Last Thursday's final pre-strike episode of Supernatural, "Jus in Bello," brought some good news for fans of the series who are hoping for a fourth season pickup.  The episode was seen by 3.22 million viewers, which is Supernatural's largest audience of the season.  It also matched its best performance of the year in the important 18-34 demographic amongst adults and women, while scoring a season high in the 18-34 male demographic.  Even more impressive is that it accomplished all of this without its usual Smallville lead in. Needless to say, ratings like this will make Supernatural look quite appealing when it comes time for the CW to decide whether to renew it for another year.

Though the CW notoriously decided not to rerun the series this spring, all signs are pointing toward the show being renewed for another year.  According to Matt Roush at TVGuide.com, fans probably don't have much to worry about.

"The passion of the loyal and vocal Supernatural fan base is well known," Roush wrote.  "The show has found its core audience, which has been enough to keep it alive for three years, and given that the CW isn't exactly drowning in hot franchises, the chances are pretty excellent that it will get a fourth season.  I predict it will remain a consistent cult draw in one of TV's most impossible time periods next fall.  If it comes down to choosing between Supernatural and Reaper for next season, that's a no-brainer.  Supernatural is on top of its game, while Reaper is still trying to figure the game out."

It's also a fact that the CW as a whole has been struggling this season, with even their biggest hits suffering from unexpected ratings dips. The season premiere of reality hit America's Next Top Model tumbled 26 percent from the previous premiere, while Pussycat Dolls Present: Girlicious is being watched by about three people. Those worried about Supernatural being replaced with a trashy reality franchise can probably breathe easy.

The Winchester brothers will return with four more episodes beginning on April 24.  Until then, feel free to revel in a great episode's much deserved ratings win.


- Don Williams, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: TVGuide.com
(Image courtesy of Supernatural.tv)