Last night marked the end of the first season of Halt and Catch Fire on AMC. Will it also be the end of the whole series? Does this freshman show deserve a sophomore season or should it be cancelled to make way for something new?
Halt and Catch Fire takes place in the 1980s and follows the team at Cardiff Electric as they try to take on IBM in the home computer market. The cast includes Lee Pace, Scoot McNairy, Mackenzie Davis, Kerry Bishé, Toby Huss, and David Wilson Barnes.
The series debuted on June 1st to just 1.2 million viewers and a 0.3 rating in the 18-49 demographic. Not a positive start. (Two months earlier, Turn had premiered to 2.1 million viewers and a 0.5 rating.) In week two, the audience grew to 1.4 million but then, viewership plummeted to just 765,000 in week three. The numbers got even worse in later weeks — dropping to 550,000 viewers.
Based on the ratings, there’s no reason to expect AMC to renew Halt and Catch Fire for a second season. Viewership just seemed to keep going lower and lower each week and that certainly didn’t inspire confidence with the cable channel execs.
Still, AMC has renewed ratings-challenged shows in the past, hoping that they just need time to grow (Turn, for example). Of course, they’ve also cancelled them too. Low Winter Sun was cancelled — and didn’t drop as low as Halt did.
Though there are some devoted fans, it seems highly unlikely that Halt and Catch Fire will be given a second season.
What do you think? Do you like the Halt and Catch Fire TV show? Do you think it should be cancelled or renewed for a second season? Are you satisfied with how the show ended if there’s only one season?
8/20 update: AMC has renewed Halt and Catch Fire for a second season.
I loved the show! Renew it!
The only other series I watch is Manhattan. Halt & Catch Fire has inspired writing and a dynamic casting. I have found when I mention it to people that they have trouble finding the opening episodes and then they have to pay for them. Silicon Valley got good ratings and this is should attract the same audience. This reminds of me when “Rome” was cancelled. I noticed “Extant” got good ratings with plot holes the size of Grand Canyon. Maybe they should add killer worms (Strain) or totally irrelevant plot and insipid points (Leftovers)
Hey everyone, Joe here. We are trying to sell our new CARDIFF ELECTRONIC t-shirt to raise some extra money for a “killer app” for the GIANT. teespring.com/CardiffElectricShirt Any help is very much appreciated! Thanks for the support! ~Joe MacMillan
Joe, nice job !
I just gotta know though, why climb the mountain ?
Oh, can you tell me why you drove a 924, instead of springing For the really kool 928 ?
Thanks, a fan.
I think it’s a good show but I can see it not getting renewed. It has it’s moments where it’s interesting but I can see the the average person getting bored with the show. I would like to see it renewed since I love Lee Pace and his character is very well done. The whole group of people in this story is very real and emotional. To see them brought together based on this one idea to create the world’s best and newest computer of the 80’s is interesting to watch. What ever they decide I’m fine with but I… Read more »
Please, for the love of all that’s holy, renew this show! It’s without a doubt THE best show this year, and this is coming from someone who watches more tv-series than what’s probably healthy. It’s unique, the acting is top-notch and the chemistry between the cast is amazing. If AMC cancels this I will RIOT!
Contrary to many of the viewers, I’m not a TV buff, cannot concentrate on more than 2 series’ episodes in a row. To my own surprise this story, its characters and their psychology, especially Joe’s, made me wait on tenterhooks to find out what’s going to be next. I can’t recall a time in my life I’ve been so much into a TV series. In a nutshell: this show must go on!!!!!!!!
Please renew this excellent show. The acting and cinematography are great. We are vested in these characters. Give them time to grow. Thanks
Please give this program another season to keep people watching. One season is never enough and I think all these new younger actors/actresses are doing a great job. I am 70 years old and my husband and I are loving the acting and the challenges they all face. I believe that when an actor makes you love them and hate them, they are worth your time. With this “high tech” world we live in, the beginning and growth of this age in this program really shows the challenges at that time and today. If you do not renew, I hope… Read more »
Never heard of the show until now. My first PC was an IBM, not a bad little machine, very reliable.
I LOVE this show! It has so much potential to be great. The acting is outstanding, I really fell in love with all of the characters. I would love to see where season 2 or future seasons would take them. Breaking Bad and Mad Men also had slow starts. Sometimes a show just takes a while to find it’s footing and it’s audience. I would hate for this show to be another great show to bite the dust before it has a chance to really take off. I don’t think it is fair to compare Halt’s numbers to Turn’s or… Read more »
AMC should renew the show without hesitating. I will lose faith in humanity if they don’t.
Great show. Cannot imagine it would not get renewed.
Bring it back! Bring it back! Bring it back!
It have to be renewed. Is a good show with a interesting story and brilliant actors . Would love to see where the journey goes !
I hope it gets renewed. It’s a cracking show. I can’t see why it didn’t get the viewers.
I thought it was engaging and without giving away spoilers it would be a really
Interesting second season. If it does get cancelled I hope it gets picked up by another network like Netflix or someone.