Ten weeks into its first season and complete with all the writing, pacing, acting and production values of a potential slot winner, Traders’ April 4 episode drew its worst ratings to date in Ontario, a casualty of new episodes of er.

According to A.C. Nielsen statistics, Traders’ Toronto/Hamilton ratings for the 2+ audience April 4 ran to 1.4, a far cry from its premier night ratings of 3.8 for the same demo. Numbers across the board were equally uninspiring, with the episode earning a 1.6 in the 18+ demo, 1.5 viewers 18-49, a 1.6 from viewers 25-54 and 1.7 of the 55+ market, compared to 4.6, 4.7, 4.5 and 5.4 respectively for the Feb. 1 launch.

Looking at Traders over the past four weeks, repeat or no on er, is making a world of difference. February reruns paralleled stronger ratings for Traders, which as of the Feb. 29 episode ran a 3.9 rating for audiences 18+, and 4.0 in the key 25-54 target.

But the four weeks in March show only a single night in one demo pulled a rating above three (March. 21, 3.1 in the 25-54 bracket). April 4 was the series’ first and only night to go without a demo hitting a 2.0 rating.

CanWest execs, bullish that summer reruns will drag numbers back up, are making no plans to slot-shift.