Cancellation Watch: Who'll Be the First to Go?
Saturday October 4, 2008
Now that the majority of the fall shows have premiered, the time will soon come when the networks begin issuing pink slips to those series not cutting it in the ratings department. Which television drama will be the first to get canceled?
When new episodes returned last April following the writers strike, one would think that viewers would have been thrilled to have their favorite shows back on the air (especially after being pelted with unfortunate events such as Clash of the Choirs). However, something very strange happened -- millions of viewers seemed to have either dropped off the face of the planet, or just stopped watching television. Whatever the case may be, the ratings plummeted.
As the new season began last month, I thought for sure that people would tune back in to their favorite shows. Despite endless promotion of both new and returning series, ratings are down across the board. NBC's Heroes has lost millions of viewers, ABC's three Wednesday night dramas are down considerably from last season and Fox's Prison Break can't even seem to get their resident criminals to steal better ratings.
As for the new series of the fall, some are performing well and have earned full season orders, while the rest are struggling to stay above water.
So, who will be the first to go? Will it be a new series or a returning drama? Usually this would be a fairly easy question to answer, but with the ratings taking such a hit all over the place, it almost places a fairly large portion of the primetime schedule on an even playing field.
Will the networks adapt to this new ratings climate and become more forgiving than they have in the past? Do you think the whole Nielsen ratings system needs a major overhaul in order to get a more accurate read on viewership? Will DVR/Tivo data and online episode download stats figure into the overall picture? Thoughts? Comments? Post 'em below!
Copyright © 2008 NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved.
Comments
I think that the networks should give all shows a full season’s worth of a chance. For example, Gossip Girl sucks for me this season but was great last season! Even though I’m not happy with the direction of the show. I wouldn’t want it cancel. It may improve. Another show that deserves a chance is Terminator. Fox is ready to cancel it. It blames it for the diminishing ratings of Prison Break but I don’t think it’s true. Terminator is great. Prison Break … there’s just not a whole lot you can do with the series. Even the actors want to move on.
I agree with Alex about giving the new shows more time to gain a following. It’s really hard to try a lot of the new shows along with getting back into one’s old favorites. Many are on opposite each other and my DVR can’t record 3 at once on some nights!!! On another note, Hero’s is very difficult to follow this year and I’m giving it one more chance, but most of my old favorites are still like old friends coming home again. I’m glad to see the old crew coming back to NCIS, and also to see some of the neat changes at Desperate Housewives.
Who knows which will be the first to get axed. But I agree with other comments as to the fact that the networks need to give a series time to gather a following. Not all shows are “break out” shows which earn a permanent spot on the line up immediately. Many take time to build a following that are great series, such as October Road of last season and the season before. Never given the proper chance to build it’s following. But even now as it is no longer on TV, the show still is gaining viewers just by the first season on DVD and by the purchases of the second season on iTunes. Had it been advertised properly, it would have gotten this long before the cancellation and perhaps would not have been canceled. I am already seeing this same trend by the networks of no advertising on new series. I see ads for the old ones that already have a following, but none for the new. Such a shame that the top people at the networks cannot see the error of their ways.
Definitely should get a new ratings system….Jericho proved that there was a whole audience that weren’t even getting on the radar…the Tivo’ers, the internet-watchers, etc. Me, for one, I DVR everything and watch when I get a chance…I work a lot of hours, including nights at times, and just have to record all my fav shows and stack them up to watch on the night I am available, sometimes its 3 a.m….The thought of having to rearrange my schedule to watch a TV show? OMG, that is SO 20th century!
I agree, there should be NO cancellations until, at least after the first season!! The only new show I watched this year was Fringe because it was a JJ Abrams show and I was pretty sure it wouldn’t fail.
I’ve been too disappointed in the past to start watching new shows and have them taken away after a short time!! The Neilson ratings are a thing of the past, they have to come up with a new way of counting viewers who are DVR’ing and Tivo’ng shows. We count too!!
I think it’s ridiculous that, the ratings are the only factor in a show getting renewed. I agree 100% with Deb, October Road IS an amazing show, and should never have been “canceled.” It has everything it takes to be a great series and it still got “canceled,” all because of the ratings, which probably aren’t even 100% accurate. I think the networks need to do some changing when it comes to the ratings, and give shows another chance. October Road is a great way to start. Bring it back, and give it another chance. I KNOW the viewers are there, even more than there were. Also, a lot of people watched October Road online, or TIVO/DVR-ed it, which I heard doesn’t count in the ratings. I don’t understand that at all. If a show is being viewed, it should be counted, no matter where it’s being watched. I think things need to change for the better, and shows that ARE terrific, like October Road is, need to come back and given the chance it so rightfully deserves!
Sorry, I forget to add that, it really makes me mad knowing that NOW this is being brought up. When my favorite show, October Road, was in danger, it was all blamed that the show is bad and the ratings aren’t good, but see, it’s not October Road, it’s TV in general. So, that’s why I think October Road, more now than ever, NEEDS & DESERVES to come back. It already has a HUGE following, and doesn’t need to be tested to see if people will love it, because we already do! I can only speak for this show, but the season 2 finale aired in March, it is now October, 7 months later, and we are all still fighting like crazy to get our show back. Doesn’t that say something?
All I know is things need to change. It’s not right the way the networks are going about their shows. I always thought TV was for it’s viewers; the people. Well, we the people, want GOOD TV, not most of the junk that’s on now. I’m a viewer and I want OCTOBER ROAD!!
October Road is a great show. I’m sick of the networks deciding what is good for us. We should be the ones to decide. I’m tired of getting into shows only to have them yanked or moved. I especially hate when the story is left hanging. Bring the show back. We want answers. I know many people who are upset. The big shots cancel a show like Octobe Road, but leave a stupid shoe like Pushing Daisies on. Go figure!
With the media available to today’s viewers and people leading busy lives, I am surprised it took the networks this long to figure out their almighty Nielsen ratings are not the be-all and end-all. Hopefully they will see that and do something before other great shows are cancelled before their due time. The past few years, there have been many many shows that I have loved that I felt have not been given a chance. The latest to not have been given a fair chance was October Road. On the various websites where I see tv fans voting for their favorites, there are quite a few shows that have very loyal fans (Jericho, Moonlight, October Road, to name a few) and those have ALL been cancelled. Not only that, but our only choices out now are what I consider “garbage tv” (game shows, dating shows, reality shows) and NO ONE seems to be discussing them or supporting them at all. It might be too late for my favorite show, but I am hoping someone sees how wonderful this show is, how loyal the fans are, and has the heart to put this show back on the air. I think the other fans feel the same about their favorites, too. I hope the networks will just listen to us.l
I only watch show that are available online, recorded on my Tivo, or that I download from iTunes and watch while I’m on the road. How fair is it that I don’t count just because I don’t stop my life to watch a specific show at a certain time?? Why would all these avenues be made available but not count towards ratings? I was introduced to October Road through a free download on iTunes and went on to buy Season 1 and Season 2 only to find out that the show had been cancelled! There are thousands of people wanting to bring shows like October Road back on the air but no one is listening!
With all the new technology ratings are no longer as accurate as they may have been in the past. October Road is still attracting loyal viewers and has disappointed so many fans by being cancelled. What does it take to keep quality, beloved shows on the air? How many letters have to be mailed before someone brings this obviously popular show back? Fight on Roadies.
I guess my viewing choices do not count. I DVR just about everything I watch due to my crazy hours. I apologize to all the actors and fans of my favorite show, October Road. Guess I was part of the problem. No one saw me! Brothers and Sisters beware….you are my second favorite and I DVR you too, sorry.
Bring Back October Road!
Rachel, you bring up some very good points. First off doesn’t it seem strange how the ratings are down on all the networks. Do the networks not realize that the viewers are tired of becoming interested in a show only to have it cancelled because the ratings are not there? One of the examples is October Road the network said the ratings were low. When the network was really to blame they changed the night it was on and also preempted the show many times. Also, if you see what the viewers are saying many of them either watched online or tivoed it. Plus I know of college kids that would all get together in one room to watch together. So the nielson ratings are way off.
I think that there should be some other way to keep track of who is watching the shows.
I also have to say that the networks should listen to their viewers. Just look around at all the shows that were cancelled last year and see how much they are still being talked about. Maybe that would give the networks a clue.
I for one would love to see October Road back on the air and given the chance to show what a following it has.
It is a shame. I am a HUGE October Road fan. And I believe this show was not given the right amount of time and exposure it deserved. I see it has the loyal following but not record ratings. We should be counted with all the itunes purchases and all the tivos and dvr ratings. They should matter because with todays life styles everyone favorite should be counted with the t.v. on or off. Something has to be revamped. Because LOYALTY of viewership should account for something.
Hi Rachel. You raise some good points about the rating system being out of whack. It is not properly counting the Tivo, iTunes, and online watching of shows. ABC made a huge error in cancelling October Road. It has alot of viewers and even showed up on the top 20 Tivo’d shows list. It was a great show. ABC put all it’s eggs in one basket with untested shows that had a view episodes last year prior to the stike and now they wonder why they aren’t pulling the numbers. The numbers are way down (all networks). I’m guessing the October Road ratings are looking pretty good to them now. It makes me crazy. Thanks for the article. Hopefully the networks will read up before the break the hearts of even more viewers this year with the cancellation list.
Bill Hunt over on The Digital Bits brought up a while back that he and his wife have a time trying to find a show both would like enough to sit down and watch together. He gave a list (an incomplete one) of shows they both watched over the years and there were one command thread: of all the show listed, they were all cancelled by this ratings system and the network’s inability to be consistent in both their marketing, promotion, and timeslot (whether these are new or returning series). He ponder openly that he was considering leaving (as a viewer) network television behind for cable. What he got was an immediate response that echoed loudly the same. And this brings me back to Rachel’s excellent question of where the audiences went after the strike. This is your answer. And it happened with one of the most underrated fan base, “October Road”, which has flourish since its cancellation.
I’ve been seeing one advertisement on ABC that caught me by surprise. In it for their new series “Life on Mars”, they brought up “Lost”, “Grey’s Anatomy” and “NYPD Blue”; all successful shows, all critically acclaimed series with huge followings. I do see “Life on Mars” following in their footsteps (if they keep up with what they’re doing in the promotional department and keep it in its current timeslot). As Roadies, we already knew the talent involved, it’s certainly there. But ABC already had their next great series. Although it never got the acclaim from critics and some viewers that it deserved, and the reason is there’s rarely been a series like it and it was still showing its potential. As I said previously here, this is television at its finest along with “Newhart” (which “October Road” is a modern-day version of). That right there is classic television. As is “Jericho” (and I’m afraid to say this, “The Unit” may be its next victim).
Thankfully NBC listened and gave “Friday Night Lights” a chance with the DirecTV deal. Shouldn’t “October Road”, which has the same multi-generational audience, realistic and honest storytelling, incredible talent, and are both beautifully captured on screen, be given a second chance (a proper chance by ABC)?
I hate network TV, they cancelled some of the best shows ever!!! Like my all time favorite October road….WE gotta get this show back…October road isnt a show its a family member to me…and I refuse to bury it…october road has just begun to bloom and ABC goes and makes the worst mistake of it’s history…I think abc should give October road one more chance!!! we have sooo much potential to grow….please ABC let us have more O.R. SECOND CHANCES FOR O.R. ROMANCES…please
PLEASE BRING OCTOBER ROAD BACK!!!!! It’s an awesome show and desreves a second chance. It was my favorite show and I never missed an episode. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE BRING IT BACK!!!!
Thank You for bringing this up about the ratings. I am like most people who have already commented. I DVR most things instead of missing them because of my busy lifestyle. But I always made time for October Road I would watch it and DVR it. I have bought Season 1 DVD and purchased Season 2 on itunes. I love this show and was absolutely heartbroken when it was cancelled. If you look at the messages boards etc us Roadies are still fighting for October Road six months after it’s cancellation. Doesn’t that say anything to anyone about this great show. ABC pls give October Road another chance. This show is a win-win for ABC. LONG LIVE OCTOBER ROAD!
PLEASE BRING OCTOBER ROAD BACK
GREATEST SHOW EVER ON OCTOBER ROAD!!!!
YESSSS. SECOND CHANCES FOR O.R. ROMANCES
BRING OCTOBER ROAD BACK
It’s sad that the networks can’t see what people want to watch.I always thought TV was for viewers,but I’m not so sure.It’s like some kind of game for them,letting people get involved and than cancel the show without any closure? I just don’t understand it.OCTOBER ROAD was the best show I have ever watched and ABC didn’t give OR fair chance.They should care more about what people want and we definitely want OCTOBER ROAD back !
I, too, use my DVR creatively. I purposely dvr my FAVORITE shows and watch on tv my second favorite shows. In series such as Lost, 24, and Battlestar Galactica, I usually wait and rent the DVD when it comes out, so I don’t have to wait until the next week (or month) to see the next episode. How can the Neilsen ratings take all that into account? I’m sure I’m not alone in my viewing habits.
I’m glad that someone is finally realizing that the nielson ratings are not accurate. It definetly needs an overhaul. I am just upset that they didn’t come to this conclusion earlier.
One of my favorite shows October Road was cancelled supposedly to low ratings. So if this season is showing that there are low ratings across the board on all the networks then something is wrong.
I hope that we could fix this and maybe we can have some of the good shows back that were cancelled.
I have been writing letters for 7 months now to try and bring October Road back. Maybe the president of ABC can make things right and bring this show back.
I think that they would be surprised at the ratings if things were right.
Prison Break has really improved this season. This season is really exciting. A lot more than last season! There are so many shows that don’t really get a chance because of Neilsen ratings. Have you ever met a ‘Neilsen family’? No? Me neither! Keep watching. There will always be something on we’ll like!
When I was growing up, back in the dark ages, TV shows ran for a whole season which lasted from Fall through Spring and we had re-runs in the summer. Shows had time to mature, develop the story line and acquire a following. I get very frustrated by shows that run for a couple of months and come back in a helter skelter fashion. If the networks would let shows have a decent run perhaps we could get rid of some of that reality show junk.
I, too, enjoyed October Road but New Amsterdam was even better in my opinion. It had a very imaginative plot and clever twists in the story. My husband and I both enjoyed it. I mentioned it to a few friends who started watching it and became hooked. Unfortunately it was canceled after only one “season”.
Truth be told, network executives don’t really give a rat’s behind what most of us like. While the majority of our country’s population is made up of baby boomers, those of us over 50 have been deemed unworthy of network attention, even as it is we who have more discretionary income to spend on the products they advertise. I miss October Road and Las Vegas. Both shows had so many stories left to tell. The same is true of Veronica Mars and Everwood from the year before. My only consolation, as I attempt to avoid cheaply produced reality shows about wannabe models, fat people who want to be skinny, talentless talent show contestants, wife swappers, parents who can’t parent, and people who will stab others in the back for money, is that I can relive the magic of good television through DVD.
I loved October Road. I do not like Reality shows at all. I can’t believe they cancelled this with all the other worthless tv on. Bring back October Road.
I am so dissappointed that October Road has been cancelled. I truly feel that this show wasn’t given a fair chance.
BRING BACK OCTOBER ROAD!!! My friends, my family, and I love it. I miss the show PLEASE BRING BACK OCTOBER ROAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rachel - oh my YES, I fully believe that the Nielsen rating systems needs a MAJOR overhaul! It is so archaic of the networks to rely on just the one method of looking at the ratings, especially in this day and age. I think they should come up with a way to look at and include the broad spectrum of how we are all enjoying television. Not everyone can be home in the evenings, watching their shows airing “live”, many are recorded and watched later. Or, as was my case with OCTOBER ROAD, I not only watched the episodes live, I also watched the different episodes - repeatedly, I might add, via the ABC network site’s online viewer. And then there all of the episodes that are being watched constantly over at youtube, fanpop, or purchased at itunes. Surely there must be a way to record all of that internet viewing and have it count for a show’s ratings, too. Most of all, I think the networks should start taking a look at how much popular demand there is for a particular show through fan mail, be it emails or the good old-fashioned snail mail. If the love and support for a show continues on, especially long AFTER a show has been cancelled then I think it should dawn on the network execs that perhaps they need to take a second look at this show that they have so carelessly discarded. We already know that people tend to lose interest in a show quickly once it is no longer airing, as was shown by this past writers strike. However, when the fans just will not give up on a show, and continue to do their best to not only keep the name alive but to also spread it around the world and reel in new viewers and fans, well common sense should indicate to them that the show must be a real winner and is deserving of being given another shot at proving itself. ABC had themselves a real gold mine with October Road, it could have been their next big mega-hit but for some reason it’s support from the network, which all shows need to survive, was severely diminished in it’s second season. I still have hope that ABC will give this excellent show another chance. It has been such a long time since we viewers were given such a well written, talent laden and intriguing show to watch and it is severely missed.
please bring back october road!!! I love the show and i am very sad that it was cancelled(which i just found out about.
I am really hoping October Road gets to be back on Air my family and friends miss it so much Once a Roadie always a Roadie. I wanted to buy all of it Now it’s cacelled~!!!~
Sad Sad sooo Sad
Michelle
I DVR all my favorite shows too! This is an outrage!!! Bring back October Road! There needs to be changes made to the antiquated rating system to include recordings and on-line viewings. OR is one of the few night dramas that has a good story line and has the ability go in many directions which will enable it to stand the test of time, that is, if the big wiggs would allow it to.
I agree that the networks need to give all these new shows a full season to see how well they do.I don’t watch any of these shows that are one this list but i do understand how people can feel when they know that there shows is getting cancelled . I am a big fan of October Road and they never gave October Road a chance to see how well it would do. ABC need to give October Road fans a chance to see season 3.I really hope that the network give us that chance to see our show again and give us a full season.October Road is amazing show and it should have not been canceled.
I miss october road so much, I really wish we could see a seaon 3. I would cherish it like a diamond
Knight Rider, Knight Rider may have started off bad but for the last 10 episodes, the show has been great. It is so much like the original. NBC needs to realize this and renew this show for many more seasons. It has the potential if we give it the chance to show it.