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?
Please fox change your mind about the cancellation of Alcatraz, it is such a brilliant show keeps you guessing until the end. It was really refreshing to get something a bit different showing on the tv. Amazing concept and love the fact it flashes between now and then.
Please please please bring it back!!
Bring back Alcatraz for a second season!!!!!!!!!!
can’t believe Alcatraz has been cancelled, its one of the best shows on telly. it was great to get something new and original on tv,
The cancellation of Alcatraz is ridiculous. Is there any way to save it? The show was fun and interesting to watch. In the sea of inane reality shows it was a welcome relief. I’m so disappointed in you FOX and leery of watching anything new that you put on your network. Ratings don’t tell the whole story. People record a lot of shows to watch when families can all watch together. You can’t depend on the “ratings” factor. It’s bogus!
FOX – Just doesn’t know a Great Show! Those stupid programs (Voice & Dancing with The Stars) are just a butch of crap! No substance to them. I’m just hoping that another smarter channel will pick it up for airing. Your lost Fox!
FOX SUCKS!
What is wrong with Fox?
Alcatraz was a great show that I LOOked forward to every week. I.m sick and tired of reality crap and vampires This show was great. Move it to another night it deserves a second chance.
What sad news. This is just Like V the tv show on abc, cancelled and never get to know how it ends. maybe JJ Abrams could try and get syfy or tbs to pick it up to finish the storyline . Fox we deserve better then this , this is just Like Firefly all over again!!!!
Shocking ……… Not the program ……….. FOX
This could be great and great series take time to devolop
Get a grip FOX
Terra Nova all over
I live in the UK & have enjoyed the series. Just as you think that you may know what is going on, the story then gives another twist. By far the most enjoyable tv series for many years (since Life On Mars & Ashes To Ashes).
Please re-think & make another season or at least tie up the loose ends.
I am telling you I know neworks in the past have made some mistakes in cancelling shows, but this is an atrocity. It was very interesting and left you with many unanswered questions. I think it was the wrong night, and that may have made a big difference. Bring it back, or sell it to a real station. Every show I have really gotten into seems like it is the kiss of death. People need to ask people what they like. Alot of people will not answer polls, and believe it or not alot of middle aged people do not… Read more »
I absolutely loved this show. Each week had a complete story about one inmate or guard that came back, and eventually got caught. But somehow, in JJ’s best know way, he kept the underlining story just out of reach to keep us interested and guessing. I think this should be picked up by the SciFi channel, so those of us that really looked forward to it could still enjoy the show. After all, we will never know all the answers that were being held back for the real series finale years from now. I am so sad.
I absolutely abhor reality TV, Alcatraz was a program my son and I looked forward to watching. I normally watch only movies, sports and educational programs. I enjoyed the cast and storyline, will miss this program. This just shows the (leave your brain at the door) mentality of the American public. I understand we are only two voices, but kudos to the cast and crew for putting together a program worth viewing. Now I must return to true reality tv, sports and educational programs.
Alcatraz was an amazing show. so upset fox let it go. you should be ashamed of yourselves.
You know it was nice to come home and actually find a show that kept you guessing as to what was going on. The actors that are playing these parts are doing an outstanding job. I was throwing another show over just to watch Alcatraz. I hate realitity t.v., and i think we have enough singing ones on. I am extremely dissappointed that you have taken one of the best shows off that you have put on in a LONG time!!!