no renewal yet


Getting kind of nervous. Because this show needs at least one, maybe two more seasons, to wrap up, in my opinion.

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Didn't realize its ratings have been bad until you mentioned it. Looking at the list of cable ratings, it still does better than any of the currently running scripted shows and its DVR ratings are good so I don't think we have to worry. But as I've said before, people should try to watch legally when they can, because if no one supports these quality shows... we will be stuck watching Basketball Wives and Vanderpump Rules.

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Agreed. And with three seasons in, and being of their renowned Breaking Bad brand, I really don't see them giving this show the axe unceremoniously, but ya never know.

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When you say, watch it legally, do you mean watch when it airs? Does a show get ratings "credit" if one watches it as a DVR? I love this show. I'd hate to see it end due to poor ratings but I never watch it live. I agree too with your prediction that we'll be stuck with some loathsome choices if quality shows don't get good ratings. The networks are proof of that. Who watches that garbage? I can only think of one network show I watched this year-American Crime. I really try but there's nothing good going on there.

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Many young kids have "cut the cord" which means they don't pay for cable but either wait for the show to come on Netflix or find a pirate version on the internet. Shows like Game of Thrones and even Saul have millions of viewers that don't pay to watch them so even if their ratings are down, plenty are still watching.

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Most of those pirate websites edit out the commercials, so those views shouldn't have any weight on the economic decision to renew a series.

Just remember.... the ONLY reason that ratings matter is for advertising sales.

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But as I've said before, people should try to watch legally when they can, because if no one supports these quality shows...


Personally I try to do that, but the thing is that it only airs a couple times a week and at inconvenient hours for me. So, probably half of every season I get to see on TV, and the other half I have to watch online. AMC just makes it difficult because they barely air reruns.

I sure hope the show won't get cancelled.

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AMC has a website... and also DVRs give credit for viewing... there are lots of legal options to support the show.

But I'm not trying to guilt trip everyone... I'm just pointing out the reality of the situation. Why would spon sors want to pay to advertise something that no one legally watches? Young kids are so passionate about not destroying the environment and go out of their way to recycle and use sustainable products... yet for some reason care nothing about sustaining the artists lifestyles whether it's film, music or even writing. Everything's an ecosystem... including content... hopefully we learn in all categories before it's too late.

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As far as I know, you watching legally doesn't affect a show's rating, unless you are a part of the representative sample that Nielsen (or another company) collects data on. If you don't have a device attached to your TV, or are not contacted by someone, how would networks know that you're watching?

So in that regard, watching illegally does little to the show, as far as ratings go. Which is what networks care about when looking to renew it. That's separate from the issue of paying for it, by watching ads or paying fees (not entirely, but it gets to complicated for me from there).

I'm not sure how the delayed viewing works, in terms of the ratings.

So, unless you have a Neilsen box, there's nothing you can do about the ratings really, as far as I'm aware. And if you're not from the US, it becomes a whole nother thing.

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It didn't years ago, but I'm sure it does now... everyone including cable companies data mines you. If they have a recommended for you function... then they know what you are watching.

If you are someone who uses an over the air antenna set up... then yeah it probably doesn't matter.

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I guess you're right about the data mining... But I did say it was as far as I knew :)

In any case, I doubt I can do much from Europe, even if I do watch it on AMC CE.

Just a quick question. Does AMC run ads in the US? (I'm asking out of curiosity)

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Yes, but I use a DVR so I can control that part. (I actually will watch some ads to support the sponsors... I even enjoy them if they are about another show or movie that I might want to see in the future) What I wish is that they'd make them shorter... or give an option to watch all of them in one clump like Hulu sometimes does... when they are long and frequent, I tend to FF through everything.

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When an ad break comes along I usually change the channel. There are only so many diarrhea medication and loan commensals I can handle. But it's interesting that we don't get ads on AMC during a movie/show, just between (and only of things their airing). Maybe it's counted in some premium package here...

Anyway, hopefully they'll renew the show for a few more seasons. It'll be a shame if they don't get to finish this story (mainly for the new characters, since we kinda know what happens with Saul and Mike, etc.).

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I'm pretty sure the show is safe... the only reason I commented was because the OP mentioned it and when I looked up the ratings it surprised me that they were low.

One thing that sucks about the American ratings is that the educated people know how to pirate better than the less educated... so shows like the Walking Dead (which I still like) will get much better ratings than something like Mad Men or Better Call Saul... Almost all the highly rated cable shows are things like the Real Housewives, Kardashians, or shows about house flipping. This sadly will probably be the future of TV over here.

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My heart just sank when I read this. I can see how the show is expensive to produce, but I really hope they give us some type of ending.

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I think they are still committed to this show... It's not a regular show... it's part of a true cable phenomenon. We were just speculating... and I noticed the ratings were down. Haven't heard any rumors that it's in trouble so far.

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Agreed. At this point, I kind of feel like it may be a case of they already know it's renewed, but they're timing an announcement for dramatic effect.

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It's just under Silicon Valley for popular Internet streams, so I know it's highly successful with the streaming crowd. There is plenty more story to go, and parallel events with BB, plus more post BB stuff I hope.

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My criticism of the show, if there is any, is that it takes too long to develop the story. S3E9 is a perfect example. I suppose it's called "Fall" because there is a falling out by the characters. While the story moved along and set up for the S3 finale, there wasn't much that happened. It's like watching molasses run uphill in January. The acting is fine, but everything probably was done to set up for the S3 finale. The only resolution seemed to be what Jimmy did to get his payout is the equivalent of what Davis & Main and HHM are doing to the Sandpiper residents. Jimmy seems to be looking out for the residents better than Davis & Main who are just looking out for their own big payouts. This isn't enough to prevent boredom. Several shows are like this.

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Another complaint I have due to the slow development of the story is dickwads are figuring out what is going to happen ahead of time and revealing what happens in the finale. There's enough hints being dropped in these episodes to figure it out. It seems we have figured out how Vince Gilligan and crew operates. Is there enough here to warrant two more seasons? Gawd, I hope not. One more season is fine with me unless we get more action and drama like Breaking Bad.

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I don't think it's in danger of getting cancelled. True, the ratings aren't huge, but there are other factors in its favor that make it a valuable commodity for AMC...

Such as, it has many raves from TV critics that give the show bragging rights status in the television landscape. These often lead to award-show recognition that can boost a show's popularity.

Also, while the audience numbers may be marginal, it skews very high with higher-income viewers, who are cherished by advertisers who are selling higher-end items. This was one of the factors that kept Mad Men on the air because its ratings weren't spectacular either for quite a few of its seasons.

And remember, Breaking Bad wasn't a rating powerhouse, either, until great word-of-mouth finally reached more people who binged-watched it and caught up with the show's live airings to make the last season a ratings juggernaut. I don't think Saul will create the same kind of cultural buzz that BB did, but I think it's numbers will at least hold steady until its run is over.

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I don't want to jinx it, but the ratings/budget ratio of BCS is much better than Preacher for example, another AMC show, which costs more and gets worse ratings, and yet they are pushing that show.

Plus BCS has the added bonus of the prestige of keeping Vince Gilligan working with AMC, which I suspect they want, in case he decides to make 'The Next Big Show' after this, they want it to be with them.

Saul does decent ratings & gets amazing reviews, it is a good jewel to have for the AMC brand. I would be shocked if they don't renew it for another season, or even two.

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I just hope we get a proper ending whenever that may be. I definitely feel that another season would be needed for that to happen.

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I say Saul is good for at least one more season. Mr. Gilligan and co. need to have a serious discussion of where to end the series so it doesn't have a premature ending. I would be fine with only 10 more episodes, as long as there is a conclusion.

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