Cable channel Bravo has purchased the exclusive rights to air CBS’ summer drama, Swingtown. Does this mean there will be a second season?
Swingtown debuted on Thursday, June 5, 2008 on CBS. The series was executive produced by show creator Mike Kelley and Jericho’s Carol Barbee. Set in the summer of 1976, Swingtown follows three families as they explore new freedoms and shifting moral values in Chicago suburbia. The series stars veterans of cancelled shows like Molly Parker (Six Feet Under), Grant Show (Melrose Place), Lana Parrilla (Spin City), Josh Hopkins (Pepper Dennis), Miriam Shor (Big Day), and Shanna Collins (Wildfire).
CBS’ President of Entertainment, Nina Tassler, gave the drama a greenlight in May 2007 after HBO had passed on the project. It was expected to air during the regular 2007-08 season but CBS decided to delay the series until Summer, typically a time used to burn off less desirable programming. Critical and viewer reception for Swingtown was mixed and the pilot debuted to fewer than 8.6 million viewers and a 2.5/7 rating/share in the 18-49 demographic. The ratings for subsequent episodes dropped from there.
After seven episodes, CBS moved Swingtown to Friday nights and gave Flashpoint its place on Thursdays. In its new timeslot, the viewership plunged to a low of 2.82 million.
Despite the disappointing numbers, Swingtown has attracted media interest and a devoted group of viewers. The series also still must have some supporters at CBS because the network execs opted to air all 13 episodes rather than pull it.
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Though the series’ ratings are too low to warrant a season two renewal on the network, the CBS studio tried to find another home for Swingtown. They focused their efforts on cable channels which aren’t under strict FCC regulations. On cable, the writers could presumably take the show’s risque exploits even further and possibly attract additional media attention. Unfortunately, there’s been no takers.
Bravo recently made a deal for the cable rights to air Swingtown’s first season in the next few months. The cable station has made it clear that they are merely purchasing the pre-existing 13 episodes and have no intention of producing a second season. The deal effectively closes the door on the series’ future. With Bravo having the air rights for the first season, another cable channel would have little reason to produce season two.
On a positive note, the first (and only) season of Swingtown will be released on DVD in December. With any luck, the executive producers will use this opportunity to answer outstanding questions and to tell us what might have happened if the series had continued. Stay tuned! 
Everytime i get interested in a new series they cut it !!!!
every year they start alot of new shows an only a few survive.
They leave you hanging!!!! this is bull…whats the deal???
I thought swingtown was great an would like to atleast
see an ending.
I have exhausted writing to CBS, Bravo, et al., to keep this show on the air. I wrote an angry email to CBS when they switched the Show from Thursdays to Friday evening (graveyard), I KNEW it would kill the show which is sad because the show was incredible, well written, BRILLIANTLY acted and had so much promise to be a 5 to 7 season success story for CBS. It is so sad for all of us, not just the original fans but those who are only just discovering the show. I wish you guys were around to support the… Read more »
The show is amazing..It would be great if they brought it back but all the main lead actors have moved on to other projects so what are the chances?
Lets create our own Swintown
What a disappointment that Swingtown is not being renewed for a second season. I am bummed.
i agreeeeee!!!!!!!! BRING BACK SWINGTOWN!!!!!–
i can’t wait for the second season, loved the first one. Bring it back please please.
Just found this show on Netflix. So, so disappointed to hear there won’t be a season two!!
give it a chance! it’s just started to develop!!!
I was waiting for the second season to start. You can’t leave it hanging. We need to know who is going to end up with who. Bring it back.
I loved this show their is all the same crap on everything seems to be around the same kinda drama, this is not it is a great show always a surprise I wish someone would make season2
CBS had a great show on their hands. It was different, creative, and quite enjoyable. Why is it that every good show gets cancelled leaving us with the same mundane shows to watch day in and day out.? Can’t there be at least one show that doesn’t revolve around police, hospitals or crime solvers?
I WAS SOOOOO WAITING FOR SEASON 2. I’M VERY SAD TO HEAR THERE WON’T BE. I CAN’T BELIEVE CBS WON’T GIVE IT A CHANCE TO FIND IT’S FOLLOWING. I KNOW ONE MORE SEASON IS ALL IT WOULD TAKE FOR IT TO BE A HIT SHOW. THERE ARE SO MANY OTHER SHOWS THAT DIDN’T FIND THEIR FOLLOWING UNTIL SEASON 2. BRING IT BACK AND GIVE IT A SHOT.
I LOVED this show! I was soo looking forward to the next season! I really hope someone picks this series up and makes a second season! Bring it back!
There is so much crap on the tube now,finally get a series that actually you look foreward to and its cancelled!So much for entertainment. CBS should take a good look at their line up,it SUCKS!!! I started watching the series on netflix, I didn’t even realize it was a CBS show until I was trying to find when the 2nd season aired. Does anyone even watch CBS????