When Reddit’s least-favorite show (The Big Bang Theory) had its finale a few years ago, I compared the numbers. TBBT ended with a number that, despite it being a finale and getting a higher-than-normal rating, even that would only have been enough to give it a 50/50 shot of cancellation in the 90s.

…and they will survive with a smaller audience. For network TV nowadays it’s just more important to know your audience. A specific demographic will often be worth more to advertisers.