Board Thread:General Discussion/@comment-4775130-20160926170627/@comment-24674051-20170307173339

For TV, the ratings are important, particularly their target Demo rating. This is the information that the network uses in negotiations with advertisers. And it is primarily advertiser revenue that covers the cost of producing and airing a television series. The other revenue, from things like conventions and merchandise, is nice. (And for the record, Agents of Sheild does also generate some convention and merchandise revenue)

But there are other factors involved with obtaining advertising, with the ratings being just one component. The type of show plays into the decision as well. Once is a Drama, and when comparing Once's ratings with other ABC Drama's, it is fairing reasonably well. given the network and programming, ABC will likely not put a sitcom in the Sunday night slot (and a sitcom would probably not do as well, imo). They will look to find a family oriented drama, a reality show, or a game show (thinking of when Millionaire started). Most of the drama's that are produced are much more adult oriented and would not fit well, at least not in the slot that Once holds. Reality TV shows are generally on a decline. And Game Shows, while interesting, do not have any real longevity in prime time.

Once is, in this regard, uniquely qualified, since it is reasonably family oriented (There are some things that are still questionable, and that discussion can be held elsewhere). I would say that as long as the ratings don't fall too much farther, they will hold on to Once, at least until they can find a suitable replacement.