ABC shocked no one on Thursday, May 11 when the network renewed the popular reality/competition shows The Bachelor, Dancing with the Stars, and Shark Tank. Deadline made the announcement during a busy day of renewals and cancellations for the network.
The Bachelor will return for Season 22 as a potential The Bachelorette cast member will take his turn at finding love. Dancing with the Stars has been picked up for Cycles 25 and 26, which will both air during the 2017-2018 schedule. Shark Tank has been renewed for Season 9.
Nick Viall’s season of The Bachelor was ABC’s highest rated series of the 2016-2017 season in overnight ratings with an impressive 2.3 in adults 18-49, according to TV By The Numbers. The reality dating competition series was third in Live +7 ratings with a 3.1, right behind Modern Family’s 3.8 and Grey’s Anatomy’s 3.5. The past season of Dancing with the Stars garnered a 1.7 during its Monday night episodes, while Season 8 of Shark Tank drew a 1.2. The rating makes Shark Tank the top returning show on Friday nights for the 18-49 demographic.
It has been speculated that Dancing with the Stars and the recently announced American Idol reboot will air together in the spring. Though not much is known about ABC’s latest reality show endeavor, it was originally believed that American Idol would cut back Dancing with the Stars to a one cycle per year format. The two cycle renewal proves that the theory is not a reality for the upcoming 2017-2018 season.
The Bachelor, Dancing with the Stars, and Shark Tank join the list of many shows renewed by ABC for the upcoming season. Other renewals include American Housewife, black-ish, Designated Survivor, The Goldbergs, Grey’s Anatomy, How to Get Away With Murder, Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., The Middle, Modern Family, Once Upon a Time, and Scandal. According to TV Insider, shows still waiting to learn their fate on the network are America’s Funniest Home Videos, Fresh Off the Boat, Quantico, Speechless, and The Toy Box. The network has officially cancelled American Crime, The Catch, Conviction, Dr. Ken, Imaginary Mary, Last Man Standing, Notorious, The Real O’Neals, Secrets and Lies, and Time After Time.
The Season 8 finale of Shark Tank airs tonight at 9/8c. Cycle 24 of Dancing with the Stars is currently airing on Mondays at 8/9c. The season finale will air on Tuesday, May 23 at 8:30/7:30c. The Bachelor‘s popular spinoff The Bachelorette will premiere on Monday, May 22 at 8/7c starring fan favorite Rachel Lindsay.