There have been multiple cancellation announcements over the last few weeks, but fans have not taken these laying down as they have launched campaigns to save several of these shows. Among those that currently have active campaigns that we are aware of are Swamp Thing, cancelled by DCU after one season, Happy!, cancelled by Syfy after two seasons, and Deadly Class, cancelled by Syfy after one season. We have already seen shows like The Expanse and Lucifer saved by fan campaigns, so we know that these efforts are not wasted. In the current Peak TV environment, any activity to bring more attention to a show can definitely help and and possibly save the cancelled ones from their date with the Network Executioner. Below is the information on each of these campaigns along with some suggestions on how best to help their shows (if anyone involved in these campaigns has further information, please include it in the comments).
Swamp Thing was cancelled by DC Universe after only one episode was released for streaming, but as subsequent episodes have been made available, people have discovered there is much to love about the show and that it deserves more of a chance. Allegedly, Warner Bros. execs were not thrilled with the direction of the shows (preferring a more CW-like superhero series), and the fate of the DCU streaming service may be in doubt with the WarnerMedia platform currently ramping up. An online petition has been posted which is currently over 3.5K signatures and fans are also attempting to bring attention to this one on social media with the #SaveSwampThing hashtag. Apparently HBO considered picking up the show at one point, and that might be a good home for it (the network is part of the AT&T / Warner conglomerate). Or it could move to the WarnerMedia service when that one starts up. The best bet at this point is for fans to make enough noise on the social networks to convince others to sign up for DCU to watch the show. That directly impacts the bottom line (what network execs pay most attention to), and enough new subscribers could convince Warner to change its mind on the cancellation.
Happy! was cancelled by Syfy following its second season after the viewership dropped notably from its first year. That is more a reflection on the network, though, as viewership has been on a rapid decline and it appears that Syfy, or its original programming at least, could soon be a Peak TV casualty. Fans have launched an online petition trying to convince Netflix to pick up the show (the first season is streaming there), and it currently has over 1.5K signatures. They are also making noise on the social networks with the #SaveHappy hashtag. They should also convince others to sign up for Netflix to watch the first season, as a surge in subscriptions could get the attention of the execs at the streaming service. And any presence on the social networks will definitely help this show as its studio and producers are actively shopping it around to other venues.
Another show cancelled by Syfy is Deadly Class, which the network axed after only one season. That one also has an online petition which is currently over 8K signatures. And fans have a raucous campaign going on social media with the #SaveDeadlyClass hashtag. Like Happy!, a strong showing of support for this one on the social nets will definitely give it a boost because it is also being shopped around to other venues. If fans continue with their current efforts and keep this one trending, one of the other cable nets or one of the streaming services could be lured into picking it up.
Another Syfy show that is currently struggling is sophomore entry Krypton. That show has returned for its second season with ratings down notably from its first year, and its fate is in doubt. NBCUniversal–Syfy’s parent company–does not have an ownership stake in the show, so the network only makes money from the advertising revenue which is driven by the same day ratings. Fans need to take the social networks to bring attention to the show and hopefully get some Nielsen Family eyes on it. Even if the ratings don’t take an upswing, a strong enough push from fans could convince Warner to move the show to DCU or WarnerMedia if Syfy cancels it.
The Peak TV crunch keeps taking its toll on the many, many (many!) TV offerings out there, but fans have some powerful tools at their disposal to help the shows in trouble. Social media activity can definitely make a difference, and we have already seen several genre entries saved or at least given a series finale. You can find more information on how to help save your favorite shows at our Call to Action page, and be sure to remain diligent because the voices of the fans can have an impact in the current television environment.
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.
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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.
These are all terrible shows and contribute to the negative stereotype that Sci fi is either campy crap or the fantasies of 15 year old boys.
Agreed. This channel deserves to fail. At a time in tv history when sci-fi and fantasy programming has hit main stream and dominates ratings, this channel is flailing like a fish out of water. Pathetic. Unfortunately media executives are among the most arrogant and self-deceiving – they will never admit their lack of loyalty to the viewer is the source of their own demise. After Farscape, SGU and finally Dark Matter I will only watch a sci-fi channel produced show after it’s run is complete and it is released on home media – provided someone recommends it to me.