We are a few weeks into the fall TV season, now, and the only shows that have gotten the axe have been programs that aired over the summer rather than in the fall, such as Braindead. Still, there are some fall shows that are faring way better than others, and we've decided to compile a list of network TV's best and worst to give you a taste of which of your favorite shows are doing well and which aren't. Cable shows are a different beast and rely on different types of subscriptions, so for now we've kept this to the big 5 networks. Regardless, The Walking Dead returns this weekend, and we expect that series to be pretty dominant where ratings are concerned.
Please keep in mind that a few fall shows on other network channels have not premiered yet. To see what is still coming, check out our fall TV premiere schedule.
ABC
Winners: Grey's Anatomy. We can't express how well this show does despite the fact that most original members of the cast have left and despite the fact the show has been on for more than a decade. It doesn't just do well for being old, it also has been crushing all of the other Shonda Rhimes ShondaLand shows that air on Thursday nights in the ratings. ABC's Wednesday night comedy block has also been a solid, with The Goldbergs, Modern Family and black-ish dominating. Newcomer Speechless has also been a surprise winner for the network. If you haven't watched the charmer, I'd give it a shot.
Losers: Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. hit a series low in its most recent outing and we have to say that 10 p.m. timeslot has not been kind on the series. Quantico has also faltered in its second season, also hitting a series low this past weekend and pulling in only a .8 rating and 3 million total viewers. Even regularly solid performer Shark Tank has dropped in the ratings this season, affecting shows like Dr. Ken, although the Friday night situation is not dire, yet.
Of the other new TV offerings, Notorious and Conviction have worn out their welcome with audiences already. Conviction has done decently in total viewers but the Hayley Atwell starrer has only been averaging a .85 rating in the 18-49 demo. Notorious is in about the same boat.
CBS
Winners: It's too early to tell about CBS' new programs Bull and MacGyver as both had insanely high premieres before faltering somewhat, but right now both new dramas are sitting pretty in their timeslots. Newcomer Kevin Can Wait is also doing well. The usual suspects like NCIS and The Big Bang Theory are also pulling in big numbers, although the latter could still end thanks to some pesky contracts. Regardless, CBS has a lot of shows to be thankful for as we get closer to November.
Losers: Did we mention how hard CBS has been crushing? When your worst fall show ratings-wise is a younger-gearing procedural that has been thrown into the late night timeslot on Sunday and is still doing decent DVR ratings, you know you are in great shape. Elementary has been on the bubble for a few years now, and this might be the year the network ultimately decides to say goodbye to the drama. Sunday nights are tricky, and Madam Secretary is a barely doing over a 1.0 rating right now.
The CW
Winners: While down a bit in the ratings from its last outing on CBS, Supergirl has been a clear winner for the CW so far. The network premiered its programs a bit later than some of the other channels, so we are only a few weeks into the new episodes. Still, most of the CW's DC lineup is doing pretty well and The Flash, like Supergirl, is doing spectacularly, despite also seeing drops. Supernatural is also holding steady, as well.
Losers: The CW shows a notable gap in the ratings between its shows that are doing well and its shows that are not doing well. Newcomers Frequency and No Tomorrow are not doing well. No Tomorrow earned a .3 rating this week, which is low even for the CW's standards. Frequency's last episode did slight better, pulling in a .31.
Fox
Winners: We were a little skeptical about the Lethal Weapon reboot before its premiere, but so far it has proven it is connecting with viewers. The new series actually improved in the ratings last week and pulled a 1.9 rating and 6.7 million total viewers and Fox has already given the show an 18-episode order. Not too shabby for a freshman series. Elsewhere on Fox The Simpsons is also having a great season, mostly thanks to a stellar rating during last weekend's 600th episode. Empire, of course, is still the network's most valuable property.
Losers: While not a total ratings loser, I feel this is a perfect opportunity to lambast Fox for that poorly executed crossover between New Girl and Brookyln Nine-Nine that aired recently. The ratings actually fell during the crossover, dropping to a .9 for both shows, and with good reason. That crossover was barely a crossover, and it did not help Fox's Tuesday lineup out, at all.
Luckily, B-99 isn't Fox's biggest loser right now. Newcomer The Exorcist has failed to entice viewers and isn't even bringing in 2 million viewers each week. Rosewood has failed to maintain its first season audience now that it no longer airs in the same block as Empire, and its viewership, although steady, is not as good as the numbers it was pulling last year.
Winners: NBC has some big programs that are clearly still pulling in viewers, including The Voice and longer-running drama Chicago Fire. Even Law & Order: SVU is still proving its longevity. The network also has a breakout hit this year in This Is Us, with this week's episode pulling in 9.7 million viewers and a 2.6 rating. NBC may not bring in as many total viewers as CBS, but it is figuring out how to lock in the 18-49 demographic.
Losers: Compared to the numbers some of the other networks are dealing with, NBC doesn't really have a huge dud. Most shows are pulling well over a 1.0 rating right now, and so far the big exceptions have been juggernaut The Blacklist, which still pulled a 1.1 rating last night and brings in just huge DVR ratings. Last year's highly advertised series Blindspot also brought in a 1.1 rating on Wednesday. Newcomer Timeless has started dropping in the ratings, but it's too early to tell whether or not this will be a problem long-term.
