Official Status: We are still waiting for a final decision from ABC. Grey’s Anatomy is not yet cancelled or renewed for the 2021-2022 TV season.
Is Grey’s Anatomy coming to an end after 17 seasons?
Grey’s Anatomy has been a top performer since 2005. ABC renewed the show for season 17 which is currently being broadcasted, and it looked like the show would probably still be running for many years. However, we are seeing early signals that the series is losing steam. Everything needs to end at some point. Will season 17 be the end? In this post, we will be evaluating the reasons why we think season 17 might be the last and evaluate the chances for a Season 18 renewal.
Once a blockbuster show, Grey’s Anatomy has been witnessing a gradual decrease in viewership over the last few years. Currently, the viewership has fallen to less than 5 million viewers which is surprisingly low for a show that had 37 million viewers at one point. The viewership satisfaction score did fall below 80% for season 16 but this year it has been fairly strong. Despite a strong viewership satisfaction score of 85%, ABC executives have failed to make any headway with the show’s renewal for season 18. Considering the fast dip in viewership and ratings, the show might be at risk of being cancelled for season 18.
Renewal chances: 65% (At the risk of getting cancelled)
Check out our renewal scorecard below for season 18 of Grey’s Anatomy.
Factors Putting “Grey’s Anatomy Season 18” At Risk
The fate of Grey’s Anatomy Season 18 is still up in the air. Even the showrunner Krista Vernoff doesn’t know the future of the show and awaits the broadcaster’s decision. Vernoff revealed that she is currently preparing for contingencies. She is planning two endings for season 17: a season finale and a “series finale”. This statement alone makes you doubt the renewal of the show. But there are other factors that put Grey’s Anatomy at risk for renewal.
Dip in viewership and ratings: The current season of the show received a 1.13 rating in the crucial 18-49 demographic along with 5 million viewers. When compared to the last season, it earned 12% lower viewership which doesn’t help the future of the show. The rating has also been lower than the last year. 5 million viewers might seem decent for a show but not so great for a blockbuster like Grey’s Anatomy. This drastic dip in viewership and rating might cause troubles for the show.
Failing against competitive shows: In 2020, Grey’s anatomy was comfortably leading the way at its time slot, ahead of other shows such as “Man with a Plan” (cancelled last year). However, in 2021, Grey’s Anatomy has fallen behind, competing unsuccessfully with Law & Order: Special Unit Investigation. It is even losing ratings against CBS’ MOM. This can’t be a good news for both the showrunner and the network.
ABC hasn’t concluded negotiation with lead actors: Season 17 is well towards its end and the broadcaster still hasn’t concluded negotiations with the lead actors. This failure to determine the future so far in the season hints towards the unexpected: cancellation of the show. The lead actor Ellen Pompeo playing Meredith Grey also expressed her doubts with showrunner Krista Vernoff saying the same thing.
Despite the dark clouds looming over the renewal talks, we still hope that there is more for us to see and know about our favorite medical show.
Renewal/cancellation Status: Renewed for Season 20
TVscorecards user score:
About this show:
ABC DOUBLES DOWN ON THURSDAY NIGHTS WITH TWO ADDITIONAL SEASONS OF 'GREY'S ANATOMY,' EXTENDING THE LONGEST-RUNNING PRIME-TIME MEDICAL DRAMA TO SEASON 17'STATION 19' IS RENEWED WITH 'GREY'S' SHOWRUNNER KRISTA VERNOFF OVERSEEING BOTH SERIES, EXPANDING THEIR SHARED UNIVERSE'HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER' TO RETURN FOR A SIXTH SEASON WITH SHOWRUNNER PETE NOWALK CONTINUING TO HELM
ABC has renewed record-breaking series "Grey's Anatomy" for two additional seasons (Seasons 16 and 17). In addition, ABC has renewed "Station 19" for a third season and "How to Get Away with Murder" for a sixth season. Executive producer and showrunner Krista Vernoff will helm both "Grey's Anatomy" and "Station 19," giving fans two hours of feels on Thursdays and providing a seamless crossover narrative on both series."I'm thrilled to continue at the helm of 'Grey's Anatomy,' and I'm honored and energized by the opportunity to run 'Station 19,' as well.
To expand upon the world Stacy McKee created, and further merge it with the world of 'Grey's,' is an exciting challenge," said Krista Vernoff, executive producer and showrunner for "Grey's Anatomy" and "Station 19.""Everyone at Shondaland is thrilled that our fans' commitment to TGIT continues," said Shonda Rhimes and producing partner Betsy Beers in a joint statement. "We are so proud of Krista and Pete and the work they do. Making the choice to have Krista oversee 'Station 19' was easy - the creativity she brings to the 'Grey's Anatomy' universe continues a tradition of storytelling we hold dear."Powered by strong delayed-viewing gains, TGIT's most recent crossover event (on 5/2/19) drove ABC to win the Thursday 8:00-10:00 p.m. time slot among Adults 18-49 after three days of TV playback, with "Grey's Anatomy" matching a 5-week high and "Station 19" soaring to its 2nd highest-rated telecast ever.In the 2018-2019 season, "Grey's Anatomy" became the longest-running prime-time medical drama ever. The show continues to perform as Thursday's No. 1 series this season among key Women and ranking as the No. 1 program in Thursday's 8 p.m. hour with Adults 18-49."Grey's Anatomy" was created and is executive produced by Shonda Rhimes. Betsy Beers, Mark Gordon ("Saving Private Ryan"), Krista Vernoff ("Shameless"), Debbie Allen, Zoanne Clack, Fred Einesman, Andy Reaser and Meg Marinis are executive producers. "Grey's Anatomy" is produced by ABC Studios."Station 19" follows a group of heroic Seattle firefighters as they put their lives and hearts on the line.
The latest series from the executive producers of "Grey's Anatomy," "Scandal" and "How to Get Away with Murder" takes us inside the tough, tight-knit and sometimes heartbreaking world of the city's bravest first responders.The drama is produced by ABC Studios. Krista Vernoff ("Grey's Anatomy") serves as showrunner and executive producer. Shonda Rhimes and Betsy Beers serve as executive producers. Paris Barclay ("Pitch" and "Sons of Anarchy") serves as the producing director and executive producer of the series.Vernoff is an Emmy(R)-nominated, Golden Globe(R)- and WGA Award-winning writer. Having worked in television for two decades, her credits include "Shameless," "Law & Order" and "Wonderfalls.""How to Get Away with Murder" has been a constant in ABC's TGIT programming block since its premiere in 2014. In this Philadelphia-based drama, murder, deception, fear and guilt are the ties that bind Professor Annalise Keating (Viola Davis) to her associates and students. Over the last five seasons, "How to Get Away with Murder" has used thought-provoking storytelling to bring societal issues to light, such as the right to a fair trial, racial inequalities in the justice system and mental illness.
The Season 5 finale of the hit series left viewers searching for answers about the fate of fan-favorite characters, and Season 6 returns this fall with explanations for those Season 5 cliffhangers.During its fifth season, ABC's "How to Get Away with Murder" ranked as the No. 1 program in Thursday's 10 o'clock hour among Adults 18-34 and Women 18-34.With a diverse cast featuring characters of different races, backgrounds and sexual orientation, "How to Get Away with Murder" has been praised for its on-screen inclusivity.
Over the course of the last five seasons, the series has been awarded numerous accolades including an American Film Institute Award for Television Program of the Year, a GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Drama Series and a NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Drama Series. Viola Davis has been honored with an Emmy Award, two SAG Awards, a People's Choice Award and a NAACP Image Award for her portrayal of Annalise Keating.
Viola Davis' 2015 Primetime Emmy win for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series cemented her name in history as the first woman of color to win an Emmy Award in the category.Shondaland's "How to Get Away with Murder" is created and executive produced by Peter Nowalk ("Scandal," "Grey's Anatomy"). Shonda Rhimes, Betsy Beers and Stephen Cragg also serve as executive producers. The show is produced by ABC Studios.
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