3 TV series?

Question

Does American network finish any TV series because there has been 3 series that I have enjoyed (as well has other people) which has been cancelled without an ending this YEAR alone

Answer 1

The problem is ratings. Newer series are on a short leash... if they don't pull the ratings that the network expects, they may stop airing the series right then and there, even if they have finished episodes they haven't aired yet.

New series tend to get episode orders by the half season or less... the network starts airing them and monitors the ratings. If they meet or exceed expectations (take Heroes for example), the network will order the 2nd half of the season to be scripted and filmed. If the ratings are so so and the network wants to still give it a try, they might order a handful of scripts/eps to be made but not commit to a full season, with the show still being on the bubble for being cancelled. If a show starts and the ratings are below what the network wants and they don't want to try and keep it going, they will either let the show run out it's initial batch of episodes, or may just kill the show outright even if they haven't finished airing all the eps. End results- no ending or wrap-up.

If the series does go a full season, it's still possible you won't get an "ending". If a new series gets a full season order, the network is thinking it will continue, and the writers will be writing it accordingly... assuming there will be a 2nd season. If for some reason the ratings go down toward the end, or the network was just seeing if ratings might pick up and don't, the show might not get renewed for another season. A cliffhanger ending meant to get viewers going for the 2nd season ends up unresolved, as with the entire series if the network decides to pull the plug during the latter half of a season.

Even with ongoing series, the same thing happens. Unless you know before a season starts that it will definitely be the last season, or the decision to cancel is made before the last few episodes of the season are written... the writers don't have enough time to come up with a proper ending or send-off.

That's the way the system works. That's why I try not to get too vested in new series when they come out, until I know they got a full season order, then a renewal for another season. Unfortunately, fans of a new series that HAVE watched it are the ones that lose out if the show gets cancelled with no resolution.

Answer 2

That's one of the things I like about British TV. Some of the series do have a very specific run. They do 10 episodes and they wrap everything up. Then they move on to the next project. In America, they beat a successful series into the ground. By the time a successful series leaves, you're often sick of it, or the audience is no longer watching. Then there's the flip side of that coin as you've discovered, where new shows aren't given the chance to develop an audience and ratings before being yanked unceremoniously off the air. But there's a reason that happens a lot, too. Network execs are completely unoriginal, unimaginative, ignorant folks. Instead of coming up with creative ideas of their own, they simply copy whatever the most trendy show on other networks is. With the success of the shows "24" and "Lost", network execs decided to throw a dozen shows on the air just like them. Well, guess what? Viewers don't want to have to follow 12 shows exactly like that from week to week to week. So they don't tune in, and as a result most of the shows are cancelled. But don't worry, there will be a breakout hit this year, and next fall there will be a whole new batch of copycat shows just like it for you to try!

Answer 3

There is this amazing TV series called Rectify which is set to finish this year. I recommend you to wait until this year's season ends, then watch the whole series back to back. It's really worth it.

Answer 4

hmmmmm......