It feels good to get this list posted on time this week.

1. Empire (12.455 million 4.8)- This is the absolute best case scenario for FOX given the long 4 month hiatus. This season, to be kind, has been disappointing for FOX and this show is the lone reason why the network will be able to salvage their season.

2. The Walking Dead (14.193 million 6.9)- This was not a season for the record books. Who needs records when this show can still deliver numbers like these and remain the highest rated scripted show on TV?

3. Real Housewives of Atlanta (2.807 million 1.2)- This show is going to return for a ninth season. It isn’t official, but we all know that it will happen. I don’t think the ratings will get substantially better from here. I also think it will be a while (barring a very radical cast change) before the ratings get noticeably worse. There is a lot of incentive here to keep things as they are and maybe replace a couple of people.

4. Love & Hip Hop Atlanta (2.847 million 1.5)- This is way down from last season’s premiere, but it looks like quite a few shows were hit hard by NCAA basketball last night. This show aired through all of the pregame. I’m not sure if this will take big jump (more than 400k) next week. It can, but I doubt it.

5. Vanderpump Rules (1.183 million 0.6)- Bravo sure knows how to beat the 3 part reunion specials to death. At least they deem this show worthy of having a setup like that. That’s how you know the show is safe and practically a lock to return next season (If Bravo is going to do an upfront presentation this year, all of the shows on the list this week should get their renewals in a matter of days).

6. Black Ink Crew (2.217 million 1.2)- This premiere is up from last season’s opener. My guess is because it is now behind the best lead-in VH1 can offer to any show. It will be interesting to see if Love & Hip Hop Atlanta goes up to more familiar ratings territory because if it does, this show may be in for a windfall not seen since season 2.

7. Real Housewives of Potomac (1.643 million 0.7)- If you just look at the ratings and nothing else, this show has the numbers to get renewed. It is on the lower end of the Real Housewives scale (the only recent Real Housewives show it does better than is NYC), but it does have the numbers to get another chance. There are some strong signals coming from Bravo that say they are willing to give the show another chance. I just think it isn’t a promising omen when the only signals that point towards a renewal are rumors that the network wants to overhaul the cast.

8. Chicago PD (6.789 million 1.5)- I feel like I’m late to the party because I’m seeing around that there is a high likelihood of a fourth Chicago drama joining the roster next year. I guess that will become official when the new fall schedules are released next month. I can see an opening on Thursdays for one of the vets (my vote would be for either Fire or PD) whenever they don’t have to air football (I’m not going to get into that but CBS, NBC and the NFL Network will air football games on Thursday nights next season).

9. Kendra on Top (Premiere: 432,000 0.2; Episode 2: 442,000 0.2)- These numbers are down from last season’s premiere. They are better than David Tutera’s Celebrations and I suppose that counts for something.

10. The Next 15 (176,000 0.1)- These numbers are from the reunion episode that aired on Sunday. I’m aware that it was a different night and outside of primetime, but I never saw finale numbers and I have reason to believe the demo was in this general area. I could be wrong because I honestly have no idea what the TV One cancel threshold is, but I would not be surprised if it doesn’t return for season 2.

Broadcast Shows:

Empire- 12.455 million (4.8)

Dancing with the Stars- 11.722 million (1.7)

The Voice (Tuesday)- 11.099 million (2.4)

The Voice (Monday)- 10.427 million (2.5)

American Idol- 9.105 million (2.1)

Chicago Med- 8.679 million (1.8)

Chicago Fire- 8.657 million (1.7)

Chicago PD- 6.789 million (1.5)

Scandal- 6.436 million (1.7)

2 Broke Girls- 5.691 million (1.6)

Grimm- 4.052 million (0.9)

Nashville- 3.838 million (0.9)

Once Upon a Time- 3.777 million (1.1)

The Flash- 3.392 million (1.3)

Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.- 3.202 million (1.0)

Hell’s Kitchen- 2.610 million (0.8)

Arrow- 2.339 million (0.9)

DC’s Legends of Tomorrow- 1.965 million (0.7)

Supernatural- 1.451 million (0.6)

The Vampire Diaries- 1.068 million (0.4)

The Originals- 926,000 (0.4)

Cable Shows:

The Walking Dead (Finale)- 14.193 million (6.9)

Love & Hip Hop Atlanta 5 (Premiere)- 2.847 million (1.5)

Real Housewives of Atlanta (Reunion Part 3)- 2.807 million (1.2)

Black Ink Crew 4 (Premiere)- 2.217 million (0.9)

Better Call Saul- 1.930 million (0.8)

Real Housewives of Beverly Hills- 1.834 million (0.7)

Real Housewives of Potomac (Finale)- 1.643 million (0.7)

Teen Mom 2- 1.559 million (0.9)

Dance Moms- 1.513 million (0.5)

Project Runway All Stars- 1.423 million (0.4)

Little Women LA- 1.217 million (0.5)

Vanderpump Rules (Reunion Part 3)- 1.183 million (0.6)

Little Women LA: Terra’s Little Family (10:30)- 1.137 million (0.4)

Little Women LA: Terra’s Little Family (10:00)- 1.040 million (0.4)

Teen Mom 2 (Aftershow)- 901,000 (0.5)

Catfish the TV Show- 822,000 (0.5)

The Americans- 820,000 (0.2)

Family Therapy with Dr. Jenn- 622,000 (0.3)

Bad Girls Club: Twisted Sisters- 620,000 (0.3)

I Am Cait- 533,000 (0.2)

Awkward- 479,000 (0.3)

Real World: Go Big or Go Home- 475,000 (0.3)

Kendra on Top (Episode 2)- 442,000 (0.2)

Kendra on Top (Premiere)- 432,000 (0.2)

Ru Paul’s Drag Race- 327,000 (0.2)

The Next 15 (Reunion Part 1)- 176,000 (0.1)