Which NBC TV shows will be cancelled or renewed for the 2011-12 season? NBC had a handful of original episodes for the week but the schedule was mostly filled with repeats (not unlike The CW).
Of note, Parenthood returned after a two month hiatus and got a nice boost in the ratings. Its 2.3 rating in the demo was one of its best of the season. If this keeps up, a renewal seems pretty certain. The new season of Biggest Loser got off to a great start with a 3.3 rating and 9.79 million viewers. That was enough to put it at the top of the rankings for NBC reality shows.
For a complete list of NBC cancellations and renewals for the 2010-11 season, be sure to check out this post. It’ll be updated as the peacock network renews and cancels more shows.
Below is a list of the regular NBC TV shows and their 2010-11 season average ratings to date. It only incorporates the ratings for original episodes that have aired this season, not repeats. The data is sorted by the 18-49 demographic averages, the group that advertisers will pay the most to reach and, therefore, the audience most important to the network. The “compared to” column reflects whether the demo average has gone up, down, or stayed the same since last week.
| Demo rank | Scripted TV Shows | Average viewership (in millions) |
Average 18-49 demo rating |
Compared to last week |
|
| 1 | The Office | 7.42 | 3.8 | --- | |
| 2 | Outsourced | 5.68 | 2.7 | --- | |
| 3 | Law & Order: SVU | 8.79 | 2.5 | --- | |
| 3 | 30 Rock (renewed) | 5.37 | 2.5 | --- | |
| 5 | Law & Order: LA | 8.24 | 2.2 | --- | |
| 5 | The Event | 6.86 | 2.2 | --- | |
| 6 | Parenthood | 5.29 | 2.1 | --- | |
| 7 | Community | 4.64 | 2.0 | --- | |
| 8 | Chuck | 5.44 | 1.9 | --- | |
| 9 | Chase | 5.44 | 1.6 | --- | |
| 10 | Undercovers (cancelled) | 5.97 | 1.4 | --- | |
| 11 | Perfect Couples | 3.56 | 1.3 | --- | |
| 12 | Outlaw (cancelled) | 4.94 | 1.0 | --- | |
| Demo rank | News or Reality TV Shows | Average viewership (in millions) |
Average 18-49 demo rating |
Compared to last week |
|
| 1 | The Biggest Loser (winter/spring) | 9.79 | 3.3 | new | |
| 2 | The Sing Off | 8.54 | 2.9 | --- | |
| 3 | The Biggest Loser (fall) | 7.44 | 2.7 | --- | |
| 4 | Minute to Win It | 7.09 | 2.1 | --- | |
| 5 | The Apprentice | 3.89 | 1.4 | --- | |
| 6 | Dateline | 5.75 | 1.3 | --- | |
| 7 | School Pride | 2.50 | 0.7 | --- | |
The closer a show is to the bottom of the list, the closer it is to being cancelled (if it hasn’t been cancelled already like Outlaw and Undercovers). If it’s closer to the top of the list, it’s more likely to be renewed. Shows that are in the middle (“on the bubble”) can be a little tougher to call. Their future typically comes down to other factors like overall costs, contracts, who produces the show, and what new shows are on the horizon.
The list has been separated into two sections. Of the two, scripted programming is the most expensive. News and reality TV shows are less expensive to produce but the networks can’t program just news/reality (though they might like to since they are less of a financial risk).
It should be noted that Friday and Saturday nights are the least watched evenings of television so ratings for shows on those nights are lower. The networks understand this and take it into account. However, regardless of when a show is aired, its production costs remain the same. Ultimately, it must still be profitable enough for the network to keep ordering more episodes.
Raw data: © The Nielsen Company via Media Week. Nielsen doesn’t release the final Friday and Saturday night ratings until a few days later. An average with a “*” may change slightly once the final numbers are released.
What do you think? Which shows do you think won’t survive to see a new season?
I don’t know why good shows like Chase has to be taken off but yet more so-called reality shows and game shows keep airing. I HATE these reality and game shows. There aren’t enough good shows like Chase to watch anymore. Pretty soon there won’t be a reason to even have a TV.
To the big shots at NBC,I won’t miss any of your shows. I can not believe that there is not a single show on your network,that I am interested in. NBC Execs. might want to look at CBS,WPIX,FOX,TNT,SYFY,and the ever hit the nail on the head network USA. Where i basically split my viewing time between CBS and USA. WPIX has Vampire Diaries,Supernatural,Hellcats,Glee and dang the last season of Smallville. You guys think of all that money you don’t have to pay regular series stars. The Reality shows on your network really are the pits. There was a time when… Read more »
I have been watching Chase and the series is getting better with each episode. I am definitely a fan. The characters have developed ongoing relationships that keep the audience interested in following them to the next episode. Please do not cancel this show. It has action and a female role model worth keeping on the air. Do not let all programming be composed of idiot “reality” shows which are scripted messes. Keep Chase on the air!
I ‘ve just seen the first Harry’s Law with Kathy Bates.
She is one one of the best actress ever.
America, wake up Harry’s Law is funny , ” with it”, a real modern and upbeat sitcom.
In these days where there is so much negativity, it is refreshing to see natural interactions and caring among people who are no longer in “stereo-type mode”.
Keep Harry’s Law on the air, please!!!!!
It takes some American’s time to catch on.