After a year chock full of clunker’s like Conveyer Belt of Love and Jay Leno will viewers find better fare this year?  The answer is…not likely. 

While each network has one or two shows that have potential for moderate success, not one looks to be a bona fide hit like this season’s Modern Family.Drama, Comedy Genres Return
In total the networks will be introducing 26 new shows this fall, 17 dramas, seven comedies and two reality shows. And all the while, the networks are readying sixteen more shows as midseason replacements for summer runs or to replace failing shows.

This year’s crop of prime programming sees a return of scripted dramas and comedies. Dramas will have more self contained storylines, for viewers who simply cannot or do not have the time to commit to serialized shows (like Lost or 24). And the overarching theme shifts from sci-fi to action/adventure.

Comedies continue to make a comeback after hits like Glee and Modern Family made their way on the scene this season. Interestingly enough neither show concept has been copied for the upcoming season. Comedy themes this season will center on beautiful twenty and thirty-something’s struggling to balance love, life and work.

Network Strategies Aim for Consistency
The strategy was simple this year for each network, create a schedule that flowed more consistently and to plug holes from departing shows. CBS moved the aging Survivor to Wednesday in hopes of pumping up ratings but also to counter-program against ABC’s comedy block. In a bold move CBS moved The Big Bang Theory to Thursday night to compete directly with NBC’s established block of sitcoms. NBC’s goal is to put together a strong schedule in hopes of digging out of the hole left by the Jay Leno debacle. 

The success of these strategies will largely depend on the strength of the writing.  Too many times shows come out of the gate with a great pilot, but quickly fall flat due to poor writing.

Hits and Misses
Empower predicts there will be many more misses than hits this fall. There don’t appear to be any breakout hits on the schedule; however, the few to likely have moderate success are Mike and Molly, Love Bites and The Whole Truth.  The list of misses is pretty lengthy and those likely to see early cancelation are The Defenders, Detroit 1-8-7 and Outsourced.

:: By Susan McClellan, Empower MediaMarketing Senior National Broadcast Strategist