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 think it really sucks that you come out with a good show like Tara Nova and then you cancel it after just one season. It’s hard to go out and do things with the way the economy is now a days so a lot of people look forward to watching shows like this, it gets us away from reality even though it’s only for an hour a week it still takes us away from reality and it takes us away from reality tv witch really sucks. I can’t figure out how some of these reality shows don’t get cancelled.… Read more »
I am not shocked that it was taken off the air. I was one of thousands that liked this show. I just don’t see why, dont the tv network make mini movies any more. when it comes to show that cost so much to make.
The best show on tv I hope some one picks it up I am so wanting to see more.
show was great. I hope someone continues it. Want more.
I loved this show………can’t believe its been cancelled after only one season…….what a shame!!!!
You cancel a wonderful show as terra nova, probably for more reality shows. Getting closer and closer to getting rid of TV all together because of all the **** that’s on.
Don’t cancel…. You guys have nothing to offer. House is going away. I watch Bob’s Burgers only out of your Sunday line up. Right now Direct TV is not showing fox 40 so you better figure it out. I am not leaving Direct Tv. Glee and Idol are for younger viewers.
What a disgrace to not renw this wonderful show. Nielson’s ratiungs are not thta accurate. A lot of people DVd or watch on Demand or in groups. I knopw pople that have Terra nova parties to watch at one persons house. Bring it back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
They ought to move it to Friday before Fringe and see how it does. Fox would rather air lame “reality shows” – I DO NOT believe the ratings for those shows, cos I dont know ANYONE who watches them. I dont and none of my friends do. The Nelson Ratings are NOT the true reflection of what people watch. Cos I KNOW more people watched Terra Nova, More people watch Fringe. Also you can tell by how many people download Torrents of the shows – Reality shows? Maybe 200,000 torrents downloaded. Fringe? Terra Nova? 3 MILLION Torrents download WEEKLY. So… Read more »
terra nova is a great show and it should stay on the air i watch it everyweek maybe they need to put on another time slot all the networks compete i understand that but to loose a good show because of it does not make sence they need to put it on on a day when there is not so many popular shows on that will bring more viewers and fox will make more money to keep it going common sence is not that common do the math get more viewers !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Im disappointed in most of foxes cancelled shows they seem to only drop the great ones and now this is one more great show they have screwed the pooch on such as firefly family guy all the times they did and drive just to name a few the people in charge at fox are out of touch with what people want to watch.!
Disappointed is an understatement. I loved that show.
[…] looks like Terra Nova is staying cancelled. Following FOX’s decision to cancel the TV series, 20th Century Fox TV started to shop the […]
Too bad. I really got hooked watching this, but truthfully, I’m not screaming in a mentally insane way about it. It was way too much like lost for me, which was good at first then by the third season when things started to get really crazy they lost me.
their goes another fun family show, ill be saving on elecric i wont waste it on the tv fare thats offerd now thank god for nenflix Thats only part of what im feeling i want to be civil damit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!