Despite a slew of negative reviews from critics last year, ABC’s midseason drama, October Road, attracted an average of 10.2 million viewers for its six episode season. The series typically lost a large percentage of viewers from its Grey’s Anatomy lead-in but it was enough to earn Road a second year. Now that the second season has finished airing, will there be a year three?
For whatever reason, October Road hit a slump in its sophomore year. Prior to this month, the series had been averaging fewer than five million viewers. ABC had ordered 13 episodes for year two with the option of expanding it to 22 episodes if needed. With the writers strike and the disappointing ratings, the network didn’t feel they needed any more.
Last month, ABC announced that several of its series had been renewed for the fall season and, not surprisingly, October Road was absent from the list. If network executives were waiting until March to see the performance of the final three episodes, the show’s cause wasn’t helped. March 3rd’s episode attracted only 5.3 million viewers and a 2/5 rating/share of the 18-49 demographic. This week’s two hours averaged a dismal 4.7 million viewers and a 1.8/5 rating/share. Compared to last season’s finale, that’s a loss of almost 50% in total viewers.
Since it looks pretty unlikely that Nick and the other residents of Knights Ridge will be back for a third season on ABC, will we ever learn the identity of Sam’s father? Maybe.
There is talk that the CW and Lifetime are interested in continuing the series should ABC let it go. CW could certainly use the ratings as none of their present programming comes close to attracting Road’s viewership. On the other hand, Road would fit well with Lifetime’s other programming.
We’ll know ABC’s decision by mid-May at the latest. If they don’t want to continue the drama, it will be interesting to see if some other network does. Stay tuned! 
ARE YOUKIDDING ME?! OCTOBER ROAD HAS TOCOME BACK! I DONT CARE HAT NETWORK BRINGS IT BACK!!! iTS ONE OF THE BEST SHOWS IVE EVER WATCHED. IM 21 MALE FROM WISCONIN AN I LOVE TE SOW JUS BECAUSE I CN RELATE TO IT SO WEL!!! PPL FROM SMALL TOWNS LOVE IT!!! i SWEAR TO GOD THEY HAVE O BRING IT BACK OR ILL FREEKIN DIE!!!!!!
I love this show! i would love to watch another season! please keep it on the air
I think it’s a great show. Like many shows and networks, ABC never really gave OR a definite spot on the schedule. One could never tell when it was going to be on or be preempted. Good storylines have been developed here and ABC would be doing themselves a favor by going for a third season and giving it real shot.
I love October Road because I can sit down and watch it and feel good about the world when the show is over. All of the characters have such strong bonds with one another and they convey it to a point that you feel the same bond with them yourself. You feel like these are people that you know and love. I want to continue to follow the lives of these “real” people. Losing this show would feel like losing a close friend.
I love the show. There is a problem with diversity that needs to be answered, but the show is one of the few family-oriented dramas on network TV. I hope ABC reconsiders cancelling the show. It needs a consistent airtime and day of the week. Nothing on this show merits a 10 PM airtime. This show should be on at 9 PM and how about some advertising. The writers’ strike killed a lot of shows’ ratings. Less motivation to find your show if it is on week to week then breaks for two weeks at a time and is surrounded… Read more »
I only watch ABC because of October Road. My husband feel they’re going to take a good family show off to put in another reality show, which that is becoming tiresome. I love watching the CW since One Tree Hill is on that station. So if would be really nice to see October Road there if ABC drops it.
This is obsured. How can they not have another season. This show by far is the we have had in a long time. I agree with the person Kelly who wrote in her comments. The show wans’t given enough advertisement. And out of all tims to play it at (10:00 pm). Had this show been playing on air at a reasonable time, I’m sure the rating would have beeb high. Please, I ask you please, do not take this show off the air. Forget these stupid reality shows and keep this one, at least it has meaning to it.
I love this show! ABC please bring it back! I am a dedicated “Roadie” and I, along with a lot of other people think that this show should definitely have a Season 3!
Please please please save October Road! I just started watching it this season and didn’t miss an episode. ABC isn’t making the best decisions lately on keeping shows. Losing Big Shot is another disappointment. What will be left Grey’s and Lost???? We know Lost isn’t going to be around that much longer…how long do you want to keep that one going?
I LOVE October Road! It’s the only show in which I have watched all episodes, besides Gossip Girl. Come on Roadies! Let’s save it, send in your leaves to ABC. Jericho fans saved Jericho, let’s save October Road!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is a great show and I will follow it wherever it goes! It would be a good companion show to Army Wives if ABC is foolish enough to let it go – that would be a great night of television!!!
ya save it!
WHAT GOES ON??? someone had better pick up the show. I love Eddie and I love the Commander!! the agoraphobic needs to have an in home therapist really. but i love love love the show and want it back!! Id love to see Big Cat’s true colors come out too!!
This is my most favorite show on TV. It will be such a shame if ABC doesn’t come back with a 3rd season or if Lifetime/CW don’t pick it up. There are too many unanswered questions … please don’t leave all of the loyal fans hanging. 5.3 million people sure sounds like a lot of people to me!!!
I love the Road…. This is the best show I have seen in a while on prime time TV. I agree the time slot and advertising did NOT do to much for the ratings. ABC please renew October Road for another season….