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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October Road
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i was recomended this tv series a couple weeks ago and fell in love with it. i found myself hooked from the opening scene in episode 1 and then to my disapointment found out that they cancelled it after 2 seasons boy does that suck, i hope another network picks this show up because it is truly the best on tv.
Came across this while surfing hulu and have been utterly enthralled with the show. Maybe the marketing was poor or I just havent followed tv lately, but dang this show rocked. Had all the music from the years when I was growing up, some of my favorite actors and actress and an amazingly down to earth story. Loved the show immensely and have been addicted ever since episode one left me hanging about Sam’s father.
Software developer in Washington hoping someone will pick this show up again and at least finish off the loose ends. Best show I have seen in 10 years.
Crazy, I just found this show on Hulu and thought it was great.
Too bad it ended, I watched both seasons this summer and just finished up the last episode. It’s sad to say but I actually held off watching the last few episodes because I’d already heard the show was canceled and didn’t want it to end so soon.
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.
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