ABC has handed out an early renewal to veteran comedy series The Middle for a ninth season, it was announced today. Today's renewal is the first ABC has made for a returning series in the 2017-18 season.
"The Middle has been one of the network's most consistent performers and helped us to launch a whole new night of comedy when it moved to Tuesdays this season," said Channing Dungey, entertainment president, ABC. "The Indiana Hecks have found America's sweet spot with their authentic, acerbic and always loving take on parenting, work, kids, marriage and life."
The comedy stars Patricia Heaton, Neil Flynn, Charlie McDermott, Eden Sher and Atticus Shaffer. The renewal comes after the cast successfully renegotiated new deals to return.
Eileen Heisler and DeAnn Heline created the comedy. Warner Bros. Television and Blackie & Blondie Productions produce.
After anchoring the Wednesday night at 8/7c. time slot for most of its series run, ABC moved the veteran comedy to Tuesday nights this season to open a new two-hour comedy block - which also consists of American Housewife, Fresh Off the Boat and The Real O'Neals. The move has helped improve the numbers for ABC on the night. In year-to-year time slot figures, The Middle is up 22 percent in total viewers for Tuesdays at 8/7c. on ABC.
