http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/more-tv-news/the-middle-will-be-back-for-season-9-in-2017-18/

The Middle has been renewed for season 9. It will at least tie Everybody Loves Raymond and will pass it if renewed for season 10.

Cool, glad it's getting renewed. The Heck family is really funny.

This is great news! The Middle is still a pretty good show despite being on the air for 8 seasons and also my favorite sitcom out of the few I watch that are still airing.

My sentiments exactly, Sue.

My sentiments exactly, Sue.
Ditto!

Because of the recent cancellation of Last Man Standing (owned by 20th Century Fox TV) should fans of The Middle be afraid for that series's future as well? Because The Middle is owned by Warner Bros.Television, I fear ABC will just dump it after its season 9.

The cancellations of LMS and 2 Broke Girls last May shows us that outside studios' shows WILL get treated like crap no matter what; they will get themselves shafted in favor of shows that are owned by a network's in-house production studio, whether they are inferior to the outside-studio shows or not. It's a good thing Black-Ish isn't inferior to The Middle, and now they're both going to air on the same night next fall.

Is The Middle going to have a proper series finale when the time eventually comes, though, or will it be just fine without one?

It's a good thing Black-Ish isn't inferior to The Middle.Yes it is. Blackish is a lousy show, nowhere near the quality of The Middle.

If any Tuesday veteran gets cancelled after next season it will be Fresh Off the Boat. Its ratings have always been borderline for renewal and has proven not capable of anchoring an hour.

Yes it is. Blackish is a lousy show, nowhere near the quality of The Middle.

I get it, this is because Black-ish is owned by ABC.

If this is true, then why is Black-ish more well-received by critics than The Middle ever was? Why does Black-ish get all the Emmy nominations, yet The Middle gets none?

I do not agree that it really is inferior to The Middle. I would flip out, get personal with you, and say that Black-ish is not inferior to The Middle at all. I think you're just saying that because you're still bitter about Last Man Standing being cancelled.

On top of that, I wonder what you think about this whole issue of program ownership by the major broadcast networks.

I get it, this is because Black-ish is owned by ABC.

If this is true, then why is Black-ish more well-received by critics than The Middle ever was? Why does Black-ish get all the Emmy nominations, yet The Middle gets none?

I do not agree that it really is inferior to The Middle. I would flip out, get personal with you, and say that Black-ish is not inferior to The Middle at all. I think you're just saying that because you're still bitter about Last Man Standing being cancelled.

On top of that, I wonder what you think about this whole issue of program ownership by the major broadcast networks.While I watched Last Man Standing I am hardly bitter, it was never as good as Home Improvement. And I prefer Once Upon a Time, which moved to its timeslot. And I really do think Blackish is a lousy show, has nothing to do with it being owned by ABC. I don't put much stock in what critics like. Emmy voters are too snobbish and elitist to recognize The Middle.