The Ratings Behind the Renewals

Amid what has been a dire winter for many broadcast programs, Fox renewed four shows this week: “The Following,” “New Girl,” “The Mindy Project” and “Raising Hope.”

The first was a no-brainer, as “The Following” has the somewhat dubious honor of being the only midseason entry to find ratings success on a broadcast network. The most recent episode drew 8.8 million total viewers, just below its season average of 9 million.

“New Girl” was another easy decision. Even though it no longer reaches the same ratings heights that it did during its first season, it frequently ranks in the Top 20 shows watched by 18- to 49-year-olds, the demographic prized by advertisers.

The last two renewals were more surprising. “The Mindy Project” has averaged only 3.2 million total viewers in its first season despite following “New Girl” on the schedule, and “Raising ope,” now in its third season, is down compared with previous years, to an average of 3.8 million viewers.

But in recent weeks, both programs have settled near their season averages in total viewers, suggesting an increasingly rare ratings trait: stability.