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
Dead Boy Detectives (Netflix, Status: Renewal Possible): This supernatural drama had its premieres last week and placed in the Netflix Top 10 at the Number 2 slot with 22 million hours watched across 3.1 million households. That is quite good for just four days (it premiered on Thursday) and this show is off to a strong start. It is considered part of the same universe as The Sandman, and some suggestions of a crossover have already been mentioned. If this one continues to pull strong viewership, a second season looks like a good bet.
The Spiderwick Chronicles (Roku Channel, Status: Cancelled): This adaptation of the books by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black had its debut April 15th and became the most-watched on demand title for The Roku Channel according to that streamer. They did not share any numbers, and Nielsen does not track that service, so I don’t know the actual viewership stats. And this was picked up from Disney+ when the Mouse House decided not to go forward with streaming the series even though the first season was completed. There has been no mention of a second season and it is unclear if The Roku Channel has the budget to keep the show going, but there is a possibility that it could continue for that streamer.
American Horror Story (FX, Status: Renewed): This show improved for its season finale to a 0.08 rating based on same-day viewing for the 18-49 demographic with 232K total viewers. But this has been one of the least-watched seasons so far (especially in its second half) and it appears that the long-lived franchise could be running out of steam. It has already been renewed through its thirteenth season, but don’t be surprised if that one is announced as its last at some.
You can see the status of all the shows from the current season at our Cancellation Watch Page.
Cancellation/Renewal Score:
There were no renewal or cancellation announcements this past week, so the score remains the same. We currently stand at 23 renewed sci fi and fantasy entries (40% of shows tracked) vs. 11 cancelled and ending (19%). Below are this 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 | 57 | ||
| Cancelled | 6 | 10.5% | |
| Ending | 5 | 8.8% | 19.3% |
| Renewed | 23 | 40.4% | |
| On the Bubble | 5 | 8.8% | |
| Renewal Possible | 18 | 31.6% | |
| Mini-Series | 6 |
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.
I was less convinced with the Dead Boy numbers, only just second. I tend to focus the last column, not the total hours. I enjoyed the series, and would watch again
And I see week 2 has them drop to third. I suspect this won’t be enough for a renewal
But the viewership numbers did rise. I’m thinking this one is nowhere near as expensive as The Sandman, so it still has a chance for a second season.
I just binged the entire first season of Dead Boy Detectives and I absolutely loved it. I really hope it gets renewed for a second season or more. I love the casting and all the characters and I hope they continue to build on the relationship of Edwin and the Cat King! 5 stars for the show!