Unlike the other broadcast networks, The CW airs a lot of shows that are produced in Canada or overseas. It’s now run by Nexstar, a company focused on making the network profitable via cost-effective programming. The ratings matter more than ever, and if a show isn’t pulling in big enough ratings, the series can be cut and replaced by another program. This season will likely look very different from the previous one. How many shows will be cancelled or renewed during the 2025-26 season? Stay tuned.
CW shows this season (so far): Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent, Masters of Illusion, Penn & Teller: Fool Us, Police 24/7, Scrabble, Sullivan’s Crossing, Totally Funny Animals, Trivial Pursuit, and TV We Love.
There’s lots of data that network execs look at when deciding whether to renew or cancel a TV series but ratings are the major ingredient. These 2025-26 charts will be updated as new ratings data becomes available.
Note: If you’re not seeing the updated charts, please try reloading the page or view them here and here.
Some notes about these charts:
These figures are updated automatically as new ratings are released. The averages are based on the final national numbers (live plus same-day viewing), unless marked with an asterisk (*). For technical reasons, I have to resort them manually. While these numbers don’t include further delayed or streaming viewing, they are a very good indicator of how a show is performing, especially when compared to others on the same channel. There can be other economic factors involved in a show’s fate, but typically the higher-rated series are renewed and the lower-rated ones are cancelled.
Keep in mind that the demo numbers are typically what’s most important to advertisers. Therefore, that’s how the networks measure success. Advertisers pay more for ad time on a show that has a higher demo rating. Older viewers also matter but younger viewers watch less traditional TV and are therefore harder to reach. Delayed viewing matters more and more these days (if commercials are watched) but live viewing is still advertisers’ ideal.
Demo numbers are typically reported using the 10ths decimal place (2.4, for example). In the averages, I’m using two extra decimal places for more accurate ranking. The networks take into account when shows air on Fridays and Saturdays, nights when TV viewership is lower.
What do you think? Are you surprised by any of the ratings? Which 2025-26 shows should be doing better? Which one do you think will be cancelled next?
