To no surprise, FOX has cancelled its sci-fi series after two seasons. With a new Terminator movie about to be released, one would think the show’s future would be secure. What’s the deal?

Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles debuted in January of 2008 to a whopping 18.3 million viewers and a 7.6 rating/18 share in the 18-49 demographic. Unfortunately, much of the strength of that debut could be credited to having an NFL playoff game as a lead-in. The next night, only 10.07 million returned to see episode two and the ratings for subsequent installments declined from there. Despite falling to a low of 7.12 million and a 2.7 rating, FOX opted to order a second season.

The sophomore year of the series got off to a slow start in September of 2008. The season two premiere attracted just 6.33 million viewers and a 2.4/7 rating/share in the demo. On Monday nights, airing opposite Chuck, the viewership declined even further.

FOX ordered a full season but in 2009 shifted the series to Friday nights, paired with compatible Dollhouse. It was hoped that, together, they would draw a substantial audience. It didn’t happen and Sarah Connor was commonly seen as a poor lead-in for the new Joss Whedon series. Sarah Connor’s Friday night numbers hit a low of 2.9 million viewers and a 1.0/4 in the 18-49 demographic.

Though the show’s core fans have been very supportive of the series, the efforts ultimately weren’t enough to save it. At today’s upfronts, FOX president Kevin Reilly confirmed that there wouldn’t be a third season of Sarah Connor. The studio had apparently been trying to shop the series to other outlets but those efforts were fruitless.

Will we ever get answers to the series’ open-ended questions? Doubtful. Though the Terminator saga will continue for a long time to come, it looks like this chapter is closed.

Image courtesy FOX.