We are approaching the end of the regular season for the broadcast networks and the Upfronts planned for mid-May should bring several renewal and cancellation announcements. In addition, the networks will be unveiling their schedules for the upcoming 2023-24 season. In the past, there was much more drama around the time of the Upfronts, but most of the broadcasters have already announced their renewals and cancellations this season. The streamers factor in as well now with networks like ABC, CBS, and NBC all having their digital partners, so we should expect to hear announcements from those services as well. Following is the schedule currently set for the Upfront presentations to the advertisers:
May 15 (Morning): FOX
May 15 (Afternoon): NBCUniversal (which should include Peacock)
May 16 (Afternoon): ABC/Disney (which should include Hulu)
May 17 (Morning): Warner Bros. Discovery
May 17 (Afternoon): Netflix
The CW has not set an Upfront presentation yet and CBS will have one-on-one meetings instead but will likely also announce its schedule the week of May 15th or right before. The primary purpose of the Upfronts (beyond selling advertising) is for the broadcast networks to release their new schedules, but the streamers could make announcements as well, particularly Netflix. The Friday before has typically been referred to as Black Friday because that is when most of the cancellations are announced. Currently, the broadcast sci fi/fantasy shows that are awaiting word on their fates are Fantasy Island (FOX), Not Dead Yet (ABC), and all of The CW’s genre entries. Already renewed are Quantum Leap (NBC), La Brea (NBC), and Ghosts (CBS). Syfy has renewed Chucky, Reginald the Vampire, and The Ark and could announce new shows for next season during the NBC Universal presentation.
Below are all the shows that have not been renewed so far this year across all the networks and streaming services. Not all of these will be covered during the Upfront week, but announcements pertaining to any of them could be coming out around the same time. I have a status of Renewal Possible or On the Bubble for each, and the latter group could certainly use some support from fans. We have seen in the past where a Call to Action has helped shows like The Expanse and Lucifer, and perhaps one or more of the current season’s shows could be saved. Stay tuned to this site in the coming weeks for breaking news and updates, and you can see the full tally of shows at our Cancellation Watch Page. Also keep an eye out for our season-end poll that will be posted next week.
Cabinet of Curiosities (Netflix, On the Bubble): This horror anthology with Guillermo del Toro’s name attached had a three-week run in Netflix’s Top 10 and we have seen other shows like The Midnight Club, The Imperfects, and Warrior Nun cancelled after pulling similar viewership numbers. The streamer has been in cancelling mode of late, so I do not like this one’s chances for a second season.
Dragon Age Absolution (Netflix, On the Bubble): This animated fantasy series–based on the video game–did not make much of an impression when it premiered in Fall 2022. Animated shows tend to get a little more leeway from this streamer, but if nothing is announced by Netflix’s upfront, consider it likely to be one-and-done.
Exception (Netflix, On the Bubble): Yet another animated entry from Netflix that did not chart in the streamer’s Top 10 during its first season. This one was billed as a limited series though it left some storylines to explore for a potential second season. The chances of that happening are fading the longer that Netflix remains silent on its fate, though.
Fantasy Island (FOX, On the Bubble): This reboot series is currently the second-lowest-rated drama at FOX, though it still has a shot at a third season. It is considered a low-cost show and word is that it could be moving back to the Summer months. But nothing is guaranteed at this point. Update: This show has been cancelled by FOX.
From (MGM+, Renewal Possible): This sci fi/horror series just returned for its second season, and maybe it has enough momentum to get into a third year. Nielsen does not report the viewership for MGM+, so it is hard to gauge how well this one is performing.
Gotham Knights (CW, On the Bubble): This freshman DC series has performed well by CW standards in its first season, but the new owners plan to purge most of the content that originated with the prior regime. If The CW does cancel it, there is a chance it could shift over to HBO Max.
Hello Tomorrow! (Apple TV+, Renewal Possible): This odd little drama with sci fi flourishes has received a mixed reception in its first season and did not make it into the Nielsen Streaming Rankings. But Apple TV+ tends to be more patient with its originals, so it has a chance of sticking around.
Kung Fu (CW, On the Bubble): Another CW entry, this supernatural drama is the lowest-rated among the genre entries on the network and looks like one of the most likely to get cancelled. If the old regime was still in place, it would probably get at least a fourth season. But it does not fit into the older-skewing demographic the current owners are targetting for the network. Update: This show has been cancelled by The CW.
Little Demon (FXX, On the Bubble): This animated fantasy comedy has some star power behind it with Danny DeVito and Aubrey Plaza in the lead cast and also acting as executive producers. It did well enough in viewership for an FXX show, but there has been no word on its fate since it wrapped up back in October 2022. It could still stick around, though.
Lockwood & Co. (Netflix, On the Bubble): Like Cabinet of Curiosities, this supernatural drama from Netflix had the dreaded three-week run in the streamer’s Top 10. The show made it all the way to Number 1 for one of those weeks and has received some good buzz, but that may not be enough to protect it from the Netflix Req Queen’s “Off With Their Heads!” verdict. Update: This show has been cancelled by Netflix.
Mrs. Davis (Peacock, Renewal Possible): This AI drama just kicked off at Peacock and the initial buzz on it has been pretty good. It is too early to know if it cracked into the Nielsen Streaming Rankings (those run on a several-week delay), and that streamer has not been the best at supporting its originals, but it still has a chance at a second season renewal.
Not Dead Yet (ABC, On the Bubble): This supernatural comedy is currently the lowest-rated sitcom on ABC, but the word is that the network has been happy enough with it and they are high on its star Gina Rodriguez. It could survive the cut if it pulls at least passable numbers for the last few weeks of its final season.
The Power (Amazon, Renewal Possible): This sci fi entry is currently streaming its first season, and the early buzz on it has been mostly favorable. Amazon has been generally good about supporting its originals, so it could stick around to a second season.
Rabbit Hole (Paramount+, Renewal Possible): This spy fi series premiered late last month and we don’t have any viewership numbers on it yet. Paramount+ has been pretty good about supporting its originals, though, so it could make it to a second season.
School Spirits (Paramount+, Renewal Possible): Another Paramount+ entry, this supernatural comedy has not made it into the Nielsen Streaming Rankings yet, but the buzz around it is good and it is likely not too expensive to produce, so it could survive to a second season.
She-Hulk (Disney+, On the Bubble): There has been no word on a second season of this MCU entry since it wrapped up in October which is not a good thing. The show could be retrofitted to the mini-series designation like we saw with Moon Knight, but the character will likely return to the MCU at some point.
Shadow and Bone (Netflix, Renewal Possible): The second season of this fantasy drama spent five weeks in the Netflix Top 10 and two weeks so far at over one billion minutes of viewing in the Nielsen Streaming Rankings. You would think that would be enough to assure it a third-season renewal, but this is Netflix. I give it a decent chance, but there is always the possibility that the Red Queen will cut it down with her “Off With Their Heads!” verdict.
Superman & Lois (CW, Renewal Possible): This is the highest-rated genre entry on The CW and the most likely to get renewed. James Gunn has already said that he expects another season or two from the show, and if by chance it does not return to The CW next season then it will likely make the jump to HBO Max where encore runs of the first two seasons are streaming.
Sweet Tooth (Netflix, Renewal Possible): This show just kicked off its second season, and so far the buzz has been good just like with its first year. Netflix is notorious about not promoting its originals, though, so we will have to see how it does in viewership. But a third season is definitely a possibility. Update: This show has been renewed for a third and final season.
Tales of the Walking Dead (AMC, On the Bubble): There has been no word on this TWD spin-off since its six-episode run in Fall 2022, and that is not a good sign. It did not perform well in the ratings, and it got mixed reviews at best. Since it is an anthology, it can always reboot itself, so it could be back for a second season. If not, AMC will probably try to retrofit it as a mini-series.
Velma (HBO Max, Renewal Possible): This adult-skewing Scooby Doo spin-off did not get high marks from critics or viewers in its first season, and it did not make it into the Nielsen Streaming Rankings. But there are still rumors that a second season could happen, so maybe that will give it a chance to course-correct.
The Winchesters (CW, On the Bubble): This Supernatural prequel is yet another CW show that could fall because of the change in ownership. The viewing numbers were decent, and it has been well-received, but its association with the prior regime could doom it. If it does get cancelled, though, there is a chance the show could shift to HBO Max or maybe to Netflix where Supernatural is performing well in encore runs. Update: This show has been cancelled by The CW.
Wolf Pack (Paramount+, Renewal Possible): This werewolf drama has received mixed reviews at best in its first season and it did not crack into the Nielsen Streaming Top 10. But word is that negotiation are underway for a second season, so it could be back for another round of episodes.
CancelledSciFi.com: Keep up with the status updates of all the airing, returning, and upcoming sci fi and fantasy shows for the current season 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 you can see the premieres for all the upcoming genre entries at this link.
