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 love the river and when I started to watch it I could stop I just had to to keep watching to see what would happen next, I wish they’d start it back up again.
I loved the show, the river needs a second chance!!!!
OMG, someone better at least conclude this show. Whomever wrote and produced this done a great job. My husband and I have absolutely enjoyed this show. I really hope someone gives this show a chance. Hopefully this fall rather than next year…..
Bring it back, I watched all 8 episodes in 4 days. It was such a good show, even though I had never heard of it up untill 4 days ago. My guess is that they have to advertise it more
Love the show. It is something different that isn’t a lawyer, cop, or doctor show. God I wish reality TV would go away! I hope Netflix continues to save shows that require brain and are inventive as well entertaining.
Bring it back!!!
Please leave the river on!!! My friends and I love the show but were never home in time to watch it on tv. That’s why we record it and watch it all the time over and over again and just waiting for the 2nd season!!!!
I will get Neflix just for the River if they get it.
Please Bring back The River, Maybe if you put it in a different time slot or different day you might get more viewers.
Typical of ABC to not give a show that doesn’t perform out of the gate a second chance….they did the same with “Defying Gravity”,not a word to the public,no real explanation,no consideration of the quality,or value of a show or whether it might grow a fan base with a little support…..just $$$$$$$$$….which is ridiculous because with the absolutely ridiculous amount of money controlled by ABC/Disney they can’t take a chance?…..pretty pathetic and a sad indicator that business people should NEVER be given a final say in creative matters….TV has been cheapened by this greedy attitude,what with the influx of “reality”… Read more »
Please, at least, air the second season to conclude. There are many The River fans out there.
The river is my new favourite tv show it has everything please pick it up for another season!! i will actually MAKE a netflix account for this show
Yes!!! Please save this show. i loved it!!!! i would re-open my netflix account just to watch this show!!!
Pleeeeaaaaseeee bring The River back! This show is great!
The river was one of the best series I have ever seen. It had the best atmosphere to it and it had a great storyline to it not to mention the great acting. I really wish abc reconsiders on canceling it but if they don’t Netflix should defiantly save it hell I dont even have a Netflix but I’ll defiantly get it if they save the river