Parenthood making a strong case for renewal

We're arriving at the time where TV executives will start deciding which shows deserve to be renewed and which do not.  NBC's 'Parenthood' has begun to make a good case for a 2nd season.

'Parenthood' beat 'The Good Wife' in the coveted 18-49 demographic Tuesday. It was the first time since 'Parenthood' premiered a month go that it beat a new episode of the CBS freshman drama head-to-head in that category. Last week, a new 'Parenthood' beat a repeat of 'The Good Wife.'

The ratings for 'Parenthood' have been all over the map since its March 2 premiere, but the last few weeks have seen some stabilization. Helped by heavy hype during NBC's Olympics coverage, the show launched  with 8.1 million viewers and a 3.1 rating in adults 18-49 (each rating point in that demo equals 1.3 million viewers). It dropped the following two weeks, hitting a low of 5.8 million viewers and a 2.3 in the demo on March 16. 

Some may have been ready to throw in the towel on 'Parenthood' at that point, but it rebounded on March 23 with 7 million viewers and a 2.7 in adults 18-49. Perhaps fans of 'The Good Wife,' which was in repeats that Tuesday, checked out 'Parenthood' and now some are starting to stick around. Although 'Parenthood' has not matched the numbers of two weeks ago, the show is performing at the same level as it was in week two and is doing particularly well with women.

NBC has some decisions to make with shows like 'Chuck' and 'Parenthood.'  Both are very good quality shows that struggle in the ratings.  But given the lack of quality programming at NBC, they would be wise to renew both shows.  Good shows like these do not come along too often.