ABC Fall 2006 Predictions

[Pavan]

I know it is way too early, but by next week I will post my annual SO exclusive ABC sitcom/drama pilots thread. So, you will know info on all of their pilots. Too bad I can't get info like that from each network; oh well.

But I will make a rough schedule on what I think their basic fall plan will be:

Sundays
7:00pm America's Funniest Home Videos
8:00pm Exreme Makeover: Home Edition
9:00pm Desperate Housewives
10:00pm NEW DRAMA

Mondays
8:00pm Wife Swap/Supernanny
9:00pm Grey's Anatomy or Commander in Chief
10:00pm NEW DRAMA or Boston Legal

Tuesdays
8:00pm According to Jim
8:30pm NEW SITCOM
9:00pm George Lopez
9:30pm NEW SITCOM
10:00pm Boston Legal or Grey's Anatomy

Wednesdays
8:00pm The Bachelor/Bachelorette
9:00pm Lost
10:00pm NEW DRAMA

Thursdays
8:00pm Dancing with the Stars/American Inventor
9:00pm NEW REALITY
10:00pm NEW DRAMA
Note: Premiere of DwTS would be 2-hours leading into the new drama, then the following week DwTS would lead-in to new reality. DwTS would air Oct and Nov and late March-May. American Inventor Jan-March.

Fridays
8:00pm Dancing with the Stars: The Results/AFV Repeats
9:00pm Invasion
10:00pm 20/20
Note: DwtS: Results would air Oct-Nov and late March-May, while AFV repeats would air the rest of the time.

Saturdays
Movies/Encores/Reality ... I'd prefer...
8:00pm Hope & Faith
8:30pm Crumbs
9:00pm Freddie
9:30pm Sons & Daughters
10:00pm Miracle Workers or Primetime Live

[Scoobiedoo30]

Sunday Evening
at 6:00 pm Exreme Makeover Home Edition
at 7:00 pm America's Funniest Hoom Video's
at 8:00 pm Desperate Housewives
at 9:00 pm NEW DRAMA


on Monday Night
at 7:00 pm Wife Swap
at 8:00 pm Grey's Anatomy
at 9:00 pm Commander in Chief


On Tuesday Evening
at 7:00 pm According to Jim
at 7:30 pm George Lopez
at 8:00 pm NEW SITCOM
at 8:30 pm NEW SITCOM
at 9:00 pm Boston Legal


On Wednesday Evening
at 7:00 pm Hope and Faith
at 7:30 pm Freddie
at 8:00 pm NEW DRAMA
AT 9:00 pm Lost

on Thursday Evening
at 7:00 pm American Inventor
at 8:00 pm Daceing With The StarS
at 9:00 pm NEW DRAMA

On FridayEvening
at 7:00 pm Dance With The Stars: The Results
at 8:00 pm Invasion
at 9:00 pm 20/20


on Saturday Evening
at 7:00 pm Reality
at 8:00 pm Miracle Workers
at 9:00 pm NEW DRAMA

[db108108]

I've read that ABC is going really heavy on the comedy pilots, so I think they will figure prominently. I just hope that the network actually gets some good sitcoms going because nothing that it currently has (save Sons & Daughters) qualifies.

Anyway, here's what I think:

Sunday:
7 AFHV
8 EXtreme Makeover
9 Desperate Housewives
10 New Drama

Monday:
8 Wife Swap
9 Grey's Anatomy
10 New Drama

Tuesday:
8 George Lopez (only because it's so close to syndication)
8:30 New Sitcom
9:00 Freddie (maybe...)
9:30 New Sitcom
10 Boston Legal

Wednesday:
8 New drama
9 Lost
10 New Drama or Commander In Chief

Thursday:
8 DWTS (running two hour episodes for several weeks)
9 American Inventor
10 Primetime or Commander In Chief

Friday:
8 DWTS
9 New Drama
10 20/20

Saturday:
8 Supernanny
9 New Reality
10 New Reality/Repeats/Miracle Workers.

[troopoleon8897]

well since the season isn't over yet im not sure whats coming or going so Im going to list two options possible for so time slots that im not sure about shows that are coming....

Sunday
7:00-America's Funniest Home Videos
8:00-Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
9:00-Desperate Housewives
10:00-New Drama or What About Brian?

Monday
8:00-New Drama or In Justice
9:00-Commander In Cheif
10:00-Boston Legal

Tuesday
8:00-According To Jim
8:30-New Sitcom
9:00-Hope & Faith
9:30-New Sitcom
10:00-Grey's Anatomy

Wednesday
8:00-George Lopez
8:30-Freddie
9:00-Lost
10:00-New Drama

Thursday
8:00-Dancing With The Stars (Oct-Dec)/American Inventor (Jan-Mar)
9:00-Wife Swap
10:00-Primetime Live

Friday
8:00-DWTS: Results Show (Oct-Dec)/Two New Sitcoms (Jan-May)
9:00-New Sitcom
9:30-New Sitcom
10:00-20/20

Saturday
8:00-New Drama
9:00-Repeats or Movies

10 Sitcoms (6 new)
9 Dramas (4 new)
5 Reality Shows
3 News/Documentary Shows

[Superbowl]

I've read in quite a few places that Freddie is likely to be canceled. I am sure Hope and Faith will be renewed, because they need more episodes for syndication. Buena Vista television (which syndicates ABC sitcoms and Regis & Kelly) will surely want Kelly Ripa's face in syndication as much as possible.

[Pavan]

Invasion is too good of a show not to come back. I think we will see it back next season, but on a new night. I doubt we will see sitcoms on Fridays.

[db108108]

Originally Posted by Superbowl

I've read in quite a few places that Freddie is likely to be canceled. I am sure Hope and Faith will be renewed, because they need more episodes for syndication. Buena Vista television (which syndicates ABC sitcoms and Regis & Kelly) will surely want Kelly Ripa's face in syndication as much as possible.

I'm sure ABC is really debating H&F at this point. It only needs one season more for syndication, it owns the series, but the ratings are terrible. Maybe a mid season order? Who knows at this point. I also noticed on Tuesday that Sons & Daughters is owned by NBC. Given the weak ratings, there's no chance in hell of it coming back. I'd also say that According to Jim is gone (very weak ratings, enough episodes for syndication). From ABC's current sitcom slate, the only show I'd say is a lock is George Lopez. If ABC keeps sitcoms confined to one night next season, it needs another to back up GL. Will it be Freddie? Who knows.

[troopoleon8897]

Originally Posted by db108108

I'm sure ABC is really debating H&F at this point. It only needs one season more for syndication, it owns the series, but the ratings are terrible. Maybe a mid season order? Who knows at this point. I also noticed on Tuesday that Sons & Daughters is owned by NBC. Given the weak ratings, there's no chance in hell of it coming back. I'd also say that According to Jim is gone (very weak ratings, enough episodes for syndication). From ABC's current sitcom slate, the only show I'd say is a lock is George Lopez. If ABC keeps sitcoms confined to one night next season, it needs another to back up GL. Will it be Freddie? Who knows.

I think ATJ will definately be back it has been getting better rating then lopez even during AI I think ATJ will get solid ratings as long as its not up against idol, but anything against idol suffers...

[Brent88]

Sundays

7:00pm-Comedies
7:30pm-Comedies
8:00pm-Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
9:00pm-Desperate Housewives
10:00pm-New Drama

AFV works well on Friday, and there's no point in it airing twice a week. The comedies at 7 will most likely be new ones unless ABC keeps around two that aren't expected back...

Mondays

8:00pm-Wife Swap
9:00pm-Commander-in-Chief
10:00pm-Grey's Anatomy

Great flow. Grey's has proven it can get more than 20 million viewers without DH, so it's time for it to move, and it is DEFINTELY a 10pm show.

Tuesdays

8:00pm-According to Jim
8:30pm-Hope and Faith or New Comedy
9:00pm-New Comedy
9:30pm-New Comedy
10:00pm-Boston Legal

This night(except for BL) is a mess... why oh why did you screw up CiC ABC?

Wednesdays

8:00pm-Dancing With the Stars
9:00pm-Lost
10:00pm-New Drama

Lost needs a stronger lead-in. I don't see ABC airing the Results show on Friday anymore(less viewers avaliable, so it gets bumped up to Thursday).

Thursdays

8:00pm-The Bachelor/American Inventor
9:00pm-Dancing With the Stars Results
10:00pm-What About Brian?(If it hits) or New Drama

8 and 9 could easily be flipped... this should work really well and might finally get ABC out of the grave on this night. 10pm depends on the success or failure of Brian. ABC has delayed the premiere 3 times, and despite getting the cushy slot for it's premiere after DH, I don't see it doing well on Monday. Reality lead-in? Primetime has to go... it's dragging down the whole night. It could be brought back for occasional specials(like the Joran Van Der Sloot interview or something), but not as a regular fixture(unless on Saturdays)

Fridays

8:00pm-America's Funniest Home Videos
9:00pm-Supernanny
10:00pm-20/20

I think this works well...

Saturdays

8:00pm-Invasion(What the heck)
9:00pm-Miracle Workers?
10:00pm-Primetime Live or some new cheap reality

[db108108]

Originally Posted by Brent88

Sundays

7:00pm-Comedies
7:30pm-Comedies
8:00pm-Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
9:00pm-Desperate Housewives
10:00pm-New Drama

AFV works well on Friday, and there's no point in it airing twice a week. The comedies at 7 will most likely be new ones unless ABC keeps around two that aren't expected back...

Mondays

8:00pm-Wife Swap
9:00pm-Commander-in-Chief
10:00pm-Grey's Anatomy

Great flow. Grey's has proven it can get more than 20 million viewers without DH, so it's time for it to move, and it is DEFINTELY a 10pm show.

Tuesdays

8:00pm-According to Jim
8:30pm-Hope and Faith or New Comedy
9:00pm-New Comedy
9:30pm-New Comedy
10:00pm-Boston Legal

This night(except for BL) is a mess... why oh why did you screw up CiC ABC?

Wednesdays

8:00pm-Dancing With the Stars
9:00pm-Lost
10:00pm-New Drama

Lost needs a stronger lead-in. I don't see ABC airing the Results show on Friday anymore(less viewers avaliable, so it gets bumped up to Thursday).

Thursdays

8:00pm-The Bachelor/American Inventor
9:00pm-Dancing With the Stars Results
10:00pm-What About Brian?(If it hits) or New Drama

8 and 9 could easily be flipped... this should work really well and might finally get ABC out of the grave on this night. 10pm depends on the success or failure of Brian. ABC has delayed the premiere 3 times, and despite getting the cushy slot for it's premiere after DH, I don't see it doing well on Monday. Reality lead-in? Primetime has to go... it's dragging down the whole night. It could be brought back for occasional specials(like the Joran Van Der Sloot interview or something), but not as a regular fixture(unless on Saturdays)

Fridays

8:00pm-America's Funniest Home Videos
9:00pm-Supernanny
10:00pm-20/20

I think this works well...

Saturdays

8:00pm-Invasion(What the heck)
9:00pm-Miracle Workers?
10:00pm-Primetime Live or some new cheap reality

I forgot about The Bachelor. The last edition got better than expected ratings and actually had a decent audience for the finale. It could definitely be a Thursday keeper. I still like DWTS results on Friday, but I also like Lost having a stronger lead-in (because it really, really needs it). So who knows.

[Brent88]

Originally Posted by db108108

I forgot about The Bachelor. The last edition got better than expected ratings and actually had a decent audience for the finale. It could definitely be a Thursday keeper. I still like DWTS results on Friday, but I also like Lost having a stronger lead-in (because it really, really needs it). So who knows.

Lost, at the very least, needs a drama as a lead-in. I put DWTS there just to be different. I do think the Results show needs to move off Fridays though...

If DWTS went to Wednesday at 8, it *could* go into the 9pm hour enough weeks to keep Lost from having any repeats in it's usual slot all season(because it repeats really really poorly), or ABC could air them in a special timeslot like they did with DH last season.

About The Bachelor, I'm almost certain it'll be back for at least one cycle in the Fall. American Inventor has a rather short season, so something will have to fill the remaining time. I would argue against more than 1(or 2) seasons due to the shortness though, as I think it will get old. That is how Idol is still the massive hit it is today.

[Pavan]

Wednesdays for DwtS might be a good idea, but eventually AI would come in the way. I'd stick with Thursdays and Fridays for DwtS. This way, ABC will have a strong show each night (Sun-DH, Mon-GA, Tues-?, Wed-Lost, Thurs-DwtS, Fri-DwtS Results.

The Bachelor would work Wednesdays at 8 p.m., but maybe they will only have it every January. I'd have Grey's Anatomy Mondays at 9, now that I think about it. Maybe have Boston Legal move over to Mondays at 10 following it. Tuesdays would be four sitcoms and a drama, possibly new or maybe Commander in Chief. I'm so tempted to put GA in this slot because I think it can trash L&O: SVU.
AFV should stay on Sundays, it does better there.

[Brent88]

It's obvious Grey's is going to Mondays now, the 2-hour Season Finale is airing on Monday May 15th, the night before ABC Fall upfronts.

Originally Posted by pavanbadal

Wednesdays for DwtS might be a good idea, but eventually AI would come in the way. I'd stick with Thursdays and Fridays for DwtS. This way, ABC will have a strong show each night (Sun-DH, Mon-GA, Tues-?, Wed-Lost, Thurs-DwtS, Fri-DwtS Results.

Did I mention I hate how American Idol just destroys everything? The show is not bad, but it's just so popular that it kills everything that faces it. I would love for DWTS to face Idol though... it would at least bring Idol down a bit IMO. I'm also pretty convinced Idol Results will air on Thursday next Season.

I'm so tempted to put GA in this slot because I think it can trash L&O: SVU.

I actually thought about that, but I decided against it. I think BL should not move since ABC could damage it. But, the thought of bringing down SVU does sound good.

[SBTB Geek]

It will be a stupid move to switch "Grey's Anatomy" over to Monday's. That show has been getting higher ratings than "Desperate Housewives"-- they shouldn't tamper with it.

[db108108]

Did I mention I hate how American Idol just destroys everything? The show is not bad, but it's just so popular that it kills everything that faces it. I would love for DWTS to face Idol though... it would at least bring Idol down a bit IMO. I'm also pretty convinced Idol Results will air on Thursday next Season.

Everything but NCIS and Gilmore Girls. It's funny, because the networks should just look at CBS's strategy and copy it. NCIS is an older skewing series, but it holds almost all of its audience even with Idol on the scene. DWtS is also an older skewing series, so it might just hold up well opposite Idol. It did during the Olympics when it was Survivor vs. American Idol vs. DWtS vs. Olympics that one Thursday night.

To that effect, ABC could air Commander In Chief, one of the oldest skewing series on tv, opposite Idol and it would probably sustain its ratings. Something certainly has to change because Idol inexplicably gets stronger every single season and only CBS has been able to counter program it so far.


Focusing back on ABC, I think the network really needs to develop a hit sitcom, and until it does that, it should scale back comedies to just one night (Tuesday) so it's not spreading it's resources too thin. Once it gets two hit sitcoms (drawing more than 10 million), open up another night. But until then, don't waste time ruining timeslots (Hello, Wednesday 8-9pm) and crippling lead-outs (like Lost) with continued failing results.

I think we can almost confirm GA moving to Mondays next season based on the fact that it's two hour season finale will be airing on Monday in May. (ETA- Brent mentioned this first). I mean, if it draws poor ratings (unlikely), then ABC can do an about-face before any damage is done. But if it works out really well, ABC looks genious. Then next fall, ABC will have a series that draws at least 15 million on every night but Tuesday and Saturday, which could very well put it contention for number 1 should CBS start to slip (which is unlikely, but still... one can dream, right?).

Season to date, CBS leads ABC (admittedly, Superbowl fueled) 12.66 million viewers to 11.47. It's not totally out of reach for ABC to shoot for number one next season. GA on Mondays should make up for losing football, and two editions of DWtS (ideally, September-November and March to May, with American Inventor in the middle) could boost its overall average a bit. If the network could get another break out drama coming out of DH and after Lost as well, and get some traction on Saturday with reality series, the network really has a shot at number 1. Personally, I think ABC is healthier now than it's been since the early 90s.