How is 2012-2013 Fall TV Season Performing Now

Now that we are through the second month of the new 2012-2013 TV season, it’s time to examine where the networks stand with their new and returning shows.

First, let’s take a look at the cancellations, few though they are. After only two episodes on the air, CBS pulled the plug on the legal drama Made In Jersey. But don’t be surprised when two more episodes air on November 24 and December 1 at 8 PM, filling a void on Saturday nights for the network. The other cancellation is the sitcom Animal Practice on NBC, but the rarity with this cancellation is that the network continued to air episodes of the comedy. The original plan by the network was to allow the series to air until November 7; but that was actually put to rest before Halloween.

Surprisingly, the low-rated medical drama The Mob Doctor, which airs on FOX (and has been averaging less than 4 million viewers since its debut) is still hanging on – thank God for life support, right? The series returned with new episodes as of yesterday; but if its ratings continue to be this low, it is not long for the TV world. The other dramas on FOX did not air during October due to baseball; but are now coming back over the course of this coming week.

Shifting gears over to the sitcoms on FOX that have received good news they include the new comedies Ben & Kate and The Mindy Project, which have both received orders for more scripts – six for Ben & Kate and nine for The Mindy Project. Given the fact that neither sitcom has performed well in the ratings – Ben & Kate has averaged 3.8 million viewers while The Mindy Project has averaged 4.4 million viewers – does make the pick-up of additional episodes a bit of a puzzle, but it does display a certain level of commitment by the network. We shall see how long that holds out, though?

Moving on to NBC, after being the first network to give full season orders to new shows Revolution as well as Go On and The New Normal (after only a few weeks into the new TV season), the network continues to make strides. For the first time in 10 years, the network won the first three weeks of the broadcast season. What does that mean, you ask? Well, simply put NBC won in the ratings race over the other major networks (thanks in great part to football and The Voice as mentioned in my report from last month). But, the network certainly has seen an increase in viewership since the fall TV season started; enough so that they gave their fledging new drama Chicago Hope, which has been averaging 6.6 million viewers, an order for five additional scripts.

As is the norm, or has been for many years now, CBS is still the dominate network out of the major five; and the network’s first full-season pick-up orders were given to the new dramas Vegas and Elementary. The network, of course, continues to have the most shows in the top 20 (out of overall viewers not out of any specific demographic), including NCIS, NCIS: Los Angeles, Person of Interest and Criminal Minds. They also have the top comedy in The Big Bang Theory as well. NOTE: CBS also must think highly enough of Elementary, as it has been awarded the post-Super Bowl timeslot.

Over at The CW, which started its fall season two weeks later than its counterparts, experienced a ratings triumph in the form of its new drama Arrow. The DC-comics inspired series earned 4 million viewers in its debut, making it the most-watched premiere since the debut of The Vampire Diaries in 2009. The show continued to hold strong in the ratings throughout October with the network giving it a full 22-episode order (with rumors that another episode could potentially be added, bringing it to 23 episodes overall).

The network’s other new dramas Beauty and the Beast, which has averaged 2.4 million viewers since its debut, and Emily Owens, M.D., which has averaged approximately 1.3 million viewers since its debut, have both received orders for three additional scripts. Truthfully, Beauty and the Beast – based on overall ratings only – has a better chance at surviving this TV season than Emily Owens; but The CW took a chance on last year’s Hart of Dixie so the new medical drama could still make it.

As for ABC, the only success stories for the network are for returning shows. First, Castle is again the network’s top show in terms of overall ratings, earning an average of 11 million viewers since its debut at the end of September. And, despite the fact the Shonda Rhimes drama Scandal is technically in its second season, it is the first drama to be given a full-season order by the network. As an aside, the network also gave new comedy The Neighbors a full-season order as well; but given the less than tepid response this show received from nearly every TV critic across the nation, it is nothing short of shocking that the comedy isn’t off the air by now.

The new dramas Last Resort and 666 Park Avenue, which were buzz-worthy shows at the beginning of the season, both got off to a slow start, earning less than anticipated ratings. Last Resort has averaged 7.6 million viewers overall while 666 Park Avenue has averaged 5.3 million viewers overall. But the network seems to be in both shows’ corners as it gave them additional script orders; 2 scripts for each show, which is better than cancellation. There has been no news for the other new drama Nashville despite the fact the show is averaging 7.5 million viewers since its debut.

In case fans of Once Upon a Time and Revenge are worried – don’t be! Both shows are performing well on Sunday nights and there is no need to worry about either show’s longevity this season.

The other surprise of the current season is over on AMC, a network that is not known for stellar ratings, in the form of The Walking Dead. The zombie-filled series opened with 10.9 million viewers overall, which is an increase of 50% over last year’s ratings; and is quickly on its way to becoming the top-rated scripted show on television. Please keep in mind that is more due to the specific demo numbers than overall ratings, but regardless, this is an impressive feat.

So, with all that said, what TV shows – new and returning – are you enjoying most and which shows do you think should simply go away. Please share your thoughts below.