ABC launched nine new scripted TV series during the regular portion of the 2018-19 season. They cancelled three and renewed six. That’s a far better average than the previous season. How will the alphabet network TV shows perform during the 2019-20 season? Stay tuned!
ABC shows (so far): 20/20, American Housewife, American Idol, America’s Funniest Home Videos, The Bachelor, The Bachelor Presents: Listen to Your Heart, The Bachelor: The Greatest Seasons — Ever!, The Baker and the Beauty, Black-ish, Bless This Mess, Celebrity Family Feud, The Conners, Dancing with the Stars, Emergence, For Life, Fresh Off the Boat, The Genetic Detective, The Goldbergs, The Good Doctor, The Great American Baking Show, The Great Christmas Light Fight, Grey’s Anatomy, Holey Moley, How to Get Away with Murder, Match Game, A Million Little Things, Mixed-ish, Modern Family, Press Your Luck, The Rookie, Schooled, Shark Tank, Single Parents, Station 19, Stumptown, To Tell the Truth, United We Fall, and Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.
There’s lots of data that network execs look at when deciding whether to renew or cancel a TV series but ratings are the major ingredient. These charts will be updated daily, as new ratings data becomes available.
Note: If you’re not seeing the updated chart, please try reloading the page or view them here and here.
A couple of notes about these charts:
These figures are updated automatically as new ratings are released. The averages are based on the final national numbers (live plus same day viewing), unless marked with an asterisk (*). For technical reasons, I have to resort them manually so feel free to let me know if I missed something.
Keep in mind that the demo numbers are typically what’s most important to advertisers. Therefore, that’s how the networks measure success. Advertisers pay more for ad time on a show that has a higher demo rating. Because older viewers don’t count? No, it’s because younger viewers watch less traditional TV and are harder to reach.
Demo numbers are typically reported using the 10ths decimal place (2.4, for example). In the averages, I’m using an extra decimal for easier ranking. The networks take into account when shows air on Fridays and Saturdays, nights when TV viewership is lower.
What do you think? Are you surprised by any of the ratings? Which shows should be doing better? Which one do you think will be cancelled next?
I really wanted to see more of Emergence. I wish there was a way of getting closure on the show.
I am interested in knowing why ABC is focused on the under 49 demographic. This tells me ABC is not interested in or does not value an older audience. Sad. I was a totally dedicated fan of Dancing with the Stars and after the fiasco this year have chosen to not watch this program or support an organization that does not value all demographics equally.
I can’t wait to see what kind of rating that will appear in the various channel and cable. I still watch to know will both Baker and The Beauty and For Life return for the second season.
3 of my favorite scripted shows have been canceled by ABC. I am in your target demographic. So sad. Will be watching much less ABC.
FOR LIFE! I seldom watch TV. This show is phenomenal!