Outlander Season 1, Episode 10 ratings look back: A drop for the witch trials

Outlander -- Courtesy of STARZ -- Acquired via STARZ Media Center
Outlander -- Courtesy of STARZ -- Acquired via STARZ Media Center

We’re looking back at Outlander Season 1, Episode 10, which aired for the first time on this day in history. Here’s a look back at the ratings.

After seeing a drop in the live ratings when Outlander Season 1 returned from its first Droughtlander, fans likely hoped for good news with the next episode. Here’s a look back at the Outlander Season 1, Episode 10 ratings to mark the anniversary of its first airing.

Titled “By the Pricking of the Thumbs,” the ratings saw another decline. The demo dipped 7% from the previous episode, down to a 0.25 rating. Meanwhile, the audience dropped 29% to 0.860 million.

While it seems low, there’s some good news to take from this. It wasn’t at the lowest point for the season. Episode 5 was the lowest point in the demo and Episode 4 was the lowest point for the audience.

Why would the ratings drop so much? That’s not something I’d be able to answer. There are a few things to remember about Season 1. It aired on Saturday nights. This is traditionally a bad night for TV. In fact, broadcast networks don’t have scripted shows airing on Saturdays unless they need to run out a low-performing show.

We also only get a look at the live ratings on the channel. While the STARZ App wasn’t what it is today, there was still an ability to watch through delayed viewing. Many would have chosen to do that, especially those who had read the books and knew the storyline that was coming.

This was the episode with the witch trials. It’s not a favorite for many and sets up the feelings of hate towards Laoghaire. There were some changes to the setting of the episode, but it is also an important one for Geillis’s storyline and the confirmation that she was from the future.

Outlander airs Sundays on STARZ.  Watch Outlander with a FREE 7-day trial of Amazon Channels!
Outlander airs Sundays on STARZ.  Watch Outlander with a FREE 7-day trial of Amazon Channels!