How is the 2014-2015 TV Season Performing

The new 2014-2015 TV season got underway on the major networks in the middle of September; and now that we are seven (7) weeks into the season it is time to take a look at how the new and returning shows are doing before November sweeps get underway.

First of all, there has only been one cancellation by any of the major networks and that – to say the least – is very unusual. The first show to get a pink slip is the new ABC comedy Manhattan Love Story.

As stated, the fact that only one show has been cancelled so far this season is rare; but there will more cancellations, it is just a matter of when they are announced. I will make an early prediction that despite the critical acclaim it has received and the four additional scripts that the network gave, the new FOX drama Red Band Society will probably be pulled at some point due to lower than expected ratings. And, despite it being a limited series, the other new FOX drama Gracepoint isn’t performing well at all, but given it is a limited series, the network will most likely let the US adaptation of the British hit to run its course.

It should also be noted that last season’s popular drama Sleepy Hollow has seen a decline in ratings, losing 2 ½ million viewers from its average last season. The once popular ABC soap opera Revenge and the long-running FOX drama Bones have seen declines in their ratings as well. I will make the prediction that the latter two dramas will end at the end of this season.

Meanwhile, the first new drama to get a full season order is ABC’s How to Get Away With Murder and the network also gave additional script orders to returning dramas Grey’s Anatomy, Castle, Once Upon a Time and Resurrection as well as the new drama Forever. The network also gave more script orders to comedies Modern Family, The Middle, The Goldbergs and the new sitcom Black-ish. The other new dramas to receive full season orders include The Flash and Jane the Virgin, both on The CW, and the FOX drama Gotham. CBS also just announced that the new dramas Scorpion, NCIS: New Orleans, Madam Secretary and Stalker have been given full season orders; by the way the top two new dramas of the current TV season Scorpion and NCIS: New Orleans.

The ABC drama Scandal has seen an increase of nearly 2 million viewers every week in its ratings this season over its average from last season while the CBS spin-off drama NCIS: Los Angeles has seen a drastic drop in its ratings, dropping from an average of about 15 million each week to about 9 million viewers weekly. This change is due to the show’s new night and time. CBS has also shortened the episode order on long-running procedural CSI and FOX has dropped the episode count for its new sitcom Mulaney.

The CW must be happy as their returning dramas are all performing up to network standards and the new drama The Flash has become the most-watched drama of the network’s history. It should also be noted that the new drama Jane the Virgin – which is absurd in its telenovela storylines – is actually one of the most charming shows for this TV season.

Lastly, NBC is holding its own – as well as it can be expected, of course – with the new drama The Mysteries of Laura actually performing better in ratings than expected despite nearly all critics trashing on the show [NOTE: NBC just gave Laura a full season order, by the way]. The long-running drama Parenthood is holding close to its ratings’ average from last season and even longer running drama Law & Order: SVU has seen an increase in its ratings.

Needless to say, the 2014-2015 TV season is a success in terms of low cancellation rates, the number of additional scripts ordered for new and returning shows as well as overall good ratings for the majority of shows.

The real test will be how all of the major network shows perform during next month’s November sweeps and leading up to their mid-season and/or winter finales. That will be the real key to which shows are hits and which are losers.