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‘Below Deck Mediterranean’ Stays on Top at Bravo as Ratings Remain Strong

'Below Deck Mediterranean' ratings stay on top at Bravo as viewership remains at an all-time high. 'Below Deck Med' Season 6 faced some challenges when it became the first series to steam simultaneously on NBC's Peacock, while dropped an early episode a week ahead of Bravo.
by Gina Ragusa
Published on
2 min read

Below Deck Mediterranean continues to dominate the ratings at Bravo proving the show’s durability and universal appeal. After coming off a record-breaking season, Below Deck Mediterranean Season 6 faced new challenges, which included early streaming opportunities on Peacock and fan backlash from season 5. But the series triumphed over any roadblocks, proving that fans just can’t quit Below Deck Med.

Captain Sandy teased higher ‘Below Deck Mediterranean’ Season 6 ratings

Captain Sandy Yawn revealed that initial Below Deck Mediterranean Season 6 ratings are higher than season 5 ratings. “Thanks everybody for tuning in to this new season! Just got word that with Peacock TV, ratings are higher than last year! And we are just getting started! #BelowDeckMed has the best fans,” Yawn shared on Facebook.

Below Deck Mediterranean's Captain Sandy Yawn
Below Deck Mediterranean’s Captain Sandy Yawn |Karolina Wojtasik/Bravo

Bravo and streaming ratings combined have given the series a competitive edge. Peacock is currently streaming Below Deck Mediterranean Season 6 and drops the following week’s episode before it airs on Bravo. Fans have grappled with keeping a lid on spoilers as many still only tune into Bravo.

‘Below Deck Mediterranean’ is still Bravo’s highest rated show this year

Despite being neck and neck with The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills Bravo ratings, Below Deck Mediterranean still holds the top spot at the network. Episode ratings are higher than most Bravo series that aren’t also streaming on Peacock, remaining well over the 1 million viewer mark.

Episode 1 debuted with 1.135 million Bravo viewers in the demo, which did not take into account streaming viewers. From there the series hit a season-high with episode 3, which produced 1.295 million Bravo viewers. The latest, explosive episode hit “1.262 million viewers (0.35 18-49 demo) *season high in demo*.” This made the show the highest-rated during the week and did not take into account the Peacock ratings. Bravo talk show, Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen also tends to receive higher ratings when Below Deck cast members are the guests.

‘Below Deck Med’ fans vowed to boycott the season, but many couldn’t stay away

Some Below Deck Mediterranean viewers vowed to boycott season 6 after chief stew Hannah Ferrier was fired during season 5. Fans specifically pushed back against Captain Sandy Yawn and bosun Malia White’s return since they were both involved in Ferrier’s dismissal.

Despite insisting they would not watch, many admitted they couldn’t stay away. “I also didn’t want to like this season of #BelowDeckMed but I just do,” a viewer tweeted. “Malia is not a nightmare and is actually a really good teacher when she’s given the opportunity.”

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Another viewer wrote, “@BravoTV did an amazing job of keeping us watching even after Hannah Stans vowed never to watch if Malia and Cpt Sandy was on #BelowDeckMed Bravo knows we are fickle. I need to know what this season’s rating are.”

Former Below Deck Med deckhand Colin Macy-O’Toole offered his thoughts about why fans devour the series. “I think it’s the fresh faces every year,” he told Showbiz Cheat Sheet in 2020. “People like that. The charter guests are different every year. The location is different every year.” 

Episodes of Below Deck Mediterranean air on Mondays at 9 pm ET/PT on Bravo. New episodes will drop one week early on Mondays on Peacock. 

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