ABC, the only network to have bypassed handing out early renewals for its series, is finally feeling generous.
Returning for the 2014-2015 season are Scandal, Grey’s Anatomy, Once Upon a Time, Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Resurrection, Castle and Revenge, as well as comedies Modern Family and The Goldbergs.
Among the #soobvious renewals is that for Scandal. The buzzy soap starring Kerry Washington didn’t slow in its third season, storyline-wise, or buzz-wise. And it translated in the ratings, with it averaging a 3.0 among the advertiser-coveted 18-49 demographic and nine million total viewers, numbers that increase significantly when DVR viewings over seven days are factored in.
Rhimes’ other addictive soap, Grey’s Anatomy, will return for an 11th season. The veteran medical drama remains a force on ABC’s slate. This season saw the exit of original cast member Sandra Oh.
Meanwhile, fantasy drama Once Upon a Time got a life extension even while its Alice in Wonderland spin-off got the boot earlier in the season. Its third season took a slight dip, averaging a 2.2 among the 18-49 demo on crowded Sunday night.
And newbies Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. survived the cut. The renewal, despite its modest ratings, was not unexpected and comes in conjunction with the pick-up of another Marvel property and Captain America spin-off Marvel’s Agent Carter. As for freshman drama Resurrection, the show about dead people returning to life in a small town, has been a strong performer in the demo.
Also returning to the network is modest-performing Revenge and long-running procedural Castle. The Monday night drama, which averages 10 million viewers in its current run, will return for a seventh season.
On the comedy side, the long-running Modern Family and newbie The Goldbergs are the first laffers on the network to score renewals.
Modern Family, an Emmy force and strong ratings performer, will return for a sixth season. While ’80s-set The Goldbergs, a semi-autobigraphical comedy from showrunner Adam F Goldberg and executive producer Seth Gordon, will return for a second season after a strong first season. It launched to a 3.2 in the young adult demo and has managed to surpass Fox’s New Girl in live-plus-same day airings.