How Is the 2013-2014 TV Season Performing Now

Back in October, I reviewed how the new and existing network dramas for the 2013-2014 TV season were fairing in the ratings and with the viewers. Four months later and the news isn’t really all that much different. However, as we edge closer to the end of the season and, more importantly, the annual upfront presentations made by the head honchos at the networks to the advertisers in New York every May, it is a good idea to review where the shows and networks stand.

NEW DRAMAS:

At this point in time, the new dramas on the major networks that have received a second season order include Sleepy Hollow on FOX, The Blacklist on NBC, The Originals on The CW and Reign also on The CW. Meanwhile, the new dramas that debuted earlier in the TV season that didn’t make the count include Hostages on CBS, Betrayal on ABC and, more than likely, Dracula on NBC. One other new drama that debuted last month – Killer Women on ABC – was expected to do fairly well given the fact it starred Battlestar Galactica babe Tricia Helfer and included actress Sofia Vergara (of Modern Family fame) as one of its executive producers; but the show faltered in the ratings from the beginning and several episodes of its 8-episode order were pulled.

Of course, there have been a number of other new dramas that have aired throughout the TV season, but their fates are still unsure. The more promising shows that have a fairly good chance at a second season include:

Intelligence – The CBS drama about a high-tech intelligence operative enhanced with a super-computer microchip in his brain, starring Josh Holloway, Meghan Ory and Marg Helgenberger. The series earned over 16 million viewers in its debut on January 7, but since that time it has been averaging 6.4 million viewers. It has also been doing well by DVR viewers so it could have a shot at a renewal.

Chicago P.D. – The NBC spin-off series from Chicago Fire that focuses on the Chicago Police Department; namely its uniformed cops and the Department’s Intelligence Unit that includes among its cast Jason Beghe, Jon Seda and Sophia Bush. The series debuted on January 8 and has earned an average of 6.7 million viewers. The show will probably earn a sophomore year on the simple fact it is a Dick Wolf Production.

And, as much as I would like to say that Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. on ABC and Almost Human on FOX could possibly be back next year, it is a long shot for both. S.H.I.E.L.D. started out strong, but has consistently been falling further and further in the ratings with each new episode [and let’s not talk about the ire of Marvel Universe fans that seems to have built each week, as it isn’t pretty]. As for Almost Human, it seems to be a fan favorite – namely because of the charm of lead actor Michael Ealy – but the show is expensive for the network and with the less than stellar ratings it will have a hard time getting that renewal order.

For those few viewers who are watching the new drama Rake on FOX and the disappointing ABC spin-off Once Upon a Time In Wonderland, don’t expect renewals for either as it is simply not going to happen.

EXISTING DRAMAS:

Now, let’s take a look at each network separately:

CBS – The eye network has been the top dog for years now and that isn’t going to change any time soon. They know what works with their viewers and they stick to it. That being said, viewers can expect more of NCIS, NCIS: Los Angeles, Person of Interest, Elementary, Criminal Minds, CSI, Hawaii Five-0, Blue Bloods and The Good Wife. The only existing drama on CBS that may be in peril is The Mentalist. The drama will have to show its worth now that the Olympics are over and short of rebooting the series, it may not get another run at it.

ABC – While its arsenal isn’t as plentiful as competitor CBS, ABC still has a few aces up its sleeve with perennial favorite Castle having its best season ever and in its sixth year to boot. It also as the apeshit crazy series Scandal that is one wet, wild and twisty story that keeps viewers coming back for more. And, there is the long-running medical drama Grey’s Anatomy that, somehow, just doesn’t seem to die [pun intended]. Meanwhile, ABC will probably take its time deciding on the fate of once hit series Revenge as well as mediocre-performing Nashville; but considering that both shows fare well with the DVR-viewing public, they could both be back for at least one more season each. The one wild card in the bunch is Once Upon a Time, formerly a huge hit for the network, that has faltered throughout its second and now third season, but don’t rule the fairytale drama out just yet.

NBC – The network has been suffering with low ratings for quite some time now (except for the recently aired Olympic Games, of course), but it still has the long-running and nearly-unstoppable Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and its popular Friday night thriller Grimm on tap. The network also has a hit series with Chicago Fire, which continues to improve in the ratings nearly every month. Parenthood has been the little show that could for the past five years and even with modest ratings it will probably come back for a sixth season. The one show that is in jeopardy is Revolution, which has been struggling nearly its entire run. If anything it could possibly be back for a shortened season next year, but it probably won’t get that chance.

FOX – The network doesn’t have as many dramas as its competitors but the network has Glee and Bones returning next season. Beyond that, though, FOX is hurting because The Following, which is in its second season, isn’t performing well and will undoubtedly not be back for more. The network really needs to focus on developing some stronger dramas or it’s not going to have any pretty soon.

The CW – Unlike FOX, The CW exists on all of its dramas (good, bad or otherwise). Coming back next year is the long-running Supernatural and the popular dramas Arrow and The Vampire Diaries. The network has several other dramas that are in jeopardy specifically The Carrie Diaries that aired its finale on January 31 and doesn’t have a chance of coming back next year; the fan favorite Hart of Dixie that while popular with its fringe viewers will have to really prove itself on its new night and time (starting on March 21) and Beauty And the Beast, which has tumbled in the ratings since its second season premiere this past October. It is possible that the latter two shows could possibly earn short final seasons next year, but that is a long shot for both.

What are the new and existing dramas that you would like to see come back next season? And, which shows are you okay saying goodbye to? Please share your comments below.