ABC announces several renewals

By James Hibberd

April 23, 2009, 02:24 PM ET

ABC announced renewals for 12 established series, including reality stalwarts "Dancing with the Stars" and "The Bachelor" and top dramas "Grey's Anatomy" and "Desperate Housewives."

Also receiving an early pickup for next season are dramas "Brothers & Sisters," "Grey's Anatomy," "Ugly Betty" and "Private Practice" and unscripted veterans "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," "Wife Swap," "Supernanny" and "America's Funniest Home Videos."

The dozen join "Lost," which is set to return for its final season as part of a three-season pickup in 2007.

Though "Housewives" creator Marc Cherry told the media and ABC he wanted a similar four-season renewal for his show, ABC has opted to add on only another year to his current agreement.

Absent from the list: ABC's entire freshman class, including struggling midseason efforts such as "The Unusuals," "Better Off Ted," "Castle" and "In the Motherhood" as well as import "Scrubs."

Of the new shows, only "Castle" has shown enough spark for likely consideration. And ABC still has plenty of time to add more shows to this list between now and their upfront presentation to advertisers next month.

"Betty" was once considered potentially on the bubble, but ABC entertainment president Steve McPherson had previously assured viewers the show would return. After recently trying out a couple underperforming comedies in the traditional Betty 8 p.m. hour, a pickup seemed all but certain.

"Practice," which had its series premiere last season, is the freshest show on the list. The "Grey's" spinoff became an obvious choice for renewal after ABC shifted the show to Thursdays after Grey's and it started winning its time period.

ABC announces several renewals

By James Hibberd

April 23, 2009, 02:24 PM ET