Ratings Review: ABC Tuesdays - First 4 Weeks

ABC took a chance with a completely all new Tuesday night this season and, so far, the results are not good.

The only program getting any real ratings traction is the new action series from Disney/Marvel Studios AGENS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. It got off to a great debut, attracting over 12 million viewers for the broadcast. The series is also strong in the DVR ratings, grabbing another 3.7 million viewers within three days of the initial airing and a total of 17 million viewers over the first week. It is currently the only new ABC series to be considered a "hit," although that may be stretching it a bit.

S.H.I.E.L.D. has lost over four million viewers since it premiere and the early Live+3 and Live+7 ratings follow that same trend. The series has received a full season order and will be around come May 2014, but if the numbers do not improve or stabilize, S.H.I.E.L.D. could just be the next FLASH or BIRD OF PREY in the world of Superhero TV series.

THE GOLDBERGS appears to only be benefitting by airing right after S.H.I.E.L.D.. It's A18-49 ratings have been cut in half within four episodes and is already getting beat by NEW GIRL in that demographic rating. by the 4th episode, THE GOLDBERGS loses about 40% of its lead in viewership and just under 60% of the demo ratings lead in. It may be too early to know if ABC will try and salvage the series or just let it's initial 13 episode order run its course, with no renewal, come 2014.

At 9:30 p.m. is TROPHY WIFE. Having watched two episodes of this series, I can say there is nothing special or unique about the series. It has a very good cast with potentially good characters, but the writing is predictable and unimaginative. It is relying on over used story lines, that we have all seen before on dozens of other sitcoms. It's lazy and uncreative. And, I believe the low ratings reflect that lack of effort, behind the camera. If the writing could be raised to the level of the cast/characters, this could be a very good comedy. But, it looks to be just another sitcom that will be soon forgotten in a few years.

Now, comes the bomb. LUCKY 7 was the very first program to be cancelled for the 2013-14 season. Its ratings were horrid, as was the concept of the series. Last May, most TV fans could see that the series was a turkey and would be lucky to make it to Halloween, let alone the beginning of October. Axing the series was the correct move by ABC, but replacement programming has not done any better. Encores of SCANDAL have done just as bad. That plan has been scrapped and encores of SHARK TANK will now air in the time slot.

Live + SD Ratings

Series	Category	09/24	10/01	10/08	10/15	AVG
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.	Viewers*	12.12	8.66	7.87	7.85	9.13
	A18-49	3.8	3.3	2.9	2.8	3.2
The Goldbergs	Viewers*	8.94	6.06	5.76	5.05	6.45
	A18-49	3.1	2.2	1.9	1.6	2.2
Trophy Wife	Viewers*	6.69	4.30	4.77	4.12	4.97
	A18-49	2.3	1.4	1.4	1.3	1.6
Lucky 7	Viewers*	4.43	2.62			3.53
	A18-49	1.3	0.7			1.0

* - in millions