Despite a slew of negative reviews from critics last year, ABC’s midseason drama, October Road, attracted an average of 10.2 million viewers for its six episode season. The series typically lost a large percentage of viewers from its Grey’s Anatomy lead-in but it was enough to earn Road a second year. Now that the second season has finished airing, will there be a year three?
For whatever reason, October Road hit a slump in its sophomore year. Prior to this month, the series had been averaging fewer than five million viewers. ABC had ordered 13 episodes for year two with the option of expanding it to 22 episodes if needed. With the writers strike and the disappointing ratings, the network didn’t feel they needed any more.
Last month, ABC announced that several of its series had been renewed for the fall season and, not surprisingly, October Road was absent from the list. If network executives were waiting until March to see the performance of the final three episodes, the show’s cause wasn’t helped. March 3rd’s episode attracted only 5.3 million viewers and a 2/5 rating/share of the 18-49 demographic. This week’s two hours averaged a dismal 4.7 million viewers and a 1.8/5 rating/share. Compared to last season’s finale, that’s a loss of almost 50% in total viewers.
Since it looks pretty unlikely that Nick and the other residents of Knights Ridge will be back for a third season on ABC, will we ever learn the identity of Sam’s father? Maybe.
There is talk that the CW and Lifetime are interested in continuing the series should ABC let it go. CW could certainly use the ratings as none of their present programming comes close to attracting Road’s viewership. On the other hand, Road would fit well with Lifetime’s other programming.
We’ll know ABC’s decision by mid-May at the latest. If they don’t want to continue the drama, it will be interesting to see if some other network does. Stay tuned! 
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This was a GREAT show and I wish it would be picked back up again! The songs played brought back so many memories and I fell in love with the small town plot line. Please come back October Road!!! Great cast!!!
My husband and I are very disappointed that this show is not coming back on this season. We couldn’t wait each week to watch it. It was different than any other shows aired and was a nice change from the norm. You definitely should re-think bringing it back on.
Can’t believe this show was cancelled…there is such crap on the air and this show was a keeper. Great cast, excellent writing this show could have went all the way!!
SAD.
No worries… Bryan Greenberg has moved on to bigger and better things with his new HBO comedy series “How to Make It in America.” Series premier will be February 14th, 2010 on HBO’s premium time slot of 10 o’clock on Sunday nights. With a great cast, and the writers and producers of the hit show “Entourage” putting this together, expect big things.
Please please continue the show! It just started here in Denmark and we love it!
I absolutely loved this show and am very upset that it may not return. 5 Million viewers? How is that not enough for a return? CW, I hope you come through.
ugh that is dumb to cancel it i am in love with this show, i wanna know who the father is and what happens to the couples ugh there has to be another season!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I loved this show. I know many others that do too. If the show does not continue they should have aleast one more season to finish it up. Let us know what happens.
I totally loved the serie, and after two years i still think that it should come back.! I really thought that they should’ve just finished it i mean 5 million is not enough?
i really wanted to know who the father was and if nick and hannah maybe still had a chance..
bring it back!!!!!
LOVED THE SHOW. Please bring it back for a third season
Had to laugh as I laid here in bed at midnight… ad this show came to my mind… I’m STILL pissed its off the air… they always cancel the good shows and leave the CRAP!!!
I want it back as well! What can we do!!!!
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