Sci Fi TV Network Scorecard: FX, TNT, and Freeform

Network Scorecard: Scoring the networks based on their history of airing and supporting sci fi and fantasy television shows.

The basic cable channels have aired their fair share of scripted sci fi and fantasy shows with AMC and Syfy taking the lead in genre programming over the past ten years. But several other cable networks have put out some notable entries and should at least get a mention in this scorecard process. The USA Network has been active with scripted originals but has tended to avoid sci fi entries so it will not be considered here.  And while BBC America did have Orphan Black, it has put out very few originals beyond that, so it will not get its own scorecard either. But FX, TNT, and Freeform/ABC Family have had several notable entries over the past ten years, and it is worth taking a quick look at each of those cable nets.

FX

FX got its start in the mid-90s and became a player in the scripted programming game in the ’00s. It does not put out too much in the way of originals each season, but it has an ongoing slate and has put out some notable genre entries over the past decade. American Horror Story arrived in the 2011-12 season and now counts as one of the longest-running genre shows of all time. FX also currently has the supernatural comedy What We Do in the Shadows on its schedule and it put out the highly-acclaimed Legion a few years back. It is also associated with shows like Devs and the upcoming Y: The Last Man which are part of the FX on Hulu banner, but I count those more as Hulu entries because they run exclusively on that streamer.

I give FX a score of 3 on a scale of 1 to 5 (5 being the highest). It does not put out very many sci fi/fantasy shows, but of the four that have aired on the network over the past ten years, none have faced a quick cancellation. Legion wrapped up after three seasons, but that one was not built for a long run anyway and was at least given the chance to wrap up its storylines. The Strain went for four seasons with a conclusion, and both American Horror Story and What We Do in the Shadows are still active and and have been renewed for future seasons.  Plus it currently has an Alien TV series in the works which is tentatively set to premiere at some point in 2022.

FX New Scripted Programming Since the 2011-12 Season

Note: American Horror Story has been renewed through its thirteenth season, though I am only counting up to its next season here. What We Do in the Shadows has been renewed through its fourth season.

Freeform

Freeform is the name that ABC Family changed to in 2016, and this is basically the CW of the cable networks. It tends to skew its shows to a young adult audience and supernatural dramas are common among its genre entries. Even back when it was ABC Family it put out shows of interest to sci fi/fantasy fans (including 2007’s delightful but short-lived The Middleman), and with the change to Freeform it has added even more genre entries to its slate. Interest in these will vary based on the demographic you find yourself in, but shows like Shadowhunters, Stitchers, and Motherland Fort Salem have managed to build up loyal followings.

I give Freeform a score of 2 ½ on a scale of 1 to 5 (5 being the highest). It puts out its share of genre entries, though mostly YA-focused supernatural dramas, and several of those have stuck around for multiple season runs. But then they all tend to cap off by the third season mark, and some were cancelled without much of a resolution (Stitchers, Siren). If you like the offerings from The CW, especially the non-Arrow-verse shows, you will probably enjoy the genre entries from Freeform. Just don’t expect them to stick around nearly as long as those on The CW.

Freeform New Scripted Programming Since the 2011-12 Season

Note: Motherland Fort Salem is still active but will end with its upcoming third season.

TNT

TNT is part of the Turner networks and it is the sister station to TBS, focusing more on dramas with its scripted output (whereas TBS has more in the way of comedies). It has had its share of sci fi/fantasy shows over the years including the final season of Bablyon 5, the fan-favorite Witchblade, and Falling skies. The network has not had many genre entries over the past ten years, but it is currently airing the sci fi series Snowpiercer which is returning for a third season and has been renewed through a fourth year.  And it has a few shows of interest to sci fi fans currently in the development pipeline.

I give TNT a score of 2 ½ on a scale of 1 to 5 (5 being the highest). It does not put out a lot in the way of sci fi TV, but two of the three genre entries from the past ten years went at least four seasons (five seasons for The Last Ship and currently four for Snowpiercer). As the cable networks continue to shy away from scripted programming, there may be even fewer offerings, but genre entries do tend to have a decent chance of running for multiple seasons on this network.

TNT New Scripted Programming Since the 2011-12 Season

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