For ABC, bigger changes than the rest
The network has five new shows for fall, more than Fox or NBC
May 18, 2016

The catchphrase at the broadcast upfronts this week so far has been stability. NBC and Fox made minimal changes to their schedules, introducing just three new shows apiece and sticking largely with the same programming strategies they used last year.
But everyone knew stability wouldn’t be the theme of ABC’s fall schedule.
The network, which has seen sharp ratings declines this season and ranks fourth among the Big Four among adults 18-49, is making substantial changes on four of five weeknights and will introduce five new shows this fall.
The network released its lineup Tuesday in advance of its presentation to media buyers and advertisers.
It’s the first schedule overseen by new ABC Entertainment president Channing Dungey, who replaced the ousted Paul Lee early this year. Dungey is well-respected by colleagues, and buyers think she’s very smart, so there are higher hopes for the network in the coming year.
But Dungey certainly has challenges ahead.
For one thing, she was hired in February, and although she worked for ABC already, she didn’t have full control over the entire development season, coming in midway through the process. So she had to choose from some shows Lee already had in development.
She will also start the fall without one of the network’s top dramas, “Scandal,” which will be on hiatus while star Kerry Washington has baby No. 2.
And she’s reportedly been directed by Ben Sherwood, president of Disney-ABC Television Group, to make ABC’s programming more broadly appealing, no small feat for a network that has spent much of the past decade courting women 18-49.
Dungey’s new lineup reflects that mandate in many ways. The network is adding another hour of comedy on Tuesdays, moving well-established sitcom “The Middle” from Wednesdays to anchor the night, and adding two family-focused comedies.
It also has two new legal shows and a thriller starring Kiefer Sutherland, all three sure to draw a more diverse audience than the latest Shondaland show. (No disrespect to Shonda Rhimes, of course – she has five shows on ABC next season, counting two midseason programs, and that’s an incredible feat.)
Here’s a night-by-night look at ABC’s schedule.
Monday
“Dancing with the Stars” remains from 8 to 10 p.m., followed by the new drama “Conviction,” in which Hayley Atwell plays a woman from a political family who is helping to overturn wrongful convictions.
Tuesday
The network has had an 8 p.m. comedy hour the past few years, and now it adds one at 9 p.m., too. “Middle” leads off the night, followed by new show “American Housewife,” about a mom who isn’t perfect but feels as though everyone around her is.
At 9 p.m., “Fresh Off the Boat” returns for season three, followed by low-rated second-year show “The Real O’Neals.”
They lead into “Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.,” moving an hour later to fill the network’s long-troubled 10 p.m. Tuesday slot. This is probably a better move than trying to launch yet another failed drama in the hour.
Wednesday
“The Goldbergs,” one of ABC’s top shows, becomes its Wendesday anchor, moving from 8:30 to 8 and leading into another new family sitcom, “Speechless,” in which Minnie Driver plays the mom of a child with special needs.
“Modern Family” and “black-ish” are back at 9 and 9:30, leading into Sutherland’s “Designated Survivor,” about a cabinet member who gets embroiled in a conspiracy. It replaced the canceled “Nashville.”
Thursday
This is no longer all Rhimes, though “Grey’s Anatomy” will still lead off the night and “How to Get Away With Murder” will remain at 10 p.m. New drama “Notorious,” focused on criminal law and the media, gets the 9 p.m. slot vacated by “Scandal” until midseason.
Friday
The network’s lineup returns intact with “Last Man Standing” at 8, “Dr. Ken” at 8:30, “Shark Tank” at 9 and “20/20” at 10.
Saturday
“Saturday Night Football” will feature college matchups as usual.
Sunday
“America’s Funniest Home Videos” (7 p.m.), “Once Upon a Time” (8 p.m.) and “Quantico” (10 p.m.) are all back. “Secrets & Lies,” which was renewed last year at this time but stayed off the schedule this season, takes over the 9 p.m. slot, where it aired a year ago.
***
The acclaimed drama “American Crime” will return for a third season next year. “The Bachelor” will also be back at midseason.
The network will also air a remake of the movie “Dirty Dancing” and two specials, one on Mohammed Ali and the other starring David Blaine.
Midseason shows
“When We Rise” (limited series), “Downward Dog,” “Imaginary Mary,” “Still Star-Crossed,” “Time After Time”
Canceled shows
“Nashville,” “The Muppets,” “Castle,” “Of Kings and Prophets,” “Blood & Oil,” “Galavant,” “Marvel’s Agent Carter”
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Tags: 2016 upfronts, abc, abc schedule, abc upfront, upfronts
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