ABC on Sunday further clarified which of its programming would be broken up into two uninterrupted blocks of 12-episode runs, in addition to announcing its midseason schedule. Grey’s Anatomy, Nashville, Once Upon a Time, Revenge and Scandal will receive the split-run treatment.
ABC has renewed seven series, including comedies Modern Family and The Middle, as well as its popular dramas Grey’s Anatomy and Castle.
‘Time’ Stays Hot, Not So Other New Shows
It was a mixed night for new shows on Sunday. ABC’s Once Upon a Time continued to post strong numbers, tying Fox’s The Simpsons as the No. 1 non-sports series of the evening. But Fox’s Allen Gregory and ABC’s Pan Am once again put up disappointing ratings. Time averaged a 3.7 adults 18-49 rating at 8 p.m., down 5% from last week but still finishing second in the timeslot behind NBC’s dominant Sunday Night Football.
Exclusives
ABC has given full season orders to Once Upon a Time and Last Man Standing. Additionally, the network has extended the episode count for Happy Endings to 22 and has ordered five more scripts for the 1960s-set aviation drama Pan Am.
Strong Debut For ABC’s ‘Once Upon A Time’
For the first time in years, ABC has a new No. 1 show on Sunday night. The series premiere of the new fantasy drama Once Upon a Time became the first ABC program to outrate the network’s longtime hit Desperate Housewives since Grey’s Anatomy six years ago. Time averaged a 3.9 adults 18-49 rating at 8 p.m., 30% ahead of lead-out Housewives, which averaged a 3.0 at 9 p.m.
Users of Entertainment Weekly‘s Must List app will be able to click on an ad for ABC-TV’s Once Upon a Time to read the show’s pilot script from within the app. The show premieres Sunday, and the ad will be on the app until Oct. 31.The ad is seizing on the social TV trend, which combines viewing and social interaction as viewers try to deepen their engagement with shows.
