For the past couple of years, ABC has had the largest comedy contingent on the schedule with three blocks, 8-10 PM on Tuesday and Wednesday and 8-9 PM on Friday, for a 10 half-hour series total. Th…
Related StoryI hear one of ABC brass’ explanations for the comedy cancellations has been that the network will go down in comedy hours, possibly down to a single comedy block. While the pullback may not be that drastic, it is safe to assume that on ABC’s “return” schedule — whether it’s fall, late fall or winer, depending when Hollywood production will be able to resume — there will be the network’s signature Wednesday 9-10 PM comedy block.
While this is retreat from where ABC has been the last few seasons, the network’s 2020-21 comedy roster is in line with the other networks. CBS has had six half-hour comedies on the schedule in the last couple of seasons and is doing the same \next season. NBC, which is yet to give series orders on any of its pilots and to decide the fate of a couple of remaining bubble series, has five comedies — two returning and three new ones — on tap for next season. Fox, which has been shifting its comedy business to animation, has one returning live-action comedy series and is likely to pick up at least one new one from its pool of pilots, along with seven animated series.
In their comedy renewal decisions, ABC brass went for the strongest performers and those that made the most financial sense. The live-action network comedy business has been increasingly challenging, with the off-network syndication marker a shadow of its old self and only selected few broadcast comedies having what it takes to become a strong streaming draw and score a digital revenue windfall.