There are plenty of reasons why a network cancels a series, usually related to low ratings but sometimes other factors are involved as well. But then there are those cases where the cancellation of a series seems almost certain from the beginning and the network itself appears to be working toward it getting the ax. We saw an example of this last year with FOX’s Almost Human (more on that at this link) and for the 2014-15 season we saw it yet again with The CW’s The Messengers. That series was subjected to a late season start (delayed all the way to an April 17th debut), was scheduled on low viewership Fridays without a strong lead-in, and received minimal promotion from the network. Its premiere tied for the lowest rating ever for a scripted series on the broadcast networks (the other was also a CW entry: 2013’s Cult) as it pulled only a 0.3 rating in the 18-49 demographic based on the overnights. And then its numbers sunk further leading the network to cancel it after only three episodes had aired. The Messengers wasn’t yanked from the schedule or moved to a low-viewership night or cast to a Summer burn-off run, though, because it appears to have started out in its burn-off run (over half its episodes will air June and later due to its delayed start). So by all appearances, The CW seemed to resolve themselves to this show getting cancelled before it even aired which leads to the obvious question of why?
Part of the reason may have been that once the series was produced, the network executives viewed the finished product and just did not like what they saw. But is that really a reason to just dump the show that they have poured so much money into? I have seen the first two episodes so far, and have to admit that I am not thrilled with the series. But it’s not a complete disaster that demands an immediate ejection from the schedule. I can think of other shows that stumbled in their first year or two before finally finding their footing (Star Trek: The Next Generation and Babylon 5 are two clear examples of shows with weak first seasons that went on to become sci fi classics). Does it really make sense to throw the millions of dollars they have already spent on The Messengers out the window before giving it a chance? I would guess that the thirteen episodes produced for the first season totaled at least $20 million, possibly much more, and that’s a lot of money to flush before giving a show even an inkling of a chance. Sure, The CW has a pretty packed schedule for the 2015-16 season with quite a number of returning entries pulling much higher ratings. But The Messengers could have been considered as an option for the Summer schedule where it could have paired up with equally low-rated (and mystifyingly uncancellable Beauty and the Beast) before just kicking it to the Network Executioner.
In many ways, this is an example of how the old-school networks are just not adapting to the changing times (though, I would say that the CW is ahead of the older-school Big Four: ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC). In another age (when competition was not as high), the networks had stacks of cash in their vault that they could burn through while looking for the latest hit (and sci fi shows all too often found themselves on the burn-end of that equation). But with the ever-fracturing audience and the many platforms viewers can choose from to watch shows now, things are getting much tighter. But the old-school networks (and several of the cable channels) have not come to grips with that yet. They still follow outdated practices when deciding which shows to renew or cancel, even though the costs of those decisions can be more painful these days. Streaming service Netflix seems to be rubber-stamping all its originals for a second season and Amazon and Hulu appear to be following close to that pattern as well. Even Syfy has shown a tendency to stick with shows, renewing Dominion, Helix, and 12 Monkeys despite moderate to downright poor first-year numbers. And even if The Messengers has stumbled quality-wise out of the gate, a second season could give it some time to course-correct (and The CW has been very patient with other low-rated shows like The 100 and non-genre entries Reign and Jane the Virgin).
There could be other factors driving the cancellation as well. Perhaps The CW is not on the best of terms with the show’s studio (Warner Bros. who coincidentally also produced Almost Human but who owns part of The CW) or production company. Perhaps they feel there are irreconcilable creative differences with the show’s producers. Perhaps it went over budget too often in its first season. Perhaps the alien overlords ordered them to cancel the show (that’s actually the answer that makes the most sense if you ask me). But it also seems, when this much money is involved, that they would find a way to work through all of this. And if they can’t, they could try and sell the series to another network or venue (allegedly there were other parties interested in Almost Human, but FOX blocked any deal for it to move).
Now maybe in the current market the networks can still get their money back on these short-lived shows through streaming deals for the reruns plus international syndication and DVD sales. And maybe that’s what drives the attention-span-challenged entertainment industry from sticking with one property if it is not pegged as a success out of the gates. But it still seems like The CW mishandled The Messengers from the start (as FOX did with Almost Human), and it sure looks like bad business. If anybody out there in the entertainment industry has some insight on this, we would love to hear from you. But as it is, the small group of fans following The Messengers will have to come up with their own ideas on how the series would have continued once it wraps up its thirteen-episode run (and I don’t want to hear any revisionist network double-speak that it was always planned as a limited run series).
I had just binge watched the show this weekend. I really enjoyed it. The CW should have given it at least another season! Really disappointed with it is left on the cliff!
I am just assuming here and would even be more prevalent now… they realized in for sight the religious undertones and had issues with them selves and others for it. It had some strong bones to work on too bad script was poor. It could have been worked with definitely. It was because there was too much religion involved they put a lot of money into it out of consciousness feeling bad if they didn’t maybe had a little bit of morals and the story is a mix of secular so they figured they would do it and me at for it to fail as they saw with each writing and each episode it still carried too many regions tones for them and the audience and not enough secular things to out way it. That’s just my take on it. The attitude today in film music and in the world out there today it’s even more Amit religious honestly and trust me no one can convince me differently. Th whose would him now instantly written like it was and if any more religious times were added it wouldn’t make it to sexism episode of a season 2. Human beings have because uncaring cruel tired and bored and only look out for themselves. If they look out for another it has to benefit them somehow . Fact. So this show sadly will never see a second season and it was planned that way.
SECOND SEASON ME PLEASEEEEE PRETTYYY PLEASE THIS MY SHOW
I’m binge watch right now, but I don’t want to continue if the show ends in a cliffhanger. What can we do to bring this show back?
Please bring The Messenger back. It unfair I want to c the ending.
THIS IS TOTALLY NOT FAIR, THIS IS A VERY GREAT STORY….I’M SO DISAPPOINTED IN THE ONES RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CANCELLATION……I MEAN DON’T YOU KNOW A WONDERFUL SCRIPT WHEN YOU SEE ONE
THIS SERIES MUST CONTINUE……IT MUST
I loved this show why in hell it w as s cancelled I want more need to know what happens with the the anti christ child feel so robbed
Agreed!! Just binged watched it – if there was ever an opportunity for a reboot – now would be a great time! Let’s hope Netflix is paying attention – we want to see more…
This is just awful that total control of what we see & watch is selected by a few… This is America all types of movies should be shown…
This is called CENSORSHIP!!!
What can we do to bring the show back ????
I agree! I thought it was suspenseful and kept you wondering and wanting to watch more.
I agree, this was an AMAZING show, and I was looking forward to the next season. This really really cuts deep, so many great shows get cancelled that has such great potential. Since Netflix decided to pick the show up; I feel that maybe they should continue the series. They most certainly have the ability to pull it off.
I’m disappointed too!! This should have had at least a second season. You’ll leave other shows that’s immoral but something that has to do with religion you remove it. If you have no interest in renewing it, sell it to Netflix or some other network. This show needs to be brought back.
Agreed and wish they did sell it to continue
Cos some people don’t wanna popularise God. Simple as that!
I’m so sad, this should have become a regular show. They left all of us with a huge cliffhanger, wth!! Very disappointed with the cancellation.
The show is awesome. Need more of it.
I would love to have the show back! I watched it the year it came out, and now I’ve watched it again and I enjoyed every moment of it. There’s other series that are pointless and are still on air. Would love to see a 2nd season!
LIke I am so mad right now.This show is great can’t understand why it was cancelled,now I will never know what happens next.This series was bomb!Im literally so upset there’s no more seasons smh.Wish they would just bring it back try again because this show is really good.
As soon as I watched the first episode, I finished the other 12 that same night. I haven’t been into watching Tv in a long time, and that show had me hooked. I didn’t know it came out in 2015, and here it is almost 5 yrs later. I still can’t believe that 1 season and 13 episodes is all there is. For whatever bs reason this show was cancelled, has me very disappointed. And, it’s not everyday you come across such enjoyable characters. This show seriously needs to be brought back.
I loved the show! I just couldn’t believe you all cancelled it. To me I can’t believe you hyped people up got them thinking they found a good show and now saying it over. Really, thanks for the let down.
I didn’t do it. Think that is the network execs at The CW you are addressing.
This is unbelievable! This is one of the few shows that really captured by attention. It seems to me, that they are canceling because it has to do with God!
Exactly. You got it there!
Shows like Modern Family which fit a liberal narrative will go on while really good programing falls by the way side. Typical of today’s entertainment.
This Series was really awesome! There was no reason for cancellation! We are left with so much trash series while the really interesting and engaging series like this one gets cancelled!
If people started boycotting watching certain networks this would stop happening pure flix is an amazing Network I’m going to cancel my Netflix and start watching that one
Shows like Modern Family which fit a liberal narrative will go on while really good programing falls by the way side. Typical of today’s entertainment.
I cannot believe you guys canceled this Series I loved it so did my daughter and grandaughter I was actually understand this part of the Bible I think it should be brought back.
I just stumbled upon this show last night. My 8 year old saw just a little bit of it and looking forward to seeing it. I agree, why cancel it so quickly. Atleast give us a second season to end it. I am very disappointed with CW.
I love this series and don’t see why they cancelled the show.