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.
This is so ridiculous!!! I love AMW, and for them to take it off the air, is so retarded…oh I see, people want to see The Simpsons for 20+ yrs which is senseless, but not something that helps save the lives of humans??? I understand that it’s “all about the money” but COME ON!!!! My daughter’s life is PRICELESS & I watch the show so I can see what dangers are out there & to be made aware of how horrible people can truly be. You wouldn’t be just hurting John Walsh, who is the most amazing man & my… Read more »
My favorite TV show. I’ve watched it faithfully every week since it’t beginning. It is a public service, and helps me set an example of right and wrong for my grandkids. To FOX please find a way to keep it on.
WELL PUT “TEX” AND I AGREE. THE DEPARTMENTS SHOULD STEP UP TO THE PLATE ALONG WITH THE PUBLIC AND LET FOX KNOW THAT VIEWERS WILL NOT PUT UP WITH THIS CRAP ANY LONGER. THERE HAS TO BE MORE TO TV VIEWING THAN WHAT IS BRINGING IN THE MOST MONEY. ISN’T THERE????? IF NOT, ALL HOPE IS GONE AS WE ARE LEFT WITH MAINLY CRAP ON OUR NETWORKS. IF THIS IS REMOVED ; I FOR ONE, HOPE THE BIG BAD KARMA TRAIN RUNS OVER FOX NETWORK AND” BYE- BYE” IDOL, HOUSE, GLEE AND ALL THE OTHER PROGRAMS THEY’RE RIDING HIGH ON… Read more »
CANCELLING AMW IS AN OUTRAGE!!!!!!!!!!!! ME AND MY COWORKER’S ARE DONE WATCHING FOX9 AS A RESULT OF THIS………..
I watched this show every Saturday and i think it is a real shame that a program that helps the police and all law enforcement in general, is being cancelled by Fox Network. This program has caught over 1000 criminals across the world. I guess Fox only thinks about their ratings instead of helping this country control crime. All Police agencies should band together and go after Fox Network, just like they did the last time. I do really hope it is brought back. Damn Fox Network.
SAD SAD SAD……this is the best show on FOX——FOX executives are making a huge mistake. How criminals are thanking their lucky stars above. THANK YOU JOHN WALSH–WE LOVE YOU!!!
AMERICA’S MOST WANTED is a terrific Saturday night show, any night actually. I have watched it with interest every week since its inception. Taking off the show and the host, John Walsh, after all this time and so many captures is terrible. There are so many ridiculous shows and they are kept on season after season. I hope John Walsh gets another chance on another channel. These shows are not fiction, they are real.
FOX CHOSE TO CANCEL “AMERICA’S MOST WANTED?” APPARENTLY THEY DO NOT REMEMBER THAT AMW WAS THE VERY SHOW THAT LAUNCHED THEM AS A “NETWORK” WHEN THEY HAD NOTHING BUT CRAP. THIS SHOW NOT ONLY BRINGS IN VIEWERS….IT SAVES LIFES…..IT HELPS PEOPLE TO KNOW THAT THE KILLERS/ABUSERS/ETC HAVE BEEN CAUGHT OR ARE TRYING TO BE CAUGHT. YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE A FAN OF LAW ENFORCEMENT TO KNOW THAT THIS SHOW DOES A SERVICE FOR THE PUBLIC ALONG WITH THE MONEY IT BRINGS IN. ONLY IDIOTS WOULD CHOOSE SOME OF THE FOX SHOWS AIRING OVER AMW, TRULY. OR MAYBE IT WILL… Read more »
Thank you, very well put.
I’m totally disgusted and will not watch the Fox network anymore. This show is a public service. Shame on you Mr. Reilly or shoul I say Mr. Bottomline.
They are totally insane for cancelling this show!! Just think of all the scum it
got off the streets! The last time this happened there was such an uprise over
it that they kept it going and now they want to cancel it, I had so much respect for
FOX TV. Hopefully all viewers will email Kevin Reilly at FOX so he can then see
how important this show is! They are making a huge mistake!
Thank you John Walsh for all your hardwork over the last 23 years!!
ARE THEY TOTALLY INSANE????????????????
I hope the viewers rise up like last time they tried this. With all the mindless drek on TV today – at least this show had many good results.
THIS IS AN OUTRAGE
JUST PLAIN STUPID AND DISAPPOINTING… Media Mongrals taking one more positive from this world, like they haven’t done enough of that already…
I hope many people write you about Chicago Code. Love this show do not cancel. This show has heart it will be very missed.
No No No No No No No! This whole idea makes me cry. I’m 18 years old and every saturday that i can remember i have watched america’s most wanted. even when i went to college i could watch the episodes the minute they got online. I would stop everything to watch this show. I grew up with John Walsh and he has become my hero taking something so painful and turning it into a project with a purpose. In my eyes, he never backs down; he always fights for what he believes is the right thing. Getting rid of… Read more »
This just proves that NONE of the old fashoned netowrks get how broken thier buisness model is. The DVR and video on demand services have renedered the neilson family obsolete. (yes I left the name lower case on purpose)