ABC has not ordered pilots this pilot season.
That is down from four at the start of the 2022-23 season.
He also speaks of the overall mix of scripted and reality on the schedule.
“Abbott Elementary,” “Only Murders in the Building,” “The Good Doctor” & “Station 19"Everett/Hulu
Erwich discussed the decisions to end ABCs series in the group,Station 19andThe Good Doctor.
Talk about how you made those cancellation decisions and the strikes impact?
ERWICH: The strike for sure paused everything, theres no denying that.
Niecy Nash-Betts in ‘The Rookie: Feds’Scott Everett White/ABC
I think theyre all individually excellent, with tremendous people in front of them and behind the camera.
Its always hard when theres a work stoppage, its painful for everybody.
DEADLINE:You mentionedHigh Potential.
ERWICH: We order pilots year-round because we launch shows year-round.
Theres a long time between now and the fall and now and March.
We dont only focus on the fall.
Thats how we launchedWill Trentlast season, which was one of our most successful launches.
So we have to be flexible about our schedules as to when theyre available.
And we know that people want to watch shows year-round, so thats why its a year-round process.
DEADLINE:Are you doing pilot or straight-to-series orders this year?
Budgets likely already have been set so do you have a number of what you might order?
ERWICH: We dont have a set number.
Its really about, what are our needs?
And then, what is the excellent material thats available to us?
We will continue to make pilots as we always have; I do believe in pilots.
DEADLINE:But there could be more new scripted ABC shows for midseason 2025 that you havent ordered yet?
ERWICH: Certainly, theres certainly time to do that.
ERWICH:OnThe Good Doctor, Ive loved working with David.
I have had the honor now of working with him twice; I was at Fox when he didHouse.
Its been an incredible journey with Dr. Shaun [Murphy].
Its going to be a very heartfelt farewell, and were really looking forward to it.
Or is it just hard to sustain shows beyond six-seven seasons?
ERWICH: Well, every show has its own journey so to speak.
In the case ofStation 19, it was time to bring that story to an end.
I loveStation 19, and I think whats amazing aboutStation 19is that it was yes, a spinoff ofGreys.
Im proud to be in business with Shonda [Rhimes] on that show.
Have you started renewal conversations with the studio yet?
This is usually the time where the online grid starts those talks with ABC Signature.
Its helped define the internet over the last 20 seasons.
DEADLINE:Are you open, Is there a chance for another spinoff fromGreys?
Theres been two pretty successful so far withPrivate PracticeandStation 19.
Have you decided yet if this is going to be the final season?
ERWICH: In March were going to have the 100th episode ofThe Connerswhich is incredible.
I was actually at the cake-cutting for the 100th episode, which was an honor in itself.
DEADLINE:We talked a little bit about the arrival of9-1-1.What kind of push are you putting behind it?
Also, if spinoffLone Starbecomes available, would you be interested?
Its a little bit of a homecoming because our studio [20th Television] produces the show.
DEADLINE:Ryan Murphy has spoken about his desire to do a second9-1-1spinoff.
Is this something that you would do or, as I mentioned, couldLone Starpotentially join ABC?
ERWICH: We dont have anything in the works at this time.
Right now were focused on this season of9-1-1.
DEADLINE:Ryan also has a legal drama series at Hulu starring Kim Kardashian.
Ive obviously heard the pitch for the series.
I think its an amazing vehicle for Kim who did incredible work onAmerican Horror Story.
That was just the beginning of a very special relationship between Ryan and Kim.
I dont have additional news to share but its certainly an opportunity we are really looking forward to.
The reality show covers the goings-on in their lives, so theres an opportunity to cover that.
Thats something well certainly take advantage of, I think the audience would want to see that.
DEADLINE:Going back to to ABC.
Theres been talk recently whether the 10 oclock hour continues to be viable for the broadcast networks.
What is your take?
Does ABC remain committed to that hour with original programming?
We also have a lot of time-shifting at 10 PM.
[Delayed viewing of previously aired programs.]
Were having really good success with that strategy.
Fridays at 10 oclock we have20/20which has been a resounding No.
1 performer as a news program there.
DEADLINE:You spoke in your opening remarks yesterdayabout how ABC shows perform on Hulu.
1 current series on Hulu and the highest-rated comedy on the networklast season.
We have a very holistic view of where people are watching these shows and when.
We want to count every viewer because we know each viewer is watching shows differently.
Its a very unique proposition that only Disney has.
ERWICH: We have these incredible powerhouse categories or programming for ourselves.
So its always a mix.
DEADLINE:Disney streaming underwent a major content removal last year.
Were very committed to scripted programming on Hulu, and we have a really exciting slate coming up.
DEADLINE:What about the decision to cancelThe Greatafter three seasons?
ERWICH: It was an incredible show.
We were honored to have it and it was recognized through both the critics and the audience.
And people can still watch it on Hulu.
ERWICH: We dont have any news to share about that right now.
DEADLINE:What about shows likeBlack CakeandTaste the Nation?
Have you made renewal decisions?
ERWICH: Really proud about those shows.
I dont have any news to share right now.
ERWICH: We have James Marsden, Julianne Nicholson and Sarah Shahiwho are joining Sterlingon the series.
I dont want to spoil any details, but its a big event for television.
Im really looking forward to it.
DEADLINE:Onto the other Dan Fogelman show on Hulu,Only Murders In the Building.
Because of its concept, there is probably a finite number of murders that can happen in that building.
Could Season 4 be the last one or maybe one more after that?
Also, you mentioned on Saturday that you have read the first 4-5 scripts of Season 4.
Can you talk more about your reaction?
DEADLINE:What about Meryl Streep?
Will we ever see her again on the show?
Ive listened to that song she has sung probably a dozen times.
I can never get tired of it.
DEADLINE:Youaddressed Freeform on Saturdayand spoke of the success of its Halloween and Christmas movie franchises.
Were very committed to that young female audience.
We know that they like to watch a lot of the shows on Hulu.
So well service them in both places.
We have a full slate for 24 and we have some shows were really excited about coming up.
