Fall TV Showdowns: Criminal Minds vs. Chicago PD vs. Designated Survivor

In the midst of a very crowded fall schedule, one of the most-intriguing timeslots just so happens to be Wednesday nights at 10:00 p.m. Eastern. There is only one major change to the lineup, but it is potentially a big one: Criminal Minds proper is moving back an hour. With that, it will be going up against the likes of Chicago PD and Designated Survivor for the first time.

How do these three shows stack up? In this edition of our Fall TV Showdowns series, we do our best to figure that out.

Criminal Minds – This is potentially the winner of the three shows depending on how new drama SEAL Team fares as a lead-in. It certainly is the most-watched of the three, but it has to see how it handles airing a little bit later. It did lose a good chunk of viewers in season 12, but you can say the same thing about several other shows on CBS.

Chicago PD – Meanwhile, here you have the established hit of the three shows, and the one that could emerge as #1 just because it did rival Criminal Minds in the 18-49 demographic throughout the season. Hopefully, it keeps most of its viewers given that it does have the same lead-in; the big problem here is not knowing if there will be a drop-off following the shocking exit of its lead Sophia Bush after being on the show for four seasons.

Designated Survivor – This is the show that stands to lose the most from more competition, largely because it was already experiencing lower ratings at the end of the first season, and its audience hasn’t been tested nearly as much as the other two. Also, you do have to wonder if there is a political appetite out there at the moment, given that the world of the current administration is so all-consuming.

For the time being, our feeling is that Criminal Minds will win Wednesdays in total viewers at this timeslot, while Chicago PD ekes out a close demo win despite losing Bush. We’ll see what happens over the season.

Which one of the three shows are you planning to watch on Wednesday night? Be sure to share in the comments below!

Meanwhile, be sure to head over here in the event you do want to get some further news when it comes to Criminal Minds. There will be plenty over the course of the summer. (Photo: CBS.)