With the fall, comes the new programming season; and this year’s lineup is looking promising with over 30 new shows. From the highly anticipated Marvel’s Agents of Shield and Micheal J. Fox Show to The Crazy Ones, Sleepy Hollow and new sitcoms like The Goldbergs, it’s going to be an entertaining fall.

BUT don’t get too attached folks. As we all know, only a handful of these 30+ new shows will stick around. Ever wonder why networks cancel your favourite show(s) and keep the crappy ones? Me, too. The problem is, your favorite shows might not be my favorite shows… and network television stations (like ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and the CW) depend on mass audiences to survive.  That means keeping the shows that attract the broadest audience. It also means disappointing millions of people whose favorite shows don’t make the cut. (I am still mourning the loss of Firefly.)

So how DO ‘they’ decide what shows stay and which ones will take the proverbial long walk off a short pier? It’s not heart. It’s data. Data from a combination of television ratings and social data, such as how it’s trending on Twitter. Ever wonder how television actually ratings work? Check it out on my favourite site: HowStuffWorks.com and start tweeting about your new favourites!

Happy Viewing!