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 hope Terra Nova is picked up by someone! It was a show I looked forward to seeing every Monday.
I AM SICK OF NETWORKS CANCELING THE GOOD/GREAT SHOWS AFTER ONE 1 SEASON, TERRA NOVA IZ GREAT!!!! BRING IT BACK OR AT LEAST GIVE US A 2 HR ENDING , WE DESIRVE THAT AT LEAST FOR IT WAS US WHO WATCH IT AN PUT MONEY IN YOUR POCKETS,,,
Like the original Star Trek, networks never give good show the chance. NBC paid for that one. Now comes FOX, making the same mistake.
I can’t believe they have canceled this show!! Ugh… argh! Get rid of some of the so called ‘reality’ shows and keep the shows that we can actually enjoy as a family! Terra Nova was one my whole family enjoyed… way to go Fox… who makes these decisions!!
This really pisses me off. They make a show like this and cry over it being too expensive to make. I really liked it. Just like Ghost Whisperer and some of the others. Why bother at all.
Like watching Terra Nova. So much different than any other show. Hopefully one of the other networks will pick it up.
Please find away to keep it on is one of the best shows in along time.They are always taking the good shows off and keeping all the stupid reality shows.
I want more Terra Nova! It’s on my must watch list.
TN was a mixed bag. I had high hopes, but low expectations. Let’s say I was mildly entertained. B-.
But since I despise most high rated schlock and dreck currently on the Toob, I suppose it was inevitable that TN got axed.
Any show that I really enjoy means that it is too much for the ADD generation, impervious to shaky cam, jump cuts, and ugly radio.
Cancelled, cancelled, cancelled, seems to be happening with most of the shows we’re watching or have watched. Is it because we make a bad choice in spending hours in front of the TV devoted to our favorite shows? Makes you think should we even bother to keep the networks happy watching their shows knowing that they can pull the plug at any time. I really like Terra Nova, but I am sad that they have decided to cancel it. Judging from the storyline, sudden change of acting styles, some dodgy dino effects, and a weak cliff-hanger I am not surprised,… Read more »
Very good show. It’s disappointing the Fox is dropping the show. There are very few great shows anymore.
Bring it back!!! I love the show and I’m so disappointed that it’s been cancelled. Drop Bones FOX! It’s time for that one to end anyway. Keep Terra Nova!
If cancelling Terra Nova means we get to see more Fringe and Bones then I am more than happy to see it go.
The sooner they renew Fringe and Bones the better.
Sad, it was a good show with a story line that was still developing. Maybe some other newwork will pick it up.
Isn’t there a UK version of this as well?
This is so sad i loved it :(((