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 must be really strange because every show I watch gets cancelled. I am about to quit watching anything that rquires more than one episode. Every show you have to “follow” gets cancelled. How can Fox expect you to start watching any new series with their record of cancellations? Renew cartoons and reality shows and get rid of quality shows??? Come on !!!
Love this show. Disappointed it’s not coming back. It was great and the whole family could watch.
It’s just like all the other networks,they have a good program and you get into it and bam its cancelled,then they put on some b.s in its place,wow wish I was the programmer,because tera nova was good.
One of the few actual shows on the air, and it’s good. Dump some reality show.
(You get what you pay for)!
it was a bit soapy at times but had great untapped potential. once again, tv execs deminstrate their lack of commitment –and imagination! how much profit is enough?
I am so disappointed that FOX has decided to cancel Terra Nova. I loved the characters, the premise, everything. It stinks when a great show ends. Sadly, it only had the thirteen episodes. Wish there’d been more…
I am so disappointed on Fox’s decision to cancel season two of Terra Nova. Finally, there was a show that really held your interest with great story lines and imagination…..What’s with the network? Hopefully another network will pick it up….I’m praying and saying is all…….
[…] Netflix has made a deal to produce a fourth season of cult-favorite Arrested Development some six years after it was cancelled by FOX. The company has recently discussed the possibility of producing a second season of another canned FOX show, Terra Nova. […]
FOX!!!!! if you cancel the simpsons WE’RE THROUGH
this sucks i really enjoyed watching tera nova. seems like every time a network makes a show worth watching they give it a season or two then can it .. like jericho for example great show with lots of follower managed to save it once and then they turned around and canned it.
It seems like it is not worth to start watching new shows on TV. I have been let down so many times before that I am thinking that the networks specially fox wants us to stop watching TV and do something else. We should all do that anyway. I watch 2 reality shows Survivor and The Amazing Race. Actually I also watch SYTYCD as well but there will be changes this season so I have to see if I still like it. In the end of the day the networks want to make money. It is not about quality or… Read more »
[…] recently cancelled Terra Nova after 13 episodes. Word is that the studio is trying to shop a second season of the TV show to […]
Yet another Epic Fail for Fox, they have a running history of cancelling good, quality shows and this is just one more to add to the list. They will rapidly lose viewers for any new shows they begin as the public wants shows the network is committed to as much as they are. Expect ratings for anything new in 2012 to be at an all time low. The viewers warned them, time to switch stations.
i couldnt wait for mondy night to watch it,am so disappointed.
we hope they bring terra nova back.very good show.