The Ultimate BTVS Poll

[RomanticSoul]

Stop making excuses for your boy Angel. Spike kicked his arse because he is by far the more interesting character, Masters is the better actor, and Spike is the better lover for Buffy!😉

Or because the Spike fans have nothing better to do? It always cracks me up when people use online polls as a measuring stick for anything. For me they prove nothing but which part of the fandom has the more insane followers.

The only poll I wold take seriously is one done with actual casual viewers. And the casual viewer is not someone who is on online polls, boards, reads comics or whatever. Considering people who go online about shows makes what...0.1% total viewership? Yeah like that is representative of anything. If however you want actual, factual proof go by numbers. The early Seasons of Buffy were watched by more people than the later Seasons (so the Spike show formerly known as BtVS tanked). The Angel ATF comics sold better than the Spike ones. Other Angel comics also sold better. Numbers are areally not on Spike's side. ANd I take those more seriously.

 

[VisionBoy]

I guess with Angel, Wesley and Cordy (and maybe even Faith to some extent, at least the redemptive side of her) people consider them more Ats than BTVS.
That's probably why Wesley is referred to as underrated despite him being a fan favourite... if they're only including his BTVS appearances.

 

[Skanky Vamp]

The early Seasons of Buffy were watched by more people than the later Seasons

I might could argue with that if I wanted to, but, I dont have all of the facts. I would love to see the numbers that validate this.

 

[Mr Trick]

Or because the Spike fans have nothing better to do? It always cracks me up when people use online polls as a measuring stick for anything. For me they prove nothing but which part of the fandom has the more insane followers.

The only poll I wold take seriously is one done with actual casual viewers. And the casual viewer is not someone who is on online polls, boards, reads comics or whatever. Considering people who go online about shows makes what...0.1% total viewership? Yeah like that is representative of anything. If however you want actual, factual proof go by numbers. The early Seasons of Buffy were watched by more people than the later Seasons (so the Spike show formerly known as BtVS tanked). The Angel ATF comics sold better than the Spike ones. Other Angel comics also sold better. Numbers are areally not on Spike's side. ANd I take those more seriously.

Thing is mate I was only having a bit of a laugh because I'm a big Spike fan so was throwing my support behind I know than that poll doesn't mean anything too concrete, but you shouldn't totally dismiss it either fans did vote in it after all. I would be surprised if the early seasons had better ratings myself but could be wrong.

 

[gite63]

I might could argue with that if I wanted to, but, I dont have all of the facts. I would love to see the numbers that validate this.

Source: Wikipedia

THE WB

S1 3.7 #6
S2 5.2 #3
S3 5.3 #2
S4 5.1 #3
S5 4.6 #3

UPN

S6 4.3 #3
S7 3.9 #4

“The series' high came during the third season, with 5.3 million viewers (including repeats). This was probably due to the fact that both Gellar and Hannigan had hit movies out during the season (Cruel Intentions and American Pie respectively).”

I believe that the movies helped increasing the numbers, and that UPN cannot be comapred to The WB.

And, as an insane follower that don't have anything better to do (YES I'M!), I want to add that for me, it seems that hard core Bangels watched the show just because Angel and Buffy; they were (and are) rarely interested in the show itself. So, right now, the comics are shit only because Angel and Buffy aren't together; otherwise, they would be loving it.

 

[Skanky Vamp]

Right, but thats Neilson rating only. I think globally I did much better. I know for a time it was shown a few times a week in the UK and it, from my understanding, generally put up bigger numbers overseas than it did in America. So those numbers don't really reflect the number of viewers- just the American day and date viewers.

 

[gite63]

Right, but thats Neilson rating only. I think globally I did much better. I know for a time it was shown a few times a week in the UK and it, from my understanding, generally put up bigger numbers overseas than it did in America. So those numbers don't really reflect the number of viewers- just the American day and date viewers.

Yeah, that's true.

In Brazil, what I could find out is that S5 was the most viewed on cable TV when it first aired.

The later seasons aired in Brazil only on cable TV (FOX). But then, many other shows aired only on cable; in the beginning of cable, there were so many TV shows to watch!

 

[thetopher]

Not sure its fair to say that Spike is the sole reason the later season ratings were lower.

Very often shows peak around the 2/3rd season and then lose a few viewers while they settle into a 'core' audience.

Looking at the numbers the numbers seem steady-ish- with only s4 and (especially) S6 costing big chunks of viewers. I don't find that particularly surprising given the quality of the writing.

 

[VisionBoy]

I agree. Many shows tend to peak in the middle of their run and from the shows I've seen, the final few seasons will often have lower ratings, that's far from unique to BtVS.
If you look at the last couple of seasons for other WB shows- Dawson's Creek, Gilmore Girls, Charmed, Smallville etc. the last season or last couple of seasons are often rather low; if not the lowest.

 

[RomanticSoul]

I might could argue with that if I wanted to, but, I dont have all of the facts. I would love to see the numbers that validate this.

Here is another different rating. Can't take credit for it though (that goes to a former TWoP member).

Worst single episode: The Puppet Show, 1.9
Second worst: Teacher's Pet, 2.0.
Third worst: 2.3, seven episodes (5 of them were in S7, the other 2 in S1)

Worst season average, first run eps: S1, 2.62
Second worst: S7, 2.69

Worst season premiere was WSWB (2.9), and the worst-rated finale was Prophecy Girl (2.8). Both just barely beat Lessons (3.1) and Chosen (2.9).

Worst S3 rating: 3.6, Choices, GD1, Earshot (all airing after Rerun Hell). This rating was better than 13 S4 eps, all but 6 from both S5 and S6, and better by a half point than anything in S7 (it's also better than anything in S1, but I grade S1 on a curve).

Want me to dredge up the sales for ATF Angel and Spike comics too? And believe me it's a landslide for Angel.

Source: Wikipedia
And, as an insane follower that don't have anything better to do (YES I'M!), I want to add that for me, it seems that hard core Bangels watched the show just because Angel and Buffy; they were (and are) rarely interested in the show itself. So, right now, the comics are shit only because Angel and Buffy aren't together; otherwise, they would be loving it.

General statements like this are why other fandoms point to this one and laugh. That and insane fans that go so far as to threaten comic writers that certain topics are a no-no or else. Or fans who write to SMG to stop answering/writing to DB on Twitter because it hurts the B/S fans. Sometimes I wonder if people remember these are fictional characters. And to think people on this board have accused me of being delusional/unable to seperate fiction from reality all because I don't whorship at the altar of Spike. This fandom is so terribly funny and not in a good way.

 

[Skanky Vamp]

Want me to dredge up the sales for ATF Angel and Spike comics too?

No, I was just wanting to know how the "early seasons of Buffy were watched by more people than the later seasons" I didn't know you were speaking strictly for America.I thought you meant people in general. I know all about the Neilson numbers. I watch them weekly for alot of shows. Yes, I am that anal.

Just in Britain, Sky One as a whole lost a QUARTER of their viewers when Buffy ended. That's massive.
From the final season to the next season they lost 43% of their viewers. 43%. S0 theoretically 20% more viewers tuned in just for the final season.
So I cannot arbitrarily say that more people watched the early season. More AMERICANS did. That is a statistical fact. But I think it is a different matter worldwide. I certainly think it's plausible more people saw the later seasons than the first.

 

[Anointed One]

Anya above Faith? What has this world come to? 
And Wesley is not underrated! What the hell, he's a fan favorite!

And I'm disappointed Fuffy isn't an option. And if Parker is there, Satsu should definitely be there.

I also voted Anya since the poll was only talking about the BTVS series. I would've picked Faith had they included ATS. Wesley is a Buffyverse favorite, but no one liked him on BTVS. I still picked him though.

 

[The Bronze]

Sometimes I wonder if people remember these are fictional characters.

You realise that you're trashing the quality of a poll because you don't like the answers and then dredging up ancient viewing figures from one country to prove how wrong it is? Seems like someone remembering these are fictional characters would smile and move on.

 

[Silverspike]

"General statements like this are why other fandoms point to this one and laugh. That and insane fans that go so far as to threaten comic writers that certain topics are a no-no or else. Or fans who write to SMG to stop answering/writing to DB on Twitter because it hurts the B/S fans. Sometimes I wonder if people remember these are fictional characters. And to think people on this board have accused me of being delusional/unable to seperate fiction from reality all because I don't whorship at the altar of Spike. This fandom is so terribly funny and not in a good way."

You do realise that most big fandoms have their hard core shipper side of it, and that BTVS is far from the only exception? Also if you didn't keep harping on about all the ills of the fandom being the fault of a certain characters then maybe some people wouldn't keep picking you up on it. 🙂

You realise that you're trashing the quality of a poll because you don't like the answers and then dredging up ancient viewing figures from one country to prove how wrong it is? Seems like someone remembering these are fictional characters would smile and move on.

Oh well put. 😀

 

[Mr Trick]

I also voted Anya since the poll was only talking about the BTVS series. I would've picked Faith had they included ATS. Wesley is a Buffyverse favorite, but no one liked him on BTVS. I still picked him though.

That's interesting because having had pretty much a whole season in three, a couple of episodes in 4 and then a few episodes and big role in seven then I do think Faith was in Buffy enough to make such an impact. I like Anya enough and think that EC is a good comic actress its just they could have done more with the character for me.

Well Wesley was good comic relief on Buffy and did provide a good contrast for Giles which added to his character at least.

 

[RomanticSoul]

You realise that you're trashing the quality of a poll because you don't like the answers and then dredging up ancient viewing figures from one country to prove how wrong it is? Seems like someone remembering these are fictional characters would smile and move on.

Again with the accusing me of saying things that I didn't. Is that ever gonna end? I never said I didn't like the results. I said I don't care for them because to me it proves nothing. And that goes for EVERY online poll (of every show). And I brought up ratings and comic sales because those numbers don't lie. Whereas multiple voting on online polls proves nothing except who has the most crazy followers.

You do realise that most big fandoms have their hard core shipper side of it, and that BTVS is far from the only exception? Also if you didn't keep harping on about all the ills of the fandom being the fault of a certain characters then maybe some people wouldn't keep picking you up on it. 🙂

Well considering the source of this statement just proves my point perfectly. And please you wouldn't pick me up on it. Face to face not really your style.

 

[The Bronze]

Again with the accusing me of saying things that I didn't. Is that ever gonna end? I never said I didn't like the results.

I don't think I've accused you of anything before. Here I was inferring you didn't like the results. I've read back your post and it sure seems you don't like them. Either you don't like the results or you do a really good impression of someone who doesn't like them.

And I brought up ratings and comic sales because those numbers don't lie.

Lies, damn lies and statistics. Numbers on their own don't lie but you can select numbers to paint any picture you wish to.

Anyway my post was only supposed to be a slightly humorous observation. I will leave it there and apologise if I massively misunderstood what you were saying and you have no problem with there results.

 

[Silverspike]

"And please you wouldn't pick me up on it. Face to face not really your style"

Just shows you really don't know me at all....😀

 

[Fuffy]

THE WB

S1 3.7 #6
S2 5.2 #3
S3 5.3 #2
S4 5.1 #3
S5 4.6 #3

UPN

S6 4.3 #3
S7 3.9 #4

This drop was probably caused by the fact that a lot of people had WB at home, but didn't have access to UPN.
Also, more people started figuring out the Internet and downloading things from it with kazza (including BtVS and AtS episodes), another reason why ratings started to drop.

 

[Anointed One]

This drop was probably caused by the fact that a lot of people had WB at home, but didn't have access to UPN.
Also, more people started figuring out the Internet and downloading things from it with kazza (including BtVS and AtS episodes), another reason why ratings started to drop.

While it's true that many homes didn't have access to UPN, viewership was already declining in S5 and S7's viewership was a good bit lower than S6.