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?
Images courtesy ABC.
and why do i have such a lamesauce photo by my post? lol.
I haven’t seen Flash Forward. I like V though, and have been watching weekly on Hulu.
Both of these shows are great and I look forward to both each week. Come on guys!
Flashforward has better writing by far and a great cast. V has an amazingly talented cast (as do most ABC shows now) but suffers from horrible character development and decisions in the writing. I’ve been watching V up to now and really wanting it to work, but I can’t deal with it any more. Also seen all Castle (also because of cast) but have to let it go because its gotten so formulaic. Loved “The Unusuals”, “Life On Mars” and “Defying Gravity” (all great casts and interesting stories albeit “DG” a little drama based) and all gone. I’m no longer… Read more »
this truly sucks flash forward was the show to see here in canada there isnt one person who doesnt watch that show, ABC you are making a big mistake!!!!!! will not watch your shows any longer as you might to this to me again. Sorry but your decision is going to cust you big.
I never saw V, I live in Italy and we just started viewing Flashforward. It’s unbelievable that it will be stopped, I think it’s the best series I’ve ever seen (after Star Trek of course!). Maybe they air it in the wrong moment of the week if people don’t see it. It’s indeed complex, but you cannot avoid to look forward the next episode once you’ve seen one. The man that created this series is a genius!!! I know lot of people that is waiting the next series of Flashforward here! And I see that the poll here say that… Read more »
I am so dissapointed that Flash Forward was cancelled. Bring it back.
Just left my thoughts, but have to continue. I agree with almost everything that has been shared by other writers. This show made you think, it was great. ABC, I hope another network picks it up and rubs it in your face. And yes, I don’t have a chance to watch it in prime cause guess what ABC, I work for a living so I watch it later. And by the way; the olympics dind’t kill FF and cause the hiatus. Those that believe that need to remember that for one thing, the olympics was on NBC. ABC has put… Read more »
Once again, ABC has their head’s up their you-know-what. I seen the original V when I was a kid and although “cute” was not what I would watch again. This version was no better. FF was the type of show you had to watch every week, it made you think. While the american public continues to keep they eyes glued to continous fluff like “Survivor” and other stupid shows, rotten their brains, FF gets axed. FF was the only show I watched on ABC because they don’t know the first thing about quality programming. Oh well, the trend continues.
flashforward is the best new show on tv. does anyone take itunes into account? i hardly ever catch episodes when they air and wait for them to become available on itunes.
My husband and I are both sad that Flash Forward didn’t make it. It is a good show, well written and just plain well done. We also like V but can’t understand why one is kept and the other isn’t. Too bad, there is little network TV that we watch anymore, this will make it one less show.
We sincerely hope they reconsider and bring it back.
I love both Flash Forward and V. Networks should always develop an ending so that if a show gets the ax, they can broadcast the ending so that the viewer isn’t left hanging.
Boo is all I have to say. V is totally lame Flash Forward was so much better.
I hate V!!!!!! Flashforward is way better! You will regret cancelling Flashforward. Now that Lost is over, we need a series that makes you want to come back for more, makes you hang on every word. Loved Lost; now give us Flashforward to replace it!!! What are you looking for anyway ABC? Why do you bring out good shows and then cancel them??!!
my husband and i both LOVE flashforward. we dvr’d it because we work insane hours which I know affect ratings but it is a great show and definitely way better than v. also the mini-break in the middle of the season was a terrible idea. who comes up with this stuff? if you had taken FRIENDS off the air for 4 months during its first season, i wonder what would have happened? too bad they won’t give the show another season to see what happens. i also hope another network picks it up.