2017-18 Preview: Thursday Nights

Four of the five broadcast networks made moves to help improve their Thursday night schedule. Only ABC elected to keep the status quo, returning its three dramas. GREY'S ANATOMY is still a strong draw in the ratings, but SCANDAL has dropped over the last year and a half, which may have prompted the call to end the series in 2018. HTGAWM could be last, in the three team race at 10 PM.

NBC made a bold move, bringing its #1 series to the night, as THIS IS US takes over the 9 PM hour for the network. It should have no problem winning the hour, but its is the programs before and after THIS IS US that is in question. THE two sitcoms, including the reunited WILL & GRACE reboot, will do no better than third, against BIG BANG and GREY'S. The new LAW & ORDER TRU CRIME will challenge for a time slot win.


CBS may have made the best moves on the night. The new comedy, YOUNG SHELDON could/should hold the BIG BANG audience through another 30 minutes, dominating the 8 PM hour. The new action drama remake, S.W.A.T., looks good, bringing Shemar Moore, back to TV, and could give CBS something in the time slot, it has not had in a while, a win. CBS seems to be good at remakes, something other networks struggle with.

FOX should see ratings improve on the night, with GOTHAM moving to the 8 PM slot and the new Sci-fi comedy, THE ORVILLE, at 9 PM. However, FOX will still be a fourth place network on the night.

The CW should be a little more stable with ARROW moving to a new night, paring it again with SUPERNATURAL.

	8:00	8:30	9:00	9:30	10:00
ABC	Grey's Anatomy		Scandal		How to Get Away w/Murder
CBS	The Big Bang Theory	Young Sheldon	MOM	Life In Pieces	SWAT
CW	Supernatural		Arrow
FOX	Gotham		The Orville
NBC	Will & Grace	Great News	This Is Us		Law & Order True Crime