Readers: ABC edges CBS on Thursday

Top Thursday pick: ‘How to Get Away With Murder.’

Last fall ABC made an aggressive counter-programming move by putting three female-skewing dramas from superproducer Shonda Rhimes on Thursday night opposite CBS’s male-skewing “Thursday Night Football.”

The idea worked brilliantly, so well, in fact, that media buyers now consider Thursdays ABC’s night rather than CBS’s.

That’s according to a recent Media Life survey asking readers to weigh in on the coming fall season.

Asked which network would win Thursday night among adults 18-49, a slightly larger share of readers, 50 percent versus 48 percent, voted for ABC over CBS.

“#TGIT seems poised to continue its growth among women for ABC,” wrote one reader, using the hashtag ABC employs to promote the “Thank God It’s Thursday” lineup.

Another reader worried NBC’s new programs could struggle against ABC.

“It’s going to be tough for the new shows to show staying power against ABC’s Thursday lineup,” the reader wrote.

Readers have high hopes for both “TNF” and Rhimes’ programs. Asked which returning show was poised for a breakout season, “TNF” and Rhimes’ second-year drama “How to Get Away With Murder” received the most votes.

Buyers have concerns about Fox’s lineup. Asked which returning show will see the biggest year-to-year ratings declines, readers picked “Sleepy Hollow,” Fox’s third-year drama that saw sharp ratings declines in season two.

Some questioned why Fox brought the show back and paired it with “Bones,” a steady but long-running drama that’s probably in its last season.

“Fox isn’t even trying on Thursday,” opined one reader.

Readers also saw NBC’s “The Blacklist” and ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy,” heading into its 12^th season, as other potential ratings droppers.

As for the night’s new shows, none have great prospects, readers said.

NBC’s “Heroes Reborn” and “The Player” and CBS’s “Angel From Hell” will all probably make it through their initial 13-episode order and nothing more, readers predicted.

“NBC needs to refocus on Thursdays, given its lackluster performance in recent years,” one reader suggested.

Tags: abc, angel from hell, heroes reborn, how to get away with murder, Shonda Rhimes, thank got it's thursday, the coming fall season, the player