While the ABC’s Shark Tank hasn’t been a big winner in the ratings, it has won over a devout group of viewers who can’t seem to get enough.

Last month, two of the “Sharks,” Kevin Harrington and Daymond John, broke the news that ABC was ordering new episodes of Shark Tank. In truth, the series isn’t going back into production for a second season. Three installments had been left sitting on the shelf and two more were pieced together from unused segments.

ABC has now announced that the series is returning on January 8th and will air on Friday nights, taking Ugly Betty’s old timeslot. That Shark Tank will be airing in one of the “Friday night deathslots” may not seem like much reason to celebrate. In truth, this may be the show’s best chance at survival.

ABC has already given Shark Tank exposure on both Sunday and Tuesday nights and it didn’t fare all that well against stiff competition. Expectations are already lower on Friday nights. One of ABC’s other reality shows, Supernanny, is currently in its second season of Friday night airings.

Because it’s cheaper to produce, if Shark Tank can match or exceed the ratings that Ugly Betty’s been getting, it would have a very good shot at coming back for a second season. Since there are only five new episodes, it’ll have to hit the ground running.

What do you think? Is the Friday night timeslot a good move for Shark Tank or just a way for the network to burn off the episodes?

Image courtesy ABC.