Ratings Bubble Report: Is ABC’s ‘The Catch’ out of reach for season 2 renewal?

If there is one thing that we’ve come to see over times with shows executive-produced by Shonda Rhimes on ABC, it is this: They tend to last a rather long time. “Off the Map” is the only series that you can really claim just didn’t work out, but “The Catch” may be facing a rather similar dilemma as we’re in the thick of May sweeps and heading into upfronts soon.

Over the course of the past few weeks, the caper drama has developed a loyal following; also, there are few other shows like it on network TV. The problem here is that it has to overcome lower ratings, and the uncertainty that comes with a first-year show. Can it? It’s possible, and it is certainly worthy of discussion as the latest entry into our Ratings Bubble Report series.

The good news – One of the interesting aftereffects of “Scandal” shortening its upcoming season 6 due to Kerry Washington’s pregnancy is that it may open up a spot where there previously wasn’t one. Maybe the opening in the fall on Thursdays goes to a show like “Secrets & Lies,” or maybe it goes to this show in an effort to boost its ratings. Or, maybe “How to Get Away with Murder” goes to 9:00 and “The Catch” to 10:00. Ultimately, it really just means that there are more hours to fill on a network that has many low-rated shows as is.

Ratings-wise, while the overall average for “The Catch” at around a 1.0 in the 18-49 demographic may be lower than shows like “Agents of SHIELD” or “Quantico,” it’s generating relatively similar ratings now to what they are. It’s also retained almost all of its audience from the second week onward. Maybe this show can do what “Scandal” originally did after it first premiered and use buzz / streaming to increase its popularity going into a second season.

The bad news – The ratings still are what they are, and “Scandal” season 1 was still drawing better numbers than this. It’s a risk to bring back a new show that is already starting at this level, and with ABC having a robust pilot slate, maybe there’s a sentiment that they don’t need this show. Also, they have another potential entry from Shondaland coming in “Still Star-Crossed.”

Ultimately, we think this is a case of if you want more of “The Catch,” you have to let the network know. It’s overcome some not-great reviews and it still has a fighting chance, but we don’t feel confident enough to project a renewal on the horizon.

Do you want to see more of the show?