Certain Cancellation:
N/A
Likely Cancellation:
Alaska Daily (0.23, 0.17-0.32)
The Company You Keep (0.26, 0.23-0.29)
Leans Cancellation:
Big Sky (0.25, 0.19-0.31)
Home Economics (0.35, 0.30-0.41)
Leans Renewal:
N/A
Not Dead Yet: ABC's sole freshman comedy returned last week with a bit of pep in its step, fresh off a report that the series' first episode has drawn over ten million viewers and a 2.9 in the 18-49 demo in the month since its debut (including live+same-day, DVR and multiplatform viewing methods). That's a very impressive result for a comedy that doesn't seem to have all the much buzz, and didn't from the onset like it would have all that much life in it. It seemed like a classic one-and-done midseason comedy, and even after a solid 0.46 premiere, I figured it probably would be. The show has managed to remain respectable in L+SD ratings - nothing too impressive, but not an outright bomb, either - and ABC seems more committed to it than they are to Home Economics this season, having given that show a short run to accommodate Not Dead Yet on the schedule. With similar L+SD ratings and far weaker delayed ratings, Home Economics is at a clear disadvantage in the race for renewal (hence its downgrade in last week's renew/cancel). Not Dead Yet theoretically could still be canceled with L+SD ratings as mediocre as it has, but it would be extremely unusual for ABC to go into next season with just two returning comedies, especially with only two comedy pilots in development for next season. A hit this show is not, but it is looking increasingly likely to occupy a slot on ABC's schedule for at least another season. It's a LIKELY RENEWAL.
The Conners: While Abbott Elementary has been the buzzy social media hit on ABC the past few years, it's The Conners that leads the way on the network, rating as their top series in the key 18-49 demographic. Last week was a particularly impressive week for it, as The Conners rose following a two-week hiatus while #2 show Abbott Elementary and #3 show Station 19 both slipped from their previous episodes, also growing from its own year-ago performance and from The Goldbergs' year-ago performance in the time slot. It's been a few seasons since a comedy was ABC's #1 show (since the first season of The Conners, to be precise), and it's impressive to see The Conners having something of a mini resurgence in its time slot move. A year-to-year increase, even of just 1%, is very impressive in this TV landscape, and The Conners has proven itself as a solid performer after a few shaky seasons. In a unique situation for a show of its age, this show needs to undergo cast renegotiations each season. While that move prove troublesome down the line, we have yet to hear of any majorly difficult negotiations in the show's previous renewals, and it should be good to go yet again this season. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, it will continue to anchor ABC's comedy lineup next year, and remains a CERTAIN RENEWAL.
What do you think of my predictions? What are your predictions? Let us know in the comments and vote in the poll of the week!
