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NBC’s ‘Studio 60’ Takes Hiatus Early, Maybe Permanently

Aaron Sorkin’s Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip is going on hiatus to make room for NBC’s new drama, The Black Donnellys - and with its meager ratings on Monday, the hiatus may be permanent.

NBC’s highly anticipated but struggling show fell to a series-low of 2.6 adults 18-49, finishing below even ABC’s challenged What About Brian, writes Media Life (based on Nielsen overnights). Its previous low, from the week before, was 2.8.

NBC originally planned to finish February sweeps month with Studio 60, beginning The Black Donnellys in March, but the ratings slip has prompted the network to bring in its mid-season drama early in the hopes that it will make the most of the valuable post-Heroes time slot.

The ratings decline came as the drama shifted focus from an inside look at Hollywood and the media to romance. NBC is saying the show will return later in the season, but it isn’t saying when. Media Life thinks it likely the show will not return next year.