It’s the end of an era for the longest-running TV series on FOX. After 24 seasons, the network has cancelled America’s Most Wanted. It’ll continue as a series of occasional FOX specials but, as you might expect, the show’s no-nonsense host isn’t taking the demotion lying down.
Debuting back in February 1988 on seven Fox-owned stations, America’s Most Wanted found immediate success. Within four days of its first broadcast, one of the FBI’s 10 Most Wanted was captured as a direct result. This made it clear to skeptics that the show could be a very effective tool for law enforcement agencies. A couple months later, the series debuted on the new FOX network and became its first hit.
The series was briefly cancelled in 1996 when the network opted to air sitcom repeats instead. Viewers and law enforcement officials voiced their upset and FOX reinstated the show. It didn’t hurt that the reruns weren’t performing particularly well.
Last March, the 1,000th installment of America’s Most Wanted aired live from the White House and Walsh and President Obama discussed the impact of the show and some of the administration’s crime-fighting initiatives. To date, more than 1,150 episodes have been produced. The official website touts that as many felons have been caught in part because of the show’s profiles.
The series has been one of the best-rated shows on Saturday nights for quite some time. Unfortunately, FOX entertainment president Kevin Reilly said today that the ratings weren’t enough to justify the cost. He said, “It has been an important show for us historically but it’s no secret to John, we have not made money on the show in a quite awhile. It wasn’t particularly viable.”
FOX has been the only network to schedule original programming on Saturday nights and Reilly feels that it makes more sense to air repeats of its drama series in the 9pm timeslot.
Reilly noted that America’s Most Wanted will continue on the network however, as a series of quarterly two-hour specials.
The show is produced by 20th Century Fox Television and STF Productions. Reilly also said that Walsh is in talks with other divisions of News Corp (which owns FOX) about the possibility of continuing the weekly series on another outlet. MyNetworkTV seems like a possible choice. Reilly added, “I would not be at all surprised to see the show pop up somewhere else.”
What do you think? Are you disappointed that the series won’t be on FOX every week? Has the show made a difference?
Wondering where the rest of your shows stand? Check our FOX cancel/renew page.
Image courtesy FOX.
A big No!!!! This is unacceptable!! With all the crap that is on tv you cancel AMW!!! This show with John Walsh is the voice for the victims and I will not take this cancellation lying down!!!!! Bring this show back!!!! I watch every Saturday!! I am totally disgusted with Fox!!!
I am ABSOLUTELY disappointed that AMW will be cancelled!! I have been watching on Saturday nights for YEARS!!!! UGH!
Now who is going to go after all of the evil people? This show is vital to getting stories out that we might not otherwise ever hear of. Now what do people desperate for answers and justice do?
You know, I think after FOX doing this, I will not watch one show on that channel. I enjoy COPS too, but I’ll find another channel to watch it. AMW has helped hundreds of thousands of people by ridding scumbags from the streets. After 23 years that John Walsh has spent helping our people, this is what FOX gives him in return? This is because of greed. Rot in hell FOX network. Rot in ******* hell.
I’m not American but I’ve been watching this show since I was young. It’s ridiculous that America’s most important show is being cancelled because they aren’t making money. What’s more important money or the safety of a country?
I was always a C.O.P.S. guy, but this show was good too
Fox cares more about money thsn saving lives….
I am very disappointed in Fox for making such a inhuman decision to cancel a show that has brought so many families closure for there dead loved ones. I live in Windsor,On canada and have watched your show for years. Now my daughters and there children watch your show with the utmost respect for the show and law enforcement trying to keep our streets safe.There is no better way than airing it nation wide to show the faces of the scum who kill, rape, and murder innocent people. Please think about this we do not need anymore trashy shows on… Read more »
I’ll make this quik and short; “Money Talks, and Criminals Walk”…!!!
This has been my favorite show for all these years!! So sad that it’s being canceled! Maybe if some of these network big shots didn’t take all the money in salary for themselves, the favorite shows could stay on the air!
NO WAY! AMW is my favorite show. I look forward to it every Saturday night. It is the only real reality show. I am very disappointed in FOX. We really need to keep this show on TV. I wish it were on more than once a week. America needs this show!
I am most disappointed that AMW is being cancelled. It is the only show that I watch on a weekly basis. AMW provides the average citizen a way to address crime in America. Please reconsider, FOX!
They have to change their mind. This is actually a very important show that saves a lot of lives.
I am so upset about America’s Most wanted being canceled on Fox. Many many crimes were solved because of John and A.M.W. Maybe Saturday night is not a good time for the show as many people are injoying them selfs on the weekend. I think a ten o’clock during the week would be much better time. Please …please do not take it of air !
that sucks