Tv News:Grimm Just Got Some Annoying News From NBC

As we are nearing the end of the TV season, the systems have begun to settle on choices with respect to which shows will push ahead next fall and which will be left in the dust. While NBC has reestablished Law and Order: SVU, Chicago Fire and a huge number of different shows, it now appears as though there may be less incredible news for one of those recharged dramatizations. This week, NBC settled on an extreme choice to eliminate the quantity of scenes requested for its otherworldly show Grimm. While not a cancelation, it isn't precisely uplifting news, either.

Grimm had been a steady performer on Friday nights on NBC during the first few years it was a part of the network’s schedule. This year, however, the show saw its ratings drop below a 1.0 on occasion as it dealt with solid competition from the CW, which moved Vampire Diaries and The Originals to Friday nights, and Fox, which also moved Sleepy Hollow to Friday nights. That’s not even counting ABC’s and CBS’ less supernatural Friday night lineups. Despite the numbers waning a bit, NBC ultimately opted to renew Grimm for Season 6 earlier this month. Now, the network isn’t exactly backtracking, but Deadline says Season 6 is looking like it will only be comprised of 13 episodes. Normally, a full order for a network TV show is at least 22 episodes, so 13 is a big difference.

Oftentimes, when a network chooses to cut back on an episode order after a show has been on the air for many years, it’s not the best news. In fact, a shortened season sometimes signals the end to a series, giving the show an opportunity to wrap up in a way that makes sense and also gives fans the most closure related to the most storylines. That’s exactly what Fox is doing for Bones when it returns for a shortened final season next fall.

Regardless, NBC isn’t willing to say that Season 6 will be the last for Grimm just yet. In fact, reports indicate that NBC’s episode order is open-ended. Thus, if Grimm does well after it premieres during the 2016-2017 TV season, NBC might just go ahead and give the show more episodes. If it doesn't do well, 13 might be all we get.

It’s a little early to speculate on how next season will shake out. Ratings are a key factor, but so is how well a program is doing when compared to the other shows that air on the same night or on the same network. One of the big things that Grimm has going for it is a committed and active fanbase, and hopefully that fanbase will tune in when the show returns for Season 6.