CBS announced a slew of renewals yesterday afternoon and that included spy fi entry MacGyver which is currently winding down its second season. The renewal has been mostly expected because the show has produced decent numbers for a Friday night entry and regularly ranks in the Top 25 for the week among broadcast network shows based on total viewers. Its numbers are down year over year, but not by too much and it is performing just slightly lower than the network’s other two Friday entries. I have had it at Renewal Possible status for most of the season and figured that it was mostly safe for a third season pickup. And since it will be going into its third year with the expected twenty-two episode order, that gets it into the syndication stretch and pretty much guarantees it a fourth season pickup. Since it is owned by CBS and since a fourth year will get it to the 88-episode threshold that the syndication market prefers, expect the network to keep the show going even if the ratings drop because the long-term profits from the syndication sale will make up for any short-term losses. MacGyver already plugs up a low-viewership hour on Fridays for CBS and expect the network to keep it in that position for at least two more seasons.
MacGyver follows the super-smart agent Angus “Mac” MacGyver who works for a secret U.S. government organization where he uses his wits, problem solving skills, scientific knowledge to solve cases. It is a reboot of the 1985 series of the same name that starred Richard Dean Anderson. The new series stars Lucas Till, George Eads, Sandrine Holt, Tristin Mays.
Expect more renewal and cancellation announcements as we head toward the May Upfronts, and be sure to follow this site and the Cancelled Sci Fi Twitter Site for updates and breaking news.
