I think FOX was smart to premiere this show early; almost all of their new shows are premiering this week btw. Why not be the first horse out of the gate and have no competition with viewers and buzz? When a show waits until October 17th or some other late date to premiere it runs a big risk of getting lost in the shuffle.
All of the summer shows are winding down too. Under the Dome, Mistresses, Camp- these shows are all now over. Why wait?
I think Sleepy Hollow will have decent ratings for at least the first few episodes simply because there's nothing else to watch.
Marie: Don't be in such a hurry about that pretty little chippy in Frisco.
Tony: Eh, she's a no chip!