​The all-consuming question surrounding TV premiere week seems to always be a form of “What will be the next hit this fall?” This year is no different, though with show spinoffs, growing franchises, ratings changes and the end to some big series to ponder, the 2014-2015 season has many more questions than answers.

TheWrap looks at just a few of these issues, starting with: Can NBC keep its hold on the coveted 18-49 demo?

Last year, NBC took the top spot in this group with hits including The Blacklist and The Voice. This year, the network’s strategy relies on these returning series as well as a new Thursday night slate of A to Z and Bad Judge, and political drama State of Affairs.

How far can networks can franchises until viewers bow out? NCIS launches its latest spinoff this season, this time heading to New Orleans, bringing the franchise count to three shows, all airing on Mondays and Tuesdays. The newest iteration, starring Scott Bakula, CCH Pounder and Lucas Black, could either cement the NCIS franchise or could lose viewers by over-6572saturating the procedural market.

What about this year’s ratings systems? In response to networks’ pleas, Nielsen announced this summer that it’s ready to implement multiplatform ratings, including mobile and non-traditional viewing via apps, etc. So how will the new ratings affect broadcasters (who choose to implement them) and how will that affect the series about to debut? Will they have more time to adjust, or will we see cancellations more quickly than previous years?

The end is near for some big series on television - which will anger fans and which will solidify their legacies? Boardwalk Empire and Sons of Anarchy kick off their last seasons next week, and Mad Men begins its last few episodes in the spring. Each of these series involve larger-than-life personalities that, in the same vein as Breaking Bad, could wrap up stories or leave fans with abandonment issues if the story disappoints (a la How I Met Your Mother). But the loss of these stories also leaves a hole in the schedule for a few of these networks - AMC especially has some big shoes to fill.

What will CBS’ new late-night space look like? David Letterman leaves his post at The Late Show next year, and Craig Ferguson will step down at the end of 2014. With Stephen Colbert (not the character, the person) taking over for Letterman and a new host taking over to Ferguson (possibly James Corden?), CBS has the chance to reinvent its late-night brand for a new, younger TV audience.

Read more at TheWrap.

Brief Take: Fall TV is just around the corner so speculation is at its high point, but it all comes down to: Which network will leave premiere week with ratings to be proud of?

[Image courtesy of NBC]

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