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.
V has some of the WORST acting I’ve ever seen. It is obvious that the characters are merely reciting a script, whereas Flash Foward characters are really putting themselves into the moment.
Not a good choice, ABC.
Please please don’t cancel Flash Forward it is my favorite and only show I to watch.
You can’t do this!! It just isn’t right.
Typical, cancel Flashforward and keep V. Cater to the least common denominator. ABC are a bunch of brainless dolts. Everyone there should be fired.
Flash Forward is my favorite show this season! You can’t cancel it! It has been #1 most of this season. When ABC delayed it for weeks, then resumed its broadcast, people did not know. GET A BRAIN!
Flash Forward is innovative and was not given the chance it needed to succeed as is always the problem. ABC, you need to give shows more of a chance to gain viewers before ending them. Sad, but still hoping you’ll change your mind!
Flash Forward is innovative and was not given the chance it needed to succeed as is always the problem. ABC, you need to give shows more of a chance to gain viewers before ending them. Sad , but still hoping you’ll change your mind!
The problem was FlashForward dragged all the stories out too long but it is a griping show to watch. I think the last episodes were the best ones. Now it is a bummer that the show won’t continue. It is a better show than V.
I agree with everyone else. I never missed an episode even if I had to DVR it. I hated the 4 month break and couldn’t figure out why it wasn’t on. I just watched the finale and I am even more upset at the fact that the show will not return. Every good show goes away and I am tired of it. This was definitely one of my favorite shows this year.
Flash forward is the best show on TV. I NEVER missed an episode. I am boycotting ABC. I will not watch anything on ABC at all … ever. Cancel a show and then not even give the viewers you do have a proper ending. Not even a webisode or something… that’s it … I am done. Brothers and Sisters isn’t so great I can’t give it up. On official boycott as of right now.
Flash Forward has been my favorite show this season. My wife and I have not missed any episode. I have been very disgusted with the decision to cancel the show. Bad decision ABC!
I am a faithful viewer of the program FLASH FORWARD, because every episode is not only interesting but also is written in the cliffhanger format that keeps you coming back. Trying to be a faithful watcher of any show is getting harder and hardier as the economy, and life as we know it, keeps changing. You make it harder by looking at the ratings from a very difficult time in the world and basing your decision to cancel a show on ratings without considering these other factors into your decision. I have watched since the days of the big three… Read more »
wow…this is so upsetting.! I stopped watching V about 3-4 episodes ago….not a bad show, but I never missed watching FF! I love this show! Now that Lost and 24 are gone this was one of my few last remaining network tv shows. I think the problem is all shows that require thinking are no longer around. I guess people with any intelligence don’t watch network tv anymore…..guess I will be joining them now. Kind of sad though that non-thinking tv and reality shows have taken over so many of the networks. Glad there are still a cable stations that… Read more »
Flasforward Rules….V Blows Chunks….
I LOVE Flashforward, Im so mad they canceled it, but a lot of shows I really like end up geting canceled after one or two seasons so I guess Im use to it now. The end was great but I need to know what happened next.
The hiatus definaly ruined some veiwing but I think the show was also a little to confusing for some people to follow, and the charetors werent really loveable, I think that made them more human.
never seen V it didnt intrest me at all.
true true!!! I hate ABC!!!