We took a look at some of the major TV cancellations from last year. Setting aside shows dropped near the end of their planned runs – such as “Justice,” “Big Day,” and “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip” – we focused exclusively on the true mid-season bombs.
How long do those usually last? Here’s our (unscientific) survey:
|
Net |
Show |
Description |
Episodes |
| CW | Runaway | Donnie Wahlberg drama | 3 |
| ABC | Six Degrees* | J.J. Abrams ensemble drama | 6 |
| ABC | Day Break | Taye Diggs déjà vu drama | 6 |
| ABC | Great American Dream Vote | Donny Osmond game show | 2 |
| ABC | Help Me To Help You | Ted Danson sitcom | 9 |
| ABC | The Nine | Ensemble serial | 7 |
| ABC | Knights of Prosperity | Let’s-rob-Mick-Jagger sitcom | 9 |
| CBS | Smith | Ray Liotta series | 3 |
| CBS | 3 lbs. | Stanley Tucci medical drama | 3 |
| FOX | Drive | Canonball-Run style drama | 4 |
| FOX | Happy Hour | Relationship sitcom | 4 |
| FOX | Vanished | Mystery serial | 9 |
| FOX | Wedding Bells | Romantic comedy/drama | 5 |
| FOX | The Winner | Nostalgia sitcom | 6 |
| FOX | The Rich List | Game show | 1 |
| NBC | Andy Barker, P.I. | Andy Richter comedy | 6 |
| NBC | Black Donnellys | “Irish Sopranos” serial | 6 |
| NBC | Kidnapped | Action serial | 3 |
| NBC | Real Wedding Crashers | Reality | 3 |
| NBC | Twenty Good Years | Lithgow/Tambor Comedy | 4 |
| AVERAGE= | 4.95 |
(*”Six Degrees” was given a second chance and canceled again in March. This number represents the first run.)
The magic number seems to be five. The biggest bombs fall short of five episodes, while less embarrassing failures clear the hurdle (although they don’t always make ten).
So this fall at Media Predict, we’ll ask of every new show that airs, “Will it make it to a fifth episode?” If the fifth one airs, shares will be worth $100. If it doesn’t, shares will be worth nothing. After that, we’ll see if the show makes ten. And after that, we’ll opening trading on whether the show will be renewed for the following season.
Watch out for new cancellation markets in the next few weeks, and all throughout the coming TV season.
RSS Feed