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
3 Body Problem (Netflix, Status: Renewal Possible): This series improved to the Number 1 slot in the Netflix Top 10 for English Language shows in its second week, pulling in 115.6 million hours of viewing across 15.6 million households. That is still lagging behind the performance of Avatar: The Last Airbender, but the numbers are definitely good for a Netflix original. At this point, though, it will be about the completion rate. If a high enough percentage of viewers watch the full first season, that will help it get a renewal. This is an expensive show at $160 million for the first year and the showrunners have plans for it to get even bigger, so Netflix execs will want to know that people are sticking with the series before they commit to further seasons.
The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live (AMC, Status: Mini-Series): This TWD spin-off wrapped up its six-episode run averaging a 0.18 rating based on same-day viewing for the 18-49 demographic with 871K total viewers. That makes it the highest-rated of the spin-off shows going back to The World Beyond. It was intended as a mini-series, but there is a chance it could continue and possibly lead to a crossover with TWD shows Dead City and Daryl Dixon (both of those were renewed for a second season).
Beacon 23 (MGM+, Status: On the Bubble): This series returns for its second this coming Sunday, though MGM+ has done little to promote its return. It was originally intended as a Spectrum Original that would have also run on the AMC channels, and it had a commitment for two seasons in advance. Those venues backed away from the series, though, and it moved over to MGM+. Executive producer Glen Mazzara does have plans for additional seasons, but it is unclear if MGM+ has an interest in continuing with the show beyond its second year. No viewership numbers from the first season are available, and I am considering this a Bubble series at this point. Fans will certainly want to make some noise on the social networks if they want it to continue to a third season.
The Acolyte (Disney+, Status: Upcoming): This long-in-the-works live-action Star Wars series finally has a premiere date on the schedule (June 4th). However, there is a rumor circulating that this show will be one-and-done unless it turns into a hit out of the gate. The Star Wars shows on Disney+ have not performed as well over the last couple of years, and the streamer is currently looking to cut costs as we head into the post-Peak TV era. Nothing is certain at this point, but I will watch the viewership numbers for this one closely once it arrives.
You can see the status of all the shows from the current season at our Cancellation Watch Page.
Cancellation/Renewal Score:
There were no renewal or cancellation announcements over the last week, so the score remains the same for the 2023-24 season. We are currently at 21 renewed sci fi and fantasy entries (41% of shows tracked) vs. 9 cancelled and ending (18%). Below are this season’s numbers, and you can see the list of shows and keep up with the score throughout the week at our Cancellation Watch Page.
| Show Count | 51 | ||
| Cancelled | 5 | 9.8% | |
| Ending | 4 | 7.8% | 17.6% |
| Renewed | 21 | 41.2% | |
| On the Bubble | 5 | 9.8% | |
| Renewal Possible | 16 | 31.4% | |
| Mini-Series | 5 |
Be sure to follow the Cancelled Sci Fi Twitter Site for breaking news and updates. And for the latest news and discussions on sci fi and fantasy television, follow r/SciFiTV
Follow our Sci Fi TV Schedule for all the currently airing and upcoming sci fi and fantasy television shows, and you can see the premieres for all the upcoming genre entries at this link.
