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Real Housewives Seasons Ranked by Year

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

  1. Beverly Hills - S12 | 1.152 [only 1 episode has been released]

  2. New Jersey - S12 | 1.041 [final episode not released yet]

  3. Orange County - S16 | 0.850

  4. Atlanta - S14 | 0.840 [only 3 episodes released to date]

  5. Miami - S4 | Peacock Streaming

  6. Ultimate Girls Trip - S2 | Peacock Streaming

*Salt Lake City S2 (0.710) finished in Mar 2022*

*Dallas was cancelled*


2021

  1. Atlanta - S13 | 1.245

  2. Beverly Hills - S11 | 1.190

  3. New Jersey - S11 | 1.051

  4. Potomac - S6 | 1.010

  5. New York - S13 | 0.819

  6. Salt Lake City - S2 | 0.710

  7. Dallas - S5 | 0.523

  8. 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

  1. Atlanta - S12 | 1.813

  2. Beverly Hills - S10 | 1.493

  3. New Jersey - S10 | 1.177

  4. New York - S12 | 1.136

  5. Orange County - S15 | 1.035

  6. Potomac - S5 | 1.030

  7. Salt Lake City - S1 | 0.614

  8. Dallas (S5): 0.523

*Atlanta S13 (1.245) begins in Nov 2020*

*Dallas S4 (0.665) finished in Jan 2020*


2019

  1. Atlanta - S11 | 1.957

  2. Beverly Hills - S9 | 1.663

  3. Orange County - S14 | 1.317

  4. New York - S11 | 1.284

  5. New Jersey - S9 | 1.223

  6. Potomac - S4 | 1.054

  7. Dallas - S4 | 0.665

*Atlanta S12 (1.813) begins in Nov 2019*

*New Jersey S10 (1.177) began in Oct 2019*



2018

  1. Atlanta - S10 | 2.255

  2. Beverly Hills - S8 | 1.649

  3. Orange County - S13 | 1.422

  4. New York - S10 | 1.366

  5. Potomac - S3 | 1.060

  6. 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

  1. Atlanta - S9 | 2.622

  2. Beverly Hills - S7 | 1.755

  3. Orange County - S12 | 1.696

  4. New York - S9 | 1.503

  5. Potomac - S2 | 1.398

  6. New Jersey - S8 | 1.257

  7. Dallas - S2 | 0.813

*Atlanta S10 (2.255) begins in Nov 2017*

*Beverly Hills S8 (1.649) begins in Dec 2017*


2016

  1. Atlanta - S8 | 2.908

  2. Orange County - S11 | 1.796

  3. Beverly Hills - S6 | 1.793

  4. Potomac - S1 | 1.619

  5. New Jersey - S7 | 1.587

  6. New York - S8 | 1.532

  7. Potomac (S2): 1.398

  8. Dallas - S1 | 0.888

*Atlanta S9 (2.622) begins in Nov 2016*

*Beverly Hills S7 (1.755) begins in Dec 2016*


2015

  1. Atlanta - S7 | 3.118

  2. Beverly Hills - S5 | 1.838

  3. Orange County - S10 | 1.824

  4. 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

  1. Atlanta - S6 | 3.868

  2. New Jersey - S6 | 1.922

  3. Beverly Hills - S4 | 1.828

  4. Orange County - S9 | 1.780

  5. 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

  1. Atlanta - S5 | 3.127

  2. New Jersey - S5 | 2.393

  3. Beverly Hills - S3 | 1.986

  4. Orange County - S8 | 1.921

  5. 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

  1. Atlanta - S4 | 2.853

  2. New Jersey - S4 | 2.706

  3. Orange County - S7 | 1.966

  4. New York - S5 | 1.616

  5. 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

  1. New Jersey - S3 | 2.658

  2. Beverly Hills - S2 | 2.223

  3. New York - S4 | 2.041

  4. Orange County - S6 | 1.966

  5. 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

  1. Atlanta - S3 | 2.912

  2. New Jersey - S2 | 2.739 [missing 1 episode rating]

  3. Orange County - S5 | N/A

  4. New York - S3 | 2.055 [missing 2 episode ratings]

  5. Beverly Hills - S1 | 2.000

  6. DC - S1 | 1.404


2009

  1. Atlanta - S2 | 2.712 [missing 6 episode ratings]

  2. Orange County - S4 | N/A

  3. New Jersey - S1 | 2.250 [missing 5 episode ratings]

  4. New York - S2 | N/A


2008

  1. Orange County - S3 | N/A

  2. Atlanta - S1 | 1.524 [missing 1 episode rating]

  3. New York - S1 | 1.130

(*Atlanta aired twice in period; OC & NY ratings not found*) 2007

  1. Orange County - S2 | N/A


2006

  1. 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%)


Cast of Orange County S16 (2022)

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%)


Cast of New York S13 (2021)

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]


Cast of Atlanta S14 (2022)

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]


Cast of New Jersey S12 (2022)

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

Cast of D.C. S1 (2010)

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]


Cast of Beverly Hills S12 (2022)

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


Cast of Miami S4 (2022)

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%)


Cast of Potomac S5 (2021)

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%)


Cast of Dallas S5 (2021)

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.

 

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