There has been a wave of early renewals this year, as networks have shown confidence in some of their higher performing shows. While Superstore is by no means NBC's highest rated show, it is one of the few comedies on the network that have achieved a bit of notice. With that in mind, it's fairly easy to see why NBC handed down the news that Superstore has been renewed for Season 3, although the timing is interesting.
NBC announced on Tuesday that the network is 100% bringing back Superstore for the 2017-2018 TV season. When breaking the news, the network also revealed it has enough confidence in the comedy to sign on for a full 22-episode order next season. The Thursday night performer has been averaging a 1.2 rating in the 18-49 demo on NBC, so a renewal was always likely. However, what's striking about the Superstore renewal is how early it is coming.
While it was a no-brainer when NBC renewed This is Us a few short weeks ago, Superstore is on much lower footing ratings-wise. That doesn't mean the show is a bad performer; as noted prior, it was doing solidly enough. However, it wasn't doing so well that we would think NBC would be super keen to announce the retail-oriented comedy would be moving forward before renewal orders happened for some of the network's other long-running shows. In fact, I think Superstore's early renewal says more about the state of NBC's comedy lineup right now than it does about Superstore's overall success.
The network only has a smattering comedies in the lineup this season, including Superstore, The Good Place, Powerless, the upcoming March series Trial & Error and the currently benched The Carmichael Show. That's not exactly a thriving comedy lineup. Hopefully, over the next couple of seasons, NBC can build off the successes of the already-renewed Superstore and The Good Place and go from there. We're a long way off from a must-see TV comedy lineup on Thursday nights, but quirky shows like the ones listed in this paragraph are a good start. They just need to be paired with a runaway hit or two.
Of course, we're currently in the middle of pilot season, and although NBC may be willing to announce that Superstore has been renewed for Season 3, it's still very likely we will have to wait until May to find out whether any new comedies will be joining the lineup next year. The network does have some comedy pilots in the works from the likes of Tina Fey and Mindy Kaling, so here's hoping that at least a few of these pan out. I'm sure NBC is hoping for another Friends type of hit, but I'd be happy if the network could just find the next The Office.
For now, you can take a look at what TV has coming up with our midseason TV premiere schedule.
