Thanks to tape recorders, DVR, video on demand, webcasts, and more, statistics have revealed that not only have the 27 series that premiered last year bombed, but nearly 9% of prime time viewers went M.I.A. since last year.

Okay, okay, so maybe it’s not completely technology’s fault. After all, studios do allow their episodes to be streamed online, and yeah, there was that little itty-bitty writer’s strike that went on for 100 days. Either way, network executives are always battling TiVo/DVR systems, although no one knows for sure just why they stream their own episodes online. Thankfully, they haven’t given up on us. Instead, they’re getting a bit more creative.

ABC has decided to renew five out of eleven of its rookie shows, including Dirty Sexy Money and Eli Stone, both of which would have been axed had it been any other TV season. The CW is getting people pumped about its revival of Beverly Hills 90210. Over at Fox, Seth McFarlane has gotten his chance to make a Family Guy spin-off, featuring Cleveland. NBC’s big The Office spin-off is bound to do well (hopefully).

Let’s hope this year brings us all something that will get us back on that couch at eight o’clock and make us wanting more, yes?