Networks Plan Final Endings for ‘Melrose,’ ‘Home Improvement’

It’s official: Fox’s “Melrose Place” and ABC’s “Home Improvement,” both long-running prime-time hits, will each conclude their runs in May, the two networks confirmed Friday.

In the case of “Melrose,” Fox opted not to continue the racy prime-time serial, which has seen its audience dwindle to fewer than 9 million viewers per week. The move was not a surprise, since Fox nearly canceled the 7-year-old series a year ago.

“Home Improvement,” which premiered in 1991, ends on a different note. Although star Tim Allen had said flatly this would be the program’s final year, ABC still hoped to entice him and co-star Patricia Richardson into returning for one more season. Allen is currently earning $1.25 million per episode, and the offer for another year was said to be substantially higher.

“Home Improvement” has remained a solid ratings performer, averaging more than 15 million viewers weekly, even with its move this season to an earlier 8 p.m. time slot, when the number of people watching TV tends to be lower. The program’s departure leaves a significant void for ABC.

Both programs will finish their runs having completed at least 200 episodes, and each network plans the customary prime-time finale this spring, timed to boost ratings during the May sweeps.

NBC is also promoting a “countdown” to the final episode of “Mad About You” in May, even though that show is limping to the finish line. Ratings have been so disappointing the network shifted the Paul Reiser-Helen Hunt comedy in December from Tuesdays opposite “Home Improvement” to Monday nights.