Drama Scorecard: November 15-20, 2020

ABC and CBS loaded 8 more dramas into the lineup this week, leaving ABC deflating to below NBC in overall drama ratings as expected but stronger nonetheless. Sunday, November 15 showed the true CBS weight as NCIS: LA (0.6) and NCIS: NO (0.4) deflated two tenths, while CW's Pandora (0.0) played invisible in the ratings yet again. The network also unveiled its lineuo on Monday, November 16 with All Rise (0.5) and Bull (0.4) delivering lower than last season, while ABC's The Good Doctor (0.6) and FOX's outgoing Filthy Rich (0.3) holding steady. Tuesday, November 17 saw more action as ABC premiered its freshman drama Big Sky (0.7) to modest results, NBC's This Is Us (1.2) shed a tenth, and FOX's nearly canceled neXt (0.3) held steady. CBS unveiled its procedural lineup to softer results as NCIS (0.9) and FBI (0.9) could not break the 1.0 barrier, and FBI: Most Wanted (0.6) premiered noticeably weaker.

Wednesday, November 18 featured ABC's sophomore season premiere of For Life (0.4) low but matching its lead-in while CBS' SWAT (0.3) shed yet another tenth. NBC's Chicago-verse lost a little ground with Chicago Med (1.0) and Chicago Fire (1.0) barely staying above the solid line, and Chicago PD (0.8) dropping two tenths. Thursday, November 19 featured some downticks across the board as NBC's Law and Order: SVU (0.5) lost a tenth, ABC's Station 19 (1.0) also lost two tenths, and A Million Little Things (0.7) debuted slightly down. However, Grey's Anatomy (1.3) gained a tenth and for the first time in a while outrated NBC's former heavyweight This Is Us. Over at CW, a two hour series finale sent out it's oldest player Supernatural (0.3, 0.3) solid and steady. Friday, November 20 only featured The Blacklist (0.4) delivering low but steady.

A few more status predictions unveiled as 2+ episodes aired for the drama slate. Station 19 is a Certain Renewal as it is pummeling its competition outside of Football and one of ABC's strongest players in its deck. The Blacklist is a likely renewal given it has delivered slow but steady on Friday nights. And SWAT downgraded to Leans Cancellation due to an embarrassing slide to a 0.3. CBS seems to be committed to procedurals with "a name" like David Boreanaz, Shemar Moore and Michael Weatherly. But how long can these dramas stay afloat before CBS decides it is time for a shakeup?

The dramas displayed show ABC and NBC are the strongest players as they bundle their hits in select evenings. Odd players like The Good Doctor and Law and Order: SVU struggle, but are valued and marketable. They may be subject to timeslot changes as needed but show strong commitments from their network. And mass renewals from NBC show the network has good faith in its Dick Wolf franchises, along with odd players like This is Us and New Amsterdam. CBS on the other hand is showing a lineup stacked with aged players. Not a single show outside of reality TV and sports has cracked a 1.0, and the network has yet to show signs of reinventing or updating itself.