Weekly Roundup: Ratings results and status updates on all the currently airing sci fi & fantasy shows as well as those still awaiting word on their fates. For the latest ratings updates throughout the week, be sure to follow the Cancelled Sci Fi Twitter Site
Streaming Premieres: Netflix’s The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance–a prequel to the classic 1982 Jim Henson film–had its debut last week and has been getting pretty good buzz thus far. Currently the show has an 85% Fresh Rating on Rotten Tomatoes with a 93% Audience score. The streamer does not typically share its viewership numbers, unless it feels it has something to brag about, but the favorable reactions to the series should work in its favor. As with most shows on Netflix, I would say it has a decent chance of returning for a second season, though streaming originals seem to have a ceiling of three to four seasons. Amazon’s Carnival Row–which also debuted last week–has received less favorable reviews, currently holding a 53% Fresh Rating and an 88% Audience Score on Rotten Tomatoes. But that show was renewed for a second season in advance.
Ratings Results of Interest: It was another slow week as far as ratings data, but expect that to pick up as the Fall season starts to ramp up. On Monday of last week, AMC’s The Terror continued to see its numbers slip as it dropped to a 0.07 rating based on same day viewing for the 18-49 demographic with 421K total viewers. That has the show well below its first season numbers and I am moving this one to Bubble status. Since it reboots itself each season, there is still a chance that the network could bring it back for a third year, but that is up in the air at this point. Over on Adult Swim, Final Space slipped to a 0.25 rating with 534K total viewers, but I still believe that one has a chance to return for a third season.
On Tuesday, The CW’s Pandora slipped to a 0.1 rating with 524K total viewers, but as an acquisition that fills up an hour on the network’s Summer schedule, it still has a chance of returning for a second season. On Friday, Syfy’s Killjoys slipped back to a series low level, scraping up only a 0.04 rating (that’s four one hundredths of a ratings point) and 258K total viewers. That show is in its final season.
On Sunday, AMC’s Fear the Walking Dead got blown away in the ratings by coverage of the Hurricane Dorian. It dropped to a series low 0.29 rating with 1.1 million total viewers. But that show has already been renewed for a sixth season. Preacher also slipped on Sunday to a series low, pulling a 0.08 rating with 453K total viewers. It is in its final season.
The other sci fi and fantasy entries remained mostly steady with the prior week, and you can see the full ratings results for the week at this link, Be sure to follow the Cancelled Sci Fi Twitter Site for the latest results and breaking news and to join the #CancelledSciFiArmy as we fight to save our sci fi shows. For more info on what the ratings mean and how I use them to gauge the status of a show, check our our Cancelled Sci Fi FAQ Page. Ratings Source: ShowBuzzDaily
Fall 2019 Season Preview of Sci Fi and Fantasy Shows: See our rundown of all the new and returning sci fi and fantasy shows for the Fall 2019 season. Including summaries and status updates for each series, you can see what is coming in the next few months at this link.
News Roundup: Word broke last week that Netflix has renewed its Brazilian sci fi series 3% for a fourth season, but that will be its last. Netflix’s cancelled The OA will not get a final movie to wrap up its storylines. HBO has announced October 20th as the debut date for Watchmen and Hulu has set October 23rd as the debut date for the second season of Castle Rock. You can see the full Fall schedule of sci fi and fantasy shows at this link.
Status Updates: The Outpost Could Return for a Third Season on The CW
Below are the status updates for all the currently airing shows or those still awaiting word on their fate, including the those on the streaming services. You can click through to the show pages to see week-over-week ratings results (where available) and find out more information about the series. You can see the status of all the currently airing and returning sci fi TV shows at our Cancellation Watch Page.
Note: Several of the Summer shows that have wrapped up and are still awaiting word on their fates have shifted to the Season Ended section below.
Currently Airing / Streaming:
Fear the Walking Dead (AMC, Status – Renewed): The Walking Dexit continues for this show as it has returned down from last year’s numbers. But as expected it has been renewed for a sixth season. Whether that will be its last remains to be seen.
Final Space (ADSW, Status – Renewal Possible): This show has switched to Adult Swim in its second season which as worked out well so far seeing as its ratings are up notably this year. It currently appears to be on track for a third season renewal.
Into the Dark (Hulu, Status – Renewed): Hulu has announced that this show will be returning for another cycle of monthly horror films with the second season kicking off in October.
Killjoys (Syfy, Status – Final Season): In keeping with the trend we have been seeing from Syfy shows lately, the ratings for this one are down notably year over year. But its final season was announced in advance, so it will at last have the chance to wrap up its storylines.
The Outpost (CW, Status – Renewal Possible): The numbers for this show are down in its second season, but it is an acquisition that fills up space on the schedule during the Summer months. If it continues to do well internationally, it could come back for a third year.
Pandora (CW, Status – Renewal Possible): As with The Outpost, this series is an acquisition for The CW that fills up space on the Summer schedule. Its ratings are not great, but may be good enough to get a second season nod from the fifth place network.
Pennyworth (Epis, Status – Renewal Possible): The viewership for Epix is not picked up by Nielsen, so it is difficult to gauge the show’s status. This is a pretty high-profile series for the network, though, so I would say it has a decent chance of sticking around for a second season.
Preacher (AMC, Status – Final Season): The ratings have been declining for this series since its first season, but AMC still gave it the fourth season renewal to wrap up its storylines.
The Terror (AMC, Status – Renewal Possible): After proving to be a hit for AMC in its first season, this show has returned with ratings down notably in its second year. At its current level, I have to consider it as being On the Bubble. But it does have the opportunity to reboot itself each season, so it is still possible the network will keep it around for another year.
Two Sentence Horror Stories (CW, Status – Renewal Possible): The debut numbers for this show were pretty low, but still not terrible for a Summer entry on The CW. It’s possible that this one could return for a second season on the fifth place network.
Season Ended But Still Awaiting Renewal / Cancellation Decision:
3 Percent (Netflix, Status – Renewed): This show has been renewed for a fourth season, but not surprisingly that has been announced as its last. More on that at this link.
Another Life (Netflix, Status – Renewal Possible): This show has not generated much in the way of good buzz so far, and it currently only holds a 6% Fresh Rating on Rotten Tomatoes (though it does have a 60% Audience Score). Netflix has done much to promote this one either and that streamer has been in the cancelling business lately, so fans should make a Call to Action on the social networks if they want the show to stick around for a second season.
Black Mirror (Netflix, Status – Renewal Possible): Netflix tends to end its originals around the three season mark, but this one may be able to hold on longer because the streaming service continues to roll out each new season as a major event.
Black Summer (Netflix, Status – Renewal Possible): As a new series on Netflix, this show has a decent chance of getting renewed for a second season because the streaming service tends to keep its originals around for two to three seasons.
Cloak and Dagger (Freeform, Status – On the Bubble): This show’s numbers have slipped to dangerous territory the last few weeks and are down overall this season. Disney owns Marvel and Freeform, so they could give the show some slack and still bring it back for a third season. But a Call to Action from fans may be needed to keep this show going.
The InBetween (NBC, Status – On the Bubble): This show was originally intended for Mid-Season but was pushed to a Summer start which is never a good sign. It debuted with decent ratings for a Summer entry, but those have slipped and the network has preempted it twice already suggesting that they see this as a burn-off run. More on that at this link. I have moved this one to Bubble status and fans should definitely take to the social nets with a Call to Action to bring more attention it.
Mars (NGC, Status – On the Bubble): This show’s same day viewing numbers were down notably in its second year, but it relies more heavily on its global viewership stats. I consider a third season possible, though Nat Geo may decide to wrap it up at that point.
Osmosis (Netflix, Status – Renewal Possible): Another new series on Netflix that has a decent chance of getting renewed for a second season because the streaming service tends to keep its originals around for two to three seasons.
Scream (VH1, Status – On the Bubble): This show actually posted decent numbers for its double-episode season premiere on Monday night, but saw those drop notably the next two nights. Considering the long delay between seasons and the fact that it was shifted to another network, these ratings will likely not encourage Viacom / VH1 to move forward with a fourth season. Fans may want to make a Call to Action on the social nets, though, to see if that can help.
Stranger Things (Netflix, Status – Renewal Likely): This show has hit the third season point when Netflix usually wraps up its originals, but it is setting viewership records and continues to be a huge event for the streaming service. Expect this one to stick around for at least one more season and possibly more.
SuperMansion (Crackle, Status – Renewal Possible): There has been no word on a fourth season of this show, but it has done well for Crackle so far and has also performed well in its encore run on Adult Swim. It released another special as recently as April 2019 and that might be its output for a while as the principals try to work in enough time in their schedules to produce more episodes.
The Rook (Starz, Status – On the Bubble): This show barely registered in the ratings during its first season and I have it at Bubble status. Its international viewership may have more influence on its fate, but it would probably be a good idea for fans to make a Call to Action on the social networks to bring it more attention.
Tidelands (Netflix, Status – Renewal Possible): This show is an Australian import for Netflix, so I’m not certain if its fate is more heavily determined by how it performs Down Under. As with any first-season entry on the streamer, though, I would say that it has a shot at a second season.
Ultraman (Netflix, Status – Renewal Possible): Another new series on Netflix that has a decent chance of getting renewed for a second season because the streaming service tends to keep its originals around for two to three seasons.
You can see the list of all of this season’s renewals and cancellations at this link.
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