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ABC Entertainment’s new President Takes Big Swing at Programming in 2016

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Disney recently replaced ABC President Paul Lee with network insider Channing Dungey. In her first set of upfronts (where the network tries to woo advertisers by listing new shows), Dungey has taken some bold steps with renewals, new shows, and the dreaded cancellation stick.

She’s also tried to pull the trigger as early as she could this year. That will give ABC’s 2016 teams a head start and retaining or hiring the best talent and sometimes having the best writing crew can make the difference between success or failure.

Of last year’s remaining crop of shows only four were renewed including dramas Quantico and The Catch, plus sit-coms Dr. Ken and The Real O’Neals. That brings ABC’s total of comedies to six strong contenders including Modern Family, The Goldbergs, The Middle, Black-ish, and Fresh Off the Boat. Veteran Last Man Standing is still awaiting news of its future.

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Primtetime shows cancelled were Galavant, Castle, The Muppets, Agent Carter, The Family, and Nashville. Returning will be Agents of SHIELD, American Crime, Grey’s Anatomy, How to Get Away with Murder, Once Upon a Time, Scandal, and Shark Tank.

Finally there’s a strong slate of new shows lined up for fall 2016.

Dramas:
Designated Survivor
Still Star-Crossed (A period piece that picks up where Romeo and Juliet left off)
Conviction (stars Hayley Atwell as daughter fo a former president working to acquit those wrongly convicted of a crime)
Time After Time (A time travel detective story based on the movie and novel)
Notorious (based on the life of real life attorney Mark Geragos and cable news producer Wendy Walker)

Comedy:
Downward Dog (A sit-com where the family dog talks)
Imaginary Mary (Jenna Elfman returns to TV)
Untitled Sarah Dunn – (Formerly The Second Fattest Housewife in Westport)

It’s always sad when someone’s favorite show is canceled, but I don’t think you can look at the ratings for shows on this list and really think ABC made any bad decisions. There are a couple new shows I’m already pretty excited about too. As always, the proof is in the pudding, but it was a good move to pull the cord early this year.

Any new shows you’re looking forward to? Any departing shows you’re really going to miss?

Previously: The state of Marvel TV after Agent Carter is cancelled.

3 thoughts on “ABC Entertainment’s new President Takes Big Swing at Programming in 2016”

  1. Laughter is good medicine for the soul and health, Fresh Off the Boat and Blackish make me laugh, a lot! Please don’t cancel these shows, they’re aren’t that many left!
    Thank you

  2. Every time I get invested in an ABC show they cancel it. Definitely won’t be committing to any new shows in the future, not worth the heartbreak.

  3. How can Last Man Standing not be renewed? That show and The Middle are easily the funniest comedies on the channel, maybe all of the networks. (BBT has really misfired this year).

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