TV Logjams: Law & Order: SVU vs. SWAT vs. How to Get Away with Murder

In this edition of our ongoing TV Logjams feature we’re looking at a lineup Thursday nights at 10:00 p.m. Eastern that is fundamentally not altogether different from what it was last season … at least for two out of the three shows. It’s the specific show that is entering the mix in Law & Order: SVU that throws everyone for a loop. While Chicago Fire is a super-popular show, it’s being replaced with something that is a modern-day institution. It’s going to have an impact on some of the competition, but in what way? That’s what we want to try and figure out within this article.

Law & Order: SVU – We have reported in the past that the series is hurt somewhat by moving to a later timeslot where fewer viewers are awake. Beyond just that, though, it is hurt by being moved against a show in How to Get Away with Murder that is serialized enough that if you miss it live, someone could spoil the big ending for you. We do think that these two shows share at least enough of an audience for this competition to be interesting, though we’re still leaning towards SVU as the likely winner of the two.

How to Get Away with Murder – Despite being a good show with a stellar lead in Viola Davis, don’t be shocked if ABC finishes routinely in third place this fall. This is a tough timeslot, and beyond that a lot of the viewership for this series comes via people storing five or six episodes and then binge-watching through them. We don’t think it’s in any sort of danger of ending soon, but its ratings are on a downward trajectory.

SWAT – The CBS series right now is the darkhorse in this timeslot, and it’s certainly not all that often that we can call any CBS show an underdog. More often than not, these are the shows that get good ratings without a ton of publicity. What we think benefits it perhaps more than anything is that with Chicago Fire gone to Wednesdays, it’s now the only action-heavy show airing on Thursdays at this time. We expect it to be at least competitive with SVU on its way to second place.

What are you planning to watch Thursday nights at 10:00 p.m. this fall? Share in the comments.

(Photo: NBC.)