The 2014-15 season is almost over and most of the renewal / cancellation decisions are in (with CBS currently dragging its heals). So here is the roundup of how all the sci fi / fantasy shows did from this season along with a scorecard of how successful I was at predicting their fates. Note that this list is for shows that aired most or all of their episodes during the season and the ones that I consider Spring shows (like Syfy’s Olympus, Showtime’s Penny Dreadful, and HBO’s Game of Thrones) are not included. I did include The CW’s The Messengers even though it premiered in late April, but that’s because it was supposed to be a regular season entry and its fate was pretty much predetermined before it had its debut.
For each series below, I give the highest Cancellation Alert level I had for it during the season, my final renewal/cancellation decision, and its final status. Of the twenty nine shows that we have heard word on thus far, I missed on only two of those (as did most of the other entertainment media). Those were ABC’s Galavant and The CW’s The 100, both of which I predicted cancellation but they got renewed, but that still has me at a 93.1% success rate. Both USA’s Dig and A&E The Returned I took a pass on predicting, so they will work as a push either way. The numbers for those seem to suggest cancellation, but it’s hard to determine if they have international financing and syndication deals in their court. Syfy’s Haven we likely will not hear word on until Fall, so that gets left out for now. And I will note that I predicted that The CW’s Beauty and the Beast would get a fourth season, which it did (even though it hasn’t aired a single third season episode yet), but I am not factoring that in here.
So here is the final roundup of the 2014-15 shows (updated with the expected but delayed Person of Interest renewal announcement), and be sure to stick with CancelledScifi.com through the Summer and into next season if you want to know how likely your favorite sci fi / fantasy shows are to be renewed or cancelled.
The Cancellation Alert levels from least to most likely to get cancelled are Low, Moderate, Medium, Elevated, and High.
Cancelled:
Ascension (Syfy): Max Cancellation Alert Lvl: Medium Final Prediction: Cancelled Final Status: Cancelled
For such a hyped “event” series, it never pulled great numbers. And no, it was not designed to be close-ended, that was just a bait and switch ploy.
Constantine (NBC): Max Cancellation Alert Lvl: High Final Prediction: Cancelled Final Status: Cancelled
This one never belonged on the broadcast channels and hopefully Warner Bros. studios (currently shopping it around) will get it moved to one of the cable nets or streaming services where it should do much better.
Forever (ABC): Max Cancellation Alert Lvl: High Final Prediction: Cancelled Final Status: Cancelled
Sorry, but the delayed viewing numbers (where this show did well) are not significantly factoring into renewal / cancellation decisions yet (despite what the networks will lead you to believe).
Helix (Syfy): Max Cancellation Alert Lvl: Elevated Final Prediction: Cancelled Final Status: Cancelled
It got renewed after its first season despite pulling low numbers, and I figured it was on a short leash this year.
The Messengers (CW): Max Cancellation Alert Lvl: Medium Final Prediction: Cancelled Final Status: Cancelled
Apparently The CW gave up on this one before it even bowed and cancelling it three weeks after its debut pretty much proved that.
Resurrection (ABC): Max Cancellation Alert Lvl: High Final Prediction: Cancelled Final Status: Cancelled
A surprise hit from last season, its numbers went on a downward spiral that the show never recovered from.
Renewed:
The 100 (CW): Max Cancellation Alert Lvl: Medium Final Prediction: Cancelled Final Status: Renewed
I thought it was doomed when its numbers did not improve during its second season, but renewal happy CW apparently wanted to make headlines by greenlighting all of its Fall shows for another year. I’m thinking its third season could be its last.
12 Monkeys (Syfy): Max Cancellation Alert Lvl: Medium Final Prediction: Renewed Final Status: Renewed
I was starting to lean toward cancellation shortly before the renewal notice came, but I was also thinking they may give it the same one season pass that Helix received. It’s definitely on notice for next season though.
Agent Carter (ABC): Max Cancellation Alert Lvl: Medium Final Prediction: Renewed Final Status: Renewed
I was leaning toward cancellation for this one, but decided to run with the renewal rumors that cropped up over the last few weeks. And that helped boost my success rate!
Agents of SHIELD (ABC): Max Cancellation Alert Lvl: Medium Final Prediction: Renewed Final Status: Renewed
It looked dicey for this one, but Disney insisted it that it come back for another year. That could be its last, though.
American Horror Story (FX): Max Cancellation Alert Lvl: Low Final Prediction: Renewed Final Status: Renewed
Its numbers dropped in its fourth year, but not too bad. It was never in danger.
Arrow (CW): Max Cancellation Alert Lvl: Low Final Prediction: Renewed Final Status: Renewed
The cross-overs with The Flash helped this one, but it did get dinged by the ratings slump. Still, its third season show status assured it of coming back for another year.
The Flash (CW): Max Cancellation Alert Lvl: Low Final Prediction: Renewed Final Status: Renewed
The CW’s biggest hit in years and it was nipping at the heals of Agents of SHIELD thoughout the season, coming in with a 1.4 ratings average (based on the overnights for the 18-49 demo) vs. 1.6 for AoS.
Galavant (ABC): Max Cancellation Alert Lvl: High Final Prediction: Cancelled Final Status: Renewed
I thought it was a goner (as did most of the entertainment sites) but either it was a cheap enough production to justify bringing back or one or more of the ABC execs really liked it.
Gotham (FOX): Max Cancellation Alert Lvl: Low Final Prediction: Renewed Final Status: Renewed
The renewal was never in doubt, but the late season slide is concerning. It needs to turn that around next year.
Grimm (NBC): Max Cancellation Alert Lvl: Low Final Prediction: Renewed Final Status: Renewed
Its renewal was pretty much a given, but its continued slipping numbers could indicate it is headed to its last year.
iZombie (CW): Max Cancellation Alert Lvl: Low Final Prediction: Renewed Final Status: Renewed
It doesn’t count as a huge hit, but its numbers were good enough to assure it a second season on the fifth place network.
The Last Man on Earth (FOX): Max Cancellation Alert Lvl: Low Final Prediction: Renewed Final Status: Renewed
FOX renewed this show when its numbers still looked good, then it took a sudden tumble. That needs to turn around in its second year.
The Librarians (TNT): Max Cancellation Alert Lvl: Low Final Prediction: Renewed Final Status: Renewed
It performed quite well for TNT in typically low viewership December and the renewal always looked like a sure thing, even if the network did drag its heals on announcing it.
Once Upon A Time (ABC): Max Cancellation Alert Lvl: Low Final Prediction: Renewed Final Status: Renewed
The renewal was pretty much guaranteed, but it might not have much more gas in the tank.
The Originals (CW): Max Cancellation Alert Lvl: Low Final Prediction: Renewed Final Status: Renewed
Its numbers slipped, but it did well for The CW on Mondays compared to the network’s performance on that night the last few years. And its third season show status next year pretty much guarantees it a fourth season.
Person of Interest (CBS): Max Cancellation Alert Lvl: Low Final Prediction: Renewed Final Status: Renewed
CBS dragged their heals on most of their renewal announcements, but as expected Person of Interest did get the nod for another season. Deadline Hollywood has heard this could be the show’s last season (as I previously predicted), but that will give it a good 100+ episode run.
Sleepy Hollow (FOX): Max Cancellation Alert Lvl: Moderate Final Prediction: Renewed Final Status: Renewed
This one was a close call and I was starting to lean toward cancellation before FOX greenlit a third season. That could be its last, though.
Star Wars: Rebels (DXD): Max Cancellation Alert Lvl: Low Final Prediction: Renewed Final Status: Renewed
An easy call for this one as it is more about marketing the franchise for the television audience as the next set up movies queue up.
Supernatural (CW): Max Cancellation Alert Lvl: Low Final Prediction: Renewed Final Status: Renewed
It’s early season numbers looked good, so this was an easy call. But it probably doesn’t have too many more years left.
Vampire Diaries (CW): Max Cancellation Alert Lvl: Low Final Prediction: Renewed Final Status: Renewed
It’s numbers are at six year lows, but I knew that The CW would at least bring it back for a final season. No word on if next year is its last yet, but I can’t see it sticking around much longer.
The Walking Dead (AMC): Max Cancellation Alert Lvl: Low Final Prediction: Renewed Final Status: Renewed
An easy call that I get to use to pad my stats. I two-year old could have predicted the renewal of this one.
Z Nation (Syfy): Max Cancellation Alert Lvl: Low Final Prediction: Renewed Final Status: Renewed
Syfy’s biggest “hit” in years. Its low production costs (it comes from The Asylum) and decent numbers (for Syfy at least) should keep it around for a few more years.
No Word Yet:
Dig (USA): Max Cancellation Alert Lvl: Moderate Final Prediction: Pass Final Status: No Word
If the international financing is there, it could get another season, otherwise it is certainly a goner.
Haven (Syfy): Max Cancellation Alert Lvl: Medium Final Prediction: Cancelled Final Status: No Word
The numbers for this show are at all-time lows and it is a holdover from the “sci fi lite” era that Syfy is allegedly moving away from. A sixth season seems unlikely, but it will probably be Fall before we get the final word on this show.
The Returned (A&E): Max Cancellation Alert Lvl: Moderate Final Prediction: Pass Final Status: No Word
Like Dig, if the international financing is there, this show could get a renewal. Otherwise I have a hard time seeing A&E bringing it back at its current ratings levels.
