ABC Cheat Sheet: What Will Be Canceled?
Paul Dailly
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ABC has a lot of tough decisions on the horizon as we approach their upfronts presentation.
As it stands, none of their shows are up in the ratings. Most are down double digits, making their fates uncertain.
With Grey's Anatomy, How to Get Away with Murder and Scandal already renewed, Designated Survivor seems poised to be the next drama to land a renewal.
With sagging live ratings, it catapults in delayed viewing, similar to how Quantico performed last year. Unfortunately, however, Quantico has collapsed this season and could be sent to the TV show afterlife in a few short weeks.
On the comedy side, Modern Family is expected to return for another season. Last Man Standing's fate is murkier because it is not owned by ABC.
Have a look at how we think ABC's renewals/cancellations will play out.
If you want to see how the other networks are stacking up, we have separate posts for The CW, Fox, NBC and CBS.
1. Modern Family - Certain Renewal
Modern Family continues to be ABC's top show in the 18-49 demo. Season 8 is currently averaging 7 million viewers and a 2.2 rating. The numbers are marginally down from last season, but the series is one of the most timeshifted shows on television.
2. Grey's Anatomy - Renewed
Grey's is on par with Season 12. The show is averaging 7.9 million viewers and a 2.1 rating. As always, the show gets a huge bump in delayed viewing.
3. The Goldbergs - Certain Renewal
The Goldbergs has eased off ever so slightly this year, but it continues to be one of ABC's top shows, currently averaging 6.1 million viewers and a 1.8 rating. With a spin-off in the works, it is not going anywhere.
4. Speechless - Likely Renewal
Speechless is ABC's highest rated new series and has thus far stayed relatively steady in the ratings. The show is currently averaging 5.5 million viewers and a 1.6 rating.
5. Black-ish - Certain Renewal
Black-ish is one of the most stable shows on all of TV. Season 3 is averaging 5.2 million viewers and a 1.5 rating. After the season is over, it will be close to syndication, so you can bank on more episodes.
6. Scandal - Renewed
Scandal is down over 20 percent in Season 6, but it is still a force to be reckoned with in delayed viewing. It is averaging 5.7 million viewers and a 1.5 rating.
7. The Middle - Renewed
The Middle moved to a new night this year and has lost some steam. It is averaging 6.1 million viewers and a 1.5 rating. It continues to be a reliable performer for the network.
8. American Housewife - Likely Renewal
This series is performing well out of The Middle. Season 1 is currently averaging 5.3 million and a 1.5 rating.
9. Designated Survivor - Likely Renewal
Designated Survivor has improved on the numbers Nashville was pulling the slot last year. It is averaging 5.9 million viewers and a 1.3 rating. However, it has been on a downward trend ever since the premiere. The show is one of the biggest gainers in delayed viewing of all the new fall shows.
10. Fresh off the Boat - Likely Renewal
This comedy series is averaging 4 million viewers and a 1.2 rating. If ABC has kept the show around with lower ratings, it's hard to imagine it being canceled. The only thing that could cause concern is that ABC does not own the show.
11. How to Get Away with Murder - Renewed
Live ratings are slipping for this ABC drama. Season 3 is down 30 percent to 4.6 million viewers and a 1.3 rating. The show did manage to rebound towards the end of the season and gets a huge bump in delayed viewing.
12. Once Upon a Time - Could Go Either Way
Once Upon a Time has continued to slip in Season 6. The show is currently averaging 3.2 million viewers and a 0.9 rating. There is word that a reboot of sorts would be on the cards for a potential Season 7. With Jennifer Morrison and others departing at the close of Season 6, the series could be more lucrative to ABC as costs would likely be down.
13. Last Man Standing - Could Go Either Way
Last Man Standing Season 6 is down 5 percent from last year. The show is currently averaging 6.4 million viewers and a 1.2 rating. The show is not produced by ABC and has almost been canceled in the past due to the license fee.
14. Imaginary Mary - Certain Cancellation
Imaginary Mary is not performing well, with just 3.4 million viewers and a 0.9 rating. It won't be back.
15. The Real O'Neals - Likely Cancellation
The Real O'Neals is not performing well. Season 2 is averaging 3.1 million viewers and a 0.9 rating, down a bit from Season 1. An order for additional episodes is good for the fans, but it does not mean the series is safe to be around next Fall.
16. Notorious - Canceled
The episode order was cut due to the poor ratings. Season 1 is averaging just 4 million viewers and a 0.9 rating. It has since disappeared from ABC's website. That's about as official as the cancellation is getting.
17. Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D - Could Go Either Way
This drama is down 37 percent to 2.4 million viewers and a 0.7 rating. These ratings are woeful, but the show is tripling these numbers in delayed viewing. Don't rule out a renewal just yet. The power of Marvel may find this series getting one more season to wrap up the story.
18. Dr. Ken - Could Go Either Way
Dr. Ken is down considerably in Season 2, but 4.4 million viewers and a 0.9 rating is not terrible for Friday nights. The show is produced by ABC, so it probably has better odds of returning of Last Man Standing.
19. Secrets and Lies - Certain Cancellation
ABC screwed the show over by waiting so long to debut Season 2. The show is down 40 percent to 3.3 million and a 0.8 rating. Barring a miracle, don't expect it to return.
20. Quantico - Could Go Either Way
Quantico has lost a lot of ground in Season 2, which is averaging 2.8 million viewers and a 0.7 rating. ABC loves the show and even moved it to Mondays to try and save it. It catapults when delayed viewing is added in, but it's on thin ice.
21. Conviction - Canceled
Conviction averaged just 3.6 million viewers and a 0.7. It has been removed from the ABC website.
22. Time After Time - Canceled
Time After Time was pulled off the schedule after averaging just 2.2 million viewers and a 0.5 rating. With no indication when the remaining episodes will be available, the series is over.
23. American Crime - Could Go Either Way
Averaging just 1.9 million viewers and a 0.4 rating, American Crime has collapsed in its move to Sundays. ABC likes the awards love and critical acclaim the show receives. That could be enough to save it for a short order of 6 episodes.
24. The Catch - Likely Cancellation
The Catch was renewed last year with not much better ratings, so ABC could be happy enough to renew it. Never rule out a show with Shonda Rhimes attached to it. Season 2 is averaging 3.3 million viewers and a 0.7 rating.
