Criminal Minds Renewed for Season 12
File this one under, “Better late than never“: CBS has renewed Criminal Minds for a 22-episode 12th season, TVLine has learned.
RELATED2016 Renewal Scorecard: What’s Coming Back? What’s Getting Cancelled? What’s on the Bubble?
Criminal Minds this season averaged 9 million total viewers — besting fellow vets Hawaii Five-0, NCIS: LA and The Good Wife, as well as bubble freshman Supergirl, Limitless and Code Black — and a 1.8 demo rating, third only on the network to Big Bang and NCIS. Those numbers swell to 12.8 mil and 3.0 with Live+7 DVR playback. This week’s Season 11 finale (8.8 mil/1.8) matched the crime drama’s year-ago season ender.
Financial issues delayed the pricey procedural’s renewal; CBS was reportedly busy hammering out a leaner license fee for the long-running series. The recent loss of original cast member Shemar Moore (Derek), who was written out in March, likely helped reduce costs.
The jury is still out on rookie spinoff Criminal Minds: Beyond Boarders. Other CBS series still on the bubble: Rookie dramas Code Black, Limitless and Supergirl, freshman comedy Life in Pieces, and, last but not least, ratings-challenged and buzz-deprived CSI: Cyber.
RELATEDTV Finales: What’s Ending When? Your Guide to 100+ Season Enders
As the broadcast networks’ annual Upfronts Week nears, the fate of the last remaining “bubble” shows will be determined, as ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC and The CW get ready to reveal their schedules for the 2016-17 TV season. For easy reference, TVLine’s handy Renewal Scorecard keeps tabs of where each show stands, while our network-by-network Pilot Season Guide lists all of the new comedies and dramas up for consideration — some of which (including ABC’s Kiefer Sutherland-led Designated Survivor) have already been ordered to series.
During Upfronts Week, the broadcast networks take turns announcing and touting their shows and stars for the fall and midseason. NBC and Fox are up first, delivering their respective morning and afternoon presentations on Monday, May 16, followed by ABC (on Tuesday, May 17), CBS (Wednesday, May 18) and The CW (Thursday, May 19).
As Upfronts Week unfolds, TVLine will share the first trailers and photos for all of the new series, as well as continually update our Fall TV Grid, letting you know what will be on when, and opposite what (as well as denote what is being held for midseason).
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