Ratings Roundup for the Week of February 4, 2024

ABC finally premiered some scripted content last week. Abbott Elementary took the top spot for a scripted show even though its premiere was down from last season. Network execs must have liked what they saw as the show was renewed for a fourth season the day after its premiere. The network also announced renewals for Jeopardy! Masters and Celebrity Family Feud. Both game shows will move back to the summer schedule next season. The Conners premiered down from last season. Not Dead Yet opened up a few tens of thousands of viewers from the end of last season. 

CBS saw huge numbers for The 66th Grammy Awards. The annual statue ceremony pulled in its highest viewer numbers in four years. The Eye Network filled most of the rest of its schedule with pre-Super Bowl programs, all of which were down from previous years. 

NBC continues to be the only network running a regular slate of scripted content. Law & Order: SVU was down four hundred thousand viewers, but it still had enough to take the top spot. The Irrational was up while Quantum Leap lost a hundred thousand more viewers it couldn't afford. The silence on the future of the show has been deafening and fans may want to brace for the worst come May. (let's just hope Ben gets a better ending than Sam.) Night Court picked up another two hundred thousand viewers last week and should be an easy renewal. Extended Family was up one hundred thousand viewers and should be renewed. 

FOX had a quiet week. Animal Control was renewed for a third season ahead of its second season premiere next month.  The Floor and Next Level Chef were up one hundred thousand viewers each. Farmer Wants A Wife lost one hundred thousand viewers off its premiere. Celebrity Name That Tune was also down one hundred thousand viewers. 
 

TheCW, in a bid to remain relevant dropped the "The" from its network name last week, and is now just CW. The network also preempted Penn & Teller: Fool Us for a week to air LIV Golf in its place. The move cost them four hundred thousand viewers. 
 

As mentioned a few times last fall, IASTE (International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees) begins negotiations for their new contract in a few weeks. These are the behind-the-scenes crew responsible for making television and movie content. Union leadership has already stated they will not allow for a contract extension if negotiations drag past the current contract end date. This means there could be another work stoppage in Hollywood if there isn't a new contract in place by July 24. This won't affect current television productions hoping to get short seasons produced before May 2024, however, a strike of any real length will affect the fall production calendar.