FOX has thrown away the key on Alcatraz. The J.J. Abrams thriller has been cancelled after one season and 13 episodes.
Alcatraz follows the investigations of police detective Rebecca Madsen (Sarah Jones) and Doctor Diego Soto (Jorge Garcia). They work to uncover how 340 inmates and guards disappeared from the infamous prison in 1963 and why they’re now reappearing looking just the same. The show also features the talents of Jonny Coyne, Parminder Nagra, Jason Butler Harner, and Sam Neill.
Fueled by a lot of promotion, the TV series was launched in January and drew good reviews and strong numbers. The two-hour premiere attracted a 3.3 rating in the all-important 18-49 demographic with 10.05 million total viewers. Opposite some tough competition from CBS, Alcatraz was in second place in its timeslots.
In week two, the demo slipped 9% to a still respectable 3.0 rating with 9.03 million. Week three dropped another 7%. That wasn’t positive but not horrible either but the ratings just kept falling.
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In February, NBC launched season two of The Voice and Alcaraz’s ratings took a big dive. They ropped 18% on February 6th and then another 17% on the 13th. The numbers just kept falling after that.
The two-hour season (now series) finale was in fourth place in the timeslots and averaged a disappointing 1.6 demo rating with 4.76 million total viewers.
The first season of Alcatraz ended up averaging a 2.2 demo rating with 6.74 million viewers — and those numbers would have dropped lower had there been more episodes.
On our FOX report card — which ranks the network’s shows based on demo averages — Alcatraz has a “C” and that just wasn’t good enough to get a renewal.
FOX chose to keep Touch instead but the network stays in business with producer J.J. Abrams via the network’s Fringe renewal.
What happened? It would seem that Alcatraz just wasn’t compelling enough to keep viewers returning week after week. Plus, for the first time in quite awhile, all three of the major networks had really strong programming on Monday nights. Two of the competing shows — The Voice and Dancing with the Stars — are reality competitions and many viewers feel compelled to watch them “live” rather than catch them online or via DVR recordings.
All 13 episodes of Alcatraz have aired and the last episode left viewers wondering what would happen next. Unless the producers decide to share what they had in mind for season two, we’ll never know the answers to the show’s mysteries.
What do you think? Why do you think Alcatraz failed to hold onto a bigger audience? Did FOX make a mistake by cancelling the series? What will you miss about it?
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We need an alternative to the singing and dancing reality shows. If nothing else Fox should have tried another time slot.
Enjoyed everything about this show, especially the great ensemble
cast. Really miss it!!
I don’t understand how The Voice and Dancing with the Stars can be better than Alcatraz….. it really make me think about people….they’re just looking for something lite….but not fair for those who enjoy a show like Alcatraz….shame, shame.
I’m pissed! I feel like Charlie Brown and the football. I was wondering when the next season was going to start, instead, I had to find out it was cancelled on the web. Weren’t some famous shows a bomb in their first few years until they caught on? Some times you need to stand up for quality.
My wife and I were looking forward to this series. I think it speaks more to the intellect of so many in America, that they prefer mindless dribble over substance, content and skilled acting performance. Sell this show to A&E, AMC, FX or some other network that has integrity.
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its bad enough when they cancel a reg show but one that is a series where each show continues wk 2 wk is unforgivable. they did this with V AND THE EVENT.. u want 2 ring their necks. WE NEED CLOSURE!!
What a shame, we really enjoyed Alcatraz and were looking forward to another season. People are just plain stupid. No taste at all. Shame on Fox for kowtowing to the witless.
SO, SO Disapointed Alcatraz has not been renewed. Thought it was a great show with some history thrown in BUT I forgot now days it’s instant excitement and Reality shows. Well we’ll be looking for a new drama that can offer a good story.
Well, another good drama show bites the dust due to cheap to produce reality shows that put good actors out of work. Fox should have just moved it to another time slot. If you’ve seen one moronic dancing or singing show , you’ve seen them all.
Oh come on!!!! Dancing with the stars!,,…?. Voice??? Get this show back on
Once again the minority gets the shaft. Isn’t there another time or channel available for us. Gee there is always room for reality ‘bleep’.
I agree, if your not going to bring it back at least tell us the rest of the story line. You did have a lot of fans that really enjoyed the show! So disappointed!
I love this Show! Please find a way yo bring it back!!!!!
I am just going to stop watching any new shows until they have gotten renewed for a second season at least! I’m so sick of getting into shows and having them just cancelled out of the blue and with no explanations for the rest of the storyline. It’s the worst! This show was really good!
I agree..and then why in the heck would you have 1 season on DVD knowing there won’t be any more!! I was really looking forward to this show…guess I better not get used to Revolution either (even thought it’s on another network)…don’t wanna get my hopes up high!!
So agree with this, it’s frustrating!!
Seems like all my favorite shows get cancelled! I really enjoyed this series, and I want to see more of it!
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