Television Cancellations at 5-Year Low

Here's why the lack of cancellations on broadcast television is historically significant.

For those of you who tuned in to our Fall Television Preview, you know how many broadcast networks were premiering new shows. After the bloodbath of 2013 - in which 5 show were cancelled by October 15th, everyone knew that ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, and CW had a lot of work to do. And while a couple of shows are rumored for the chopping block, it seems that viewers have supported new shows in droves.

In fact, four weeks into the Fall television season, we're still waiting for our first cancellation. Why is that news significant? Consider that over the past 6 years prior to the current season, broadcast television had cancelled on average 3 shows by this time, or 18 total shows. Last year and 2011 experienced the highest cancellations with 5 each, while 2009 enjoyed 0 and 2010 had only 1.

So why the sudden love for broadcast television? Here are a couple of possibilities:
There Aren't Many Replacements Available

With January too far away to rush production on Winter releases - and online options offering rejected shows new chances for life - perhaps broadcast television doesn't have the bench of go-to's it once had. That's also good for us, because they might be taking bold chances on programs that normally would have been given the yank. but then again, some shows are dogs and according to our friends at TVBytheNumbers, the cancellation bear will hunt!

The "Trickle-Down' Effect from Pay Television
Pay channels like HBO have done nothing less than redefine television - you know that. What you may not realize is that some pay networks like Showtime have parent partners (CBS) that are more than a little nervous to have you tune elsewhere. That's why it might be possible that the threat of competition have forced broadcaster to develop (and ultimately shell out the cash for) better television. Fancy that...broadcast television actually giving a damn about you and me...

There's a lot of good new television our there.

The real reason is usually right in front of you, and we're inclined to believe that audiences like many of the new shows, simply because they're good. From How to Get Away with Murder to The Flash, we're seeing scrappy newbies joining quality veterans to make nearly every night worth watching. That doesn't mean some shows aren't on the bubble (AtoZ, Selfie, Bad Judge), but the issue we faced last year simply isn't there...yet. We may still see a run of shows getting the axe like Mulaney, but for now it looks like audiences aren't cooling down their DVR's and HULU Plus subscriptions in search of better content.

That has to make network execs very happy.

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