Derek Haas, co-creator of the NBC drama Chicago Fire, once believed the series would be canceled after its second episode due to disappointing viewership numbers.
Haas recalled in a 2016 interview that the pilot drew 6.61 million viewers in October 2012, but the second episode attracted only 5.85 million. He thought the show was finished at that point.
The first season ultimately averaged 7.78 million viewers per episode. Season 2 improved to an average of 10.7 million.
Haas noted that momentum built with the seventh episode, a Thanksgiving installment titled Two Families. NBC continued to promote the series on Saturdays, allowing it to find its audience.
The show's success led to the spin-offs Chicago P.D. and Chicago Med. All three series continue to air on NBC.
