Cancellation Watch Weekly Roundup: The Passage Slips Again, Deadly Class Improves

Ratings results and status updates on all the currently airing sci fi & fantasy shows as well as those still awaiting word on their fates. For the latest ratings updates, be sure to follow the Cancelled Sci Fi Twitter Site

Ratings Results of Interest: On Monday last week, FOX’s The Passage saw its ratings drop for a second week in a row as it posted a 0.9 score based on same day viewing for the 18-49 demographic with 3.9 million total viewers. That still has the show at passable levels, but it has almost no leeway for slippage through the rest of the season. Over on NBC, Manifest held steady at a 1.0 rating with 5.5 million total viewers and that one continues to be one of the strongest performers among the broadcast network shows in Live+7 delayed viewing gains.




On Tuesday, The CW’s new series Roswell New Mexico slipped to a 0.3 rating with 1.3 million total viewers, but those are still acceptable numbers for that network and this show could be making up some of the slack with digital viewing. Over on the History Channel, Project Blue Book slipped to a 0.31 rating with 1.7 million total viewers, but those are still decent numbers for a basic cable series (especially the total viewers) and this one has been performing well in delayed viewing.

On Wednesday, Syfy’s Deadly Class improved to a 0.15 rating with 435K total viewers. Those are acceptable numbers for that network these days and if it does not slip much more then it could get a second season nod. On Thursday, Freeform’s Siren slipped just a bit to a 0.21 rating with 529K total viewers, but those are still decent numbers for that network. Over on FOX, The Orville remained low at a 0.7 rating with 3.1 million total viewers, but that one has been seeing significant gains in Live+7 delayed viewing like it did in its first season.

On Sunday, Starz’s Counterpart improved to a 0.07 rating with 235K total viewers despite no lead-in from Outlander and running up against the Super Bowl.  I still count that one as On the Bubble, though.  Disney’s Star Wars Resistance also saw and improvement that night posting a 0.07 rating with 310K total viewers.  The Sunday broadcast network shows were in repeats or preempted.

The other sci fi and fantasy shows remained mostly steady with last week.  You can see the full ratings results for the week at this link, and be sure to follow the Cancelled Sci Fi Twitter Site for the latest results and breaking news.  Ratings Source: ShowBuzzDaily


What’s to watch on the Streaming Services?  Click on the following links for a comprehensive list of the Sci Fi TV Shows available on Netflix | Prime Video | Hulu | Other


News Roundup: The TCAs are currently going on when the networks execs speak with the critics about their current and upcoming schedules, and that has led to plenty of news this past week. The CW delivered its annual blanket renewal of (most of) its Fall line-up which included all of its Arrow-verse shows as well as all of its genre entries. Netflix has cancelled its time travel series Travelers after three seasons. FX has announced that the upcoming third season of its X-Men linked series Legion will be the show’s last. That network has also placed a series order for the post-apocalyptic entry Y: The Last Man. Coming as no surprise, AMC has renewed The Walking Dead for a tenth season. And lastly, CBS has renewed God Friended Me for a second season. The TCAs will continue through this week and beyond, so expect more breaking news about sci fi and fantasy TV shows.

Status Updates: Roswell New Mexico Could Join the Other Renewed CW Shows

Below are the status updates for all the currently airing shows or those still awaiting word on their fate.  This does not include streaming shows, unless there is information worth mentioning, because there is typically too little data available to gauge their fates. You can click through to the show pages to see week-over-week ratings results (where available) and find out more information about the series.  You can see the status of all the currently airing and returning sci fi TV shows at the Cancellation Watch Page.

Currently Airing / Streaming:

Arrow (CW, Status – Renewed): As expected, this show has been renewed for an 8th season. It could be targeting wrapping up with next season’s Crisis on Infinite Earths cross-over event which I discuss in more detail at this link.

Black Lightning (CW, Status – Renewed): Though it wasn’t a sure thing, this show has been renewed for third season. It could get folded into the Arrow-verse during next season’s Crisis on Infinite Earths cross-over event which I discuss in more detail at this link.

Charmed (CW, Status – Renewed): The same day ratings for this show may not be great on highly competitive Sunday nights, but it is one of the most watched shows in digital viewing on the network’s website and app.  Since The CW has better adapted to the 21st century than the other broadcast nets, it factors online viewing more heavily into its model and has given this one a second season renewal.

Counterpart (Starz, Status – On the Bubble): This show has been well-received by critics but has yet to find much of an audience in the States. Its ratings were low in its first year, and it only survived to a second season because it was renewed in advance. This year it is barely registering in the ratings and I have to consider it very much On the Bubble. The show’s studio has international deals in place that could prop it up, but fans should probably stage a Call to Action on the social networks to give the show a boost.

Deadly Class (Syfy, Status – Renewal Possible): This show got off to a strong start for a Syfy entry, but has slipped some in subsequent weeks. If it does not drop too much further, though, it could stick around for a second season.

The Flash (CW, Status – Renewed): As expected, this show has been renewed for an 6th season. There could be some changes coming with next season’s Crisis on Infinite Earths cross-over event which I discuss in more detail at this link.

The Gifted (FOX, Status – Renewal Possible): This show is down notably year over year and it is not getting the same lift from delayed viewing that it was seeing last year. FOX owns the show and it is part of the X-Men franchise, so that works in its favor. But seeing as it is currently one of the network’s lowest rated shows (and is certainly expensive to produce) it has to be counted as very much On the Bubble and could definitely use a Call to Action from fans.

God Friended Me (CBS, Status – Renewed): As expected, this show has been renewed for a second season .  Its numbers in the 18-49 demo are just passable, but it continues to rank in the Top 25 based on total viewers each week and it fits in well with the CBS brand.

Gotham (FOX, Status – Final Season): The ratings have been on a downturn for this one the last few seasons, but FOX elected to bring it back for one more year to wrap up up the origin of Batman.

Legacies (CW, Status – Renewed): The same day rating for his one have not been great in its first season, but it is one of the most watched shows in digital viewing on the network’s website and app.  Since The CW has adapted to the 21st century better than the other broadcast nets, it factors online viewing more heavily into its model and has renewed this show for a second season.

Legends of Tomorrow (CW, Status – Renewed): As expected, this show has been renewed for an 5th season. It could be targeting wrapping up with next season’s Crisis on Infinite Earths cross-over event which I discuss in more detail at this link.

MacGyver (CBS, Status – Renewal Likely): This show’s ratings are down from last year’s levels, but that likely will not matter. It is owned by CBS and it will have three full seasons after this year, so it is worth it to the network to keep it going at least one more season to get it to the episode threshold the syndication market prefers. Also, it plugs up and hour on low-viewership Fridays.

The Magicians (Syfy, Status – Renewed): This show’s fourth season debut was down from last year’s numbers, but it is still the highest rated show on Syfy overall. It has already been renewed for a fifth season, so it is safe for at least one more year.

Manifest (NBC, Status – Renewal Possible): This show got off to a strong start based on same day viewing early in the Fall, but saw its numbers slip as the season progressed. But it has remained one of the most-watched broadcast network shows based on Live+7 delayed viewing. Rumor is that NBC has already renewed the show for a second season, but I am currently waiting for an official announcement.

The Orville (FOX, Status – Renewal Possible): This show returned with good ratings for its Season 2 debut, getting a boost from NFL Football with a special Sunday airing, but its numbers are down in its regular Thursday timeslot. It continues to perform well in Live+7 delayed viewing like last year, but fans might want to start prepping a Call to Action campaign just in case.

The Passage (FOX, Status – Renewal Possible): This show got off to a good start with it premiere, but its numbers have slipped since then. If it does not drop any further, though, it could stick around for a second season.

Project Blue Book (History, Status – Renewal Possible): This show got off to a decent start for a cable series these days and has been able to hold on to its audience through the first few weeks of its first season.  If it holds around current levels then it should be on target for a second season renewal.

Riverdale (CW, Status – Renewed): This show is only down slightly from last year’s numbers and it tends to get plenty of attention on the social networks. It also performs very well in its encore runs on Netflix and is on the verge of the syndication stretch. The CW has renewed it for a fourth season as expected and it could stick around beyond that.

Roswell New Mexico (CW, Status – Renewal Possible): This one has started out with decent numbers for the fifth place network and I expect it will also perform well in digital viewing. It did not get included with the network’s renewal of its Fall shows, but it just joined the schedule and looks to be on target for a second season nod.

Siren (Freeform, Status – Renewal Possible): This show’s second season debut was slightly higher than its ratings average from its first year which definitely counts as a win in the current ratings-challenged environment. If it does not slip too much in the coming weeks, then a third season renewal looks like a good bet.

Supergirl (CW, Status – Renewed): As expected, this show has been renewed for an 5th season. There could be some changes coming with next season’s Crisis on Infinite Earths cross-over event which I discuss in more detail at this link.

Supernatural (CW, Status – Renewed): As expected, this series has been renewed for a record-busting 15th series. Whether it continues beyond that will depend upon whether the principal actors will want to stick with the show.

Star Wars Resistance (Disney, Status – Renewed): This show’s numbers are on the low side, but then animated series tend to live and die more by their merchandising than overnight ratings results. It has been renewed for a second season that will debut in Fall 2019.

The Walking Dead (AMC, Status – Renewed): The post-Rick Grimes era has not led to an improvement in the ratings for this show, but TWD still continues to rank as the top scripted series on cable and also outperforms most broadcast network shows.  Coming as no surprise, AMC has renewed this one for a tenth season.

Season Ended But Still Awaiting Renewal / Cancellation Decision:

The Haunting of Hill House (Netflix, Status – Renewal Possible): This show was promoted as a “limited series”, but the response has been pretty good thus far and Netflix could decided to extend that limited run into a second season.

Humans (AMC, Status – On the Bubble): This show’s numbers were down in its third season, and AMC kicked it out of Prime Time to the 11 PM hour; never a good sign. Its fate is more closely tied to how it is performing in Britain on Channel 4, but its numbers are down over there as well according to Wikipedia. I have moved it to Bubble status and will keep it there until we hear final word on its fate.

Into the Badlands (AMC, Status – On the Bubble): This show wrapped up the first half of its third season in June and there is still no word on when it will be back, leading me to wonder if AMC has given up on it (more on that at this link).  Its ratings are down over fifty percent from its second year and it remains firmly On the Bubble at this point. Fans should definitely make a Call to Action on the social networks to show that it has a loyal following.

Mars (NGC, Status – Renewal Possible): This show’s same day viewing numbers were down notably in its second year, but it relies more heavily on its global viewership stats. I consider a third season possible, though Nat Geo may decide to wrap it up at that point.

Nightflyers (Syfy, Status – On the Bubble): This show debuted with passable numbers for a Syfy series, but airing it on consecutive nights did not work in its favor as it was not able to sustain its nightly viewership. It may have done better in digital viewing, but Syfy is apparently keeping those numbers under wraps. A second season is still possible as the network tends to renew freshmen shows to give them a chance to build up an audience, but I consider that very much a tossup at this point which I discuss in more detail at this link.

Origin (YouTube, Status – Renewal Possible): This show has flown under the radar since its debut in November, but it is receiving mostly positive buzz thus far. YouTube is in the early stages of ramping up its scripted programming for its premium service, so it will likely stick by its shows and give this one at least one more season to find an audience.


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Author: johnnyjay

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