The influence Bravo has made from their franchise of The Real Housewives is impressive. They have served the most anticipated drama every year.
The franchise began with The Real Housewives of Orange County, which premiered on March 21, 2006. The franchise has sometimes been referred to as a "docu-soap". The American series have led to a large number of spin-off shows; the most successful of these, Vanderpump Rules, which itself has a number of spin-offs.
Everybody wants the #1 show, but not every producer knows how to get it. We wanted to compile viewership stats to compare and contrast which housewife city was the best and during what period of time.
For these stats, we used total viewers. It's important to keep in mind, however, that advertisers will look at the 18-49 demo for placements and money making opportunities for the network. What does 18-49 demo mean? It's pretty simple, it just tracks the viewership of the age between those numbers.
It is no secret that cable ratings have dropped, and that streaming makes up a greater chunk of the popularity in television now. But though live ratings have taken a hit across all reality TV, it's still an important number to rank. We ranked the cities head-to-head to see how their ratings have evolved in relation to each other over the course of each year.
YEAR | TOP PERFORMING CITY |
2006 | Orange County |
2007 | Orange County |
2008 | Orange County |
2009 | Atlanta |
2010 | Atlanta |
2011 | Atlanta |
2012 | Atlanta |
2013 | Atlanta |
2014 | Atlanta |
2015 | Atlanta |
2016 | Atlanta |
2017 | Atlanta |
2018 | Atlanta |
2019 | Atlanta |
2020 | Atlanta |
2021 | Atlanta |
2022 | Beverly Hills |
2022
Beverly Hills - S12 | 1.152 [only 1 episode has been released]
New Jersey - S12 | 1.041 [final episode not released yet]
Orange County - S16 | 0.850
Atlanta - S14 | 0.840 [only 3 episodes released to date]
Miami - S4 | Peacock Streaming
Ultimate Girls Trip - S2 | Peacock Streaming
*Salt Lake City S2 (0.710) finished in Mar 2022*
*Dallas was cancelled*
2021
Atlanta - S13 | 1.245
Beverly Hills - S11 | 1.190
New Jersey - S11 | 1.051
Potomac - S6 | 1.010
New York - S13 | 0.819
Salt Lake City - S2 | 0.710
Dallas - S5 | 0.523
Ultimate Girls Trip - S1 | Peacock Streaming
*Orange County S15 (1.035) finished in Jan 2021*
*Salt Lake City S1 (0.614) finished in Feb 2021*
*Miami S4 begins in Dec 2021*
*All Stars (Ultimate Girls Trip) first season launched*
2020
Atlanta - S12 | 1.813
Beverly Hills - S10 | 1.493
New Jersey - S10 | 1.177
New York - S12 | 1.136
Orange County - S15 | 1.035
Potomac - S5 | 1.030
Salt Lake City - S1 | 0.614
Dallas (S5): 0.523
*Atlanta S13 (1.245) begins in Nov 2020*
*Dallas S4 (0.665) finished in Jan 2020*
2019
Atlanta - S11 | 1.957
Beverly Hills - S9 | 1.663
Orange County - S14 | 1.317
New York - S11 | 1.284
New Jersey - S9 | 1.223
Potomac - S4 | 1.054
Dallas - S4 | 0.665
*Atlanta S12 (1.813) begins in Nov 2019*
*New Jersey S10 (1.177) began in Oct 2019*
2018
Atlanta - S10 | 2.255
Beverly Hills - S8 | 1.649
Orange County - S13 | 1.422
New York - S10 | 1.366
Potomac - S3 | 1.060
Dallas - S3 | 0.678
*Atlanta S11 (1.957) begins in Nov 2018*
*New Jersey S8 (1.257) finished in Jan 2018*
*New Jersey S9 (1.223) began in Nov 2018*
2017
Atlanta - S9 | 2.622
Beverly Hills - S7 | 1.755
Orange County - S12 | 1.696
New York - S9 | 1.503
Potomac - S2 | 1.398
New Jersey - S8 | 1.257
Dallas - S2 | 0.813
*Atlanta S10 (2.255) begins in Nov 2017*
*Beverly Hills S8 (1.649) begins in Dec 2017*
2016
Atlanta - S8 | 2.908
Orange County - S11 | 1.796
Beverly Hills - S6 | 1.793
Potomac - S1 | 1.619
New Jersey - S7 | 1.587
New York - S8 | 1.532
Potomac (S2): 1.398
Dallas - S1 | 0.888
*Atlanta S9 (2.622) begins in Nov 2016*
*Beverly Hills S7 (1.755) begins in Dec 2016*
2015
Atlanta - S7 | 3.118
Beverly Hills - S5 | 1.838
Orange County - S10 | 1.824
New York - S7 | 1.300
*Atlanta S8 (2.908) begins in Nov 2015*
*Beverly Hills S6 (1.793) begins in Dec 2015*
*New Jersey didn't air this year, as Teresa Giudice was in prison*
2014
Atlanta - S6 | 3.868
New Jersey - S6 | 1.922
Beverly Hills - S4 | 1.828
Orange County - S9 | 1.780
New York - S6 | 1.291
*Atlanta S7 (3.118) begins in Nov 2014*
*Beverly Hills S5 (1.838) begins in Nov 2014*
*Miami was cancelled, then renewed in 2021 on Peacock Streaming Service*
2013
Atlanta - S5 | 3.127
New Jersey - S5 | 2.393
Beverly Hills - S3 | 1.986
Orange County - S8 | 1.921
Miami - S3 | 1.015
*Atlanta S6 (3.868) begins in Nov 2013*
*Beverly Hills S4 (1.828) begins in Nov 2013*
*New York did not air a season in 2013*
*Miami S2 (1.082) finished in Jan 2013*
2012
Atlanta - S4 | 2.853
New Jersey - S4 | 2.706
Orange County - S7 | 1.966
New York - S5 | 1.616
Miami - S2 | 1.082
*Atlanta S5 (3.127) begins in Oct 2012*
*Beverly Hills S2 (2.223) finished in Feb 2012*
*Beverly Hills S3 (1.986) begins in Nov 2012*
2011
New Jersey - S3 | 2.658
Beverly Hills - S2 | 2.223
New York - S4 | 2.041
Orange County - S6 | 1.966
Miami - S1 | 1.091
*Atlanta S4 (2.853) begins in Oct 2011*
*Beverly Hills S1 (2.000) finished in Feb 2011*
*Atlanta S3 (2.912) finished in Feb 2011*
*DC was cancelled*
2010
Atlanta - S3 | 2.912
New Jersey - S2 | 2.739 [missing 1 episode rating]
Orange County - S5 | N/A
New York - S3 | 2.055 [missing 2 episode ratings]
Beverly Hills - S1 | 2.000
DC - S1 | 1.404
2009
Atlanta - S2 | 2.712 [missing 6 episode ratings]
Orange County - S4 | N/A
New Jersey - S1 | 2.250 [missing 5 episode ratings]
New York - S2 | N/A
2008
Orange County - S3 | N/A
Atlanta - S1 | 1.524 [missing 1 episode rating]
New York - S1 | 1.130
(*Atlanta aired twice in period; OC & NY ratings not found*) 2007
Orange County - S2 | N/A
2006
Orange County - S1 | N/A
Orange County [2006-Present]
S1 - N/A
S2 - N/A
S3 - N/A
S4 - N/A
S5 - N/A
S6 - 1.966
S7 - 1.966 (+0.0%)
S8 - 1.921 (-2.3%)
S9 - 1.780 (-7.3%)
S10 - 1.824 (+2.5%)
S11 - 1.796 (-1.5%)
S12 - 1.696 (-5.6%)
S13 - 1.422 (-16.2%)
S14 - 1.317 (-7.4%)
S15 - 1.035 (-21.4%)
S16 - 0.850 (-17.9%)
Orange County's drop in season 15 was significant, but it was still solid across all cities. There's been a lot of talk about canceling the show, and it has credence given the casting woes, but the ratings have never forced the cancellation. It was the first and I think we all hope it continues to stick around.
New York [2008-Present]
S1 - 1.130
S2 - N/A
S3 - 2.055 (+81.9%) [missing 2 episode ratings]
S4 - 2.041 (-0.7%)
S5 - 1.616 (-20.8%)
S6 - 1.291 (-20.1%)
S7 - 1.300 (+0.7%)
S8 - 1.532 (+17.8%)
S9 - 1.503 (-1.9%)
S10 - 1.366 (-9.1%)
S11 - 1.284 (-6.0%)
S12 - 1.136 (-11.5%)
S13 - 0.819 (-27.9%)
New York’s Season 5 reboot was deemed successful by creator and executive producer, Andy Cohen, through severe drops in seasons 5 and 6 show New York going from one of the top-tier shows to one of the lowest. The show did rebound in the following seasons, but it’s left many wondering how things would have gone without the iconic Bethenny Frankel return.
Atlanta [2008-Present]
S1 - 1.524 [missing 1 episode rating]
S2 - 2.712 (+78.0%) [missing 6 episode ratings]
S3 - 2.912 (+7.4%)
S4 - 2.853 (-2.0%)
S5 - 3.127 (+9.6%)
S6 - 3.868 (+23.7%)
S7 - 3.118 (-19.4%)
S8 - 2.908 (-6.7%)
S9 - 2.622 (-9.8%)
S10 - 2.255 (-14.0%)
S11 - 1.957 (-13.2%)
S12 - 1.813 (-7.4%)
S13 - 1.245 (-31.3%)
S14 - 0.834 (-33%) [only 2 episodes released to date]
Atlanta is the only franchise to average above 3 million viewers, as well as the only franchise to have an episode reach more than 4 million viewers.
New Jersey [2009-Present]
S1 - 2.250 [missing 5 episode ratings]
S2 - 2.739* (+21.7%) [missing 1 episode rating]
S3 - 2.658 (-3.0%)
S4 - 2.706 (+1.8%)
S5 - 2.393 (-11.6%)
S6 - 1.922 (-19.7%)
S7 - 1.587 (-17.4%)
S8 - 1.257 (-20.8%)
S9 - 1.223 (-2.7%)
S10 - 1.177 (-3.8%)
S11 - 1.051 (-10.7%)
S12 - 1.041 (-1%) [final episode not released yet]
New Jersey has had the most volatile ratings run of any franchise. It went from a close second to a low-tier show — to the point it was relegated to the shorter seasons it still has today. Yet, in the last couple years, New Jersey has recouped those losses, simply by not falling while other franchises cratered.
DC [2010]
S1 - 1.404
While DC is the only American franchise to last a single season, its ratings weren’t that bad. Had it not been for the outside factors, it likely would’ve survived given it outrated Miami’s first season, which aired just a few months later.
Beverly Hills [2010-Present]
S1 - 2.000
S2 - 2.223 (+11.5%)
S3 - 1.986 (-10.7%)
S4 - 1.828 (-8.0%)
S5 - 1.838 (+0.5%)
S6 - 1.793 (-2.4%)
S7 - 1.755 (-2.1%)
S8 - 1.649 (-6.0%)
S9 - 1.663 (+0.8%)
S10 - 1.493 (-10.2%)
S11 - 1.190 (-20.3%)
S12 - 1.152 (-3.2%) [only 1 episode has been released]
Beverly Hills is one of the most consistent franchises and is poised to be the #1 franchise for the first time this year. Despite how some fans feel, clearly the majority don’t feel strongly enough to change the channel.
Miami [2010-2013, 2022-Present]
S1 - 1.091
S2 - 1.082 (-0.8%)
S3 - 1.015 (-6.2%)
S4 - Peacock Streaming Service
Potomac [2016-Present]
S1 - 1.619
S2 - 1.398 (-13.7%)
S3 - 1.060 (-24.2%)
S4 - 1.054 (-0.6%)
S5 - 1.030 (-2.3%)
Potomac’s significant drops in the first three seasons look bad, but the explanation has to do with where it was placed in the distribution cycle. Season 1 aired after Atlanta's episodes aired. The first half of Season 2 did as well, but after that, the ladies in Potomac were on their own.
Dallas [2016-Present]
S1 - 0.888
S2 - 0.813 (-8.4%)
S3 - 0.678 (-16.6%)
S4 - 0.665 (-1.9%)
S5 - 0.523 (-21.4%)
Dallas has always been a live ratings flop, but it went from poor to even worse during their final season. Unfortunately, streaming ratings aren’t as transparent, so it’s hard to say how much the show makes up for its failings on digital platforms.
Salt Lake City [2020-Present]
S1 - 0.614
S2 - 0.710 (+15.6%)
If you’re a longtime fan of the cultural phenomenon that is Bravo’s Real Housewives franchise, then this guide might not tell you anything you don’t already know, although it’s always nice to get a refresher.