Abbott Elementary is ABCs first breakout hit in years. I would imagine Disney is hoping for multiple Emmy Nominations for the show across the board to help it grow into a bigger hit for season 2. But I think to help facilitate that, they need to schedule it differently then they currently have it set.
The 8p hour remains ABCs most viewed hour on the network, especially 8-8:30. Its rare that viewers grow at 9 on any night of the week. Even on Thursday, Grey’s Anatomy, ABC’s biggest scripted hit, and which is a much bigger hit than its Station 19 lead in when you factor in delayed viewing, has less viewers in Same day ratings on Thursday. Whether that’s because 8p has higher HUT levels, OR because many ABC stations air the much viewed Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune leading into primetime or because theres an extra hour for people to catch up on same day DVR viewing or more likely, a combination of all 3 (or mostly the first 2)- it’s just a fact. Even 2 hour reality shows like The Bachelor, where the drama builds as the show goes on, tends to lose some viewers at 9p. On Wednesdays, The Goldbergs airing at 8p has had more viewers than every other ABC Wed comedy these last few years. Last night, (June 1st), ABC aired reruns of their new fall Wednesday comedy schedule which now has The Conners leading off the night with The Goldbergs airing at 8:30. True to form, now The Conners was the most viewed show of the night with 2.2 milion viewers. Goldbergs now airing at 8:30 lost almost a million to 1.3 mil. America didnt suddenly decide they’d rather watch The Conners. It just happens to now be airing at 8p. Abbott Elementary airing at its new Wednesday timeslot of 9p held virtually all of Goldbergs in viewers and demo to almost 1.3 million, but 1.3 mil and a .21 is not 2.2 mil and .34. I feel like this is a preview of what’s to come in the fall. I get why ideally ABC wants to air Abbott at 9. It’s the midway anchor of the night. Its airing in Modern Family’s old slot which it inhabited for 11 years and they clearly want to communicate that it’s the heir apparent. They’re also hoping shows airing after it will benefit. Also, there’s less competition at 9 (Survivor and as of now The Masked Singer air at 8p- FOX has yet to announce their fall sked and I wouldn’t be surprised if they moved TMS to Thursday where theres no reality ). But lets be honest. The Conners and especially The Goldbergs are shows past their prime and not likely to give Abbott a lead in better than Wheel of Fortune or a boost airing at 8p would. Also the TV climate is way different then when Modern Fam launched in 2009 and airing Abbott at 9 when every other network has their highest rated hits at 8p (Chicago shows on NBC are huge) would likely lessen Abbott’s viewing at 9. As is, Conners/Goldbergs are likely to be deep in 4th place on Wednesdays this fall which already puts Abbott at 9 at a disadvantage. Even if Abbott builds, it would be coming from a depressed 8p hour. If ABC truly wants Abbott to blow up in year 2 they would be much better served scheduling it at 8p. Unlike the aforementioned comedies, Abbott is their present and future and they should do all they can to nurture it to be as big of a hit as possible.
While I am making suggestions, I do not comprehend ABCs treatment of The Wonder Years. After Abbott, its their youngest show, having launched only last fall and creatively those are the two best comedies currently on the network. It’s now being benched until January and being asked to produce half a season unlike every other other current ABC comedy and down from the full 22 episodes they produced in season 1. Hard to not see that as a demotion. Its also part of an unfortunate trend at ABC. The last two years ABC benched Blackish to January while being the only show on the network still garnering Emmy nominations. So this is the third year in a row the network is holding back their only black family comedy. Its a bad look especially when the show they’re favoring isn’t even doing better. ABCs favorite child these days seems to be Home Economics. After following The Goldbergs in year 1 and The Conners in its just concluded second season, its now the lottery winner and will air behind Abbott in year 3. Meanwhile The Wonder Years isnt even important enough to ABC to air reruns of it this summer. It all has the look and feel of a network that isn’t totally behind The Wonder Years, a show that is the only broadcast show currently nominated for a Peabody Award.
If ABC is not going to use Abbott to launch a new comedy then the next best option would be to put The Wonder Years after it. There might be many viewers that havent even seen it yet. After all, Abbott aired on Tuesdays this year while The Wonder Years was following The Goldbergs on Wednesday. Yes its on HULU and Disney Plus but there are many old school viewers like Quinta Brunson’s own mother (as she has discussed) that still watch linear TV and don’t subscribe to streaming services. The Wonder Years could potentially pick up many new viewers airing after Abbott. While I have nothing against Home Economics, ABCs devotion to it is rather inexplicable. It’s not higher rated than The Wonder Years. Last night’s rerun was the lowest rated show of the night from 8-11, getting under a million viewers and a .16 in the demo. A Press Your Luck rerun at 10 built significantly in all measures out of Home Ec. So its really hard to understand why ABC thinks suddenly the show will blossom in year 3 and wants to bestow the lead in from their only hit in years on it. Meanwhile, The Wonder Years is the only ABC/Disney Wednesday comedy they fully own.
I think if ABC truly wants Abbott to blow up in season two, and they should do all that they can to help that happen, they would be much better served airing it at 8p. Here’s what I think would be a better schedule for them:
8p Abbott Elementary/8:30 The Wonder Years/9p The Conners/9:30 The Goldbergs
Abbott has the best chance to be seen by the most viewers and it can then showcase The Wonder Years to many more potential viewers than have seen it thus far. The Goldbergs likely will do better than recent 9:30 occupants and can provide a better lead into Big Sky at 10. The Goldbergs is likely entering its final season and The Conners isn’t far behind. So at least give Abbott its best shot at growth in year 2. Home Economics can return at midseason.