The 2023-24 season has wrapped up, and there are still quite a number of sci fi and fantasy television shows waiting to hear if they will stick around for another year. I expected more cancellations than usual this year, and we haven’t quite seen that yet, but that could change depending on how many of these shows end up getting sent to the Network Executioner. So far, 21 genre entries were cancelled or ended in this past season (27% of shows tracked) while 34 have been renewed so far (44%). You can see the full rundown of shows with all of their statuses at our Cancellation Watch Page, and below I look at the ones that have not received either a cancellation or renewal announcement yet.

The shows that I have flagged as On the Bubble can certainly use a Call to Action from fans on the social networks. And pretty much every show that has not been renewed yet could benefit from any form of fan support. We have seen genre entries like The Expanse, Lucifer, and Manifest saved by fan campaigns in the past, and perhaps one of the shows below could be the next to get an extended lease on life. Be sure to follow this site and our Twitter and Mastodon accounts for updates and breaking news on these shows as well as the genre entries for the 2024-25 season.

See all the upcoming sci fi and fantasy TV premieres at this link and keep up with the weekly schedule at this link.

The Acolyte (Disney+, Renewal Possible): This live-action Star Wars entry is not quite a Bubble show yet, but pretty close. Showrunner Leslye Headland has plans for more seasons of this show, but there have been rumors that Disney+ is not planning on continuing it beyond its first year, largely because it is so expensive to produce. It did make an appearance in the Nielsen Streaming Rankings, though, so maybe that will help its chances.

The Ark (Syfy, Renewal Possible): The second season of this space opera has just started, and Nielsen ratings data for the cable channels is sparse these days, so it is hard to make a call on this one at this point. Syfy has been bad about promoting its originals, and reviews have been mixed on the show, so I would not count it as a strong genre entry at this point. But perhaps it will do well enough to journey into a third season.

Ark: The Animated Series (Paramount+, On the Bubble): This animated entry released the first six episodes of its first season with no advance notice in March 2024, with the remaining seven set to be released later in the year.  It was originally supposed to premiere in 2023, but the show got shuffled around and Paramount+ does not appear to be giving it much promotion.  This is a co-licensed production with Studio Wildcard and Tiger Animation, and it may end up getting only the one season from the streaming service, though it could get shopped around to other venues.

Beacon 23 (MGM+, On the Bubble): This show had originally been a joint production by AMC and Spectrum and had been picked up for two seasons according to an interview with executive producer Glen Mazzara. It shifted over to MGM+ when AMC and Spectrum backed out, and there are plans for additional seasons. It is unclear if that network has an interest in keeping the show going, though, or if they just picked it up for a burn-off run.

Cult-SciFi.com: Looking Back at Cult Movies, TV Shows, Books, and More from the Worlds of Sci Fi, Fantasy, and Horror

The Changeling (Apple TV+, On the Bubble): This horror series did not develop too much buzz in its first season, but its creative team has a two-season plan in place that will wrap up all of its storylines. Showrunner Kelly Marcel says that “season one was a setup of a lot of questions, and season two is the answer to all of those questions”. However, there has been no word on that second season yet, and with Apple TV+ looking to cut back on spending for its original content, this show’s fate could be very much in doubt.

Chucky (Syfy/USA, Renewal Possible): There has been no word on a fourth season of this horror/comedy yet, but creator Don Mancini has already made a pitch to Syfy for where the show can go next. In addition, fans have an opportunity to support the show by calling 1-201-500-3347 to demand more adventures from Chucky. Its linear viewing numbers dropped off in its third year, but perhaps this one could stick around for another season (maybe becoming a USA exclusive like Resident Alien) if the fans lobby for it.

Creepshow (Shudder, Renewal Possible): This horror anthology has proven quite popular for the Shudder streaming service, setting viewership records and also receiving good buzz from critics and fans (plus, it has done well in its encore runs on AMC). There has been no word on a fifth season yet, but I am guessing that this one is not done yet.

Dark Matter (Apple TV+, Renewal Possible): This sci fi entry has not made it into the Nielsen Streaming Rankings so far, though it currently has mostly positive feedback, holding an 81% Fresh Rating and 82% Audience Score on Rotten Tomatoes. Series creator Blake Crouch has indicated that he has ideas for a second season in an AMA he did on Reddit, though he has also suggested that the first season told the full story that he had planned. With Apple TV+ looking to cut back on spending for its original content, it is unclear where this one stands, but it could stick around for another season.

For status updates on the current sci fi and fantasy shows along with breaking news on cancellations and renewals, follow our Cancellation Watch posts.

Dead Boy Detectives (Netflix, Renewal Possible): This series spent three weeks in the Netflix Top 10 and two weeks in the Nielsen Streaming Rankings, though that may not be enough to satisfy the completion rate that Netflix execs are looking for. It is tied to the same universe as The Sandman, and perhaps that connection will keep it going, but the streamer is known for cutting bait on shows it does not believe are performing up to its viewing standards.

Hit Monkey (Hulu, On the Bubble): This animated entry is the last surviving show from the Marvel Television days before Marvel Studios took over production on all of the TV entries. It did not make it into the Nielsen Streaming Rankings in its second season and it has received very little buzz so far. There are plans for a third season, but my confidence is not high that it will go forward.

Orphan Black: Echoes (AMC, Renewal Possible): This Orphan Black spin-off has not drawn much of an audience so far based on the linear ratings and it has received mixed reviews. But AMC continues to advertise it pretty strongly, so perhaps they want to keep this franchise going. It may be performing better in digital viewing (I have not seen any numbers for that), and that may help get it to a second season.

Pluto (Netflix, On the Bubble): This animated series did not place in the Netflix Top 10 during its first-season run, and it adapted the full Manga across its eight episodes. If there is no word on it over the next month or so, I will consider it ended.

Sanctuary: A Witch’s Tale (AMC+, Renewal Possible): This supernatural drama arrived without much advance notice, though it did get a fair amount of promotion from AMC once it started streaming. No viewership numbers are available, and it did not develop much buzz during its first season run. But it is likely not too expensive to produce and there is still a chance that it could return for a second season.

For the weekly schedule of sci fi and fantasy shows along with news and the latest trailers, follow our Sci Fi TV Highlights posts.

Scott Pilgrim Takes Off (Netflix, On the Bubble): This animated continuation of the feature film made it into the Netflix Top 10 the week after its premiere, but according to creators Bryan Lee O’Malley and BenDavid Grabinski, they consider the first season to be one-and-done and currently have no ideas for a second year of the show. They have not completely ruled out a continuation, but if there is no word on it in the next month or so I will consider it ended.

Strange Planet (Apple TV+, On the Bubble): This animated series based on the webcomic of the same name came and went with very little fanfare and did not make any noise in the streaming charts. It has been a year since it premiered with no word on its fate, so likely this is one-and-done, especially considering that Apple TV+ is cutting back on spending for its original content.

Sugar (Apple TV+, Renewal Possible): This mystery series with sci fi elements developed some good buzz during its first season run, and from what I understand it performed well compared to other originals on Apple TV+. There has been no word on a second season yet, and Apple TV+ is cutting back on spending for its original content, but perhaps it could stick around for another year.

Sunny (Apple TV+, Renewal Possible): This sci fi dramedy arrived with very little fanfare and has not developed much buzz so far. It is still releasing episodes from its first season, and Apple TV+ may not have made a decision about its fate yet. But that streamer is cutting back on spending for its original content, so it is unclear whether a second season is a possibility for this show.

Keep up with sci fi TV news, updates, trailers and discussions at r/SciFiTV.

The Swarm (CW, Renewal Possible): This German-made series is an acquisition by The CW and its viewership in the U.S. will likely have little impact on whether it gets renewed. It is an expensive show to produce, but it did perform well in its home country during its first season run and a second season is possible. But if there is no word on that in the next month or so, I will consider it ended.

Them (Prime Video, Renewal Possible): The second season of this show made a brief appearance in the Nielsen Streaming Rankings and showrunner Little Marvin has indicated that he has plans for a third season. There has been no word on that yet, but this one could stick around for another year or so.

Time Bandits (Apple TV+, Renewal Possible): This reboot of the 1981 Terry Gilliam film is another new entry from Apple TV+ that did not receive much promotion before its premiere. The early reviews have been mixed on this one and no viewership numbers are available, so it is hard to make a call at this point. Apple TV+ is cutting back on spending for its original content, and this looks like a costly production, so if the viewership is not there it could end up as another one-and-done genre entry from that service.

Velma (Max, On the Bubble): People were surprised that this show received a second season after the first was pretty widely panned, but apparently that had been planned in advance. It did not make it into the Nielsen Streaming Rankings across its two seasons, and it currently holds only 38% on the Tomatometer scale and a 10% Audience Score on Rotten Tomatoes. A third season seems unlikely at this point, especially as Max is cutting back on its original content.

Wolf Like Me (Peacock, Renewal Possible): This Australian-made supernatural dramedy has received very little attention for its run in the States on Peacock. But it is relatively inexpensive to produce and could stick around for another season or so, especially since it has an international partnership propping it up.

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.

The post Bubble Sci Fi TV: A Look at the Shows from the 2023-24 Season Still Awaiting Word on Their Fates appeared first on Cancelled Sci Fi.

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

3 Body Problem (Netflix, Status: Renewal Possible): This series repeated at Number 1 in the Nielsen Streaming rankings for a third week in a row. It has also now spent seven weeks in the Netflix charts, five in the Top 5. It is an expensive show to produce, and the showrunners want to go even bigger with its second season with hopes that it will last four years total. Whether Netflix will let it go that long remains to be seen, but I consider a second-season renewal to be a good bet at this point.

Resident Alien (Netflix, Status: On the Bubble): Deadline is reporting that Resident Alien is unlikely to get a fourth season at Syfy and that it could move over to sister cable network USA which is considering getting back into the scripted programming game. However, that move could come with a budget cut of $500K per episode. The show only averaged a 0.06 rating based on same-day viewing for the 18-49 demo in its third year, and Syfy in general has been having trouble drawing viewers to its original series. Resident Alien did see pretty strong viewership on Netflix when its first two seasons were released there in February, and there are also talks of the show possibly moving to that streamer. For now, though, I am shifting it to Bubble status and fans should definitely make some noise on the social networks to support this series.

Dead Boy Detectives (Netflix, Status: Renewal Possible): This show slipped to Number 3 in the Netflix charts for its second week, but viewership improved to 34 million hours across 4.7 million households. Its numbers are not as strong as other recent genre entries from the streamer like 3 Body Problem or the live-action One Piece, but it is likely not nearly as expensive to produce as either of those shows. However, Netflix does tend to cut bait pretty quickly on shows it considers to be underperformers, so fans should probably make some noise on the social networks to bring this one more attention.

Not Dead Yet (ABC, Status: On the Bubble): The prognosis for this supernatural comedy has not been good this season with its episode order getting truncated and its ratings slipping year over year. And ABC has announced the status of most of its shows while remaining silent on this one so far. We should know its fate by next week when the network unveils its 2024-25 schedule at the Upfronts, and right now is the time for fans to stage a Call to Action to help its chances of getting a third season.

Chucky (Syfy, Status: Renewal Possible): There has been no word on a fourth season of this horror/comedy yet, but creator Don Mancini has already made a pitch to Syfy for where the show can go next. In addition, fans have an opportunity to support the show by calling 1-201-500-3347 to demand more adventures from Chucky. Its numbers dropped off with its season finale last week, but perhaps this one could stick around for another year if the fans lobby for it.

Krapopolis (FOX, Status: Renewed): The same-day ratings for this animated fantasy comedy have dropped notably during the second half of its first season without a lead-in from football to boost its viewership. But is it performing about on par with FOX’s other animated comedies on Sunday nights and it has already been renewed through its third season, so it is safe for now.

You can see the status of all the shows from the current season at our Cancellation Watch Page.

Go to r/SciFiTV to join the discussion on sci fi and fantasy television and to keep up with the latest news, trailers, schedule announcements and more

Cancellation/Renewal Score:

There were no renewal or cancellation announcements this past week, though I expect to hear the fate of several shows (particularly ABC’s Not Dead Yet and Syfy’s Resident Alien and Chucky) by next week during the Upfronts when several of the networks and streamers will be revealing their schedules for the coming season. The score currently stands 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.

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.

The post Cancellation Watch: 3 Body Problem Continues to Top the Nielsen Charts, Resident Alien Could Be on the Move, and More appeared first on Cancelled Sci Fi.

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

Star Trek: Lower Decks (Paramount+, Status: Ending): Paramount+ announced last week that this show will be ending with its upcoming fifth season (which should arrive in Fall 2024), but Jack Quaid–who voices Brad Boimler–made the comment on Instagram: “Hopefully we find a new home”. There has been no official word of the show getting shopped around, but Star Trek: Prodigy did get shifted over to Netflix. If fans were to make some noise, and Lower Decks does have a dedicated following, it is possible that this one could continue on a different venue at some point.

Silo (Apple TV+, Status: Renewed): This dystopian series has been renewed for a second season which should arrive later this year, and series star Rebecca Ferguson has teased that two more seasons could be on the way after that. Talking with Collider, she said “Season 2 is shot and coming out, and we’re now looking at green-lighting Seasons 3 and 4. And I think we would film them maybe together, and that would be the end.” Nothing is official at this point, but four seasons and forty episodes (assuming that is the final count) would count as a good run for a streaming original these days. Silo has performed well for the streamer, so a continuation beyond its second year is definitely possible.

Chucky (Syfy, Status: Renewal Possible): This horror entry returned for the second half of its third season last week and posted a 0.04 rating based on same-day viewing for the 18-49 demographic with 153K total viewers on Syfy and a 0.08 score with 228K total viewers for its simulcast on USA, which is about in line with where it was in Fall 2023. Creator Don Mancini has pitched a fourth season to the network and he has said “fingers crossed because it’s something I really like to do” about the possibility of it actually happening. I had this show On the Bubble earlier in the season, but I have revised that based on other recent renewals we have seen from the network. A fourth year is certainly possible, but it could be wrapping up about that point.

Invincible (Prime Video, Status: Renewed): The second half of this show’s second season premiered on March 14th, but it did not make it into the Nielsen Streaming Rankings that week. This animated superhero series has still performed well for Prime Video, though, and it has already been renewed for a third season. Whether it continues beyond that will depend on if the viewership remains strong.

Not Dead Yet (ABC, Status: On the Bubble): This show rebounded with its latest episode, pulling a 0.26 rating in the demo with 2.2 million total viewers. But it is one of the few ABC shows that has not received a renewal yet, and it currently ranks pretty low among broadcast network entries as I covered in the recent Scorecard. In addition, its episode order for its second season was cut to only ten eps. Fans should definitely make some noise to support this one, otherwise the network could send it to the grave by the end of the season.

You can see the status of all the shows from the current season at our Cancellation Watch Page.

Go to r/SciFiTV to join the discussion on sci fi and fantasy television and to keep up with the latest news, trailers, schedule announcements and more

Cancellation/Renewal Score:

Apple TV+ has renewed Monarch: Legacy of Monsters for a second season and For All Mankind for a fifth season, and Netflix has confirmed that the final year of Sweet Tooth will stream in the current season (June 6th premiere). That brings the score to 22 renewed sci fi and fantasy entries (42% of shows tracked) vs. 11 cancelled and ending (21%). 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.

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.

The post Cancellation Watch: Fans Could Help Star Trek: Lower Decks Find a New Home, Silo Could Be Prepping for Additional Seasons, and More appeared first on Cancelled Sci Fi.

Xbox held a Partner Preview showcase today, which put spotlight on a handful of third-party games coming to Xbox Series X|S. If you missed the show and want to watch the 30-minute presentation, you can check out the full video below. If you just want to know the highlights, click through to see them all.

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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

Resident Alien (Syfy, Status: Renewal Possible): This sci fi dramedy returned for its third season last week and posted a 0.06 rating based on same-day viewing for the 18-49 demographic with 465K total viewers. That is down from its second season average but above what the network has been seeing for its scripted originals so far this season. When the third year of this show was cut back to eight episodes, I took that as an indication that the current season could be its last, and that is still possible. But the first two seasons just started streaming on Netflix and it premiered in the Top 10, so that could help it stick around for a while longer.  Fans may want to make some noise on the social networks to give this one a boost, though.

Ghosts (CBS, Status: Renewal Possible): This supernatural comedy returned for its third season last week and posted a 0.67 rating in the demo with 7.1 million total viewers. That is a 14% improvement on its second-season ratings and it outperformed its lead-in Young Sheldon. The show was already pretty much guaranteed a fourth-season renewal because CBS is looking at a syndication run at this point (where shows really turn a profit), but these ratings alone should keep it going.

Echo (Disney+, Status: Mini-Series): This MCU entry dropped out of the Nielsen Streaming Rankings the second week after its premiere. It released all five of its first season episodes at one time, but the expectation is that shows stick around for at least a couple of weeks in the Top 10. It was billed as a mini-series, but a second season could have happened if the viewership was strong enough. There is still a possibility for that, but I don’t expect to see it on the schedule anytime soon.

Chucky (Syfy, Status: Renewal Possible): I previously had this show at Bubble status because it only averaged a 0.04 rating based on same-day viewing in the demo for its airings on Syfy in Fall (it was also simulcast on the USA Network). But with SurrealEstate getting a renewal after only averaging a 0.02 score, I am moving Chucky back to Renewal Possible. It returns for the second half of its third season April 10th and I will see how it tracks then, but since this is a major franchise for the network, perhaps it will stick around for another year or so despite the lagging viewership.

Sanctuary: A Witch’s Tale (AMC+, Status: Renewal Possible): This supernatural drama premiered on AMC’s streaming service in January and has been receiving a fair amount of promotion. The Nielsen Streaming Rankings do not track AMC+, so no viewership numbers are available for the show at this point. It is based on the V. V. James novel Sanctuary: A Novel of Suspense, Witchcraft, and Small Town Secrets and it is unclear if there are plans to go beyond that story at this point. But if it performs well for the streamer, it could stick around for another year.

You can see the status of all the shows from the current season at our Cancellation Watch Page.

Go to r/SciFiTV to join the discussion on sci fi and fantasy television and to keep up with the latest news, trailers, schedule announcements and more

Cancellation/Renewal Score:

With last week’s cancellation of Evil (it will be ending after its upcoming fourth season) and SurrealEstates‘ renewal for a third season, that brings the score for the current season to seven cancelled and ending sci fi and fantasy entries (16% of shows tracked) vs. eighteen renewals (42%). 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.

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.

The post Cancellation Watch: Resident Alien Returns Down, Ghosts Rises, and More appeared first on Cancelled Sci Fi.