(Freeform / Tony Rivetti)
Vulture Watch
What’s in store for “switsters” Daphne and Bay? Has the Switched at Birth TV show been cancelled or renewed for a sixth season on Freeform? The television vulture is watching all the latest cancellation and renewal news, so this page is the place to track the status of Switched at Birth, season six. Bookmark it, or subscribe for the latest updates. Remember, the television vulture is watching your shows. Are you?
What’s This TV Show About?
Airing on Freeform, Switched at Birth follows Daphne Vasquez (Katie Leclerc) and Bay Kennish (Vanessa Marano). Their lives are turned upside after Bay discovers that, as babies, they were sent home from the hospital with the wrong families. A family drama, Switched at Birth explores early adulthood, blended families, and deaf culture. It also includes scenes shot entirely in American Sign Language. In addition, the cast includes Lea Thompson, Constance Marie, Sean Berdy, D.W. Moffett, Lucas Grabeel, and Giles Marini. Marlee Martin guest stars.
Season Five Ratings
The fifth season of Switched at Birth averaged a 0.21 rating in the 18-49 demographic and 501,000 viewers. Compared to the fourth season, season five was down by 51% in the demo and down by 51% in viewership. Learn how Switched at Birth stacks up against other Freeform TV shows.
On March 13, 2016, it was announced Switched at Birth would end after its fifth and final season. Stay tuned for further updates.
Telly’s Take
I must admit, when Freeform confirmed Switched at Birth season five would be the final installment — it surprised me. Even though its ratings fell in season four, the critically acclaimed drama is still one of the cabler’s top shows. I suspect Freeform decided to cancel (or end) Switched at Birth due to a combination of slipping ratings, diminishing returns, and because of the tone of the show. When Switched at Birth first premiered, the channel was still known as “ABC Family.” Since rebranding, Freeform has tried to promote edgier content.
In my opinion, that rebranding is the reason for the long delay between Switched at Birth‘s fourth and fifth seasons: Freeform didn’t know where the show fit. In addition, cast member contract options often expire after five seasons. A series renewal would probably require a new round of negotiations and hence, more money. Finally, Switched at Birth ran long enough to produce a good sized syndication package. All that said, while I’ve had my eye on this one for a while, I suspect chowing down on Switched at Birth will induce regret-fueled heartburn. RIP.
Switched at Birth Cancellation & Renewal Related Links
- TV show ratings can determine a spin-off or TV series reunion. Follow Switched at Birth’s weekly ups and downs.
- How do this show’s ratings compare to the network TV shows?
- Find more Switched at Birth TV series news or other Freeform TV show news.
- Don’t miss our other TV show status pages.
- Check out our lists of already cancelled and ended TV shows.
What do you think? How do you feel about this series ending after season five? Do you think Freeform should have renewed Switched at Birth for season six?
I was honestly so surprised to see this canceled, because I loved the show from the start. I started it on Netflix and basically binge watched the entire series and had to wait for season five to come out up until like a week ago.
It was just so real and so informative, it hit so many different topics and wished more shows did this.
I love this show. I’m very disappointed that they are leaving it hanging on edge. You can easily tell bay still loves emit especially in last episode of season 5. Why is it that when ratings get a little rough you all jump ship and run. What’s going to happen in Japan with Travis ball playing? What about Will? Does Bay become a bomb ass tattoo artist? Does she ever have kids? Does Daphne ever become a doctor? Some many adventures could be taking place. Tired of watching good shows that get abandon. Plus, I don’t have cable just like… Read more »
I agree I love love switch at birth u are so right what u just wrote I was going to write… not everybody got cable people rely on internet Netflix is the cheaper way to go cable and everything else is so expensive I have cable but I work and I always miss the show so I always wait until it comes on Netflix to watch it I feel like they should look at Netflix rating because Switched at Birth is a 5-star rating on my end and I really hope they reconsider and make a season 6 because I… Read more »
Bay and Emmett still love each other, I would love to watch 6
Totally agree….we don’t have the power to beg for them to keep it running but for all of is on here ….we want to know what happened in their lives afterwards….i guess we won’t find that out now ….so disappointed and I live in the UK and live the show …i am always too late watching these from America and then they discontinue a great show that I enjoy
Yes this person needs to be listened to. I’m the same. Pretty much everyone I know doesn’t have cable. The tv channels might have a change of heart if they new how many rating they are losing cause people like me watch there shows on Netflix & huluplus . Its really more affordable. With my wifi bill & huluplus & Netflix bill im paying half of what I paid for cable. So I’d saw look out cable TV streaming I have no dout is the future.
The problem is funding. I’m sure this show cost a fortune to shoot.
I really don’t believe the show should be cancelled. It shows the alot of people the ASL world and informs them.
I don’t know about a lot of people but I don’t have cable so I have to wait for the new seasons to come out on netflix. Do they take these ratings in with their decision to cancel a show. Switched at birth is a awesome show I love the ups and downs of it. Bay and dad hence are awesome keep them coming.
I think they should use Netflix ratings for those of us who don’t have cable.
yes to season 6 n up bc i really want to know bay n every one else future brings to them i like to see if bay gets marrieds or daphne graduate from college n become a doctor etc
We want season 6!! This is the only show me and my daughter agree to watch.. There is so much more that can happen and we can learn.. The both of us has learned a lot from this show
We want season 6 me and my daughter love this show its the only thing we can agree to watch together lol…. Season 5 was great even tho I cried the whole last episode.. There is so much more that can happen for season 6 to return
I’ll admit, although I thoroughly enjoyed Sea 1/4, there was such a long wait in-between getting Sea 5, I almost didn’t start watching it. But I did and I hv enjoyed Sea 5 even more than some of the first 4 Seasons. I think the racial issued are taking up a bit more episode time leaving things going on in the lives of some of the others out. But understand of this was not being considered the final Season, I hv found the various racial issues depicted on college campuses to be both informative and definitely eye-opening. So I say… Read more »
we want a season 6 of switched at birth i love watching this show and so does my wife and mother-in-law
WE WANT A SEASON 6 ! i truly love this show and it will be amazing have another season to watch !
My wife & I loved this show. 5 Stars in our book. We learned so much about the deaf & hearing impaired community we otherwise would not have been brought to our attention. We normally do not get that engrossed in any TV series, but this was one of the best written & intelligent shows we have viewed in years. Incredible cast that we will fell in love with & felt such great chemistry with all the great characters on the show. Appreciated the many commentaries on what is happening in the world.I hope the reconsider season 6. This show… Read more »
WE WANT A SEASON 6! Especially after how eye-opening season 5 was. They touched on a lot of issues. Racism, people with disabilities, confronting your family about molestation. Stay woke! Bring back S.A.B. for a season 6!!!
This is one of my favorite shows hope it don’t cancel. I always look forward when the new season comes on. I took to this show so much that this coming fall I’m gonna be going to learn sign language and teach little kids. So this show showed me alot. And would be sad if it got cancelled.
Please have a season 6 I love this show. It taught me a lot. It not only taught me sign language. It helped me to like at things in a different way. I love forward to the show.
I really wish they would take into consideration those of us who can’t watch it on cable and wait the grueling year (or3 years) for it to come out on Netflix. Most people no longer get cable because oil of the price so we get Netflix and HULU or amazon fire to watch or favorite shows. They are not making accurate conclusions about the demographic and census when there is a whole group of people they are missing in their tally. Please don’t cancel the show I need to see Travis and Bey get engaged and married and Daphnie become… Read more »
I really think bey and Emmits need to get back together you can see the love that they still have for each other