Save Our Shows is hitting pause
Strikes postpone our annual exclusive survey
Save Our Shows is taking a breather.
USA TODAY’s exclusive survey, which invites fans to vote on which of the broadcast networks’ scripted series they’d like renewed or canceled, is on a brief pause, thanks to the lingering effects of the dual strikes by Hollywood actors and writers.
The work stoppages, which began May 2 and ended in early November, stalled the rollout of most network sitcoms and dramas from their traditional start in mid-September until late winter. Two shows – NBC sitcom “Lopez vs. Lopez” and CW’s “All American” – are returning this week. As a result, by early April, when USA TODAY’s poll has opened since 1998, there’s too little intel to determine which shows are a lock for renewal, which are doomed and which are in limbo (or “on the bubble,” in industry parlance).
Networks increasingly rely not just on immediate ratings, but how well shows perform in delayed viewing and on affiliated streaming services, which can take weeks or months to determine. Although they still roll out new shows to advertisers in presentations scheduled for mid-May, the networks (and their newer streaming counterparts) increasingly are planning new shows year-round, which renders the May decision time more arbitrary.
Last year, the 26th annual Save Our Shows poll crowned “9-1-1” the winner. The rescue drama was canceled by Fox, which cited its $10 million an episode cost, and promptly snatched up by ABC, whose sibling studio produces the series. Other top winners included ABC’s “The Good Doctor” and “Alaska Daily” and CBS’ “S.W.A.T.” (”Alaska” was canceled, while “Doctor” and “S.W.A.T.” won a one-season reprieve and will end their runs this season.)
The labor strikes also pushed some new shows planned for this season into next. And it may have hastened the exit of some long-running series, which will air finales this spring or fall. Among them: CBS’ “S.W.A.T.,” “Young Sheldon” and “Bob Hearts Abishola” (”Blue Bloods” airs final episodes next fall), ABC’s “Station 19,” NBC’s “La Brea” and CW’s “Superman and Lois.”
Which shows are renewed for 2024-25?
These shows have been officially renewed for new seasons:
ABC: “Abbott Elementary,” “9-1-1,” “Grey’s Anatomy”
CBS: “Fire Country,” “Ghosts,” “NCIS: Sydney,” “Tracker”
Fox: “9-1-1: Lone Star” and “Accused” (which did not air this season); “Animal Control” and animated series “Krapopolis,” “Grimsburg,” “The Simpsons,” “Family Guy” and “Bob’s Burgers.”
NBC: “Chicago Fire,” “Chicago Med,” “Chicago PD,” “Found,” “The Irrational,” “Law & Order,” “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.”