Cancellation Watch: Status updates for the sci fi and fantasy shows on the broadcast networks, cable channels, and streaming services as well as breaking news on the currently airing, returning, and upcoming genre entries.
Status Updates
The Ark (Syfy, Status: On the Bubble): This series has wrapped up its second season, and there has been no word on a renewal yet. Its viewership is down year-over-year based on what ratings numbers are available, averaging less than 250K viewers per episode as opposed to over 400K per ep in its first year. That is a typical trend for second-year shows, though, especially for Syfy seeing as that network does very little to promote its originals. The showrunners do have plans for a third season, but I would put its chances as a toss-up at this point and I am moving this one to Bubble status. Fans should certainly make some noise on the social networks to bring this one more attention and improve its chances of getting renewed.
The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon (AMC, Status: Renewed): The numbers for this TWD spin-off are down from its first season, as it has averaged 550K total viewers over its first three Season 2 eps vs. 647K for the prior year. Those are still decent numbers for a basic cable show, but nowhere near the highs that the franchise used to enjoy. This one has already been renewed for a third season, though, and it could stick around for a year or so after that.
Superman & Lois (CW, Status: Cancelled): This series returned for its fourth and final season last week and posted a 0.06 rating based on same-day viewing for the 18-49 demographic with 480K total viewers across the two episodes aired. Those are good numbers for The CW and will likely have it ranked as one of the network’s top shows this Fall, but it was cancelled prior to the season starting due to corporate shenanigans (more on that at this link). If fans are trying to save the show, these early numbers should help their cause and they should definitely make plenty of noise on the social networks.
Castlevania: Nocturne (Netflix, Status: Renewed): This animated continuation of Castlevania will be returning for this second season in January, and it has not been confirmed for a third season yet. Series director Samuel Deats made the comment on Twitter (or X or Elon’s Folly or whatever you want to call it) that “we’re going on hiatus until release and we find out if we’re getting renewed”. He also told fans “if you want to see more shows of Castlevania quality, please support S2 when it releases”. Netflix seems to be building up this franchise, so there is a chance that a third season could happen, but the streamer could also take it in another direction with a different spin-off series.
Cancellation/Renewal Score:
Velma was confirmed as cancelled last week, so that brings the score for the 2023-24 season to 31 cancelled and ending sci fi and fantasy entries (40% of shows tracked) vs. 37 renewed (47%) with ten shows still waiting for word on their fates (five of which are On the Bubble). Below are last season’s numbers, and you can see the list of shows and keep up with the score for the current and prior seasons throughout the week at our Cancellation Watch Page.
Show Count
78
Cancelled
23
29.5%
Ending
8
10.3%
39.7%
Renewed
37
47.4%
On the Bubble
5
6.4%
Renewal Possible
5
6.4%
Mini-Series
6
