In its first season, Scandal drew mediocre ratings and was nearly cancelled. ABC likely brought it back because they need new dramas and are hoping that the ratings would improve in season two. Will they be glad that they took the risk? Time will tell.

The second season of Scandal typically airs Thursday nights at 10pm on the ABC network. The cast includes Kerry Washington, Bellamy Young, Columbus Short, Darby Stanchfield, Guillermo Diaz, Jeff Perry, Joshua Malina, Katie Lowes, and Tony Goldwyn.

Below are the TV show’s ratings for the 2012-13 season, the best way to tell if Scandal is going to be cancelled or renewed for a second season.

These figures will be updated as the weeks progress so be sure to bookmark and return to this page:

Final season averages: 2.5 rating in the 18-49 demographic with 7.53 million total viewers. (adjusted average due to transposed number for second episode)

Episode 02-22: Thursday, 05/16/13
3.2 in the demo (0% change) with 9.12 million (+3% change).
Season averages: 2.50 in the demo with 7.48 million.

UPDATE: ABC has renewed this show for a third season for 2013-14.

Episode 02-21: Thursday, 05/09/13
3.2 in the demo (+23% change) with 8.87 million (+10% change).
Season averages: 2.47 in the demo with 7.40 million.

Episode 02-20: Thursday, 05/02/13
2.6 in the demo (-7% change) with 8.07 million (+2% change).
Season averages: 2.43 in the demo with 7.33 million.

Episode 02-19: Thursday, 04/25/13
2.8 in the demo (+8% change) with 7.90 million (-2% change).
Season averages: 2.42 in the demo with 7.29 million.

Episode 02-18: Thursday, 04/04/13
2.6 in the demo (0% change) with 8.04 million (+1% change).
Season averages: 2.40 in the demo with 7.25 million.

Episode 02-17: Thursday, 03/28/13
2.6 in the demo (-4% change) with 7.97 million (-6% change).
Season averages: 2.39 in the demo with 7.21 million.

Episode 02-16: Thursday, 03/21/13
2.7 in the demo (0% change) with 8.51 million (+11% change).
Season averages: 2.38 in the demo with 7.16 million.

Episode 02-15: Thursday, 02/21/13
2.7 in the demo (0% change) with 7.68 million (-4% change).
Season averages: 2.35 in the demo with 7.07 million.

Episode 02-14: Thursday, 02/14/13
2.7 in the demo (-4% change) with 8.02 million (-2% change).
Season averages: 2.33 in the demo with 7.03 million.

Episode 02-13: Thursday, 02/07/13
2.8 in the demo (+4% change) with 8.14 million (+1% change).
Season averages: 2.30 in the demo with 6.95 million.

Episode 02-12: Thursday, 01/31/13
2.7 in the demo (+4% change) with 8.09 million (+2% change).
Season averages: 2.26 in the demo with 6.85 million.

Episode 02-11: Thursday, 01/17/13
2.6 in the demo (-7% change) with 7.93 million (-5% change).
Season averages: 2.22 in the demo with 6.74 million.

Episode 02-10: Thursday, 01/10/13
2.8 in the demo (+17% change) with 8.37 million (+17% change).
Season averages: 2.18 in the demo with 6.62 million.

Episode 02-09: Thursday, 12/13/12
2.4 in the demo (-4% change) with 7.14 million (-3% change).
Season averages: 2.11 in the demo with 6.43 million.

Episode 02-08: Thursday, 12/06/12
2.5 in the demo (+14% change) with 7.39 million (+11% change).
Season averages: 2.08 in the demo with 6.34 million.

Episode 02-07: Thursday, 11/29/12
2.2 in the demo (+10% change) with 6.64 million (+10% change).
Season averages: 2.01 in the demo with 6.19 million.

Episode 02-06: Thursday, 11/15/12
2.0 in the demo (+5% change) with 6.02 million (-1% change).
Season averages: 1.98 in the demo with 6.11 million.

Episode 02-05: Thursday, 11/08/12
1.9 in the demo (-5% change) with 6.06 million (-1% change).
Season averages: 1.98 in the demo with 6.13 million.

UPDATE: ABC has ordered a full season of 22 episodes.

Episode 02-04: Thursday, 10/25/12
2.0 in the demo (+5% change) with 6.11 million (-1% change).
Season averages: 2.00 in the demo with 6.14 million.

Episode 02-03: Thursday, 10/18/12
1.9 in the demo (-5% change) with 6.17 million (+11% change).
Season averages: 2.00 in the demo with 6.16 million.

Episode 02-02: Thursday, 10/04/12
2.0 in the demo (-5% change) with 5.65 million (-1.3% change).
Season averages: 2.05 in the demo with 6.15 million.

Episode 02-01: Thursday, 09/27/12
2.1 rating in the 18-49 demographic with 6.74 million total viewers.
Season averages: 2.10 in the demo with 6.74 million.

Year-to-year, the season premiere of Scandal was up by 5% in the demo (vs a 2.0 rating) and down by 8% in viewers (vs 7.33 million).

Reference point: The 2011-12 season averaged a 2.0 rating in the 18-49 demographic and 7.02 million viewers.

Note: These ratings are collected by the Nielsen company and are the final national numbers. These are different from the fast affiliate numbers which are just estimates of the actual ratings and are reported on by most other outlets. The final nationals are typically released within 24 hours of the programming or, in the case of weekends and holidays, a couple days later.

What do you think? Do you still like the Scandal TV series? Do you think it should be cancelled or renewed for a third season?