‘Community’ Hiatus Might Have Actually Improved Its Chances at Renewal

Six season and a movie is actually looking more and more like a safe bet, thanks to the overall dwindling fortunes of NBC. According to TVBytheNumbers, the entire NBC schedule is in free fall. In fact, two weeks ago, only three scripted shows on the network — “The Office,” “Smash,” and “Law and Order: SVU” — scored better than a 1.7 rating ratings among the 18-49 demo. What was “Community’s” demo rating before it went on hiatus? A 1.61. A 1.6 is the median rating for NBC scripted shows right now.

Of course, the comparison might not be fair: All of NBC’s programming has taken a hit, so if “Community” had stayed on air, it may have fallen similarly (although, “Community’s” cult audience, while small, is devoted). But if you’re a network executive looking at the numbers right now, you basically have three choices: 1) Quit because your life is screwed; 2) Cancel the network’s entire slate of programming and start airing YouTube videos and “MILF Island” marathons; or 3) Renew “Community” for another season because, why not? It’s doing as well or better than most everything else on the network.

A word of advice to the NBC marketing department: Hire the WarmingGlow staff to run promos once a “Community” return date is set. Trust us: Alison Brie GIF slideshows will sell any show. It’s not like NBC could do worse.

(Image via Buzzfeed)