Cancellation Watch: Weekly status updates and cancellation/renewal predictions for the sci fi and fantasy shows on the broadcast networks, cable channels, and streaming services.
Status Updates
It: Welcome to Derry (HBO/HBO Max, Status: Renewal Possible): For the second full week of streaming availability, this horror prequel dropped out of the Nielsen Rankings for acquired shows. It was there last week at the Number 7 slot with 620 million viewers, but it failed to chart a second time. The second episode of the show saw a notable drop in linear viewers based on the same-day ratings, likely as many of the curious onlookers tuned out after the premiere. The numbers improved after that, though, and it has since leveled out. We will see how this one tracks in streaming viewership over the coming weeks, and at this point, I still believe it has a decent chance at a second season renewal.
Stranger Things (Netflix, Status: Final Season): The fifth season of this show remained at the Number 1 spot in the Netflix charts, though viewership dropped by over half from last week, going from 284.2 million hours watched to 112.7 million and 59.6 million accounts to 23.6 million. But only four episodes from that season are available at this point, so that should be expected. The remaining episodes of the final season will release later this month, and an animated series is on the way with more spin-offs possible.
Pluribus (Apple TV, Status: Renewal Possible): This freshman series did not make it into the Nielsen Streaming Ranking for the week of its premiere, but it only had two episodes available at that point, and the Apple TV shows often struggle to make it into that chart. It did get off to strong start according to streamer, and it has scored well with critics so far, currently holding a 98% Fresh Rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Since this is a high-profile series and it has performed well compared to other Apple TV originals, I like its chances of getting a second season at this point.
Wednesday (Netflix, Status: Renewed): The second season of this supernatural dramady counts as the fourth most-watched Netflix English-language series based on viewership over a 91-day window, pulling in a total of 928.5 million hours watched across 119.3 million accounts. That is a drop from its first season which had 1,718.8M hours watched over 252.1M accounts, but still a strong performance for the show. It has already been renewed for a third season, and I expect this one will continue to about the five-year mark, similar to what we have seen from other popular Netflix shows like Stranger Things and The Witcher. An Uncle Fester spin-off is also currently in the works, and more entries in the franchise could follow.
Pushing Daisies (ABC, Status: Cancelled): This fantasy dramady from Bryan Fuller aired on ABC back in the 2007-08 and 2008-09 seasons, but was sadly cut short due to low ratings. However, on the press tour for Fuller’s new movie Dust Bunny (more on that one at this link), he was asked about the show, and he claimed that a third season is in the works. He has said that the entire cast wants to return and that it could move forward soon. The first two seasons are currently streaming on HBO Max, so a third year could be added there and possibly bring a subscription boost. There has been no official confirmation at this point, but fans are certainly hopeful for a return of this series.
You can keep up with the status of all the current sci fi and fantasy shows at our Cancellation Watch Page.
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Cancellation/Renewal Score:
I had not factored in the third season renewal for Percy Jackson and the Olympians yet (the second season premieres today), but I have that in the score now. For the 2025-26 season, we are currently at 19 renewed sci fi and fantasy entries (61% of shows tracked) vs. 7 cancelled and ending (23%). Below are this 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 | 31 | ||
| Cancelled | 2 | 6.5% | |
| Ending | 5 | 16.1% | 22.6% |
| Renewed | 19 | 61.3% | |
| On the Bubble | 0 | 0.0% | |
| Renewal Possible | 5 | 16.1% | |
| Mini-Series | 2 |
Keep up with the status of all the current sci fi and fantasy shows as well as news and updates on new and upcoming shows at CancelledSciFi.com.
Cancellation Watch: Status updates and breaking news on renewals and cancellations
Sci Fi TV Highlights: Listings for the upcoming week along with the latest sci fi TV news and trailers.
Sci Fi TV Production Report: News on which sci fi TV shows are moving into production.
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