9 Shows We’re Worried Will End This Season
Television’s Grim Reaper has again claimed many broadcast TV shows, and now we’re wondering which of the remaining series will survive the 2026–2027 season. After considering factors including ratings figures from TV Series Finale, we’re specifically worried about the TV shows below.
They range from series in very popular franchises like NCIS and Law & Order to long-running ABC dramas like Grey’s Anatomy and The Rookie. Plus, there are some unscripted shows like The Voice and Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test that could be on the chopping block.
Read on… and cross your fingers.
NCIS: Sydney
The Aussie expansion of CBS’ popular NCIS franchise ranks last among the network’s scripted series, in terms of total viewers and 18-to-49 ratings, having dropped 33% and 40% in those metrics, respectively, since last season. But perhaps it could go back to being the Paramount+ exclusive it was designed to be.
48 Hours
Though it’s not the CBS newsmagazine we’re most worried about, this one could be facing an existential threat. Among the network’s unscripted series, 48 Hours is the lowest-rated in the 18-to-49 demo — after dipping 23% in that metric since last year — and the renewed program with the lowest overall audience tally.
Grey’s Anatomy
We don’t think this long-running medical drama is in critical condition, but we are concerned. It’s second to last in the 18–49 demo among ABC’s scripted offerings after suffering a 12% drop since last season. It’s also dead last in total viewers, though it has risen 4% in that metric. Another vital worth pointing out: As of this spring, Nielsen has ranked Grey’s in the top 10 streaming shows for 320 weeks, per Variety.
The Rookie
Even with a 12% fall-off in demo viewers and a 7% fall-off in total viewers since the 2024–2025 season, ABC’s The Rookie still ranks two places above Grey’s in both metrics. And it’s a strong performer in 35-day multi-platform ratings, according to Nielsen data cited by Variety. But Eric Winter, pictured here, told People the cast and crew shot an alternate Season 8 ending out of fears the show wouldn’t come back, and that gives us pause.
Shark Tank
Something took a huge chomp out of Shark Tank’s audience this year. The reality competition lost 38% of its 18–49 demo ratings and ranks last among ABC’s unscripted programs in that metric, and it lost 45% of its total viewership. Even Mr. Wonderful can’t think that’s wonderful.
Law & Order
The original-flavor Law & Order falls in the middle of NBC’s scripted pack in both 18–49 ratings and total viewership. But the network waited until mere days before its upfront presentation to renew the police procedural, with an exec telling The Hollywood Reporter that budgetary and scheduling discussions were behind the delay. That L&O seemed to be on the bubble so long probably has fans’ hearts going dun-dun.
The Voice
Soon might come the day the music died for The Voice. The fall edition of the show held relatively steady in total viewers on Monday nights since last season but lost 37% of its demo ratings on Tuesdays. And the spring edition is also down more than 30% in both demo ratings and total viewers.
Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test
As celebrities fight for survival on this Fox show, the show itself might be fighting for survival on the primetime landscape. Since last season, Special Forces has lost 23% of both its total viewers and its demo ratings. Before long, we might have to look elsewhere to see semi-famous folks get put through the wringer.
Penn & Teller: Fool Us
It seems The CW hasn’t officially renewed Penn & Teller: Fool Us for Season 12, but a consultant for the show said on Facebook that the new episodes are filming this October in Los Angeles. The reality competition is a holdover from a different CW era, and now that it has lost 36% of its 18–49 demo ratings and 21% of its total viewership, the network’s new owners might be ready to cut ties.
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