These Broadcast TV Shows Are Still on the Bubble — And Most Aren’t Looking Good

If you’ve been keeping track of our renewal scorecard, you already know most broadcast networks have made their calls. Now that we’re into May, eight scripted shows are still on the bubble, and the wait is getting tense for fans and the people behind them.

Broadcast networks have leaned into earlier renewals in recent years, with CBS wrapping everything weeks ago.

NBC, on the other hand, is dragging things out, and with one of its strongest pilot slates in years, that’s not a great sign for anything currently on the schedule.

Below, I’ve rounded up the shows still in limbo and whether there’s any real path forward.

UPDATE: NBC has canceled some of these shows. I have updated below.

Brilliant Minds — NBC – Canceled

Brilliant Minds scored a surprise renewal after a soft linear run last season, with NBC pointing to strong multiplatform numbers to justify the decision and hand out a full-season order.

That goodwill didn’t carry over. Brilliant Minds Season 2 has struggled creatively and in the ratings, and NBC’s decision to pull it from the schedule says everything. The remaining episodes are set to burn off later this month.

Summer burn-offs may have faded for a while, but between that move and the renewed focus on pilots, NBC is slipping back into old habits. Expect a decision once the final episodes air, and it’s hard to see it going in the show’s favor.

Update: NBC canceled Brilliant Minds after two seasons.

The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins — NBC – Renewed

The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins got off to a strong start with a January preview that pulled in 5.8 million viewers and a 1.4 in the demo.

Once it moved to its regular slot, the drop-off was steep. The most recent episode managed just 1.5 million viewers and a 0.2 rating.

At that level, there’s not much of a case for renewal. Multiplatform viewing could soften the blow, but the linear trend is doing it no favors. A second season would be a real surprise.

Update: Well, color us surprised, because as of May 5, NBC has renewed this one. We’ll likely get 10 episodes in the sophomore season, and hopefully, it’ll get a stronger push to boost ratings and give it a fighting chance.

Going Dutch — FOX – Canceled

Going Dutch is averaging 0.9 million viewers and a 0.1 rating, numbers that would make it a solid performer on The CW.

The only argument in its favor is that it was renewed with similar numbers last year, suggesting FOX saw some upside. Two seasons in, though, there’s still no traction.

Shows rarely get this much runway anymore, and it doesn’t feel like this one has done enough with it.

Update: After two seasons and a lot of leeway, FOX has finally called it quits on Going Dutch.

The Hunting Party — NBC

The Hunting Party landed a midseason slot behind Law & Order: SVU, which should have given it a solid platform. It hasn’t translated.

The ratings have been soft across the board, putting it in the same territory as shows that already look done.

There’s been some lift on Netflix, and that helps the narrative, but streaming bumps rarely save struggling broadcast series. NBC has been down this road before, and it usually ends the same way.

Law & Order — NBC – Renewed

Law & Order has already survived one cancellation and a decade off the air, so counting it out completely would be a mistake.

The current numbers are respectable by NBC standards, hovering around 3.7 million viewers and a 0.2 rating, which puts it ahead of much of the network’s lineup.

Still, it’s an expensive show with a long history, and NBC has a wave of new pilots waiting in the wings.

This one could go either way, and it may come down to how much value the network still sees in the brand.

Update: The mothership pulled through! NBC has renewed Law & Order for its 26th season, which is a relief. But we’ll likely see some cast cuts or maybe a shortened season for budgetary reasons. We’ll learn what the schedule looks like for it at NBC’s Upfronts, so stay tuned!

Murder in a Small Town — FOX – Renewed

As a co-production, Murder in a Small Town operates under different expectations than most broadcast series.

The ratings have been solid enough for FOX, which makes the lack of a renewal a bit puzzling. More episodes are reportedly in production, which keeps things interesting.

The bigger question is whether FOX actually plans to air them.

Update: We heard you LOUD and clear across our comments and on social media. But we also finally heard what’s official from FOX, and that’s what we had to go by, Fanatics!

Nevertheless, our passionate article about our cancellation fears aside, we’re happy to report that the series HAS been renewed for a third season. And the legendary Peter Gallagher will be joining the cast, too!

Gallagher will play Rod Finlayson, a charismatic, uber-independent, capable yet unreliable figure, whose arrival at the Gibsons’ marina on his beloved boat sets up a sequence of upheavals that Alberg and Cassandra will have to grapple with.

RJ Decker — ABC – Renewed

RJ Decker arrived as another strong procedural for ABC, delivering steady linear numbers and a solid multiplatform debut.

The hope is that momentum held, because the silence since the finale isn’t encouraging.

It’s the only ABC scripted series still waiting on a decision, which makes it stand out in the worst way.

There’s always a chance the network is holding the announcement for upfronts, but if a renewal were locked, it likely would have been announced by now.

Update: ABC completes its clean sweep of renewals by renewing RJ Decker for a second season!

Stumble — NBC – Canceled

Stumble lived up to its name early on but has settled into a consistent, if unremarkable, performer.

It’s not the lowest-rated show on the network, but it hasn’t generated much buzz either, which can be just as damaging.

A small midseason order isn’t out of the question, but a full renewal feels like a long shot.

NBC has canceled Stumble.