The Terra Nova TV show has been officially cancelled by the FOX network. However, though you won’t see dinosaurs back on the FOX schedule next season, there’s still hope for a second season.
For those who came in late, Terra Nova’s produced by Steven Spielberg and revolves around a time when our planet has become over-developed and overcrowded. Mankind’s only chance for survival is to make use of a newly discovered fracture in time and try to colonize pre-historic Earth. The cast includes Jason O’Mara, Shelley Conn, Landon Liboiron, Allison Miller, Naomi Scott, Alana Mansour, Stephen Lang, Rod Hallett, and Christine Adams.
Terra Nova premiered last September with a pair of installments which attracted an average of a 3.1 rating in the 18-49 demographic and 9.22 million total viewers. It was third in its timeslots but held viewers through the two hours. The third episode drew about the same as the first two episodes. Episode four fell by 19% in the demo and later episodes hit a low of a 2.1 rating in the demo three times.
The season averaged a 2.5 rating in the demo and 7.52 million viewers. Those aren’t bad numbers but also aren’t good enough to ensure a pick up — especially considering that Terra Nova is expensive to produce. FOX entertainment president Kevin Reilly once noted that the network was committed to purchasing 22 installments if the show was renewed.
FOX initially had a December 31st deadline to make a decision on renewing Terra Nova but bought themselves some extra time by picking up the options on many of the actors’ contracts.
Reilly had concerns about the creative direction of the show so Terra Nova producers and 20th Century Fox Television began approaching showrunners and senior writers about possibly joining the series for next season. Reilly was reportedly pitched several potential scenarios and writers but he didn’t take to any of them. A last ditch meeting on Friday supposedly went well but Reilly ultimately decided late yesterday to cancel the show.
The decision comes as somewhat of a surprise since the network and studio both made money on the show and has Spielberg’s name attached. Word is that studio 20th Century TV will now shop the series to other potential outlets. The mediocre ratings and hefty price tag — reportedly about $4 million per episode — won’t make it an easy sell. The talent options supposedly expire at the end of June, keeping those castmembers from being in contention for potential new series.
What do you think? Are you disappointed that FOX has cancelled Terra Nova? Are you surprised?
Image courtesy FOX.
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Its strange that fox would pick up touch when every episode is the same and has no clear path of intent for the story line, while they cancel terra nova. Terra nova was actually a show that brought everything to the table: drama, suspense, action, and science fiction. I hate all the reality regurgitations being aired on the major networks (ex. American idol). Television should be a fun vacation from reality, which terra nova was.
I think you guys are dumb for cancelling terra nova. It was just starting to get really good. This show had so much pontential. I was really looking forward to watching some more of the show. fugures youd cancel a good show and put on crap shows in its place.
Figures – here we have a good show, really getting hooks into the story line and they cancel it. FOX, you just don’t know a good show when you see it.
Just as the story line was beginning to take root they kill it. Typical. I hope someone else picks it up. Great concept, awesome visuals, great set of actors.
One of my favorite shows that I got my whole family hooksed on and FOX cancels it, what B.S.!!, my neice and nephews loved this show, I am beyond dissapointed
Firefly, Arrested Development — this is what Fox does. They cancel good shows BEFORE they have a chance to develop a greater audience. I have now stopped watching Fox because why should I waste my time getting interested and invested in a up-and-coming show knowing that the suits at Fox are so quick to hit the cancel button.
Please bring it back on. Best show ever.
Totally disappointed this show was cancelled! It was a great concept. Please bring it back!!
I was really disappointed the show got cancelled.I really loved the outline and the setup I really would’ve loved to have seen what happened at the end of the 1st season when the Sixers and Lucas Taylor went on to the Badlands.What was there?Seriously FOX,c’mon!
I see the problem, FOX Network is operated by world class IDIOTS, If the shows that are put on to our televisions are not reality, or showing how stupid people really are, then the ratings are to low and get canceled. The real problem is if there is a plot, or it is a show that lasts more then 30 minutes 95% of the people living in the US do not have the brains to follow it. So yes you will cancel Terra Nova, its a attenuation from week to week, after a couple of weeks again 95% of the US does not have the brains to follow it.
Great show and you cancel it? Jeeeez, it’s hard enough to get me to watch any of these crappy TV shows and when you come up with a good one you cancel it…shaking my head. And it’s a wonder why I don’t watch TV anymore
You jerks are cancel a great show and it was nominated for awrds , ur idiots i love this it has a great plot and graphics. JERKS JERKS JERKS
We LOVE Terra Nova & are very upset it won’t be coming back on!
My whole family would watch it every week, & await the next in suspense! Boo Fox!! Boo on You! I sure hope another network picks it up!! That would be amazing!!! There are very few shows that we can watch as a family lately with children ranging from 1 yr. – 14 yr. in the house.
I can’t believe that this was cancelled. With all the junk on TV, the only watchable show gets cancelled. No wonder we are all quoting cable and going on-line. Perhaps, we will soon be canceling Fox and other networks.
come on——-a decent show for family viewing & a bit scifi interesting
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