Time is up for HBO’s adaptation of Audrey Niffenegger’s novel The Time Traveler’s Wife as the show has been cancelled by the network after one season. The news does not come as a huge surprise as the viewership numbers available for the show have been low, averaging only a 0.03 rating based on same-day viewing in the 18-49 demographic for its six-episode run. The premium cable channels do not pay as much attention to the same-day viewing because they are not beholden to advertisers and they also factor in digital and delayed viewing along with encore runs. But the Nielsen numbers do act as a leading indicator, and I moved this show to Bubble status early in its run. The Time Traveler’s Wife did at least complete the story from the book, but any plans to move beyond that are moot now due to the cancellation. There is no word on whether this one will be shopped around to other venues. Showtime’s The Man Who Fell to Earth is another premium cable sci fi series that has done poorly in the ratings and I have that one On the Bubble as well. It wraps up its first season on Sunday.
The Time Traveler’s Wife focuses on the wife of a man who has a genetic disorder that causes him to travel through time for short periods. It stars Rose Leslie, Theo James, Desmin Borges, and Natasha Lopez, and it was adapted by Doctor Who veteran Steven Moffat.
The 2021-22 regular season has ended, but there are still quite a number of shows waiting for word on their fate (more on that at this link) plus several Summer entries. You can see the status of all the currently airing, returning, and upcoming sci fi and fantasy shows on our Cancellation Watch Page. And be sure to stay tuned to this site and the Cancelled Sci Fi Twitter Site for breaking news and updates.
CancelledSciFi.com: Keep up with the status updates of all the currently airing sci fi and fantasy shows with our Cancellation Watch posts. And be sure to follow the Cancelled Sci Fi Twitter Site for breaking news and updates.
SciFiTVSite.com: Follow our Sci Fi TV Schedule for all the currently airing and upcoming sci fi and fantasy television shows, and keep up with what is airing/streaming each week with our Weekly Listings.
I haven’t seen the TTTW but we’ve been watching The Man Who Fell to Earth and found it to be a good show. It’s unfortunate that the show isn’t doing well in the ratings. Oh well, another good sci-fi series destined for the chopping block before its’ time…