We are on the downside of the 2019-20 season and several sci fi and fantasy shows look like they could become the next to fall to the Peak TV crunch. But the networks are starting to understand that the old school Nielsen ratings no longer accurately reflect the full viewership for their shows, and that offers an opportunity for fans to step up and show their support in ways that will be noticed. In past years we saw FOX’s Lucifer and Syfy’s The Expanse saved by the streaming services (Netflix and Amazon respectively) after fans took to the social networks (and more) to support those shows. We also saw NBC bring Timeless back for a second season after a raucous fan campaign brought much attention to the show. So it appears that an active and engaged fanbase can influence the fate of a show if they rally together.
Since the vast majority of us are not members of the Nielsen elite, watching live does very little to help out our shows. But if we are active on the social networks, especially when an episode has its live broadcast, those stats are counted. Live tweeting along with continued social network activity throughout the week helps get a show trending and brings more attention to it. I also believe that digital viewing helps (it definitely does for CW shows) because the networks see those numbers without the filter of Nielsen sampling. And buying the season pass to a show from Amazon, iTunes, etc. could help as well because that goes straight to the bottom line. I go into more detail on what fans can do to help their shows at our Call to Action page which also includes tips for how to put together a Save My Show campaign.
Below is the current list of the shows that could use a Call to Action from fans (two of which have not even premiered yet). These have either performed poorly in the ratings and/or could just use a show of support to boost their prospects. If you have an active campaign for any of these shows, let us know in the comments below, on Twitter, or CancelledSciFi [at] Gmail [dot] com and we will include the information and help promote it.
Castle Rock (Hulu, Status: Renewal Possible): This season-long horror anthology series released is second season in Fall and could very well be on track for a third year renewal. But the streaming service has been quiet about its status since wrapping up in December. A show of support from fans on the social networks could help nudge Hulu execs in the direction of a renewal as they currently consider its fate.
Emergence (ABC, Status: Cancellation Likely): This freshman series never received much support from its network, getting placed in a difficult timeslot and preempted multiple times early in its run. Its ratings and delayed viewing gains were not bad early on, but those have dropped enough to make it one of ABC’s lowest-rated shows. Fans need to make noise RIGHT NOW if they want to convince the network to bring this one back for a second season because time is quickly running out. (I discuss this show in more detail at this link.) [Update: The chances this show will get renewed have improved]
Impulse (YouTube, Status: On the Bubble): This YouTube original is not well known in the sci fi community and it received its second season renewal prior to that streaming service changing its strategy with is scripted originals. YouTube is moving away from more expensive productions and may not have an interest in bringing this one back for a third year unless fans make enough noise to keep the show alive.
The Magicians (Syfy, Status: On the Bubble): The ratings are down notably for this show in its fifth season, and it is up against a wall because no scripted series has ever gone for more than five seasons on Syfy (more on that at this link). Apparently fans are not happy about the death of a major character last season, but if they want this show to continue beyond its current year, they need to be making some noise on the social networks. [Update: The Magicians has been cancelled by Syfy].
neXt (FOX, Status: In Limbo): This AI-themed series was supposed to have debuted at Mid-Season, but there has been no word on a premiere date. It’s possible that the network could have lost interest in pushing it because the show is owned by Disney now that the buyout is complete, and it may just get a burn-off run followed by a quick cancellation. It comes from Manny Coto (Odyssey 5) and certainly looks interesting, so perhaps a show of support on the social networks could improve its prospects.
The Purge (USA, Status: On the Bubble): This show’s numbers were down from its first year, and it faded notably with its season finale. The fact that it wrapped up in Fall and USA has still not made a third season announcement is concerning as well. It was originally billed as an “event series”, and that event may be coming to an end soon unless fans make enough noise to convince the network to bring this one back for another year.
>Keep up with all the sci fi and fantasy shows currently airing with our Weekly Listings.
The Terror (AMC, Status: On the Bubble): After proving to be a hit for AMC in its first season, this show returned with ratings down notably in its second year. But the series reboots itself each year, and network execs are currently listening to pitches for a third season. A show of support on the social networks could help give this one an extra boost.
Vagrant Queen (Syfy, Status: Renewal Possible): This show has not even debuted yet (it bows on Friday, March 27th) but those looking forward to it may want to try and give it some love on the social nets before its premiere. Syfy is notoriously bad about promoting its own shows and the network has been in the cancelling business of late as it seems to be shying away from scripted programming. A show of support on the social networks might help bring more attention to this new entry and may give it a better chance of finding an audience.
More from CancelledSciFi.com
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Check out our Sci Fi TV Schedule for debut and season finale dates and follow our Weekly Listings for a rundown of the shows airing in the current week.
Check back each Saturday for Sci Fi TV Retrospectives: A look back at cancelled, classic, forgotten, and more genre shows from the past.
https://www.change.org/p/netflix-syfy-the-magicians-petition-for-netflix-to-pick-up-the-series?recruiter=1046760934&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=share_petition&recruited_by_id=a939b010-5d6d-11ea-94b8-6d9218fc9401&utm_content=starter_fb_share_content_en-us%3Av1
I hope we get get to see more of Impulse, it deserves a bigger audience. It’s thoughtful and really quite deep with complicated characters – nobody is really the “hero”. As much about the trauma and aftermath of sexual assault as any sci fi goings on.
Wanted to like Emergence but way too much hokey science for my liking. I know it’s science fiction with the emphasis on fiction but you can’t turn an android into a walking swarm of nanobots with a software upgrade. Always a pleasure to watch Allison Tolman though.
Didn’t care for the last season of The Terror, at least a couple of episodes too long, too much filler but as it reboots itself each time I’d watch again.