Why has "The Middle" done poorly in syndication - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TMC · 08-28-2017, 05:06 AM

For instance, compared to ABC's other sitcom (still in production at the moment) giant, Modern Family? I mean from what I can tell and what I've gathered, stations (more than often, CW affiliates) tried to run it in prime access and good hours early on but the ratings just didn't catch on. Eventually, a lot of stations dumped it to overnight, some even past 2AM.

icecream · 08-28-2017, 09:47 AM

My affiliate still airs The Middle at 7:30PM. And cable stations seem to like it, Hallmark airs 2 hours of it in primetime on weeknights and it has afternoon blocks on Freeform that are better times than their other syndicated shows. Meanwhile I have heard Modern Family was a big disappointment on USA, they have banished it to Friday nights.

stevea · 08-28-2017, 01:14 PM

The local station here aired two episodes at 5 and 5:30, but cut it back to 1, with the 2nd half hour being Last Man Standing. This is on channel 4.2, meaning it's not on the "main" channel (nor are Modern Family or Two and A Half Men).

I agree, it's doing well on cable, particularly on Hallmark channel.

Update: channel 4.2 has cancelled it for the fall.

James28 · 09-18-2024, 11:36 AM

I saw on the Broadcast Syndication Wiki on Fandom that The Middle had disappeared from broadcast syndication altogether in 2017. Why, if The Middle had one more season to go in its original run on ABC at that time?

08-28-2017, 05:06 AM	#1
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 127,223	Why has "The Middle" done poorly in syndication For instance, compared to ABC's other sitcom (still in production at the moment) giant, Modern Family? I mean from what I can tell and what I've gathered, stations (more than often, CW affiliates) tried to run it in prime access and good hours early on but the ratings just didn't catch on. Eventually, a lot of stations dumped it to overnight, some even past 2AM.

08-28-2017, 09:47 AM	#2
icecream Cat-tastic and Whiskerlicious Forum Celebrity Join Date: Sep 01, 2006 Location: The Catacombs Posts: 20,904	My affiliate still airs The Middle at 7:30PM. And cable stations seem to like it, Hallmark airs 2 hours of it in primetime on weeknights and it has afternoon blocks on Freeform that are better times than their other syndicated shows. Meanwhile I have heard Modern Family was a big disappointment on USA, they have banished it to Friday nights.
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08-28-2017, 01:14 PM	#3
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 45,077	The Middle in Local Syndication The local station here aired two episodes at 5 and 5:30, but cut it back to 1, with the 2nd half hour being Last Man Standing. This is on channel 4.2, meaning it's not on the "main" channel (nor are Modern Family or Two and A Half Men). I agree, it's doing well on cable, particularly on Hallmark channel. Update: channel 4.2 has cancelled it for the fall.
	Last edited by stevea; 09-05-2017 at 07:29 PM. Reason: Update

09-18-2024, 11:36 AM	#4
James28 Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 14, 2007 Posts: 3,995	I saw on the Broadcast Syndication Wiki on Fandom that The Middle had disappeared from broadcast syndication altogether in 2017. Why, if The Middle had one more season to go in its original run on ABC at that time?
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