Apparently, getting young people to put down the game controllers and tune in to primetime TV isn’t as simple as putting on a show about video game characters. According to Reuters, Wednesday night’s debut of UPN’s animated half-hour comedy, Game Over, finished in last place among offerings from the six major broadcast networks.
Based on preliminary ratings data from Nielsen Media Research, viewership for UPN’s 8 p.m. timeslot was down roughly 50% from the previous week when an episode of Enterprise aired. Game Over drew only a 0.6 rating among the coveted 18 to 49 demographic, a 63% drop-off from the week before.
The show reportedly pulled its best numbers with kids 6-17, landing a third place spot behind ABC’s My Wife and Kids and Fox’s That ’70s Show. However, it failed to capture the attention of males 12-34, a set that has been steadily slipping away from broadcasters as online gaming grows in popularity.
UPN and show producer Carsey-Werner-Mandabach are hoping this Friday’s 9 p.m. encore telecast of the premiere episode will draw better numbers and and help build an audience for Game Over, which airs weekly on Wednesdays at 8 p.m.
