We are approaching the end of the current season and many sci fi and fantasy fans are getting anxious about the fate of their favorite shows. We have already had quite an number of renewal and cancellation announcements this season (you can see the rundown at this link) but more are on the way. For the cable channels and streaming services, announcements could come at any time (I expect the renewal nod for Krypton from Syfy very soon). But for the broadcast networks, they have a drop-dead date when they have to make the final decisions for the 2018-19 season schedule.
Mid-May is when the Upfronts occur, which is when the networks present their schedules to the advertisers. I have the dates below for when the networks (and major cable groups) will make their presentations. Expect most of the announcements to occur the week prior to that. But there is typically some last-minute wheeling and dealing (I expect that for Gotham and Lucifer this year which I discuss at this link), so some announcements could occur when the schedule is presented.
2018 Upfront Schedule
NBC May 14 (Morning)
FOX May 14 (Afternoon)
Disney ABC May 15 (Afternoon)
Turner May 16 (Morning)
CBS May 16 (Afternoon)
The CW May 17 (Afternoon)
NBCU May 17 (Afternoon)
There is a chance that The CW will not have made a final decision on iZombie and The 100 by the time of its May 17th presentation since those shows will air episodes into the Summer. I’m guessing that they will have made the call on iZombie by that point (and that it will be a renewal), but fans of The 100 may have to wait a bit longer (and I go into more detail about its prospects at this link).
As we approach those Upfronts, be sure to stay tuned to this site and the Cancelled Sci Fi Twitter Site for updates and breaking news. And this is the time for fans of struggling shows to rally and make a Call to Action on the social networks to help improve the chances for a renewal.
