Dec 5, 2016 5 min read

Here we come a canceling.

Without ever using that dreaded “cancel” word, the networks confirmed they will be yanking at least six TV shows from the air soon to make way for winter schedules. None of those six shows has been given orders for additional episodes. In other words, they’re canceled.

To date, those all-but-axed series are CBS’s “The Odd Couple” and “Pure Genius,” ABC’s “Conviction” and “Notorious” and the CW’s “Frequency” and “Tomorrow.” In addition, ABC’s “The Real O’Neals,” CBS’s “Code Black” and NBC’s “Timeless” were given truncated orders for new episodes, which could spell trouble if a fill-in series catches on.

Over the past few days, we’ve been getting official “winter schedules” – the networks’ latest way of assuring they will never, ever return to their glory days. Why? Just about every hit series is being given an extended breather, while viewers, who have just settled in with the new fall schedule, will have to start all over again. Or just switch to cable.

For patient, lazy or overly loyal network viewers, here’s what we’re being force fed for the next several weeks:

ABC: “The Bachelor” fills in for “Dancing with the Stars,” beginning Jan. 2, while a double dose of “Match Game” takes over temporarily for “Designated Survivor,” beginning Jan. 4. “To Tell the Truth” gets a two-hour block Sundays at 8 p.m. beginning Jan. 8, replacing “Once Upon A Time” and “Secrets and Lies.” It’s not clear if “Secrets and Lies” will be returning.

“Scandal” returns Jan. 19, pretty much sealing the fate of “Notorious,” which it replaces. The low-rated “Quantico” gets the even weaker “Conviction” time slot effective Jan. 23. ABC has several sitcoms waiting in the wings; one will no doubt replace “The Real O’Neals,” which is already on life support.

CBS: “Ransom” gets a Saturday 8 p.m. slot beginning next month – an indication that the network is either trying to reboot programming on Saturdays or that “Ransom” has already been declared a dead-in-the-water show. Bet on the latter. Legal drama “Doubt” gets the “Code Black” slot Wednesday at 10 p.m. in February, and “Training Day” (based on the movie) takes over for “Pure Genius” Thursdays at 10 p.m. during the same month.

CBS has one sitcom, “Superior Donuts,” ready to go, most likely in the “Odd Couple” Monday at 9:30 slot. Also being added to the schedule are reality series “Hunter,” which fills in temporarily for “Survivor” Wednesdays at 8 p.m. beginning Jan. 25, and “Amazing Race,” which saunters back on the schedule at 8 p.m. beginning April 21.

CW: Put down those comic books – your superheroes are on the move. “Legends of Tomorrow” is transported to Tuesdays at 9 p.m. Jan. 24, and “Supernatural” relocates the following day to Thursdays at 8 p.m., where it will be joined by the new “Riverdale” (an Archie comics show). “The 100” takes over for “Frequency” Feb. 1 at 9 p.m., and “Reign” fills in for “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend,” beginning Feb. 10 at 9 p.m.

“Vampire Diaries” ends its run March 10; the following Friday, “The Originals” takes it place. And, finally, “iZombie” gets the “Legends of Tomorrow” slot Tuesdays at 9 p.m. beginning April 11.

FOX: It’s first out of the gate with its winter schedule, with the drama “Star” starting Dec. 14 at 9 p.m. For 2017, its schedule is mostly unrecognizable. On New Year’s Day, sitcom “The Mick” premieres at 8 p.m. before moving to Tuesdays at 8:30 p.m., where it will be preceded by “New Girl” in a new time period and followed by “Bones” in its final season. The following day, “Hell’s Kitchen” gets the 8 p.m. slot, where it will be joined by the new “My Kitchen Rules” the following week.

On Jan. 6, the new Friday schedule will be “Rosewood” and “Sleepy Hollow.” On Feb. 6, “24: Legacy” and “APB” temporarily replace “Gotham” and “Lucifer.” And “Masterchef Junior” comes along Feb. 9

NBC: It’s justifiably proud as a peacock with the success of “This Is Us,” but perhaps it wants to ensure the success of its other two freshmen shows – “The Good Place” and “Timeless” – before it unleashes its winter schedule. Without revealing start dates, NBC has said it plans to replace Sunday Night Football with “Dateline NBC,” “Little Big Shots,” the newest in the “Chicago” drama arena, “Chicago Justice,” and the return of “Shades of Blue.” “The New Apprentice” also will fill the void between the two seasons of “The Voice” on Mondays.

We also know the Friday plan is the last season of “Grimm,” the new “Emerald City” and another edition of “Dateline NBC.” Beyond that, NBC has indicated most of its hit shows will be back sooner, rather than later, and that some new series (and it has quite a backlog) will be peppered in.

Good luck trying to find your favorite show.

People sometimes learn from their mistakes. Networks just repeat them.