Just two weeks after becoming the network's new entertainment president, Channing Dungey has given early renewals to 15 dramas, comedies and reality shows for the upcoming 2016-17 season
These early renewals are Dungey's first major change at ABC from her predecessor Paul Lee. Lee would typically wait until the week before upfronts to renew any of the network's shows - including hits like Scandal and Modern Family. ABC was the only broadcast network to do so as well. The other four networks would all regularly renew shows months before the end of the season. And now, that seems to be Dungey's strategy as well. This move will lock in a number of the known quantities for next season which will offer the creative teams the ability to plan things ahead with more confidence than usual.
"We're very proud of our strong roster of performers, and we're excited about what they will bring us creatively next season," said Dungey.
Here is the list of shows getting early renewals today:
"We're very proud of our strong roster of performers, and we're excited about what they will bring us creatively next season," said Dungey.
Here is the list of shows getting early renewals today:
AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. - The show has leveled off in the ratings during its most recent run of episodes. It returns with the second half of its third season next Tuesday. But the drama is also preparing to launch a spinoff set to focus on the characters played by Adrianne Palicki and Nick Blood. The renewal is for the drama's fourth season this fall.
AMERICA'S FUNNIEST HOME VIDEOS - The long-running reality show has been a stable part of the network's Sunday lineup for years now. This season successfully made the transition from Tom Bergeron to Alfonso Ribeiro as host. The renewal marks the show's 27th season on the network next season.
THE BACHELOR - The hit reality competition continues to be a big draw on Monday nights during the winter months. The current 20th cycle has been the highest or second highest show of the night for every episode so far. That success wasn't able to successful launch a live Bachelor after show though. It's unclear if that will return next year. But the renewal ensures a 21st season on the network.
BLACK-ISH - The hit comedy starring Anthony Anderson and Tracee Ellis Ross has shown steady and consistent growth in its second season. But the show has also been garnering many headlines this season with episodes that handled issues like the N-word and police brutality. The renewal is for the comedy's third season this fall.
DANCING WITH THE STARS - The cast for the upcoming 22nd cycle of the competition show is set to be announced in the coming days. The network is confident in giving the reality staple a renewal for a 23rd season despite some year-to-year ratings erosion.
FRESH OFF THE BOAT - The second season of the comedy has been forced to be a self-starter on Tuesday nights - isolated from the rest of the network's successful family comedy brand. Despite that though, it's had its episode order increased twice and eventually began to do better in the ratings than its lead-in The Muppets - leading to a switch in time slots. The renewal also shows that diversity at ABC is still a top priority under Dungey. The renewal is for the comedy's third season this fall.
THE GOLDBERGS - The family comedy set in "1980-something" and inspiring by the life of showrunner Adam F. Goldberg has continued to show consistent growth this year. The network tested airing the show in the 8/7c. time slot currently occupied by The Middle this week for its big Dirty Dancing tribute episode. It tipped up the ratings in the slot week-to-week with an impressive 2.0 in the demo. The renewal is for the comedy's fourth season this fall.
GREY'S ANATOMY - The veteran drama from Shonda Rhimes is still during strong numbers in its 12th season - the first without original male lead Patrick Dempsey. In recent weeks, it has even beat fellow TGIT series, Scandal and How to Get Away With Murder. This renewal brings the drama to its thirteenth season this fall - and closing to the 15-season run of ER which still stands as the longest-running medical procedural.
HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER - The second season of the hit drama starring Viola Davis is heading into its March 17 finale with some lower ratings. But the show continues to do impressive numbers in delayed viewing. The renewal is for the drama's third season this fall. It seems very likely that the order will once again be 15 episodes - in order to accommodate Davis' feature film work.
THE MIDDLE - Despite its increasing age and lack of awards recognition, the comedy that kicks off the successful Wednesday comedy block is still doing very respectable numbers. The renewal is for the comedy's eighth season this fall.
MODERN FAMILY - The five-time Emmy winner for Best Comedy Series was dethroned last fall by HBO's Veep. And yet, the family comedy is still one of the most successful comedies on broadcast television - second only to The Big Bang Theory. The renewal is for the comedy's eighth season this fall.
ONCE UPON A TIME - The drama returns for the second half of its fifth season this Sunday with its landmark 100th episode - an important mark for syndication. The drama continues to deliver steady ratings for the network though it has been down from the fourth season (where it had a popular arc incorporating the Frozen characters). The renewal is for the drama's sixth season this fall.
QUANTICO - One of the few freshman drama hits this season, the series starring Priyanka Chopra has proven to be one of the highest gainers in delayed DVR viewing. The series returns for the second half of its first season this Sunday. The renewal is for the drama's second season this fall.
SCANDAL - Despite some massive ratings erosion over the last week episodes, the hit drama from Shonda Rhimes is still a top 10 series when factoring in delayed viewing. This season has also proven that the show is still capable of producing surprising moments - like Fitz and Mellie's divorce, Olivia's abortion and Mellie deciding to run for President. The renewal is for the drama's sixth season this fall.
SHARK TANK - The veteran reality show continues to do impressive numbers on Friday nights and has also won two Emmys as Best Structured Reality Show. The renewal is for the show's eighth season this fall.
The shows still in limbo include Agent Carter, American Crime, Castle, Dr. Ken, Galavant, Last Man Standing, The Muppets, and Nashville.
The network also has a number of shows still yet to debut this season - including the second season of Secrets & Lies as well as new series The Catch, The Family, Of Kings and Prophets and Uncle Buck. Meanwhile, new comedy The Real O'Neals had a two-episode debut last night and was on par with the other Wednesday comedies.
