Cancellation Watch Weekly Roundup: American Horror Story Returns Down, Killjoys Series Finale Barely Registers, and More

Weekly Roundup: 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 throughout the week, be sure to follow the Cancelled Sci Fi Twitter Site

Ratings Results of Interest: On Wednesday, FX’s American Horror Story returned for its ninth season–subtitled 1984–and pulled a 1.0 rating based on same day viewing for the 18-49 demographic with 2.1 million total viewers. That is down by 31% from last year’s premiere and continues the trend of ratings declines we have been seeing for the cable channels and broadcast networks as the Peak TV crunch continues to take its toll. But it did top the night among cable shows, and the 2.1 million viewer stat is pretty good for cable these days. This show has already been renewed for a tenth season, and it’s possible that it could stick around a few more years unless Disney (which now owns FX, 20th Century Fox Television, and you and me pretty soon as well) decides that this one has run its course.

On Monday of last week, AMC’s The Terror slipped yet again, this time to a 0.07 rating with 381K total viewers. That keeps the show On the Bubble, but it is still possible that the network could bring it back since it reboots each season. On Friday, Syfy’s Killjoys went out with a whimper as it only managed a 0.05 rating (five one-hundredths of a ratings point) with 336K total viewers for its series finale. Viewership has dropped notably for that network’s scripted programming and currently there is only one show on its Fall slate.

On Sunday, AMC’s Fear the Walking Dead improved a tick to a 0.35 rating with 1.3 million total viewers. It has been renewed for a sixth season, but that could be its last. Preacher improved slightly to a 0.10 rating with 511K total viewers as that one airs out its final season.

The other sci fi and fantasy entries remained mostly steady with the prior week, and you can see the full ratings results for the week at this link, Be sure to follow the Cancelled Sci Fi Twitter Site for the latest results and breaking news and to join the #CancelledSciFiArmy as we fight to save our sci fi shows.  For more info on what the ratings mean and how I use them to gauge the status of a show, check our our Cancelled Sci Fi FAQ Page.  Ratings Source: ShowBuzzDaily


Fall 2019 Season Preview of Sci Fi and Fantasy Shows: See our rundown of all the new and returning sci fi and fantasy shows for the Fall 2019 season.  Including summaries and status updates for each series, you can see what is coming in the next few months at this link.


News Roundup: NBC has announced Spring 2020 as the targeted launch for its Peacock streaming service and will offer a new Battlestar: Galactica series (allegedly not a reboot) as well as the adaptation of Brave New World that was previously scheduled to run on the USA Network. Game of Thrones won the Emmy award for Outstanding Drama Series, and Peter Dinklage took home his fourth statue for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series. You can see the full list of Emmy winners at this link. AMC’s CEO showed faith in The Walking Dead franchise despite sagging ratings and claims it will be around on the network for decades.

Status Updates: Disenchantment Will Be Returning With More Episodes on Netflix

Below are the status updates for all the currently airing shows or those still awaiting word on their fate, including the those on the streaming services. 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 our Cancellation Watch Page.

Currently Airing / Streaming:

American Horror Story (Netflix, Status – Renewed): The numbers are down for this show year-over-year, but that is pretty much true across the board with the cable channels and broadcast nets. This one has already been renewed through a tenth season and could still stick around for a few years beyond that unless Disney execs (the Mouse House now owns the show) decide to wrap this one up.

Carnvial Row (Amazon, Status – Renewed): While the critics may have mixed feelings about this show thus far, it appears to have proven popular with the viewers (currently holding an 87% Audience Score on Rotten Tomatoes), and it has already been renewed for a second season.

Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance (Netflix, Status – Renewed): This show has been well-recieved thus far (currently holding an 86% Fresh Rating and 94% Audience Score on Rotten Tomatoes) and has a decent chance of returning for a second season if the creative team wish to continue the story.

Disenchantment (Netflix, Status – Renewed): This animated comedy has proven popular thus far and has already been renewed for a second season which will comprise two ten-episode runs (on some sites this is being refered to as Season 3 and 4).

Fear the Walking Dead (AMC, Status – Renewed): The Walking Dexit continues for this show as it has returned down from last year’s numbers. But as expected it has been renewed for a sixth season.  Whether that will be its last remains to be seen.

Final Space (ADSW, Status – Renewal Possible): This show has switched to Adult Swim in its second season which as worked out well so far seeing as its ratings are up notably this year. It currently appears to be on track for a third season renewal.

The I-Land (Netflix, Status – Renewal Possible): Early reactions to this show have not been good as it is currently at a 0% Fresh Rating and 27% Audience Score on Rotten Tomatoes. But Netflix did give this one more promotion than it usually does for one of its originals, so they may be more invested in the show and could keep it around for a second season.

Into the Dark (Hulu, Status – Renewed): Hulu has announced that this show will be returning for another cycle of monthly horror films with the second season kicking off in October.

Killjoys (Syfy, Status – Final Season): In keeping with the trend we have been seeing from Syfy shows lately, the ratings for this one are down notably year over year. But its final season was announced in advance, so it will at last have the chance to wrap up its storylines.

The Outpost (CW, Status – Renewal Possible): The numbers for this show are down in its second season, but it is an acquisition that fills up space on the schedule during the Summer months. If it continues to do well internationally, it could come back for a third year.

Pandora (CW, Status – Renewal Possible): As with The Outpost, this series is an acquisition for The CW that fills up space on the Summer schedule. Its ratings are not great, but may be good enough to get a second season nod from the fifth place network.

Pennyworth (Epis, Status – Renewal Possible): The viewership for Epix is not picked up by Nielsen, so it is difficult to gauge the show’s status. This is a pretty high-profile series for the network, though, so I would say it has a decent chance of sticking around for a second season.

Preacher (AMC, Status – Final Season): The ratings have been declining for this series since its first season, but AMC still gave it the fourth season renewal to wrap up its storylines.

The Terror (AMC, Status – On the Bubble): After proving to be a hit for AMC in its first season, this show has returned with ratings down notably in its second year. At its current level, I have to consider it as being On the Bubble. But it does have the opportunity to reboot itself each season, so it is still possible the network will keep it around for another year.

Titans (DCU, Status – Renewal Possible): As with the other streaming services, DC Universe does not reveal its viewership numbers. But Titans has proven popular for the streamer thus far and has a decent chance of returning for a third season. Even if WarnerMedia decides to shut down the DCU platform, I would expect this one to move to the upcoming HBO Max service.

Two Sentence Horror Stories (CW, Status – Renewal Possible): The debut numbers for this show were pretty low, but still not terrible for a Summer entry on The CW. It’s possible that this one could return for a second season on the fifth place network.

Undone (Amazon, Status – Renewal Possible): As with any of the shows on the streaming services, this series has a chance of returning for a second season if the creative team has enough story ideas to keep the show going.

Season Ended But Still Awaiting Renewal / Cancellation Decision:

Another Life (Netflix, Status – On the Bubble): Netflix tried to make a big splash with this space drama, pulling in genre veteran Katee Sackhoff, but that does not appear to have worked out too well. The buzz on this show has not been good thus far, and it only has a 6% Fresh Rating at Rotten Tomatoes (though at least it has a 61% Audience Score). This streamer tends to give its shows at least two seasons, but Another Life is rather expensive to produce and may get end up getting cut short after only one.

Black Mirror (Netflix, Status – Renewal Possible): Netflix tends to end its originals around the three season mark, but this one may be able to hold on longer because the streaming service continues to roll out each new season as a major event.

Black Summer (Netflix, Status – Renewal Possible): As a new series on Netflix, this show has a decent chance of getting renewed for a second season because the streaming service tends to keep its originals around for two to three seasons.

Cloak and Dagger (Freeform, Status – On the Bubble): This show’s numbers are down from the prior season and at levels that have seen other series cancelled by Freeform. Disney owns Marvel and Freeform, so they could give the show some slack and still bring it back for a third season. But a Call to Action from fans may be needed to keep this show going.

The InBetween (NBC, Status – On the Bubble): This show was originally intended for Mid-Season but was pushed to a Summer start which is never a good sign.  It debuted with decent ratings for a Summer entry, but those have slipped and the network has preempted it twice already suggesting that they see this as a burn-off run.  More on that at this link. I have moved this one to Bubble status and fans should definitely take to the social nets with a Call to Action to bring more attention it.

Mars (NGC, Status – On the Bubble): 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.

Osmosis (Netflix, Status – Renewal Possible): Another new series on Netflix that has a decent chance of getting renewed for a second season because the streaming service tends to keep its originals around for two to three seasons.

Scream (VH1, Status – On the Bubble): This show actually posted decent numbers for its double-episode season premiere on Monday night, but saw those drop notably the next two nights. Considering the long delay between seasons and the fact that it was shifted to another network, these ratings will likely not encourage Viacom / VH1 to move forward with a fourth season. Fans may want to make a Call to Action on the social nets, though, to see if that can help.

Stranger Things (Netflix, Status – Renewal Likely): This show has hit the third season point when Netflix usually wraps up its originals, but it is setting viewership records and continues to be a huge event for the streaming service. Expect this one to stick around for at least one more season and possibly more.

SuperMansion (Crackle, Status – Renewal Possible): There has been no word on a fourth season of this show, but it has done well for Crackle so far and has also performed well in its encore run on Adult Swim. It released another special as recently as April 2019 and that might be its output for a while as the principals try to work in enough time in their schedules to produce more episodes.

The Rook (Starz, Status – On the Bubble): This show barely registered in the ratings during its first season and I have it at Bubble status. Its international viewership may have more influence on its fate, but it would probably be a good idea for fans to make a Call to Action on the social networks to bring it more attention.

Tidelands (Netflix, Status – On the Bubble): This Australian-made series arrived in December of last year with little fanfare and there has been no word on it since. Netflix does tend to give its shows at least two seasons, but at this point they may have decided to let the tide go back out.

You can see the list of all of this season’s renewals and cancellations at this link.


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Author: johnnyjay

2 thoughts on “Cancellation Watch Weekly Roundup: American Horror Story Returns Down, Killjoys Series Finale Barely Registers, and More

  1. How could Cloak & Dagger’s numbers have “slipped to dangerous territory the last few weeks”? Their season ended 4 months ago.

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