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
Arcane (Netflix, Status: Ending): This animated series made it into the Netflix Top 10 at the Number 2 slot for the week of its Season 2 premiere, pulling in 12.6 million hours of viewing across 6.3 million households. That’s pretty darn good considering it only covers three episodes (the show releases three eps at a time each season) over two days (it premiered on Saturday). The second season was announced in advance as its last, but perhaps these numbers will convince Netflix execs to keep the show going, and fans should take this as an opportunity to start making some noise on the social networks to support it.
The Penguin (HBO, Status: Mini-Series): This spin-off from The Batman has surprisingly not made it into the Nielsen Streaming Rankings yet for its encore run on Max, but HBO keeps reporting that the viewership numbers are strong. Showrunner Lauren LeFranc has said in a interview that the only way that a second season would happen would be if she and the writers “feel like we can top ourselves”. However, Colin Farrell has indicated that he is unsure if he wants to return to the role of the Penguin. Still, if enough money is involved, anything could happen.
Scott Pilgrim Takes Off (Netflix, Status: Ending): This animated series debuted a year ago and there has been no word on a second season. It only made it into the Netflix Top 10 for one week, and creators Bryan Lee O’Malley and BenDavid Grabinski consider the show to be one-and-done as they currently have no ideas for a second season. I will be moving this one to ended status, though perhaps it could return at some point. Update: Brian Lee O’Malley has since confirmed that the show will not have a second season.
Superman & Lois (CW, Status: Cancelled): The same-day ratings for this show have been strong in its fourth season by CW standards, currently averaging a 0.06 score in the 18-49 demographic with 459K total viewers across six episodes. S&L will definitely not be continuing on The CW, but fans should take this opportunity to make some noise on the social networks to bring more attention to it and convince Max to pick it up for at least a fifth season (more on that at this link).
You can see the status of all the shows from the current season at our Cancellation Watch Page.
Cancellation/Renewal Score:
With Scott Pilgrim Takes Off moving to ended status, that brings the score for the 2023-24 season to 35 cancelled and ending sci fi and fantasy entries (45% of shows tracked) vs. 37 renewed (47%). And there are still six shows waiting for word on their fate before we can wrap up that season. Below are last season’s numbers, and you can see the list of shows and keep up with the score for the current and prior seasons throughout the week at our Cancellation Watch Page.
| Show Count | 78 | ||
| Cancelled | 26 | 33.3% | |
| Ending | 9 | 11.5% | 44.9% |
| Renewed | 37 | 47.4% | |
| On the Bubble | 3 | 3.8% | |
| Renewal Possible | 3 | 3.8% | |
| 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.
