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
The Wheel of Time (Amazon, Streaming 2nd Season, Renewed): Amazon’s epic fantasy series had its second season debut the week of August 28th, and it placed in the Nielsen Streaming Rankings for Originals at Number 4 with an estimated 515 million minutes of viewing. That was for only three days because it premiered on a Friday, so expect those numbers to rise in its second week. This show has already been renewed for a third year, but it is one of the more expensive originals on Amazon and the streamers are looking to cut costs these days. If this one maintains these viewership numbers, though, it should be on solid ground.
One Piece (Netflix, Streaming 1st Season, Renewed): This live-action reboot of the renowned Anime has already spent several weeks in the Netflix Charts (three at Number 1) and it enters the Nielsen Rankings (those are on a one-month delay) at Number 1 with 1.3 million minutes viewed. The show has been earning some good buzz in its first season and it has already been renewed for a second year.
Castlevania: Nocturne (Netflix, Streaming 1st Season, Renewal Possible): This sequel series to Netflix’s popular animated Castlevania had its debut last week and placed at Number 8 with 9.8 million hours of viewing across 2.6 million households in the Netflix Top 10. And while those numbers don’t count it as a breakout hit, if it holds in the charts for a few weeks it may be allowed to continue to a second season.
Ahsoka (Disney+, Streaming 1st Season, Renewal Possible): This live-action Star Wars series wrapped up its first year last night with all indications that future seasons are planned, and that is possible based on the viewership numbers so far. It slipped in the Nielsen Rankings during its second week of release (those numbers are running on a one-month lag), but it was still at Number 5 with 487 million minutes of viewing. If it continues to place in the charts, then expect a second-season announcement for this one.
Krapopolis (FOX, Airing 1st Season, Renewed): The premiere of this animated comedy scored a 1.2 rating based on same-day viewing for the 18-49 demographic with 3.8 million total viewers, but it had NFL football as its direct lead-in. For its second episode, it moved to its regular 8:30 PM EST timeslot and slipped to a 0.51 rating with 1.7 million total viewers, but those are still decent numbers for a FOX animated entry. And this show has already been renewed through its third season.
Shadow and Bone (Netflix, Completed 2nd Season, Renewal Possible): The writers’ strike has ended and the actors’ strike could be resolved soon which means production will be ramping up in the coming months, but there is still no word on a third season of this show. It is likely expensive to produce, and I am expecting cancellations to follow after the strikes (more on that at this link) and this show could become one of the casualties. I am moving it to Bubble status, and fans may want to take the opportunity to show some support on the social networks to improve its chances for renewal.
Cancellation/Renewal Score:
There were no cancellation or renewal announcements this past week, so the score remains the same. 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.
