It looks as though the DVR numbers may have saved Dollhouse from cancellation, at least for the time being. It was announced today that Fox plans to air all 13 episodes of the second season.
The Hollywood Reporter posted the news, stating that the premiere-week DVR data released showed a 50% bump in the ratings from the modest 1.0 rating in the 18-49 demo. The article went on to say that Fox scheduling chief Preston Beckman said that the DVR results played a role in the show’s fate, though he’s not surprised by the new numbers.
I’m not surprised either. The show airs on Friday nights when it’s more likely that some viewers will DVR the episode and watch it at a more convenient time. Maybe Fox will put two and two together and consider moving the show to a better timeslot. In the meantime, while I can’t say I think the show is perfect as it is right now, I’m glad to know it’ll be sticking around for a little while longer.
On a related note, I have to say I love seeing that DVR numbers are playing a role in the fate of TV shows now. Before DVRs, there wasn’t really a way for the networks to take into account how many people were recording shows and watching them later. It’s interesting to me that the advancement in technology is giving networks a better perspective on how their shows are being watched.
