (for Pete's sake Glee got 3.6).
 
17.32 M viewers? that's the lowest all season

I have to say, I am really surprised - I thought the numbers would be huge... 

Comments

[blueeyedgirl83.livejournal.com]

2. EJ and her team are not popular - it shows that with the general trend in figures (as you show). And even though she wasn't in the episode, as we know from two previous episodes it was likely her name would be mentioned every two seconds. I think EJ's arrival has generally pushed figures down. You can't argue with that by looking at what you clearly highlight above.

I don't think it's the main cause, but I agree that the introduction of EJ and her team had a part in the drops in the ratingsratings drop. Putting aside the fact that I plain hate her character and the writers decided to hit us in the head with her presence on the show (seriously, I know she's here and I know she's sleeping with Tony, stop reminding me every freaking two minutes!), I honestly couldn't care less about any of the new guest stars and I'm probably not the only one. The show is in its eight season, we've come to care for the characters that have been on it for years, we want to see what happens to them.

The P2P killer storyline had much potential, but it would have been much more compelling if it revolved more around our team, imo. Also, introducing as many guests as they have managed to piss off a lot of fans. There are obviously the Tiva fans who are mad because of EJ/Tony, then there are the McAbby fans mad because the writers had Abby date the new guy, and also the fans that see their favourite characters (McGee, Ducky, Palmer, or anyone else really) have reduced screentime because of the new characters...


3. I hate to say it but I honestly think Tony/MW isn't as popular as TPTB and others think. I think NCIS is watched for an ensemble show. This feeling is partly borne out by the fact that the viewing figures for 'One Last Score' fell by over 2 million.

Yep. And it seems to be a trend, since last season the lowest episode in terms of rating was Obsession.

[blueeyedgirl83.livejournal.com]

And LJ obviously hates me bacause this post was supposed to go under nakeisha 's one

[nakeisha.livejournal.com]

I agree, I don't think it's just the presence of EJ and her team that had an impact. But I'm sure that played a part - given the previous weeks' figures are all down. I'm sure that has played a part. I don't like her at all and this hitting over the head every two minutes of the fact she and Tony are sleeping together is crazy. We got it instantly, why do we keep having to be reminded?

I totally agree that the P2P killer storyline would have been much, much better if it had revolved around our team. I really don't know why TPTB felt compelled to bring in other people. Ducky is my equal favourite character along with Gibbs and Tim and Jimmy are equal after that, so yes, I'm particularly peeved by these additions because when we get them it's Ducky & Jimmy then Abby then Tim who lose out. And with all the people in the finale, I reckon our lot could go on holiday together and no one would miss them *wry grin*

Yep. And it seems to be a trend, since last season the lowest episode in terms of rating was Obsession.

Indeed it was. And given the huge, huge, huge amount of publicity prior to 'One Last Score' and 'Baltimore' you really do have to ask what went wrong.

[dragonheart]

every week viewers have a decision to make:

watch NCIS or do "something else" whether that's being outside enjoying the nicer weather, studying for finals, watching a sporting event, watching another show,etc. And people have real lives, they can't watch every week, sometimes it's just not possible.

This week about 3 million viewers chose "something else" for whatever reason or combination of reasons. NCIS lost out in that decision and has been loosing for several weeks, so obviously the interest in what is going on in the show is not enough to tip the "decision" in favor of watching.

[dragonheart]

sorry, that last reply should have gone to Rigil... not sure how it ended up here - oops!