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2021-22 Ratings History

 

Change is inevitable, and the broadcast networks experience this continual trend.  This is the 72nd year of reported broadcast Nielsen data, and the numbers continue to shrink as people steer away from Live+Same Day viewing and watch their programs when it fit their schedules.  So small in fact the ratings belt was let out a decimal to avoid 7 and 8-way ties.  10 years ago, sports and sturdy reality TV shows would have competed with tentpole scripted shows for the top 20 positions.  5 years later, scripted juggernauts became a rarity in this range with mammoth shows such as Big Bang Theory, Empire, This is Us and Grey's Anatomy punctuating unscripted shows.  Flash forward to 2022, and scripted shows begin in 22nd place.  

2021-22 Drama Scorecard (9/21-1/5): This Is Us Shatters a Seasonal Ratings Record for Scripted Series

2021-22 Season-To-Date Report (9/1-1/5): NBC and CBS Network Averages Get Shucked Midseason

 

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2021-22 Sitcom Scorecard (9/21-1/4) -- American Auto Has Perhaps Lubed Its Way Into The Next Year Schedule for NBC

21 sitcoms are new registered in the broadcast networks, indicating the genre is now niche viewing.  The newly added "Broadcast Season Rank" column shows where the series ranks in the Season To Date report, showing only The Simpsons (a show inflated by NFL) is the only sitcom which cracked the top 20.  And only an additional 5 entries cracked the top 50.  There is still plenty of time and room for sitcoms on broadcast network's schedule, with CBS delivering the strongest products from their Monday night block, plus the tentpoles from Thursday night.  ABC's lineup is in tatters with behind the scenes turmoil plaguing an aged Goldbergs, The Conners shedding ground with each passing season and only Abbott Elementary showing promise from the newer entries.