The Fall season is winding down, so it is worth revisiting the Scorecard to see where all the broadcast network sci fi and fantasy shows stand at this point. Among the Big Four nets (ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC), Ghosts remains the top-rated genre entry this season. That show has averaged a 0.52 rating based on same-day viewing for the 18-49 demographic with 6.2 million total viewers and that is it at the Number 23 slot. That is down from Number 19 where it was earlier in the season, but still in the Top 30. It is also the fifth highest-rated comedy and has consistently performed above the network’s ratings average this season. It should be close to a lock for a third season renewal by CBS.
Next among genre entries on the Big Four is NBC’s La Brea which is at Number 41 with a 0.42 average in the demo and 3.5 million total viewers. That show has slipped from the Number 30 slot where it was earlier in the season and is performing below the network’s overall average and its average for dramas. That does not put the show in trouble just yet, but since it is more expensive to produce than most dramas, the network execs may have to think long and hard about a renewal. It has wrapped up its Fall run and if it holds steady when it returns at Mid-Season, it may get a third season nod. But fans should probably start making some noise on the social networks to help bring it more attention.
Next up is NBC’s Quantum Leap which is at Number 50, averaging a 0.37 rating with 2.6 million total viewers. Those numbers are actually not bad for the 10 PM EST hour, and it is possible that the show could continue into a second season. But if NBC decides to stop programming the 10 PM EST hour (a very real possibility for the 2023-24 season), this show could be one of the casualties. It is the second lowest-rated drama on NBC, and network execs would have a hard time justifying keeping it around on a reduced schedule. Fans should definitely make some noise in support of this show and it could possibly leap over to Peacock if the network cuts its hours.
Below are the Top 30 broadcast network shows (plus La Brea and Quantum Leap) for non-repeat, non-special, and non-sports programming based on ratings results through November 20th. The comparisons are against ratings averages for other shows in the same category (drama, comedy, reality, etc.) on the same network and also against the overall average for the network. Continue on to see the rankings for The CW which I separated from the Big Four broadcast networks.
| Rank | Program | Network | Category | StD Rtg | StD Tot Vwrs | Network Category Perfomance | Network Performance |
| 1 | 60 Minutes | CBS | News | 0.97 | 8.800 | 0.41% ↑ | 1.17% ↑ |
| 2 | The Bachelorette | ABC | Reality/Competition | 0.90 | 3.570 | 0.77% ↑ | 1.17% ↑ |
| 3 | The Simpsons | FOX | Comedy | 0.89 | 2.790 | 0.97% ↑ | 1.01% ↑ |
| 4 | Survivor | CBS | Reality/Competition | 0.72 | 4.930 | 0.91% ↑ | 0.61% ↑ |
| 5 | Chicago Fire | NBC | Drama | 0.66 | 6.850 | 0.33% ↑ | 0.45% ↑ |
| 6 | The Voice | NBC | Reality/Competition | 0.66 | 6.110 | 0.50% ↑ | 0.45% ↑ |
| 7 | 911 | FOX | Drama | 0.65 | 4.930 | 0.72% ↑ | 0.47% ↑ |
| 8 | NBC Election Coverage | NBC | News | 0.63 | 3.110 | 0.35% ↑ | 0.38% ↑ |
| 9 | Chicago Med | NBC | Drama | 0.62 | 6.600 | 0.25% ↑ | 0.36% ↑ |
| 10 | The Equalizer | CBS | Drama | 0.61 | 6.850 | 0.43% ↑ | 0.37% ↑ |
| 11 | Chicago PD | NBC | Drama | 0.60 | 5.410 | 0.21% ↑ | 0.32% ↑ |
| 12 | Big Brother | CBS | Reality/Competition | 0.60 | 3.180 | 0.59% ↑ | 0.35% ↑ |
| 13 | The Masked Singer | FOX | Reality/Competition | 0.59 | 3.520 | 0.22% ↑ | 0.33% ↑ |
| 14 | FBI | CBS | Drama | 0.57 | 7.040 | 0.33% ↑ | 0.28% ↑ |
| 15 | Young Sheldon | CBS | Comedy | 0.56 | 7.000 | 0.11% ↑ | 0.26% ↑ |
| 16 | Law and Order: SVU | NBC | Drama | 0.56 | 4.510 | 0.12% ↑ | 0.23% ↑ |
| 17 | Friday Night Smackdown | FOX | Reality/Competition | 0.55 | 2.300 | 0.14% ↑ | 0.24% ↑ |
| 18 | ABC Election Coverage | ABC | News | 0.54 | 3.310 | 0.51% ↑ | 0.30% ↑ |
| 19 | Bachelor in Paradise | ABC | Reality/Competition | 0.54 | 2.280 | 0.06% ↑ | 0.30% ↑ |
| 20 | WWE’s Friday Night Smackdown | FOX | Reality/Competition | 0.54 | 2.210 | 0.12% ↑ | 0.22% ↑ |
| 21 | The Neighborhood | CBS | Comedy | 0.53 | 5.240 | 0.05% ↑ | 0.19% ↑ |
| 22 | The Great North | FOX | Comedy | 0.53 | 1.630 | 0.17% ↑ | 0.20% ↑ |
| 23 | Ghosts | CBS | Comedy | 0.52 | 6.180 | 0.03% ↑ | 0.17% ↑ |
| 24 | The Conners | ABC | Comedy | 0.51 | 3.700 | 0.16% ↑ | 0.23% ↑ |
| 25 | Abbot Elementary | ABC | Comedy | 0.50 | 2.680 | 0.14% ↑ | 0.21% ↑ |
| 26 | Station 19 | ABC | Drama | 0.49 | 3.860 | 0.45% ↑ | 0.18% ↑ |
| 27 | Grey’s Anatomy | ABC | Drama | 0.49 | 3.500 | 0.45% ↑ | 0.18% ↑ |
| 28 | Law and Order | NBC | Drama | 0.48 | 4.220 | -0.04% ↓ | 0.05% ↑ |
| 29 | Shark Tank | ABC | Reality/Competition | 0.47 | 3.530 | -0.08% ↓ | 0.14% ↑ |
| 30 | Law and Order: Organized Crime | NBC | Drama | 0.47 | 3.400 | -0.06% ↓ | 0.03% ↑ |
| 41 | La Brea | NBC | Drama | 0.42 | 3.460 | -0.16% ↓ | -0.08% ↓ |
| 50 | Quantum Leap | NBC | Drama | 0.37 | 2.600 | -0.26% ↓ | -0.19% ↓ |
With Nexstar Media group now taking over at The CW, the fate of all the current shows is up in the air. They have indicated that they will not carry over many (if any) shows from the prior regime as they focus on cheaper programming targeting an older audience. Stargirl has already been cancelled and it is the fifth highest-rated show on the network this season. The Supernatural spin-off The Winchesters is the third highest-rated show, but that does not make it safe. And Kung Fu is at Number 7 with notable drops in viewership year-over-year. A Call to Action for all of these shows is definitely needed in order to keep them going, most likely on a different venue like HBO Max (though that streamer has been doing a lot of cancelling itself lately).
Below are the Top 30 broadcast network shows for non-repeat, non-special, and non-sports programming based on ratings results through October 9th for The CW.
| Rank | Program | Network | Category | StD Rtg | StD Tot Vwrs | Network Category Perfomance | Network Performance |
| 1 | All American | CW | Drama | 0.11 | 0.460 | 0.57% ↑ | 0.66% ↑ |
| 2 | All American: Homecoming | CW | Drama | 0.11 | 0.360 | 0.57% ↑ | 0.66% ↑ |
| 3 | The Winchesters | CW | Drama | 0.10 | 0.570 | 0.42% ↑ | 0.51% ↑ |
| 4 | Walker | CW | Drama | 0.09 | 0.750 | 0.28% ↑ | 0.36% ↑ |
| 5 | Stargirl | CW | Drama | 0.08 | 0.450 | 0.14% ↑ | 0.21% ↑ |
| 6 | Penn and Teller | CW | Reality/Competition | 0.07 | 0.680 | 0.14% ↑ | 0.06% ↑ |
| 7 | Kung Fu | CW | Drama | 0.07 | 0.410 | 0.00% ↓ | 0.06% ↑ |
| 8 | Whose Line Is It Anyway | CW | Reality/Competition | 0.06 | 0.520 | -0.02% ↓ | -0.09% ↓ |
| 9 | Killer Camp | CW | Reality/Competition | 0.06 | 0.230 | -0.02% ↓ | -0.09% ↓ |
| 10 | Walker: Independence | CW | Drama | 0.05 | 0.540 | -0.29% ↓ | -0.25% ↓ |
| 11 | Great Chocolate Showdown | CW | Reality/Competition | 0.05 | 0.330 | -0.18% ↓ | -0.25% ↓ |
| 12 | Family Law | CW | Drama | 0.05 | 0.300 | -0.29% ↓ | -0.25% ↓ |
| 13 | Professionals | CW | Drama | 0.05 | 0.290 | -0.29% ↓ | -0.25% ↓ |
| 14 | Coroner | CW | Drama | 0.04 | 0.360 | -0.43% ↓ | -0.40% ↓ |
| 15 | Bump | CW | Comedy | 0.04 | 0.210 | -0.06% ↓ | -0.40% ↓ |
| 16 | Devils | CW | Drama | 0.03 | 0.170 | -0.57% ↓ | -0.55% ↓ |
CancelledSciFi.com: Keep up with the status updates of all the currently airing sci fi and fantasy shows with our Cancellation Watch posts. And be sure to follow the Cancelled Sci Fi Twitter Site for breaking news and updates.
SciFiTVSite.com: Follow our Sci Fi TV Schedule for all the currently airing and upcoming sci fi and fantasy television shows, and you can see the premieres for all the upcoming genre entries at this link.
