Networks in frenzy of axing top shows

It wasn't quite the Red Wedding, but American networks have culled more than a dozen prime-time shows to make room for new programmes next season.

ABC took the sword to seven series (including country music drama Nashville and veteran whodunit Castle) while Fox is sacrificing five freshman shows, including comedies starring ageing pretty boys Rob Lowe and John Stamos.

Meanwhile, CBS is deleting CSI: Cyber after this, its sophomore season, thus laying to rest the CSI dynasty that encompassed four series during a 16-year span.

The official body count - as well as new programming blood for the 2016-17 season - will be rolled out this week at the networks' "upfront" sessions for advertisers.

But through a combination of network leaks and networks jumping the gun, a flood of announcements got early exposure.

Perhaps the sourest note came from ABC with word that it's cancelling Nashville after four seasons. Never a ratings hit, that series enjoyed a loyal following, especially in Music City, where the show was filmed.

Castle, which debuted in 2009, was still a reliable ratings performer. It was announced last month that co-star Stana Katic was exiting, but Nathan Fillion, who plays Castle, had tweeted in vain that he hoped the show would continue for years despite her departure.

In addition, sophomore series Agent Carter and Galavant won't be back.

Freshman series Blood & Oil and The Family have also been yanked, as has The Muppets, for which a wealth of long-time affection for Miss Piggy and its other characters failed to translate into viewership.

Fox is dumping comedies Grandfathered (starring Stamos) and The Grinder (starring Lowe) as well as midseason entries Bordertown, Minority Report and Cooper Barrett's Guide to Surviving Life.

But the news wasn't all grim.

At ABC, Scandal producer Shonda Rhimes is collaborating with William Shakespeare on a period drama about the aftermath of the deaths of young lovers Romeo and Juliet. Still Star-Crossed will become Rhimes' fifth series at ABC. Along with Scandal, her ShondaLand company produces Grey's Anatomy, How to Get Away with Murder and The Catch.

The show, which hasn't made the ratings splash of Rhimes' other shows since its recent premiere, will return for a second season, ABC said.

Supergirl is landing at CW for its second season after debuting last year on CBS. It's a good fit for CW, currently home to three other superhero shows, The Flash, Arrow and DC's Legends of Tomorrow.

All are from prolific producer Greg Berlanti, who has placed yet another show at CW for next season, Riverdale.

Based on the Archie Comics characters, Riverdale was described by the network as a present-day "surprising and subversive take" on Archie, Betty, Veronica and their friends. Lili Reinhart, Cole Sprouse and Luke Perry are among the stars.

Other upcoming new series announced:
Conviction, ABC. A lawyer and former first daughter (Hayley Atwell from Agent Carter) takes a job with the New York district attorney's office to avoid jail time for drugs and political damage for her mother's Senate campaign.

Notorious, ABC. A provocative look at the sexy and dangerous interplay of criminal law and the media.

Imaginary Mary, ABC. Jenna Elfman plays a fiercely independent career woman whose life is turned upside down when she meets the love of her life -- a divorced father with three kids.

Downward Dog, ABC. Based on the web series, the comedy looks at the life of a struggling millennial (Allison Tolman) from the perspective of her philosophical dog, Martin.

An as-yet untitled comedy from ABC about an unapologetically plump wife and mother (Katy Mixon) whose flawed family lives in a wealthy town populated by so-called "perfect" children.

Time After Time, ABC. Based on the novel and movie, with writer H.G. Wells (Freddie Stroma) travelling through time to modern Manhattan in search of Jack the Ripper.

Frequency, CW, inspired by the 2000 Dennis Quaid-Jim Caviezel film. A police detective gets in touch with her late father via a ham radio and work together on an unsolved murder case. Riley Smith is among the stars.

No Tomorrow, CW, follows a cautious woman and a freewheeling man who fall in love and decide to pursue their dreams because of a belief that the apocalypse is near. The cast includes Tori Anderson and Josh Sasse.

Chicago Justice, NBC. Producer Dick Wolf expands his Windy City-based franchise with a drama about state prosecutors and investigators. It joins Chicago Med, Chicago Fire and Chicago P.D.

- AP