Outsiders Canceled After Two Seasons as WGN America Plots New Direction
With what has to be the dumbest move by WGN America, today they announced they are cancelling its highest-rated scripted original.
Outsiders has been canceled after two seasons on the Tribune-owned cable network, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.
The drama, will air its second season-turned-series finale on April 25 at 10 p.m.
The way Tribune Media president and CEO Peter Kern puts it, the surprising cancellation is part of a change in scripted direction for the cabler.
“After three years of investing in marquee, brand-defining dramas, WGN America has successfully expanded its audience, its reach, and its presence in the minds of viewers. In our next phase, we intend to expand our original and unique content to continue growing our relevance and appeal to the widest possible audience. To achieve this, we will be reallocating our resources to a more diverse programming strategy and to new structures, enabling us to expand both the quantity and breadth of content aired by WGN America. This move is designed to deliver even more value to our advertising and distribution partners. To free up the resources to reach this goal, we will unfortunately not be renewing ‘Outsiders.’ We are grateful to our production partners at Sony Pictures Television and the terrifically talented people who made the show possible.”
There may be hope for all of us fans of this hugely successful and popular series. The producers Sony Pictures Television plan to shop the series, which was originally developed specifically for WGN America, in the coming weeks.
The cancellation comes as a huge surprise as the Peter Mattei-created drama starring David Morse, Kyle Gallner and Ryan Hurst ranks as WGN America’s most-watched scripted original with an average of 2 million total viewers.
The cancellation leaves WGNA’s slate with slave drama Underground — a critical darling co-produced by Sony Pictures Television and Tribune Studios. On the pilot side, the cabler is readying DC Comics take Scalped and recently passed on Roadside Picnic.
Outsiders has become the third original scripted drama to be cancelled. The first being Manhattan followed by Salem.
FAMILY! Do not give up hope. Sony still has the option to shop around to find Outsiders a new home. We need to make sure we watch the final 2 episodes on WGN to keep the ratings up so Sony will see there is still interest. Please DO NOT bombard WGN America with hateful comments and messages. The decision to cancel goes beyond their control as the future of the network may be a factor. Rather than show anger, this is a time where we need to stand together and show love. Contact Sony and let THEM know that #ShayMustStay
Attn Zack Van Amburg
10202 Washington Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232
