As previously reported, The Alphabet Network has not ordered additional episodes of its Conviction TV show, beyond the original 13. To be clear, ABC has not officially cancelled Conviction. It is keeping the cast on contract, to keep its options open. That said, not ordering the back nine has been the opening salvo of many a cancellation saga.
Conviction stars Hayley Atwell, Eddie Cahill, Shawn Ashmore, Daniel Franzese, and Merrin Dungey. Sidebar: Dungey is the sister of ABC Entertainment President Channing Dungey. Conviction episode 1.09, “A Different Kind of Death,” is scheduled for Monday, December 5th. ABC has not slated further installments. When will the network burn off the four remaining episodes of the legal drama? Check out the latest Conviction rumor, after the jump.
Conviction: A Look at the Season One Ratings
This much, we know. Conviction has been struggling in the ratings. The series premiered in October with a disappointing 0.92 rating in the 18-49 demographic and a total of 5.17 million viewers. The numbers trended down through its fifth week, when the show hits its low. The November 7th installment earned only a 0.64 in the demo and 3.641 million viewers.
Conviction fared a bit better in weeks six, seven, and eight. The November 28th episode garnered a 1.00 in the demo and and audience of 4.656 million. Still, its season averages to date are a 0.81 and 4.374 million, respectively. Generally speaking, that is not good enough to justify a second season in primetime, on a major broadcast network.
Quantico Moves to the Conviction Timeslot in January
We also know that on January 23rd, after the winter hiatus, ABC is moving the second season of Quantico from Sunday nights to Mondays, in Conviction‘s original 10:00pm timeslot. This move is an attempt to save the sophomore terrorism drama, which moved production to New York, to take advantage of tax incentives.
While in its first season, Quantico‘s ratings were respectable, in season two the ratings have dropped off, significantly. Season one averaged a 1.24 in the 18-49 demographic, with an average audience of 4.34 million total viewers. In the second season, as of November 27th, the season average number in the demo was 0.75, with an average total of 2.838 million viewers.
Will Conviction Move to the Quantico Timeslot?
When news broke that ABC had passed on giving Conviction a full season order, Deadline reported that it was possible the network would move at least some of the remaining episodes to a new night. Now, rumor has it that ABC will air the final four episodes of Conviction, season one, during the hiatus, beginning with Sunday, January 1, 2017 at 10:00pm — coincidentally in Quantico‘s old timeslot.
So far, we have traced this speculation back to the Futon Critic’s Conviction showatch page. The last scheduled episode is, as mentioned up top, episode 1.09, on Monday, December 5th. However, you’ll note that above it, there is a line item for Sunday, January 1, 2017 at 10:00pm, with “TBA” in the episode field.
Our Verdict on the Conviction Move Rumor
We checked the schedule posted to the Disney-ABC press site. It currently contains no entries past the December 27th episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live. Because that show airs at 11:35pm, it runs over into December 28th and is the only entry for that date. In other words, this is only a rumor.
While we’re not convicted the move will happen, it seems somewhere between possible to likely that ABC will move the last four episodes of Conviction to Sundays at 10:00. The night is already a challenge for the network. Much like Quantico, season two of Secrets and Lies has been a disappointment in the ratings department. During the winter hiatus, Sundays at 10:00pm seem as good a place as any, to burn off the final four episodes of Conviction — a show that is unlikely to snag a renewal.
What do you think? Have you been watching the first season of the Conviction TV series? Do you think ABC should cancel or renew it for a second season? Will the network renew either Quantico or Secrets and Lies for a third season? Sound off, in the comments.
I love this show! Please do not cancel it. Love the strong female character.
Please don’t cancel this show! I and many of my friends love this show. Give it the rest of the season…I’d bet money the ratings will go up. Please!
Keep Conviction on — outstanding show looking forward to learning more about the members of the CI U!
I’ve enjoyed Conviction far more than I thought I would! I look forward to seeing it each week. This season of Quantico has not impressed me as much as it’s first season did so if I had to pick between Conviction or Quantico season 2, HANDS DOWN, I’d choose to keep watching Conviction. Please don’t cancel this show!
Love the show Conviction, I was it on Demand through my playstion and can’t wait for new episodes. Hailey Atwell is hot and brilliant in the role, maybe change out a couple other players of the cast for better acting and drama but Hailey is the show! Please don’t cancel!!!
I want to know why did you cancelled Conviction show? This was a great show I loved it. All the Cast are wonderful. Please stop doing this give this show another series it might surprise you guys that always give shows 10 series and cancelled.
Conviction is a brilliant concept and a great show with an extraordinary cast, finally something to watch that has you sitting on the edge of your seat just the right mix of professional, personal and political mix. How about taking a leaf for the series concept give it another look at a second chance it just might surprise you…..
Why is 4 million viewers not enough? because it ISN’T! How many people are in the United States? 318,000,000. The ratings on this show STINK to high heaven. This is a business. Not enough people are watching. Start your own network for shows with awful ratings. There are lots of them.
We have grown weary of Quantico. Too much switching between past and present. The first season we really enjoyed. This season we are debating whether or not too continue. We truly love Conviction and Never missed an episode. PLEASE provide us,with a second season of this wonderful show!!!!! Thank you for your kindness.
Please don’t cancel the show. I LOVE IT!!!
No. Don’t cancel the show. I Love this show!!!
Per your words above Conviction has more viewers than Quantico so Conviction should get to stay. I LOVE THIS SHOW!! Why is 4 million viewers not enough??
I really like this show! I think the characters are only beginning to develop and that’s great. Each character has an interesting background and adds depth to the team (personally and professionally), not to mention that the entire premise of the CIU is a different approach than most law shows on TV right now. I think ABC will be at a loss in cancelling this show and keeping the likes of Shondaland fame HTGAWM (pure roll-your-eyes drama much?) when NBC rolls out their Chicago Justice in January. A law show that still makes you think about some ethical problems of… Read more »
GREAT SHOW!!❤Can’t wait for Monday nights! If I can’t watch then I DVR. DON’T CANCEL SHOW! Sometimes people can’t watch at the start of the season and they get into it couple of episodes later. Give it a chance!
major broadcast network…a major disappointment to me.