Networked Insights: ABC’s Pickups

NEW YORK: Based on social-media traction, 666 Park Avenue and Last Resort are among the new shows expected to fare well on ABC’s upcoming season, according to Networked Insights.

The supernatural-themed 666 Park Avenue is scheduled for Sundays at 10 p.m.—a slot that this season was home to the canned Pan Am and GCB. This fall, Revenge will serve as its lead in, taking the slot previously held by Desperate Housewives. "This show is successfully appealing to viewers of American Horror Story," says Networked Insights, which advised networks and advertisers on how viewers are responding to shows, based on conversations in social media. "Terry O’Quinn from Lost is just sweetening the deal."

Last Resort, from The Shield‘s Shawn Ryan, is slated for Thursdays at 8 p.m., with a cast that includes Andre Braugher. "It has been a long time since Seaquest was on the air and viewers seem ready for new submarine adventures, particularly Glee fans who are excited to see Max Adler in a new role."

Another show listed as a top pick is Nashville, from Lionsgate and ABC Studios, starring Connie Britton and Hayden Panettiere. The Wednesday 10 p.m show focuses on a country music legend. "This year ABC is going big with the country music theme, and unlike with Malibu Country, Nashville is offering viewers a bit more content with Connie Britton fresh from fan favorite show Friday Night Lights."

Indeed, Networked Insights doesn’t see a long future for Malibu Country, a midseason replacement starring Reba McEntire. "[She] may be an award-winning country music artist and a previous WB sitcom star, but currently she has a rather lackluster resonance on social [media] and the show’s content is hit and miss with viewers."

Another show that doesn’t yet seem to be resonating is Family Tools, a midseason Tuesday night comedy adapted from ITV’s White Van Man. "As a remake of a British modernization of Sanford and Son featuring the wife from The King of Queens, this show’s premise and casting is too generic to catch the attention of viewers," Networked Insights says.

Another series failing to gain traction in social media thus far is Zero Hour, from Prison Break creator Paul T. Scheuring. "Anthony Edwards may be well remembered by older TV fans for his role on ER, but today he doesn’t have much of a social presence; the thriller-style narrative also struggles on ABC, as was evident in their recently cancelled show Missing."