NBC’s dilemma: Whither ‘Community’?

Unlike the other networks, NBC has already made decisions on whether most of its new shows will return next season.

“Sean Saves the World,” “The Michael J. Fox Show” and “Welcome to the Family” are dead. “The Blacklist” has already been renewed. And “Chicago PD” will almost certainly get a pickup.

So the big question mark on its schedule is once again a veteran show, the cult comedy “Community.”

The perennial bubble show draws very low ratings on Thursday night.

But NBC’s Thursday night is a disaster, and “Community’s” low ratings are higher than “Sean” and “Michael,” fellow Thursday programs the network already canceled.

The upside to “Community” is that it has a very loyal audience, good DVR numbers and the network knows what it’s getting. It doesn’t expect the show to be a huge hit, but it’s not an abomination, either.

And every network needs to bring back at least a couple of veteran shows so that it’s not turning its schedule upside down.

Most likely “Community” will be back, possibly once again as a midseason replacement.

Here’s a look at where the other shows at NBC stand for next season, going in order from the highest- to the lowest-rated:

“Sunday Night Football”

Primetime’s highest-rated show will most certainly be back.

Likelihood it will return: 100 percent.

“The Voice”

“Voice” ranks in the top five programs this season and is again on track to post better ratings than “American Idol.”

Likelihood it will return: 100 percent.

“The Blacklist”

NBC has already renewed the No. 1 new show on broadcast.

Likelihood it will return: 100 percent.

“Chicago Fire”

“Fire” is up in season two and has become a franchise with the launch of spinoff “Chicago P.D.”

Likelihood it will return: 100 percent.

“Law & Order: Special Victims Unit”

“SVU” will probably be back. The question is whether star Mariska Hargitay will be back for season 16.

Likelihood it will return: 80 percent.

“The Biggest Loser”

Though ratings have fallen steadily it remains one of NBC’s higher-rated shows, and it’s cheap to produce.

Likelihood it will return: 100 percent.

“About a Boy” and “Growing Up Fisher”

It’s too early to make a determination on these shows, which just debuted last week. But their early ratings are promising.

“Chicago P.D.”

“P.D.” challenges CBS’s “CSI” for the lead in its timeslot. Unless ratings take a dive, the midseason spinoff will be back.

Likelihood it will return: 85 percent.

“Revolution”

Last season’s No. 2 new show took a ratings nosedive after being moved out of its cushy timeslot behind “The Voice.” A third season is doubtful.

Likelihood it will return: 30 percent.

“Grimm”

For a Friday night show it posts good ratings and gets a nice kick from DVR viewing.

Likelihood it will return: 90 percent.

“Parenthood”

Though it’s in the midst of its lowest-rated season ever, the critical favorite should return. It was a victim of the network’s disastrous Thursday comedy lineup.

Likelihood it will return: 80 percent.

“Dateline NBC”

A network staple.

Likelihood it will return: 100 percent.

“Parks and Recreation”

Though it hasn’t officially been renewed, NBC Entertainment chairman Bob Greenblatt has said it will almost certainly be back.

Likelihood it will return: 100 percent.

“Dracula” and “Hannibal”

Only one of these shows will be renewed. Both are low-rated 10 p.m. Friday night dramas, and NBC may need another few weeks to make a decision since “Hannibal” just returned for season two last week. But it’s also possible the network will scrap both shows and try something new.

Already canceled: “Ironside,” “The Michael J. Fox Show,” “Sean Saves the World,” “Welcome to the Family”

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Tags: bubble shows, cancellations, community, dracula, law & order: special victims unit, nbc, renewals