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
Quantum Leap (NBC, Airing 2nd Season, Renewal Possible): The second season premiere of this show pulled a 0.31 rating based on same-day viewing for the 18-49 demographic with 2.9 million total viewers. That is down slightly from its first season average and below NBC’s current network average. That does not count as a strong return for its second season, but the show makes up slack in digital viewing and it could stick around for another season if the numbers hold up.
Surrealestate (Syfy, Airing 2nd Season, Renewal Possible): This supernatural drama which was previously cancelled and uncancelled by Syfy only managed a 0.03 rating in the demo with 136K total viewers for its second season premiere. That is down by half from its average viewership in Summer 2021, but it’s likely that the network did little to promote the show’s return. Fans should take to the social networks to bring this one more attention, otherwise it could face a second cancellation if the numbers remain low.
The Spiderwick Chronicles (Disney+/The Roku Channel, Upcoming, Cancelled): This adaptation of the beloved books by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black was cancelled by Disney+ and booted from its planned run on the streaming service before it premiered. The first season was completed and Paramount shopped the series around with The Roku Channel stepping up to acquire the property. But that will almost certainly only allow it to stream its existing episodes as it seems unlikely Roku would have the money to fund a second season of this rather expensive series. So I am still counting it as cancelled for now.
Chucky (Syfy, Airing 3rd Season, Renewal Possible): The third season premiere of this horror series had a 0.05 rating with 172K total viewers on Syfy and a 0.07 score with 207K total viewers from its simulcast on USA. That is down by 33% from its second season average, and this show–which once counted as a hit–may be running out of steam. Only half of the third season will air in Fall, so it may be 2024 before Syfy makes a decision on a fourth year of the show.
The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon (AMC, Airing 1st Season, Renewed): This TWD spin-off has averaged only a 0.10 rating based on same-day viewing for the 18-49 demographic through five episodes which is lower than the numbers The Walking Dead: Dead City saw in summer. But apparently, Daryl Dixon is performing quite well on the AMC+ streaming service. That streamer has not shared any numbers, but they claim that it had the biggest premiere so far on that service based on its first three weeks. Apparently, there is still an audience out there for TWD–even if the linear numbers suggest differently–and the show has already been renewed for a second season.
Cancellation/Renewal Score:
Netflix gave a second season renewal to its animated horror fantasy series Castlevania: Nocturne this past weekend. In addition, I had not counted the advanced renewal for Rick & Morty in the numbers yet–that show has received the greenlight through its tenth season–but I have it there now. Among the ending shows, I had not included Disenchantment, but I am now subbing that out for Sweet Tooth as it looks like that latter series may not return for its final season until well into 2024. That brings the current score to nine renewed sci fi and fantasy shows (43% of shows tracked) vs. 3 cancelled and ending shows (14%). 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 | 21 | ||
| Cancelled | 2 | 9.5% | |
| Ending | 1 | 4.8% | 14.3% |
| Renewed | 9 | 42.9% | |
| On the Bubble | 0 | 0.0% | |
| Renewal Possible | 9 | 42.9% | |
| 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.
