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.
