It’s almost March and at this point only CBS has given early renewals to a handful of shows. The CW has only renewed one show, All American. ABC just announced that The Goldbergs current season will be its final season. It is currently in season 10. What shows have a shot of getting renewed? This will be a multi part post. The focus today will be ABC.

ABC

ABC is not known for giving out early renewals the way other networks have. The fact ABC renewed Abbott Elementary this early shows how much the network loves the show. Even hit shows typically had to wait until May for the official renewal including Lost, Desperate Housewives, Grey’s Anatomy, and many more. There are a lot of shows that were sure bets they’d get renewed. No one thought Lost or Desperate Housewives would end without having proper final seasons. Even though most of ABC’s roster has yet to be renewed, I think a fair amount of the lineup will be intact next season. When it comes to Grey’s Anatomy, I believe Grey’s will get the final season treatment whenever that may be.

Abbot Elementary

Renewed for season 3. Given it’s critically acclaimed I foresee that this will last awhile.

Alaska Daily

Currently in its first season. This could go either way. It has a slight chance of getting renewed however I think ABC will end up axing it. From my understanding the show does not have the type of buzz the network was hoping for especially given the star power of Hilary Swank.

American Idol

Currently in season 6 for the ABC version. It probably will get renewed. Until this bleeds out ratings wise, I think ABC will keep it for many years to come.

The Bachelor

Currently in season 27. It will probably get renewed. The Bachelor and its spinoffs are still very popular. ABC is not going to want to get rid of Bachelor Nation.

Big Sky

Just wrapped up season 3. It has a decent shot of getting renewed. Given the buzz this show attracts and the stars it gets each season, I could see this lasting a few more years.

The Company You Keep

Just had its series premiere. It probably will get cancelled. Given the late date and the fact it did not break any ratings records, I think ABC will let it air its season and get rid of it. There is always the slight chance it could get renewed. It is also too early to tell. It did not hold that great following American Idol. I think ABC will take that into consideration. Maybe this will get a streaming boost.

The Conners

Currently in season 5. It has a good shot of being renewed. It’s a consistent performer and it is an established sitcom. With The Goldbergs ending in May, The Conners will be ABC’s current longest sitcom. I think it will get a season 6 and could probably last a few more years.

The Good Doctor

Currently in season 6. It will probably get renewed. The only way I could see it not getting renewed is if star Freddie Highmore wants to end the show. Even if that were the case, I think it would get renewed for a final season to have a proper farewell. Also, an upcoming episode is supposed to serve as a backdoor pilot to a spinoff series, The Good Lawyer. Given they are planning a spinoff, I think ABC plans on keeping The Good Doctor for a while.

Grey’s Anatomy

Currently in season 19. I think it has a good chance of getting renewed and making it to 20 seasons. The big question is if the show can survive without star Ellen Pompeo who just exited the show in the last episode. I think the rest of the season will be a test to see if it can go on without Meredith Grey. If the remaining audience starts to flee, it may be time to end the show. I do see ABC renewing it for one more final season. When all is said and done Grey’s Anatomy is the longest running hospital show and is one of the longest running shows in primetime only behind Gunsmoke, Law & Order: SVU, Law & Order, and of course The Simpsons which is in season 34.

Home Economics

Currently in season 3. It has a good shot at getting renewed. With The Goldbergs ending, I think ABC will want to keep as much of its sitcom block in tack.

Not Dead Yet

Currently in its first season. Too early to tell but I think it will probably get cancelled. I think if ABC has limited slots for sitcoms, they will choose their veteran sitcoms over this and use this slot to launch a new show.

The Rookie

Currently in season 5. It will probably get renewed. It launched a spinoff this year and it is a consistent performer.

The Rookie: Feds

Currently in its first season. It is a spinoff of The Rookie. It will probably get renewed as well. I think ABC will want to keep both The Rookie and The Rookie: Feds for as long as possible.

The Wonder Years

Season 2 premieres in the summer. Too early to tell, however it doesn’t look good that ABC delayed this to the summer. It was originally set as a midseason show. There is a stronger chance this will end up getting canceled unless ABC decides to have this a summer series.

Shark Tank

Currently in season 14. It will probably get renewed. It’s a consistent performer.

Station 19

Currently in season 6. It will probably get renewed. I think regardless what happens with Grey’s Anatomy, that ABC will want to hold onto this for as long as possible. I see it lasting a few more years.

Will Trent

Currently in its first season. It will probably get cancelled. I see ABC using this slot to try to launch another show.

ABC has a lot to think about before May hits. I think the big question will be what to do about Grey’s Anatomy. What happens if Grey’s does not hold up in the ratings now that the lead is gone. Grey’s Anatomy has survived numerous cast changes through its nineteen years including some heavy hitters like Patrick Dempsey, Sandra Oh, Katherine Heigl, and Justin Chambers to name a few. As time has gone on people have stopped watching once more and more characters have exited. One constant was Ellen Pompeo, and most have assumed that the show would end once she was ready to leave. We will see if this season ends up being the end or if it will make it to a landmark 20^th season and also possibly serving as a final season. The Bachelor and Shark Tank are no brainers. They will probably last until there isn’t an audience anymore. The Conners will probably go on for a few more years. I think that will come down to if the cast starts to want out. Once the leads of the show want to leave, that will probably mark the end for the series. Even though they have not handed out many early renewals, there is not really a mystery to what ABC will do. Whereas there is mystery with the CW and the fate of their shows, people can rest assured that a fair amount of their favorites will continue for another season. ABC just usually waits until May to reveal their plans.