When series get cancelled

[Sal]

Back in the old days, when there were only 3 networks and TV offered better programs to watch, once the networks decided to cancel a series, that was it. It was over for good. You would see the reruns over the summer of the episodes that had already been aired and then it would disappear completely. Today, things tend to operate a little differently and it has left me confused. Now, as then, TV network executives gather during the winter to watch a bunch of pilots. They pick out the ones they like and present them during the upfronts. The ones that make the fall schedule will get orders to make 13 episodes, with that increasing to 22 if the series proves to be a hit. But what if it becomes obvious right away that the series is destined to fail? That's where things get a little tricky.

A couple of weeks ago, CBS announced that their new sitcom "Living Biblically" had been mercifully cancelled. (To which I say: Praise the Lord! Hallelujah!) The last episode had been aired April 18 before the news broke through. The show had only aired 8 episodes up to that point but CBS also announced that the series could return in the summer and show the other 5 episodes that it had left, likely placing them on Saturdays when viewership tends to be low, and then taking it off for good. This is a strategy that I have seen with NBC as well as CBS in recent years and that has me a little baffled. If it's obvious that a show is not going to work and you decide to pull the plug early, then what is the point of bringing it back just to burn off the other episodes? The ratings will still be bad and it's not ever going to make it to syndication (except maybe on TLC. Who will notice?) If you're interested in seeing it, then buy it on DVD or stream it somewhere (I suggest KODI!) but the networks can surely find another use for a wasted empty timeslot, even in the summer.

[stevea]

Although this is just a guess, maybe they guarantee a certain number of episodes, so they are obligated to burn them off.

They probably make sure to zap bad shows before May (and your example is a good one of a really bad show), to avoid it being on during sweeps.

[The Obsolete Man]

ABC has taken to releasing their canceled shows on the internet.

Time After Time and The Mayor both had the rest of their unaired episodes unceremoniously dumped on the 'net after cancellation with little fanfare for those who wanted to see them.

[Yong Fang]

That's what the networks should do with failed shows. Just dump them online or on YouTube. The show is worthless for the network and it gives the actors on the show more exposure, even if it means being in a show only on one season.