ABC Predictions: Blood And Oil cancelled, why is it still airing?

Other recent Renewals and Cancellations on ABC:

• ABC Predictions: Castle to be cancelled (February 14th)
• ABC Predictions: Dr. Ken and Fresh Off The Boat likely renewed (February 7th)

In what is becoming a trend these days, ABC has effectively cancelled Blood And Oil by reducing its episode order instead of outright yanking it off the air. In the more and more competitive landscape of television, broadcast networks are struggling to keep their viewers. By giving these failed shows some sort of conclusion in the remaining episodes, the shows can be sold off to streaming services such as Netflix and Hulu (who are much less interested in shows that have only two episodes and no conclusion). This way, the production companies are able to earn back at least some of the money they invested.

Wicked City premiered this week to the exact same rating in Adults 18-49 as Blood And Oil has been getting for weeks on end. Especially with the expected drop in week two, the true crime anthology is clearly going to be one-and-done.

The Muppets got three more episodes ordered, but in our dictionary, that does not count as a full season. It is striking, because The Muppets was one of ABC’s high profile new series, that premiered to solid numbers but positively crashed in the ratings in subsequent weeks. Finally, in belated summer news, ABC has confirmed the cancellation of The Astronaut Wives Club.

This week's TV Watch U.S. predictions for the other networks:

• CBS Predictions: Supergirl has a super debut; Life In Pieces picked up
• NBC Predictions: Chicago Fire and Chicago P.D. renewed
• FOX Predictions: The Last Man On Earth renewed
• The CW Predictions: Crazy Ex-Girlfriend cancelled, but what about Reign?