NBC comedies axed after poor ratings

NBC has cancelled freshman comedies A to Z and Bad Judge following a run of middling ratings.

Both shows will run to the end of their 13-episode orders on the US network, however.

They become the latest new season series to meet the chop following ABC’s cancellation of ABC rom com Manhattan Love Story.

Networks have been slower to cancel new season shows this year as recent evidence has shown initial numbers do not always best indicate shows with long-term potential.

However, rom com A to Z has been ditched after its initial 4.8 million audience dipped to just 2.5 million (and a low 0.7 rating among 18-49s) in its most recent Thursday night episode.

Bad Judge began well with 5.9 million viewers, retaining most of its lead-in audience from reality series The Biggest Loser, but has also fallen away.