Overview of the 2017–18 Cancellation Landscape
Across broadcast and cable, the 2017–18 television season saw multiple cancellations driven by tight scheduling, performance metrics, and strategic shifts. This evergreen profile explains notable series that ended in 2017–18, why they were cancelled, and what the patterns reveal about how networks manage midseason moves and renewal decisions.
Key Cancellation Trends in 2017–18
Midseason Replacements and Summer Burn-Offs
Midseason scheduling often compressed story arcs, while summer slots were increasingly used to burn off completed seasons with limited promotion. Networks weighed production costs against expected reach, sometimes opting not to reschedule shows that performed modestly in live+same-day viewing.
Notable Broadcast Cancellations
| Show | Network | Status Announced | Typical Season End Date | Key Cancellation Context |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Flash (early renewal offset by later uncertainty) | The CW | Renewed then clarified limits | May 2018 | Strong demo performance but negotiations around cast deals and crossover frequency affected long-term clarity. |
| Life Sentence | The CW | May 2018 non-renewal | May 2018 | Midseason launch; modest audience and high cost per viewer led to quick cancellation. |
| Time After Time | ABC | May 2018 non-renewal | June 2018 | Low average viewership despite critical interest; typical for narrative dramas with niche appeal on broadcast. |
| AP Bio | June 2018 cancellation after first season | June 2018 | Strong social engagement did not offset moderate linear reach; moved to Peacock for continuation. |
Cable and Streaming Shifts
On cable, narrower audiences and expensive casts influenced choices, while streamers began to fold original series into broader libraries or move them to new platforms mid-season.
- The OA (Netflix): Cancelled after two seasons despite critical discussion; timing tied to internal content strategy rather than pure ratings.
- One Day at a Time (Netflix): Rescued by Pop TV after Season 3, showing how cancellations can migrate rather than end.
- Versailles (Syfy): Not renewed after its ambitious initial season; high production value did not guarantee sustainable audience.
Patterns Behind the Decisions
Metrics vs. Strategic Fit
Networks assessed cost per engaged viewer, lead-in and lead-out synergy, and cross-platform value. A show with solid ratings in a weak block or a high cost structure could be vulnerable when strategic priorities shifted.
Creator Mobility and Rights
Some creators moved projects to competing networks or streamers, and carriage disputes or talent deals influenced whether a series could be renewed under existing terms.
Impact on Viewers and the Industry
Fans experienced abrupt cliffhangers when series were cancelled without full-season resolutions, prompting campaigns on social platforms. For the industry, these moves underscored the importance of aligning content costs with audience realities and the growing role of alternative distribution in preserving stories that linear networks could not sustain.
FAQ
Reader questions
What defines a show as "cancelled" in a given season?
A cancellation in this context means the network or distributor did not renew the series for a new season in the same platform or with the same production partners before the end of the public renewal window, typically announced or confirmed between May and August following the broadcast year.
Do midseason renewals or cancellations differ from end-of-cycle decisions?
Yes. Midseason decisions often respond to compressed performance data and scheduling conflicts, while end-of-cycle renewals consider longer-term franchise value, crossover potential, and multiplatform strategy.
How can viewers track the status of previously cancelled shows?
Checking official network press releases, trusted entertainment news outlets, and streaming platform catalogs provides the most reliable updates; rights and talent availability often determine whether a series can continue elsewhere.