or


[09/29/09 - 12:11 AM]
The 10 Things You Need to Know About the New Season: #2 - Friday Night Is "The Death Slot"
By Brian Ford Sullivan (TFC)

Please note: As a courtesy, please do not reproduce these comments to newsgroups, forums or other online places. Links only please.

Welcome once again to "The 10 Things You Need to Know About the New Season," our annual feature about, well... the 10 things you need to know about the new season. The goal of this venture is to address not only common questions people have about television but to also demystify (or potentially reaffirm) stigmas out there about certain networks, time periods, genres and so forth. So with that in mind let us put on our journalistic caps and give you the cold hard truth about what's potentially ahead for some of your favorite new and returning shows...

2. Yup, it's true - Friday night is "the death slot."

No, it's not an urban legend - shows that air on Friday nights are less likely to be renewed than on any other night. Of the 100 shows that have launched on Friday night since the fall of 1999, only 15 - or just 15% - have made it to second seasons. Conversely, of the 69 shows that have bowed on Sunday nights during the same period - a whopping 28 (or 41%) made it to second seasons. Take a look at the numbers:


dayabccbsfoxnbcupnwbcwtotal
mondays6/22 (27%)11/19 (58%)8/28 (29%)14/32 (44%)6/8 (75%)1/4 (25%)0/2 (0%)46/115 (40%)
tuesdays10/36 (28%)6/16 (38%)9/19 (47%)10/38 (26%)3/22 (14%)5/8 (63%)3/4 (75%)46/143 (32%)
wednesdays16/49 (33%)7/19 (37%)10/34 (29%)4/23 (17%)2/11 (18%)3/11 (27%)1/6 (17%)43/153 (28%)
thursdays6/23 (26%)3/10 (30%)4/12 (33%)8/23 (35%)1/2 (50%)5/14 (36%)27/84 (32%)
fridays2/21 (10%)6/20 (30%)1/23 (4%)1/15 (7%)0/5 (0%)5/16 (31%)15/100 (15%)
saturdays1/2 (50%)3/8 (38%)0/4 (0%)4/14 (29%)
sundays8/13 (62%)1/6 (17%)5/15 (33%)8/14 (57%)5/13 (38%)1/8 (13%)28/69 (41%)
various*1/7 (14%)4/6 (67%)3/10 (30%)1/5 (20%)0/1 (0%)9/29 (31%)
total50/173 (29%)41/104 (39%)40/141 (28%)46/154 (30%)12/48 (25%)24/67 (36%)5/20 (25%)218/707 (31%)


With that in mind, the order from best to worst night to launch a show is Sunday (41%), Monday (40%), Thursday (32%), Tuesday (32%), Saturday (29%), Wednesday (28%) and Friday (15%).

Plus, as usual, said info reveals several interesting trends such as the fact "Dollhouse" is FOX's first Friday newcomer to be renewed for a second season in 10 years while CBS has the standard 30% success rate on the night. Conversely, Sundays have been a trouble spot for CBS (17%) while FOX averages nearly double that (33%) on the night. The night and network with the best track record: Sundays on ABC (62%) and Tuesdays on The WB (63%) and The CW (75%).

TOMORROW: Which time slot is the toughest to launch a new show?

* denotes the series in question either aired as a multi-night stunt or regulared aired in more than one time period





  [september 2009]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
  


· SHOWATCH
(series past and present)
· DEVWATCH
(series in development)
· MOVIEWATCH
(tv movies and mini-series)





[09/25/26 - 07:04 AM]
Video: AMC+ Unveils Bewitching Trailer for the Highly Anticipated Contemporary Mystery Thriller, "Yaga"
The contemporary mystery thriller which reimagines the myth of Baba Yaga, is set for a two-episode premiere on Friday, October 23, exclusively in the U.S. on AMC+.

[09/25/26 - 07:00 AM]
Paramount and Spotify Partner for the "2026 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs)" on CBS
The collaboration will extend the "VMAs" experience through a dedicated on-platform destination on Spotify, launching today.

[09/25/26 - 05:17 AM]
Video: "#Love" - Official Trailer - Netflix
A practical dating app founder and her adventurous competitor test their opposing theories about love through a 60-day challenge to find the right match.

[09/24/26 - 03:01 PM]
Video: "Did Someone Happen to Mention Me?" - Official Trailer - Netflix
Once Japan's most renowned actor, Gen is suddenly forgotten. Fueled by a need for recognition, he claws his way back from zero in this comedy.

[09/24/26 - 02:02 PM]
Tubi Announces New Original Docuseries "Just One Before I Die" Offering an Inside Look at the Buffalo Bills Fanbase
All episodes premiere for free exclusively on Tubi on Wednesday, October 21.

[09/24/26 - 02:01 PM]
Prime Video Announces Worldwide Exclusive Streaming of "Quiz from God," a Reboot of the Phenomenal Korean Mystery Drama, Starring Shotaro Mamiya - Premiering Friday, Dec 4, 2026
The series follows Haruto Hatsushima, a genius forensic pathologist and former neurosurgeon hailed by those around him as "a genius chosen by God" - yet dismissed as being eccentric by his colleagues.

[09/24/26 - 12:25 PM]
ABC News Wins Across the Board in Late Night and Friday Night
"20/20" ranks as Friday's No. 1 newsmagazine in Total Viewers, Adults 25-54 and Adults 18-49, drawing its largest audience in two months and growing year to year in all key measures.

[09/24/26 - 12:01 PM]
"The Graham Norton Show" Returns with All-New Episodes Thursday, October 1 on BBC America
Episodes will also be available to stream on AMC+, Acorn TV, and All Reality.

[09/24/26 - 12:00 PM]
Presenters Announced for the "2026 Video Music Awards (VMAs)" Airing Sunday, Sept. 27 on CBS
Alex Warren, Belmont Cameli, Brandon Sklenar, Charli xcx, Ciara Miller, David Corenswet, Ella Bright, Isabel May, Jeff Probst, Rachel Dratch, Teyana Taylor, Troye Sivan, and Tyla are among the featured talent.

[09/24/26 - 11:29 AM]
Marquee Championship Doubleheader Leads UFC Return to Madison Square Garden Streaming on Paramount+ Saturday, November 14
In the main event, newly crowned undisputed UFC heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane looks to make his first title defense against No. 4 ranked contender Josh Hokit.

[09/24/26 - 10:02 AM]
"The Beast in Me" Returning for a Second Season on Netflix as Netflix and Howard Gordon Forge Creative Partnership
Executive producer Claire Danes will reprise her Emmy-nominated role as Aggie Wiggs.

[09/24/26 - 10:01 AM]
What's New on HBO Max This October
Streaming premieres include "The Housemaid" (October 9), "The Death of Robin Hood" (October 16), and "The Invite" (October 23).

[09/24/26 - 10:01 AM]
Netflix Announces Sesame Street Expansion, New Shows from the World of "Gabby's Dollhouse," "Puppy Pirates" and More For Preschoolers and Kids
Highlights include "Gabby's Dollhouse: Makers and Bakers," hosted by Laila Lockhart Kraner as Gabby, as talented young baker-and-maker duos take on whimsical crafting and baking challenges judged by Aidy Bryant, Justin Willman and Melissa VillaseƱor.

[09/24/26 - 10:01 AM]
AMC Global Media Returns to New York Comic Con's Main Stage with Standout Panels and Never-Before-Seen Previews
"Kill Jackie," "Yaga," "Anne Rice's Mayfair Witches," "The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon," and "The Boulet Brothers' Dragula" are among the featured properties.

[09/24/26 - 09:31 AM]
Netflix Hosts First UK Upfront
New commissions include scripted series "Witch Hunt" and comedy entertainment "Hot or Cold."