If ABC cancels The River (which they almost surely will), it seems that the TV series might still have a chance for a second season.
Netflix and ABC Studios (which co-produces The River) have had early discussions about possibly producing some TV shows for Netflix and their streaming service. The River apparently came up as a contender as part of those discussions.
Once known only for their DVD rental by mail services, Netflix has been offering streaming services for more than five years and TV shows have become very popular with subscribers. We often hear from readers who’ve only recently discovered serial TV series like The Event, FlashForward and The Gates; shows that were broadcast and cancelled more than a year ago.
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.
While The River has amassed a devoted following, the ratings for the ABC series have been poor almost from the start. It premiered on ABC with a mediocre 2.6 rating in the 18-49 demographic and 8.35 million total viewers. Those numbers quickly dwindled downward and the season (likely seres) finale came in at a 1.4 in the demo with 3.99 million.
Deadline sites that The River picks up a healthy percentage of viewers from DVR viewing but that’s essentially true of any show. If a show has relatively low viewership, picking up 36% (3.99 million to 5.43 million) still doesn’t amount to much by network standards.
Could that size of an audience be enough for Netflix to justify the cost of producing a second season of The River? We’ll have to wait and see but at least there’s a bit more hope for fans than there was before.
What do you think? Is there a realistic chance that Netflix or someone else will save The River? Is it worth being saved?
Image courtesy ABC.
I thought The River was well acted and produced, a breath of fresh air among so many reality and talent shows as someone else has pointed out. Why can’t these networks find a way to make ratings less of an issue, so that more people can be satisfied in being able to view their favorite shows? I remember when shows played for years, now sometimes I don’t even start to watch an interesting looking series because I fear that they’ll cut it off when it gets most interesting. I then feel manipulated by the networks. I’ve actually cancelled my cable… Read more »
Just like the other comments, I too want to see more of The River. It seems all we have to watch now are mindless reality shows and talent shows, and I don’t watch any of those. Lost was another great show that I wish hadn’t ended, I hate to see The River last for only 5 episodes. Maybe people only want to watch mindless shows today, but for this country’s sake I hope not.
Awesome show. I hope we get another season!!!
I hope someone from ABC is reading these comments and give us the viewers and fan what we want! Please bring back the River and V, the only 2 awesome suspense shows on regular TV for those of us who can’t afford cable garbage!!
The river is awesome and should NOT be canceled!!!!
I still dont understnd how crappy shows like the ghost whisperer, medium or in plain sight are still live on tv, and great shows like V, terra nova, the event, flash foward and the river have been cancelled! Whats wrong with you abc!
I LOVE the River..I just can’t believe people weren’t watching it. Everyone i know does..it had twists and had me hooked!
I ADORE THE RIVER AND I DON’T WANT IT TO BE CANCELLED!! I WATCH IT WITH MY DAD AND WE LOVE HORROR AND THRILLER MOVIES SO THIS SERIES IS PERFECT. I REALLY HOPE THAT THE NETWORK WON’T CANCEL THE RIVER OR AT LEAST THAT THEY’LL FIND ANOTHER WAY TO MAKE ANOTHER SEASON BECAUSE THAT SEASON FINALLY WAS WAY TOO SUSPENSEFUL!!!!! 🙁
The river is awesome, I hope it comes out with a second season.
I’m very much hooked on The River. I watched it with my family and we couldn’t get enough of it! Don’t understand why it may be cancelled. It makes you think and pay attention instead of the dumb reality shows that just makes you wonder if people are really watching them!
It has its problems, but I am completely hooked. I really hope it continues and would definitely watch it on netflix!
I can understand that to produce a show like “The River” is most likely more expensive to produce than a reality based show or something where the scripts basically write themselves…but PLEEEEASE!!! I’m tired of reality shows and simple minded programming. “The River” is a great show, in fact its almost like watching a movie
every week. Please take a chance on a second season. This show deserves it!
please don’t cancel the show! i’m sure the fact that it’s so terrifying is the reason why ratings are so low, but it’s truly an incredible show. at least try for a second season! it’s exciting and different, brilliantly made.
I love this show… It’s creative and intense. I hope they have a second season because the last episode was too much of a cliffhanger. And if they don’t renew.. Maybe they can produce a tv movie to finish it out…. I need closure!
I totally agree. If they can’t make a second season of this amazing show then at least give us fans closure with a tv movie or something!!!
I think the river is an amazing show and I want more please keepit on the air! Itruell