USA TODAY International Edition
WHICH SERIES ARE ON THE BUBBLE?
Decision time is here again. Major broadcast networks are weighing the fates of 25 endangered sitcoms and dramas, hovering “on the bubble” between renewal and cancellation. USA TODAY’s 24th annual Save Our Shows poll asks you to weigh in on which you’d like saved – and which dropped – as the networks set their 2021- 2022 schedules to be unveiled in mid- May.
Last year’s winner: NBC’s “Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist,” the musical drama that is once again “on the bubble” due to modest ratings and high costs. Many factors go into renewal decisions, including Nielsen ratings, creative quality, profitability, digital viewership and program ownership.
The coronavirus pandemic, which shuttered production of pilot episodes for new series replacements last spring, remains a factor, but network executives say it’s less critical this year in determining the fate of series.
Instead, it may have an impact on when ( not if ) they continue: NBC’s “Brooklyn NineNine” was renewed last spring for what was planned as its final season. The pandemic prevented a return to production until this month, so 10 remaining episodes won’t air until fall. And CW’s “Supernatural,” due to end in May 2020, delayed its final episodes until last fall.
Here’s a status update for every current series, based on conversations with top executives at each of the major networks. ( Shows that haven’t yet premiered are excluded.)