The ratings for the broadcast networks continue to sink, but the network execs keep responding by saying “Just renew it, baby!” The latest entry to get caught up in this renewal fever is NBC’s supernatural drama Grimm which just learned it will be returning for a sixth season. The news is not a huge surprise, but I would not call the renewal a slam-dunk either. That show is currently at all-time ratings lows, averaging just a 0.9 rating for the season based on overnights for the 18-49 demographic. That ties the show with Hannibal as one of the lowest rated shows ever to be renewed by one of the Big Four networks (Hannibal averaged a 0.9 rating during its second season before getting the third year nod). Of course, with the ratings-pocalypse now upon us, the broadcast networks appear to be sticking with known properties more often than not. Earlier in the year, I was thinking the network might part ways with the show due to its ratings decline, but apparently they believe it is still doing well enough to plug up a difficult hour on Fridays in the already ratings challenged environment. And while Grimm’s numbers may be down, but so are all shows across the networks, and NBC is guaranteed to eventually turn a profit off the show’s sixth season because it will get tacked on to the already lucrative syndication package.
With this show now renewed, that leaves still a few more genre entries awaiting word on their fate this season. Shows like Supergirl and possibly Lucifer appear to have a decent chance while shows like Sleepy Hollow and Minority Report appear to be headed to the Network Executioner (short of a resounding Call to Action by the fans). Expect more announcements relating to these and other shows over the coming weeks as we approach the May Upfronts where the networks present their schedules for the 2016-17 season (you can see the timing of those at this link). And keep a close eye on this site and the Cancelled Sci Fi Twitter Site for updates and breaking announcements.
