We are about five weeks away from the major broadcast networks’ announcements of their new fall schedules — which will mean judgment day for existing shows whose fates are still in limbo.
Many series have already been renewed, including — just last week — CBS drama “Criminal Minds,” the future of which was in doubt after 12 seasons on the air. It’s a nerve-racking time, though, for the people who work on those other so-called “bubble” shows — programs with so-so ratings, which networks can either drag along for another season, or drop very easily without shocking anyone.
Here’s a look at which shows are in danger of getting the cut come May.
ABC
“Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.”
We know Disney loves Marvel, but with numbers like these (3.6 million viewers for its last episode), it would take some superheroics to keep this drama on the air for much longer.
“American Crime”
The low-rated anthology series (only 1.7 million viewers watched Sunday night, though the number grows on DVR) is ironically the network’s only prestige drama, regularly racking up Emmy nominations, including back-to-back awards for Regina King. So if creator John Ridley wants to do a fourth season, the network will likely let him, despite the ratings.
“Quantico”
Moving this series to Sunday nights for Season 2 did not improve its performance with a confusing storyline that has turned viewers off. Priyanka Chopra is a star, but with only 4 million viewers tuning into her latest episode, it may be time for “Quantico” to sign off.
CBS
“2 Broke Girls”
That CBS did not include this icky sitcom, now in its sixth season, among its March renewals speaks volumes, but with a proven track record and a syndication deal, the “Girls” may squeak by for another year of bad jokes.
“Elementary”
The modern-day Sherlock Holmes has solved many a case throughout the series’ five-year run, but it was not among the 18 early renewals CBS announced last month — not a promising sign. The witty detective may soon be closing up shop.
“The Great Indoors”
Joel McHale’s freshman series has the unhappy distinction of being the network’s only new comedy not renewed for a second season. Still, ratings have been strong (about 7 million viewers per episode), so CBS could toss this one a last-minute lifeline.
FOX
“The Exorcist”
This 10-episode sequel to the 1973 film premiered with great fanfare but soon fizzled (its finale drew 3.1 million viewers over seven days). Still, Friday night shows have lower standards of success, and networks are known to keep lesser-watched genre fare airing that night for years (see NBC’s “Grimm”).
“Pitch”
The misbegotten female-driven baseball drama struck out in its initial 10-episode run in the fall on Thursdays, airing against ABC’s Shonda Rhimes-heavy lineup and NFL Thursday Night Football. It was never given an order for more episodes. Fox execs were high on this show, however, and could opt to give it another inning (perhaps in a new time slot).
“Rosewood”
The Morris Chestnut procedural did well when it was paired with “Empire” on Wednesday nights, but ratings have declined since its move to Thursdays for Season 2. Another move to Fridays midseason indicated that the show was in further trouble. Do not expect a renewal.
NBC
“The Blacklist” and “Blindspot”
The James Spader drama has lost its spooky edge, judging by its dwindling viewership (4.9 million for its last new episode), while the breathless woman-with-a-tattoo action series (which drew 4.3 million viewers) is pacing slightly behind. Expect NBC to keep only one of them, with the edge going to Spader’s “Blacklist.”
“Timeless”
Without any star power or awards interest to speak of, there’s not much reason for the network to invite this time-traveling drama back for another season, especially with numbers as soft as an average 1.8 demo rating — down 40 percent from what “Blindspot” did last season.