The Secret Circle type TV Show network The CW

The CW just gave full-season orders to The Secret Circle and Hart of Dixie, meaning all three of the network’s new dramas will get 22 episodes (the network picked up Ringer a couple hours ago). 

None of the shows have given The CW a new breakout hit.  Of the two just picked up, Circle has fared better: With top-rated Vampire Diaries as a lead-in, Britt Robertson’s Circle has averaged 2.7 million viewers and a 1.2 rating, while Rachel Bilson’s Hart has averaged 1.8 million viewers and a 0.8.  Here’s CW president Mark Pedowitz with his thoughts:

“We believe in the creative strength of these dramas, and by giving them back nine orders we can give our audience the chance to enjoy complete seasons of all three of them.  With compelling storylines, engaging characters and tremendous buzz, we firmly believe that Hart of Dixie, Ringer and The Secret Circle can become signature series for The CW, the kind of top-notch shows that are synonymous with our brand.” 

The CW tends to develop a handful of dramas each year, pick a few to put on the air and then — unless the ratings utterly tank — stick with them for at least one season (the network is more aggressive about cutting reality shows, it cancelled H8R last week).