RENEWAL ALERT: Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice, Castle, Modern Family, The Middle, Cougar Town

At the TCA tour, ABC announced renewals for six veteran shows: Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice, Castle, Modern Family, The Middle, and Cougar Town. Most were no-brainers with only Cougar and Practice the potential bubble shows - but even they were far more likely to be renewed than not. Now they are for sure.

The long-running medical drama Grey's Anatomy was granted an eighth season. The Thursday stalwart is not nearly the powerhouse it once was but it is still a strong demo performer and still has a loyal following. Through 11 episodes this season, it has averaged 11.9 million viewers and a good 4.4 in the 18-49 demo. This has been a long-running hit but ABC needs to be able to launch some new successful dramas the way they used to without any problems.

Grey's spinoff Private Practice was given a fifth season. While its renewal status was always likely, it has never been a ratings powerhouse despite airing right out of its parent series. Through 11 episodes, it has averaged 8.2 million viewers and a 3.0 in the demo. This is inflated by a highly rated special November episode that garnered 10.2 million viewers and a 3.9 demo. The bigger question is will ABC continue to air this show in its slot? It has performed fairly well against CBS's The Mentalist in the demo category in the last two years but it has never been a standout.

ABC's Monday drama Castle also got a renewal. Next year will be its fourth season. Through 11 episodes, it has averaged 10.4 million viewers and a 2.6 in the demo, but it has slipped a bit recently airing out of Skating with the Stars or The Bachelor instead of Dancing with the Stars. It seems to be a bit less lead-in dependent than it used to be but it still benefits with a stronger lead-in. It has still been a solid 10pm drama and is ABC's biggest drama success in the last several years as they have had a lot of troubles in that department.

In a no-brainer move, the critically-acclaimed and popular Modern Family was given a third season. The 2010 Emmy winner for Outstanding Comedy series has averaged 11.9 million viewers and a strong 4.7 demo. It has flourished in its second season and already has a lucrative syndication deal in place. The show has become a tentpole for Wednesday nights and is the face of ABC's recent comedy renaissance.

Another Wednesday night sitcom, The Middle, was also given a third season. Averaging 8.7 million viewers and a 2.4 in the demo through 11 episodes, this show has really found an audience. It was only an average performer at 8:30pm last year but now it has turned into a solid success as a Wednesday lead-off this season. The show doesn't get the attention of Modern Family but has grown in its second season and has become a very solid show for ABC.

Perhaps the biggest surprise, but still not a huge surprise, was the renewal of fellow sitcom sophomore, Cougar Town, for a third season. Airing after Modern Family, Cougar has averaged 7.2 million viewers and a 3.0 demo. These numbers, particularly the demo, aren't terrible but it hasn't made the most of airing out of ABC's best demo performer. It will take a break soon for the new Matthew Perry sitcom Mr. Sunshine. This seems to imply that ABC will try to branch out comedy to another night next fall.

Those are just the beginnings of ABC's renewals with more sure to come. Dancing with the Stars and other longtime nonscripted fare (The Bachelor, 20/20, America's Funniest Home Videos, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, and Primetime) seem to be sure things. Desperate Housewives seems another sure bet assuming it can iron out contract negotiations with its stars. Better With You stands a good chance if they do indeed branch out their comedies to a second night. Brothers & Sisters, V, and No Ordinary Family are a toss-up at this point while Detroit 1-8-7 seems unlikely. Still to debut this season are dramas Off the Map and Body of Proof and sitcoms Mr. Sunshine and Happy Endings.