Starting on May 11th, the broadcast networks will have their Upfront presentations when they unveil their schedules for the 2020-21 season. These are typically live events with a lot of pomp and circumstance, but the networks have decided to host virtual Upfronts this year (with the exception of FOX which indicated they were postponing their presentation). But the show will go on and the networks will be revealing their new schedules which will include new and returning shows. And that makes May 8th broadcast television’s Black Friday, the day by which most of the cancellations are announced. The cable channels could also be making announcements right around that time, especially networks like Syfy and USA which are owned by NBCUniversal. The streaming services work on a different schedule, but it is possible they may get some announcement in as well.
Following is the Upfront schedule for next week based on what was previously planned. There may be changes to the final presentation days and times, possibly at the last minute.
NBCUniversal, Monday morning May 11th
Fox Corp., Monday afternoon May 11th Possibly Postponed
ABC / Disney, Tuesday afternoon May 12th
WarnerMedia, Wednesday morning May 13th Possibly Postponed
ViacomCBS, Wednesday afternoon May 13th
The CW, Thursday morning May 14th Possibly Postponed
Viacom Brands, Monday May 18th
CBS / CBS All Access, Tuesday May 19th
Disney Brands, Virtual Road Show May 26th-Jun 1st
For this year’s struggling shows, there is some hope because almost no pilots were completed prior to the shutdowns. That means that the networks may be willing to bring back some existing shows, even if they had less than spectacular ratings, because they may not be interested in giving the greenlight to a new show without knowing what to expect from it. But the networks have indicated that they may give direct-to-series orders for some of the proposed new shows they feel more strongly about. Still, it is easier to ramp up an existing show, and the production delays could cut into the Fall schedule, so several of the Bubble shows do have some hope.
Following are all the sci fi and fantasy shows on the broadcast networks and cable channels that have not been renewed yet this season along with my final determination of where they stand as we head towards the end of the season. Quite a number of these could definitely benefit from a Call to Action on the social networks to prove that they have a dedicated fanbase out there. And be sure to stay tuned to this site and the Cancelled Sci Fi Twitter Site over the next few weeks for updates and breaking news.
Dispatches from Elsewhere (AMC, Completed 1st Season): This quirky little series started out with okay numbers for a basic cable entry when it debuted with a lead-in from The Walking Dead. But when it shifted to Mondays, its numbers dropped notably despite its lead-in from Better Call Saul. At this point, it seems unlikely it will return for a second season unless it has international financing and/or syndications deals which would keep it viable.
Final Status: Cancellation Likely
Emergence (ABC, Completed 1st Season): The numbers for this show dropped off throughout its first season run, as did the delayed-viewing gains, and I previously had it at Cancellation Likely status. But with the production delays putting a halt to most pilots, there is a chance that ABC could bring this one back for a second year. I’d say it’s a complete toss-up at this point, but it does still have a chance.
Final Status: On the Bubble
MacGyver (CBS, Airing Fourth Season): Since this show got off to a late start this year, it was more heavily impacted by the shutdowns than shows that kicked in Fall. But the ratings remain good, especially for a Friday series, and CBS is likely shooting for at least 100 episodes to make it more attractive to the syndication market. It will reach that threshold in its fifth season. Update: This show has been renewed for a fifth season.
Final Status: Renewal Likely
Manifest (NBC, Completed 2nd Season): The same-day viewing numbers for this show were down in its second season, but they were not at disastrous levels. And this show continues to be a top-performer in delayed-viewing which is something that the broadcast networks just can’t ignore these days. Plus, the network will almost certainly have space to fill in its upcoming schedules, so consider this show on course for a third season renewal.
Final Status: Renewal Likely
Motherland Fort Salem (Freeform, Airing 1st Season): This supernatural drama got off to a slow start and its numbers have only gone down from there. As a poorly-performing first season show, the network may decide to cut bait on this one. But they also may give it one more shot as Freeform remains committed to its scripted programming while other basic cable channels are starting to shy away from originals. But I am thinking that cancellation is the more likely option at this point.
Final Status: On the Bubble (Leaning towards Cancellation)
Penny Dreadful: City of Angels (Showtime, Airing 1st Season): This show just debuted and it airs on one of the premium channels which work by different rules, so it is hard to gauge where it stands at this point. The series premiere barely registered in the ratings, and it seems unlikely that it will see much improvement in the coming weeks. But it is also possible that the show has international money and/or syndications deals helping it, so perhaps it could survive to a second season.
Final Status: On the Bubble (Leaning towards Cancellation)
Project Blue Book (History, Completed 2nd Season): The numbers for this show were down from its first season, but not bad and it did well enough for a basic cable series these days. The show did particularly well with the total-viewing stat (important to the older-skewing History Channel) and also saw notable gains in delayed-viewing. I would expect this one to return for a third season. Update: This show has been cancelled after two seasons.
Final Status: Renewal Possible
The Purge (USA, Completed 2nd Season): The ratings were down for this show in its second season, but they still came in at acceptable levels for a basic cable series in the current Peak TV environment. I was previously leaning towards this one coming back for a third season, but there has been no word on the show since it wrapped up its second year in Fall. I’m considering that a bad sign, and the renewal could be tenuous at this point. Update: This show has been cancelled after two seasons.
Final Status: On the Bubble (Leaning towards Renewal)
Siren (Freeform, Airing 3rd Season): The numbers for this show are down in its third season and they have continued to drop the last few weeks. This has actually been one of the network’s better-rated shows the last few years, so it may still have a chance. But if it does get a renewal, don’t be surprised if that is for a final season.
Final Status: On the Bubble (Leaning towards Renewal)
The Terror (AMC, Completed 2nd Season): This show proved to be a hit for its network in its first season, but saw its ratings drop notably in its second year. But as a season-long anthology, it reboots itself each year and network execs were listening to pitches for a third season a few months back. Consider it a toss-up at this point.
Final Status: On the Bubble
Vagrant Queen (Syfy, Airing 1st Season): This show started out with poor ratings and saw those drop even further in the weeks following its premiere. It was quickly booted out from Prime Time to 11 PM EST on Thursdays, which is definitely not a good sign. This show might play better to the international market and may have deals in place that will keep it viable overseas, but I don’t expect to see a second season on Syfy.
Final Status: Cancellation Likely
What We Do in the Shadows (FX, Airing 2nd Season): This series returned with ratings up from its first season average (a rare accomplishment these days) and its numbers have improved each of the last two weeks. It’s still early in the season, but all indications are that it is headed for a third-year renewal at this point.
Final Status: Renewal Possible (Leaning towards Renewal Likely)
More from CancelledSciFi.com:
Keep up with the ratings developments and the status of all the currently airing sci fi and fantasy shows with our Weekly Roundup posts. And join the #CancelledSciFiArmy on Twitter to bolster our ranks and help us fight for the struggling and cancelled sci fi and fantasy shows.
Follow our Sci Fi TV Top 5 column for the top sci fi TV stories each week.
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.
