X-files you are missing a bit on context.

It debuted the 1st year that Fox had programing everyday of the week.

While overall X-Files was lowly rated, it was about average for Fox viewership (it would be like comparing Ted Lasso's viewership numbers to Young Sheldon)

It aired on Fridays, when viewership was lower overall

When looking at broadcast TV there are other things to consider other than just overall ratings. DOW, that I mentioned above, is big. Also how much of it's lead in show's audience does it retain. Is the show gaining viewers each week, maintaining or losing.

Star Trek: TGN was released in syndication. It was the 3rd highest rated syndicated show in its 1st season. Highly unlikely it would have been canceled anywhere

Seinfeld is interesting. 1st season was only 5 episodes, so hard to get a following on network TV with that low a number. 2nd season started bad but was given a 2nd shot and moved to after Cheers, where it preformed really well and the rest is history. There is a good chance that it could be a causality in today's environment.

Breaking Bad is another potential case. It was one of AMC's most watched shows when it debuted, just the network didn't have many people watching at the time. It was also just their 2nd original drama series that was released. I may be a casualty it today's environment if it was released on one of the big platforms, but likely would survive on one of the smaller ones.

Homeland was great. Its funny cause the start of each season you would be like "is this show still good?" and then by the end of the season think it was great. Some very good acting throughout (Claire Danes, Mandy Patinkin, F Murray Abraham, Damien Lewis)

Dexter is great in parts. It does get less so as it goes on; you have minor one note characters that start in the background come to the forefront and get more screen time, but not really any better. The main line arcs are pretty good each season.

Newsroom is great if you like Aaron Sorkin's style; fast pace, idealist dialog. If you have watched his stuff and didn't care for ti, it is not for you.

Boardwalk Empire I enjoyed a lot. Semi historical crime-mob drama set in the 1920s. The last season went off the rails as they found out late it was gonna be the end and to wrap things up.

Ray Donovan was ok. What you see at the start is mostly how each season plays out. Nothing great, or extremely interesting, but never really bad either.

I'd recommend them in the order I have listed. Only bump up The Newsroom if you really like Sorkin TV/Movies, or bump to the bottom if you don't.

> quality & quantity, better to just have quality

I'd rather take the quantity. Means there is a higher chance that someone takes a risk in distributing a new show and that ther eis a chance a show will appear to my tastes.

When distributors focus on quality, then they limit what they take on. And since media companies are risk averse, you get the safest, cookie cutter type media. And then you get the other distributors doing the same, needing their version of a specific hit.

I did a rewatch about 3 years ago. Can't remember exactly what order i had them in, but remember a few thing

• Definitely had Season 5 at the top of the list
• Season 7 was in the top half of my list. Hakeem Kae-Kazim was top notch as the villian
• Season 3 was toward the bottom; similar to you, was too much filler story at the start. Plus was not a fan of Chase.

If I had to guess, think that would mean my rankings were 5,2,7,6,1,3,8,4

> Your excerpt there is only measuring the viewing habits of 18-49 years old who watch TV.

That is true. There are likely a number of people who took part in the reddit survey (which is also just an amateur survey so results can be skewed just from that) who only watch streaming or pirated shows, whereas the Neilsen numbers can include those who just watch TV.

But still there seems to be more social media hype for some shows than actual viewership.

> the average age of the watcher for these shows is probably double the average age of the average user of r/television.

We've seen yearly surveys of users here; the average age has been increasing each year and last year was at 30.

Meanwhile in the article

>In adults 18-49 ratings, the top three entertainment shows, with sports and news removed, are all unscripted. ABC’s “The Bachelorette” takes first place with a 1.1 average; “Survivor” and the Sunday time slot for “Big Brother” are tied for second at a 1.0 rating. Next, all with a 0.9, are NBC’s “Chicago Fire,” “Chicago P.D.” and “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” as well as Fox’s “9-1-1” and “The Simpsons.”

Now the big difference is that r/television is like 75% males vs females; so there will be some demo skewing due to that.