I suspect that The Middle being renewed for an eighth season was because of The Muppets ending up a ratings and viewership failure and is certain to be cancelled after this season.
Going into the current 2015-16 TV season, I was actually expecting The Muppets to be a success in the ratings, and even be the ABC Network's new flagship comedy, but in reality, it was not to be.
There has been a suggestion going around that The Middle may be moved to Tuesdays for next season, in either the 8:00 PM or 9:00 PM timeslots, with The Goldbergs moving up to Wednesdays at 9:00 PM. There is one problem with this, however. I think The Middle may end its original run with season 8, because I doubt that it will have a longer original run than Modern Family. I wouldn't want to move an established comedy series that had occupied just one timeslot for its entire run to another night for only a final season, because I think a move to another night for such an established TV show will usually mean a commitment for more than just one more season.
We'll find out if a move for The Middle to Tuesdays for the 2016-17 season will become reality at ABC Network's upfronts next month.
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