Cons: Coming off its most watched season ever, Castle hasn’t cracked 10 million viewers or a 2.0 rating since its Season 7 opener, and it hit series lows (6.8 mil/1.3) with its midseason kickoff. Season-to-date, it’s off 15 percent from Season 6. But eroding ratings are the least of the show’s problems. Stars Nathan Fillion and Stana Katic don’t have deals for Season 8 — not yet, anyway.
Pros: ABC wants the show back, possibly for a shortened final season.
Cons: Its ratings continue to be as quiet as its buzz (a fact made more obvious in the wake of Empire’s breakout success).
Pros: Although down a tick versus its prior season average, and despite hitting series lows (4.7 mil/1.3) on Feb. 18, the show has grown every week since.
Cons: The Sunday soap has shed 35 percent in the demo this season and slipped below 4 million viewers/a 1.0 rating as recently in January. And, let’s face it, the show peaked creatively in Season 1.
Pros: In its latest two outings, Revenge has upticked, holding at a 1.1 rating and flirting with 5 million viewers. A shortened final season remains a distinct possibility.
Cons: The cast’s contracts are up this spring and at least one original family member has a foot out the door.
Pros: The series continues to be the unsung hero of ABC’s Wednesday comedy block. Despite the occasional ebb, The Middle thus far is rock steady versus its Season 5 average of 7.8 million viewers and a 2.1 rating.
Cons: Ichabod and Abbie are coming off of one helluva sophomore slump: Season 2 averaged 4.6 million total viewers and a 1.7 demo rating, dropping 39 and 35 percent from its 13-episode freshman run and hitting series lows (3.9 mil/1.2) as recently as Feb. 9.
Pros: Fox is hopeful that a new showrunner can revitalize its once-promising franchise.
UPDATE: Fox has renewed the drama for a third season, with The Glades‘ Clifton Campbell as showrunner.
Cons: Everyone connected to the show seems to be convinced that this is the final season. And that’s probably because, according to sources, the season finale they shot very much had the feel of a series finale.
Pros: The show’s numbers — veritably cemented at 1.2 million viewers and a 0/.4 rating — surely aren’t spectacular, yet they’re right on par with its Season 3 average as well as match Reign’s typical tally.
Cons: It’s a costly hour to produce. And there’s buzz that some castmembers are itching to get back to the mainland.
Pros: Five-0 in recent weeks has been a tick above or at least on par with its season opener and as recently as Jan. 30 notched a season’s best demo rating. McGarrett & Co. also bring in a lot of syndication coin for CBS.
Cons: Ratings are down 30 percent in the demo versus Season 14, wrapping its latest, truncated run with series lows of 7.1 million total viewers/1.1 rating.
Pros: Um… maybe CBS is feeling sentimental?
Cons: NBC, not Fox, owns the series, which wouldn’t be an issue if it was a hit. But it’s not. And, sadly, it never will be.
Pros: Mindy enjoys strong critical support. Also, there’s a decent chance another outlet will swoop in and pick the show up should Fox cancel it.