Why Was the TV Show Forever Canceled?

The TV show Forever, which aired from 2014 to 2015, was canceled primarily due to low ratings. Despite receiving critical acclaim and having a dedicated fan base, the series struggled to attract a large audience. After its first season, ratings did not improve sufficiently to justify a second season, leading to its cancellation. The show's premise, centered around a medical examiner who is immortal, had the potential to captivate viewers, but it did not resonate strongly enough with a broader viewership.

The Challenges of Being an Intellectual Series

Intellectual series like Forever often suffer the fate of being beloved by fans but unappealing to a wider audience. The show required viewers to use their "little grey cells," meaning it demanded cognitive engagement, which can be challenging for broader viewership. Devoted but small audiences do not typically generate the necessary advertising revenue for national networks to sustain a series.

Network Decisions and Advertising Revenue

ABC, the network on which Forever aired, was still operating under old-school thinking. The show had moderate ratings but faced challenges in the Tuesday 10 PM EST timeslot, an area where the network had struggled for several years. While the show performed well in delayed viewing, which was the focus for the networks, the network did not adhere strictly to these metrics. The cancellation decision, despite strong fan support, was made based on the belief that the audience's interest levels indicated otherwise.

ABC’s Cancellation Decision

The research results from ABC indicated that not enough viewers were interested in the show. Perhaps it was due to a poor time slot or simply that the show "sucked." In any case, the network’s attention studies suggested that the audience was not genuine, leading to the decision to cancel the show. The show was shopped around to other venues but was not picked up, leading to it becoming another fan favorite one-and-done show.

Overall, the cancellation of Forever highlights the challenges that intellectual television shows face in earning the support of national networks, especially in terms of advertising revenue and time slot placement. While it garnered critical acclaim and a devoted fan base, it was ultimately unable to overcome the systemic issues within the network's decision-making processes.