Yesterday, in the comments to our latest Good Guys item, Friend of Unfair Park LaceyB inquired about the fate of Chase, long rumored to be on NBC's must-cut list following weeks' worth of low ratings. Turns out, reports of its inevitable demise were greatly exaggerated: NBC just sent word that it has, in fact, picked up the Dallas-shot, Houston-set series -- starring Kelli Giddish as a U.S. marshal on the hunt for baddies in and around Texas -- for the full season. Says Angela Bromstad, president of primetime entertainment: "Chase has introduced an appealing new star to television audiences in Kelli Giddish, and we think it has potential to grow."
Regarding its ratings, this is what the network has to say:
Chase is averaging a 2.0 rating, 5 share in adults 18-49 and 6.5 million viewers overall in "most current" averages through its first five telecasts this fall. Chase has captured an 18 percent improvement in the time period versus year-ago "most current" results for NBC in 18-49 rating (with a 2.0 rating vs. a 1.7) and a 23 percent gain in total viewers (6.5 million vs. 5.3 million). Chase is heavily time-shifted, adding 21 percent to its "live plus same day" 18-49 rating when Nielsen issued "live plus seven day" results for the opening two weeks of the season (to a 2.66 rating from a 2.19).Perhaps NBC can pick up Lone Star while it's at it?
