Ratings flash!
“Dallas” experienced an uptick in the ratings this week: “Playing Chicken,” the latest episode, debuted to 1.985 million viewers on March 10, including 512,000 adults between ages 18 and 49, the demographic that advertisers pay top dollar to reach.
The total audience grew by roughly 50,000 viewers, or about 2.6 percent. The previous episode, “Trust Me,” debuted to 1.934 million viewers on March 3.
However, when you include viewers who recorded “Trust Me” on their DVRs and watched it within three days, the episode’s audience reached 2.7 million viewers. This audience includes 1.1 million adults between ages 25 and 54, a demographic that TNT targets, and 864,000 adults in the 18-to-49 demo.
So far this season, “Dallas” is averaging 2.2 million viewers on Monday nights, compared to 2.7 million viewers on Mondays last year. Of the three original dramas that TNT is showing this winter, “Dallas” ranks second: On Tuesday nights, “Rizzoli & Isles” is averaging 3.5 million viewers, while “Perception” is averaging 1.9 million viewers.
Earlier this week, Dallas Decoder suggested three things fans can do to help boost “Dallas’s” audience. Don’t forget to keep talking about the show — online and in real life!
DeGeneres Does ‘Dallas’
Ellen DeGeneres will welcome two “Dallas” stars to her talk show this week: Jesse Metcalfe is scheduled to appear on Thursday, March 13, while Jordana Brewster will be a guest on Friday, March 14. “Ellen” is syndicated, so check your local listings for broadcast times.
Summer in ‘Dallas’
“Dallas’s” third season will continue through mid-April, and then the show will take a midseason break and return in the summer. How long will we have to wait?
TNT hasn’t announced the airdates, but the cable channel did outline some of its summer plans this week. On Sunday, June 22, the action series “The Last Ship” will debut at 9 p.m., followed by the fourth-season opener of the sci-fi show “Falling Skies.” Meanwhile, the FBI drama “Legends” is slated to premiere on Wednesday, August 20, at 9 p.m.
In addition to these shows, TNT’s summer lineup will include new episodes of “Major Crimes,” “Rizzoli & Isles,” “Perception” and “Franklin & Bash” and the launch of “Murder in the First,” a crime drama from producer Steven Bochco, whose son Jesse Bocho is a frequent “Dallas” director, including helming “Playing Chicken.”
Double Doses of ‘Dallas’
Starting this week, TNT is doubling up on “Dallas” on Monday nights. Each new episode will continue to debut at 9, and then TNT will show it again at 10.
TNT had been filling the 10 p.m. slot with “The Private Lives of Nashville Wives,” a new reality series. The numbers weren’t good, and so TNT is shifting that show to Monday nights at 11.
“Drill Bits,” a roundup of news about TNT’s “Dallas,” is published regularly. Share your comments below.
Dallas Decoder 
How is Dallas doing in the ratings compared to OTHER dramas on TNT? Is Dallas the MOST widely watched drama on TNT? If not, is AMONG the top rated dramas on TNT? Is it at least in the MIDDLE of the pack?
What are the exact numbers for Dallas as compared and contrasted to the other TNT dramas?
Great question, Art. I’ve updated the article to show how TNT’s other two dramas are performing. Thanks for the suggestion!
Superb comments C.B. Now boy, I’ll tell u & all DALLAS Decoder episodes, watch each show multiple times. Have DALLAS block party’s & potlucks. I’ll supply the J.R. Ewing Bourbon & we’ll get millions more & then hopefully a 4th season & beyond!
Is it possible for someone to contact someone from TNT to get their opinion on the ratings dip the last 2 weeks and what they may be doing to try and help like move to another night. A 0.4 rating is scary and if that continues could it be the plug gets pulled?