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TV’s nail-biting season has arrived. Although most of the cancellation headlines continue to be focused on the continuing purge at big streamers and premium cablers like Showtime (R.I.P., Ziwe), attention has begun to shift to the beleaguered Big 5 broadcastersas the May upfronts draw closer.
Many in-limbo shows on our 2023 Renewal Scorecard are a lock to return (see: ABC’s Station 19andThe Conners), but there are a handful ofhigh-profile series on ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC and The CW that remain very much on the bubble.
Take the seven shows featured below. The fate of each of them are hanging in the balance, and, in several instances, we’d be lying if we said we weren’t a little concerned. (OK, a lot concerned).
Browse the following list, and then hit the comments with an answer to this very important question: Which show(s) are you pulling for most?
Alaska Daily (ABC)
UPDATE: Officially cancelled.
In its just-concluded debut season, the Hilary Swank-led drama averaged 5.4 million total viewers and a 0.4 demo rating (with Live+7 playback); out of the 10 dramas ABC has aired this TV season, it ranks No. 6 in audience but ties fellow freshman The Company You Keep for last in the demo. Current TVLine Renewal Scorecard prediction: It’s a long-shot for renewal.Big Sky (ABC)
UPDATE: Officially cancelled.
While the “live” ratings for the ABC thriller’s third season were decidedly underwhelming, the show remains a monster in delayed viewing. Among total viewers, no current broadcast show nets a bigger DVR bump. Also, Deadline reports that series creator David E. Kelley has informed ABC that he would have a more hands-on role in a potential fourth season. Current TVLine Renewal Scorecard prediction: Could go either way.Call Me Kat (Fox)
UPDATE: Officially cancelled.
Speaking of enviable delayed viewing stats, Mayim Bialik and Co. enjoyed in its just-ended third season one of the best DVR bumps of any broadcast comedy. Conversely, the sitcom’s 33 percent demo decline represents the biggest season-over-season drop of any Fox show. Current TVLine Renewal Scorecard prediction: It could go either way.The Company You Keep (ABC)
UPDATE: Officially cancelled.
Despite a huge marketing push, the Milo Ventimiglia-led romantic drama has drawn tepid linear and delayed ratings. Current TVLine Renewal Scorecard prediction: Could go either way (but inching closer to “long-shot.”)East New York (CBS)
UPDATE: Officially cancelled.
Despite decent ratings, CBS’ freshman procedural is navigating some pesky red tape en route to a possible Season 2. Per Deadline, negotiations between the network and producer Warner Bros. have hit a snag over global streaming rights. Current TVLine Renewal Scorecard prediction: Could go either way.Home Economics (ABC)
The good news: Ratings for the ensemble sitcom’s now-wrapped Season 3 held steady. The worrisome news: ABC had the option to expand Season 3 from 13 to a full season’s 22 episodes but declined to exercise it. EP Michael Colton remains hopeful. “We’replanningto come back,” he recently told TVLine. “We have a lot more stories to tell.” Current TVLine Renewal Scorecard prediction: Could go either way.
Not Dead Yet (ABC)
UPDATE: Officially renewed.
Gina Rodriguez’ freshman comedy didOK in the ratings in its rookie season. The question is: Will OK be enough to get the show to a second season. Current TVLine Renewal Scorecard prediction: Could go either way.S.W.A.T. (CBS)
UPDATE No. 2: Officially renewed!
UPDATE: Officially cancelled.The procedural, which TVLine readers recently named the bubble show they most want to see renewed, is averaging 6.8 million total viewers and a 0.7 demo rating (with Live+7 playback) — up in viewers and off just a tenth in the demo compared to its Season 5 tallies. Out of the 14 dramas that CBS has aired this TV season, it ranks No. 10 in total audience but is in a five-way tie for third in the demo, trailing only Fire Country and FBI. “There’s no reason why the show shouldn’t be picked up other than the economics of the business are changing,” EP Shawn Ryan reasonedto THR, “and CBS and [lead producer] Sony [Pictures Television] will or will not figure out a way to economically make a seventh season work.”Current TVLine Renewal Scorecard prediction: Could go either way.True Lies (CBS)
UPDATE: Officially cancelled.
Here’s the cold hard truth: The small screen adaptation of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s big screen smash has been DOA in the ratings.In its current debut season, it ranks as CBS’ least-watched, lowest-rated scripted program. Current TVLine Renewal Scorecard prediction: It’s a long-shot for renewal.Will Trent (ABC)
UPDATE: Officially renewed.
Ten episodes into its inaugural 13-episode season, the rookie drama, with a 0.6 demo rating, ranks No. 4 among all new broadcast series (tied with the already renewed So Help Me Todd at CBS and Quantum Leap at NBC). Current TVLine Renewal Scorecard prediction: It’s a safe bet for renewal.NBC Comedies
The network’s true bubble show roster primarily consists of the under-the-radar and very much in-limbo comedies American Auto, Grand Crew and Young Rock. Current TVLine Renewal Scorecard prediction for all three: Could go either way.
And then there's The CW...
What’s left? The in-transition (and freshly golf obsessed) CW has
sevenfivethree shows still in-limbo: All American: Homecoming, Gotham Knights and Superman & Lois. Given that the OG All American is currently one of only twoscripted CW shows confirmed to return next fall (the other being Walker), we suspect the network’s new owners are going to want to hang on to its sister seriesHomecoming and thus keep their successful Monday one-two punch intact. TVLine’s Renewal Scorecard similarly views Superman & Lois as a safe-ish bet, while Kung Fu could go either way and Walker Independence, The Winchesters and Kung-Fu have all just been cancelled.
