ABC has ordered three additional scripts for new fall series A Million Little Things, The Rookie and The Kids Are Alright and sophomore comedy Splitting Up Together. Broadcast networks opt for script orders to some series with 13-episode orders that they are considering for back episodic orders to keep their writers rooms going while they make the final decision whether to pick up more episodes.
A Million Little Things’ chances of a back order also were boosted by the debut of fellow new ABC drama The Rookie, which drew a 1.0 18-49 rating and 5.4 million L+SD viewers in the challenging Tuesday 10 PM slot vs. A Million Little Things’premiere delivery of 1.1 and 5.1 million.
The cop dramedy starring Nathan Fillion improved the Tuesday 10 PM time period for ABC where the network had been struggling mightily. Rising to 8.6 million viewers and a 1.6 demo rating after 3 days of delayed viewing, The Rookie logged ABC’s strongest drama debut in Tuesday’s 10 PM hour in more than 7.5 years among both total viewers and adults 18-49.