The Terra Nova TV show has been officially cancelled by the FOX network. However, though you won’t see dinosaurs back on the FOX schedule next season, there’s still hope for a second season.
For those who came in late, Terra Nova’s produced by Steven Spielberg and revolves around a time when our planet has become over-developed and overcrowded. Mankind’s only chance for survival is to make use of a newly discovered fracture in time and try to colonize pre-historic Earth. The cast includes Jason O’Mara, Shelley Conn, Landon Liboiron, Allison Miller, Naomi Scott, Alana Mansour, Stephen Lang, Rod Hallett, and Christine Adams.
Terra Nova premiered last September with a pair of installments which attracted an average of a 3.1 rating in the 18-49 demographic and 9.22 million total viewers. It was third in its timeslots but held viewers through the two hours. The third episode drew about the same as the first two episodes. Episode four fell by 19% in the demo and later episodes hit a low of a 2.1 rating in the demo three times.
The season averaged a 2.5 rating in the demo and 7.52 million viewers. Those aren’t bad numbers but also aren’t good enough to ensure a pick up — especially considering that Terra Nova is expensive to produce. FOX entertainment president Kevin Reilly once noted that the network was committed to purchasing 22 installments if the show was renewed.
FOX initially had a December 31st deadline to make a decision on renewing Terra Nova but bought themselves some extra time by picking up the options on many of the actors’ contracts.
Reilly had concerns about the creative direction of the show so Terra Nova producers and 20th Century Fox Television began approaching showrunners and senior writers about possibly joining the series for next season. Reilly was reportedly pitched several potential scenarios and writers but he didn’t take to any of them. A last ditch meeting on Friday supposedly went well but Reilly ultimately decided late yesterday to cancel the show.
The decision comes as somewhat of a surprise since the network and studio both made money on the show and has Spielberg’s name attached. Word is that studio 20th Century TV will now shop the series to other potential outlets. The mediocre ratings and hefty price tag — reportedly about $4 million per episode — won’t make it an easy sell. The talent options supposedly expire at the end of June, keeping those castmembers from being in contention for potential new series.
What do you think? Are you disappointed that FOX has cancelled Terra Nova? Are you surprised?
Image courtesy FOX.
I am disappointed. I loved the show and it kept my son’s attention with the dinosaurs.
I just found this show and was enjoying it. I am disappointed that they have canceled it.
I would love to this this show return, by far one of the best shows I have ever seen! puts me in a palce I wish I was. I’d be thrilled if they made a season 2 somewhere, even if it was under another network.
This was a great show, so saddened by the fact that they are going to cancel it. Who decides this crap anyway and what are their decisions based on? I for one would like to know.
It is no longer about entertaining people who fall in love with a series that make them feel good about relaxing and enjoin quality TV. It is now only about the money that can be made. And it can’t be just a few million dollars in revenue. It if it not really big-money, the network doesn’t care that a lot of loyal fans to the show, and hence the network, will be disappointed. It is about corporate profits and nothing to do with providing good entertainment.
This makes me super sad. I just discovered this series only to find its cancelled. I hope someone continues the series because it IS really fun to watch.
I think it sucks,I just watched aTerra Nova marathon on Sci-channel and was hoping to see more .Whre can i purchases the season’s DVD?
Just watched all the first segment of Tera Nova yesterday June 7, 2013 on the Science Channel. I had missed most of the last few episodes so wanted to see it. It left the viewers on a “cliff-hanger.” It was a good show, all family members could watch, finally something exciting and as usual taken off the air for all the other garbage on television to be seen. I now watch only Nat. Geo. I don’t want to see Honey BooBoo ; disgusting. Tera Nova was a really good show. I hope someone makes a book from it so I… Read more »
I am hugely disappointed that Terra Nova has been cancelled- I really wanted to know what was out in the Badlands; if Mira will see her little girl again; if Lucas will be caught in the end( he is really creepy).
yes i am very upset this show was cancelled – i was really looking forward to the next season – i hope that SyFy or some othe nextwork gets the right to show it – right now i am on HULU or Netflex checking out th elast season !!!! awesome show that is missed !!!!
This is a great disappointment, there are no other shows like Terra Nova on the scene and I am yet to hear of anything coming out in the same realm. This would be a great show for any network to pick back up and run with. The ideas and fans are already here now all we need is a second season. Lets hope someone picks up on the idea.
I really loved this show. Such a shame, way to screw it up fox, great show with amazing actors, my favorite is Naomi Scott and Stephan Lang.
So disappointed!! I had a good show that I was able to watch with my 10yr old boy and we have waited for the season premiere. It was a family show that we all could watch together. Not a smart move FOX! Even my 16yr old and 6yr old enjoyed it!!!
The one great show still suitable for younger viewers and what does FOX do…opt out and they will undoubtedly replace it with yet another filth filled show. You’ve lost another household of viewers FOX.
This was an awesome show. Can only hope it will be brought back.
this was an entertaining show. i hope someone like TNT will pick it up like they did Falling skies.