We’ve received quite a few comments and emails from readers who can’t believe that FlashForward was cancelled when another ABC show, V, was renewed?
On Tuesday, ABC Entertainment President Steve McPherson explained the difficult decision this way, “It was a ‘Sophie’s Choice.’ In the end, FlashForward didn’t engage audiences like we hoped. For V, I get more anecdotal calls and emails than any other show on the schedule. A huge part of rebuilding the network is about taking chances. Some shows just don’t work out.”
While that sounds very nice, ultimately the decision to renew or cancel any TV show comes down to ratings.
FlashForward premiered with a strong 4.0 rating in the 18-49 demographic and 12.47 million viewers. Viewership quickly declined though and has been steadily falling. The two most recent episodes have fallen to a 1.3 rating and about 4.8 million viewers. That’s terrible for a network show.
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Meanwhile, V debuted with a 5.2 rating in the demo and 14.3 million viewers. V’s numbers have fallen quite a bit as well but not nearly as low as FlashForward’s. After dropping to a low of a 1.9 rating in the demo and 4.87 million viewers, the last two episodes’ ratings have risen a bit — reaching a 2.3 rating and 5.69 million.
So, while both shows have indeed been struggling, V is still doing quite a bit better than FlashForward (though certainly not great). ABC tends to save one or two struggling shows each season and V was their choice this time around. FlashForward’s ratings were just too low.
V is set to return in early 2011, or possibly as early as November 2010. The four month hiatus really hurt V’s ratings this season. You have to wonder if a six or eight month hiatus will kill it altogether this time?
What do you think? Which show did you prefer? Why do you think that FlashForward’s viewership has dropped so low? Will the long break between seasons kill V?
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I had the same reaction as many here about Flashforward being cancelled. It had me hooked every week. So sad that this show, clearly better than V, was discontinued, I just hope they decide to give it another try at some point in the future. I like V also, but Flash was much better. ABC Flashforward is worth trying again please don’t give up on it forever!!
I’m still watching V, hoping it will turn into a good show, but it is very average and does not interest me much. Flash-Forward, however, did seem to have a pretty deep plot once you got through several shows and it was getting better with each show. I was very disappointed with ABC again when they canceled it prematurely, as they have with every show of theirs that I have liked. They also have a habit of showing only a few shows and then taking month before the next and by then most people have forgotten much of the show.… Read more »
I just got online to find out when my new favorite show is going to be starting again, and I find this out. I am POed. The cast was AWESOME! Since V came on right after Flash Foward I watched it once and tried to give it another try and didn’t continue. I CAN’T BELIEVE that they kept V on over Flash Forward!!!!!!!!! I would have been at the Seattle black out had I known. Whatever ABC! Trust me V, WILL NOT last. Someone needs to take Flash Foward to the movies with the same cast. For sure.
i loved flashforward it was a great show this show need to come back on im sure alot of people were dvr this show!:(
OH MY GOD! WHAT THE???!!! COME ON GUYS SERIOUSLY FLASH FORWARD WAS LIKE THE BEST SHOW ON THE PLANET I CAN’T BELIEVE YOU JUST ENDED IT WITH A CLIFF HANGER. JUST LET IT AIR AND RAP IT UP NICELY SO WE KNOW WHAT HAPPENS. I WOULD ALWAYS RECORD THAT SHOW AFTER COMING HOME FROM A LONG DAY OF SCHOOL AND ME AND MY MOTHER WOULD SIT AND WATCH IT TOGETER SOMETIMES MY BROTHER SERIOUSLY FOR JUST ENDING IT WITHOUT EVEN A GOODBYE WOW THAT LOW. THATS REAL LOW GUYS. THINK OF SOMEONE ELSE FOR A CHANGE. K THANKS SO AFTER… Read more »
i love the acting in V…especially mark hildreth as Joshua, the good V. Lisa character is developing nicely, too.
I can’t believe they would cancel Flash Foward it was just getting good.. I was telling everyone about it.. word of mouth was spreading…. Come on People
its about money. v has more ratings which brings in more money. FF has less ratings which bring in less money. they sacrifise the low rating good show for the “money making” understudy. its all about money its never been about good shows
The story development for Flash Forward allowed us to truly identify with each of the characters in a very positive way, which is rather unusual these days when looking at network TV and, as one earlier comment was made, why risk getting attached when its going to be cancelled anyway. We thoroughly enjoyed the series and looked forward to its return Fall of 2010 and was very disappointed to hear it had been cancelled. For us, we did not feel it took too long to reveal story line plots. As loyal “Lost” fans, it took years as you may remember… Read more »
I truly enjoyed both shows, V and Flash Forward. Yet both shows took way too long to return back in air. I am looking forward to the new season of V and have wish that I could see Flash forward continue to unfold especially since I had been anticipating its return.
Please put that great show back on the air flash forward it was a great show to look forward
to watching every week. now I don’t watch many show cause it’s a big tease to put a big hit show like that and just drop it like it’s nothing.
I watched both V and Flash Forward. I found them equally interesting. However, I feel many viewers stopped watching Flash Forward as they simply took too long to unfold the story. The idea was riveting, but they held too much back for too long. It was as if the writers themselves didn’t know where it was going either. And in the end–well, there never was an end, really, was there? Without question, ABC could have done a far better job of wrapping up the show. To me, and apparently to many viewers out there, the abrupt ending of this show… Read more »
I loved flashfoward, and i although liked v but flash foward was alot better!
Every episodes of FlashForward left you on your toes! Can’t understand thoses ratings! V was good good but not as realistic as FlashForward was!
So basically you all are leaving us with a cliff hanger. I taped every FlashForward show, and watched it EVERY Thursday. The least you all could do is show it for a month, and find a way to end it WELL. Don’t just throw anything together, us loyal fans deserve it. I never watched V because I thought the story line was horrible. But if you all must keep that over a show that was better, give us something.