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.
Why does Fox keep doing this? I am going to stop watching anything new on your station since everytime something good comes out, you guys do not even give it a chance! As a previous Buffy & Angel fan, I can honestly say that I liked The Sarah Conner Chronicles much better than Dollhouse. Although I do hope that Dollhouse does do well, I would much rather see that gone than The Sarah Conner Chronicles – it was really getting interesting. I also agree with one of the other comments above which mentioned that with the release of Terminator Salvation… Read more »
Really though? Jesus FOX think you would have learned your lesson after the Family Guy fiasco…I think the 3rd season would have been phenomenal especially after salvations release, which would have brought a whole new fan base…sad day. I guess it’s back to watching the wife’s rich bride poor bride…:(
I am very upset with fox canceling Terminator The Sarah Connor Chronicles. How surprising though, that they canceled yet another show. At any rate this is the last show they cancel for me. I will no longer be watching fox. Not at least till they bring back terminator.
we LOVE this show!!! please don’t cancel it!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This was really good show. I never go to watch the second season because i’m in the millitary and didn’t not get the channel overseas. i know there is a loarge group of people who watched this show before we left. I plan on buying the season 2 dvd. With the new terminator movie out. this is a very big mistake. I don’t watch much tv but i always watched this show and two others on CBS and USA.
Fox sucks.
they couldn’t do this.
Only show I watched on Fox this season. Too bad. Maybe SciFi Channel will pick it up??
fox is the devil
Watch every episode … was probably the only show I watch on Fox. Will not watch any new show on the network since they are sure to cancel any show that is worth watching anyway!!!!!
what do these channels expect when they shift nights and miss weeks. I watched this series every week then it disappeared…. Then I found it on a Friday and the next week it was gone again…I have stopped watching TV for this reason now I wait for them to hit net flicks and watch it in sequence…
These stations need to remember that you are only as loyal as you are treated. Fox did not treat us well. What do they expect. Live learn…not these tv stations
What is happening??!! There is a great show in their hands… and they thrown it all away… bad fox… very bad fox… NO KUDOS FOR FOX!!! BRING BACK TERMINATOR
Honestly another network would be stupid not to pick this show up!
Grrrrrr NOT HAPPY WITHOUT MY DEKKER FIX!
Fox is the worst network on the planet. I’m not sure how they couldn’t figure out a way to get a successful franchise off the ground for at least 30 episodes, especially with a much-anticipated film on the way, but then again, this is the network that bounced Arrested Development around into at least 3 different time slots over the series’ brief run, and then acted shocked when the ratings tanked. I don’t know what it takes to be a TV executive, but I’m guessing a pair of fully functioning testicles (or a brain) and a little bit of faith… Read more »
Sad. It was the best show on T.V. today without a doubt. Worst cancelation since Firefly. Summer was in that too, she picks great shows to work in that the common audience does not get I guess. I will miss this show.
A sad sad day…..I hate FO
NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!