Agents of SHIELD season 5 renewal odds (quietly) increasing

Before this final arc of Agents of SHIELD season 4 started in the Framework, we had some severe reservations about ABC renewing the show for season 5. Consider the fact that it was drawing a 0.6 rating in the 18-49 demographic during the winter, a time when there should be more viewers, and that the network had a number of other competitive shows out there.

Yet, we are slowly and quietly starting to see a slight reversal of fortune for the series starring Clark Gregg and Chloe Bennet. Two episodes into the Framework arc, we can see the Agents of SHIELD season 5 renewal odds improving. We’re still cagey on saying that it will be back, but there are some signs of hope more than there were a month ago.

1. Improving ratings – While the increase was incremental, last night’s episode drew a 0.7 rating that was up versus the prior week. If you actually look at the expanded figures via TV Series Finale, last night’s episode drew the best overall rating in the demo and in total viewers in more than three months. Typically, you anticipate numbers going down in the spring, but this is not the trend here. (Note that these figures are preliminary and could change. Even if they do adjust down slightly, there’s enough of a potential margin of error here to still feel positive.)

2. Quality – The past two episodes of the show have been pretty sensational, and we hope that ABC is acknowledging this. Yes, we know that quality only matters so much in relation to budget and profitability, but what’s been great about both the LMD arc and then also the Framework is that we don’t see either one of these as high-budget stories for the show. With good writing and performances, you don’t need to spend extreme amounts of money on special effects to tell this story.

3. Comparisons – How else is everything else doing on ABC? Well, not great. The Agents of SHIELD ratings aren’t that different at this point from either Quantico or Once Upon a Time, and they’re not that far off from The Catch, either. With several other ABC shows already more or less canceled, they have to keep something on the air beyond shows produced by Shonda Rhimes and Designated Survivor. This is a show that, if nothing else, deserves a fitting end.

If you do want to get some further news in regards to Agents of SHIELD, including a further take on what is coming next for the show, be sure to head over here. Also, leave us a comment below and tell us if you think this show should be renewed. (Photo: ABC.)