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! 
I really grew to love October Road. I come from a small city myself. We need to know what will happen with everyone. You just know Nick and Hannah have to find each other again and what about Janet and Eddie? Owen, BigCat – has to get his butt kicked just once. C’mon! Don’t leave us like this.
My husband and I always made sure not to miss one episode of October Road. The characters were real in a beautiful small town with normal issues. Hope ABC will bring it back so we can at least get resolution to the issues left unanswered in the finale.
October Road is excellent. I loved it from the start. All the characters are real – excellent acting. When all the other shows were repeats due to the writer’s strike, October Road had all new material. Grey’s Anatomy has nothing on this show and in my opinion Grey’s should be cancelled.
I hope the network reconsiders and brings back October Road.
What……October Road not coming back!!! This was my all time favorite show. I can’t believe it is cancelled! What? This stinks, I looked forward to watching this every week. I could not wait to see it. Please, please please bring it back. Loved the characters, loved the small town, loved the freakin’ show. Don’t cancel. I have been waiting all summer.
I really got hooked on October Road and hope that it continues. It was a show that many can relate to, especially if you are from a small town. It was so true. The cast did a great job and yes, there are TOO MANY UNANSWERED QUESTIONS left hanging out there. We need answers and a good show to be continued. Please, please bring it back…………..someone if not ABC! This was too good to let go so soon. Please keep us fans up to date if someone else carries the season other than ABC. We need to know where and… Read more »
I really loved the show. I would watch it every week and have been waiting so long for the fall season to come back on. I really wish that someone would pick it up and continue producing it. At least for the loyal fans…what happens with aubry and nicks brother? who is the father? does hannah get married? There is so much to happen, we need more!!!!!
Oh my gosh! I love this show!!! I hope they bring it back because I NEED to know what is going on! I have been waiting for it to come back on for months! Please bring it back!!
I’am very upset that October Road is not coming back . I ‘am 32 yrs old and I would get so excited for that week just to see October Road . It was like when I use to watch 90210 back in the day . I’m so disappointed to no it’s not coming back . All summer long I’ve been waiting for it!! Now all I have is The Hills and Dog the Bounty Hunter. Please, ABC let them continue the series. Give them another chance!!!!!! Sincerely, Julie DeVita
I love this show. I am 55 and have down loaded both seasons. My mom, 78 loves it too! We always talk after the show the next day. I hope CW takes it over or at least will have the finale.
LOVE IT….ITS A GREAT FREAKEN SHOW….LOVE ALL THE CHARACTERS AND THE STORIES ARE VERY REAL LIKE SITUATIONS AND NOT EVERYONE MAKES THE RIGHT DESCISIONS WICH REALLY IS REAL LIFE LIKE.
PLEASE ABE LET SOMEONE CONTINUE THE SERIES
I really enjoyed October Road! It was the only show on I made sure to always watch and cannot believe it was cancelled!! RECONSIDER this show someone please?!!
August 31, 2008, 6:00
Please don’t cancel October Road. I just loved the series. You can’t just leave your audience hanging. There are so many unanswered questions. Please, Please, Please!
A big mistake to take October Road off the air. Because of the writers strike a lot of people lost interest in t.v. all together.
PLEASE KEEP THIS SHOW!!!!!!!!!!! Everything on tv is so boring. I love the characters and the plot. I’m hooked. It will be AWFUL if you cancel it!
Please Please keep October Road , Men in Trees