Cancellation Watch: Status updates for the sci fi and fantasy shows on the broadcast networks, cable channels, and streaming services as well as breaking news on the currently airing, returning, and upcoming genre entries.
Status Updates
Ahsoka (Disney+, Streaming 1st Season, Renewal Possible): This live-action Star Wars series had a strong debut in the Nielsen Streaming Charts for originals at Number 2 with an estimated 829 million minutes of viewing. A second season has not been confirmed yet and Disney+ has been in cost-cutting mode lately, but if the viewership numbers hold up for this one I like its chances of sticking around for another year.
American Horror Story (FX, Streaming 12th Season, Renewed): The twelfth season premiere for this season-long horror anthology pulled a 0.15 rating based on same-day viewing for the 18-49 demographic with 454K total viewers. That is a 36% improvement on last season’s premiere and it should also see notable gains from delayed and digital viewing. It has already been renewed through its thirteenth season, though its continuation beyond that may depend on whether FX gets sold off by Disney+.
Strange Planet (Apple TV+, Streaming 12th Season, Renewed): This animated sci fi comedy releases its season finale on Wednesday and there has been no word on a second season yet. It did not make it into the Nielsen Streaming Rankings, but that is not uncommon for Apple TV+ originals. That streamer has been rather supportive of its originals, though, so it could stick around for another year or more.
The Swarm (CW, Airing 1st Season, Renewal Possible): This eco-horror thriller improved on its season premiere numbers as it continues to perform well for an acquisition on The CW. Its viewership in the U.S. will have less influence on whether it gets a second season, but the network should certainly be interested in keeping it on the schedule if the numbers remain good. It performed well in its home country of Germany, so a second season is certainly a possibility.
Cancellation/Renewal Score:
I had not yet factored the advance renewals of American Horror Story (through its 13th season) and The Wheel of Time (through its 3rd season) into the Cancellation/Renewal score, but I have those in the numbers now. So far in the 2023-24 season there are seven renewed sci fi and fantasy shows (50% of shows tracked) vs. 3 cancelled and ending shows (21%). Below are the season’s numbers, and you can see the list of shows and keep up with the score throughout the week at our Cancellation Watch Page.
| Show Count | 14 | ||
| Cancelled | 2 | 14.3% | |
| Ending | 1 | 7.1% | 21.4% |
| Renewed | 7 | 50.0% | |
| On the Bubble | 0 | 0.0% | |
| Renewal Possible | 4 | 28.6% | |
| Mini-Series | 1 |
Be sure to follow the Cancelled Sci Fi Twitter Site for breaking news and updates. And for the latest news and discussions on sci fi and fantasy television, follow r/SciFiTV
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.
