If ABC is planning for S7 to be the end, they may not care what the fan reaction/backlash is to this news and any forthcoming news. They may just let A and E have another season in order to keep getting some money from the show and because ABC dramas are in free fall right now (apart from TGIT, which has already been renewed).
Yeah but who knows how bad the show will fall upon it’s return. Who knows where the ratings will be by May. News like this will effect whether people choose to turn in. Also remember we have an Easter episode again. I don’t even want to think of the ratings for that episode.