Incredibly Popular 911 Show Is Canceled By Fox, Moving To ABC
9-1-1 has been canceled by Fox but will pick up for a seventh season on ABC.
The popular procedural drama series 9-1-1 has been canceled at Fox. Fortunately, the show will be heading to a new home at ABC for its seventh season. The announcement comes as no surprise, as rumors about the show’s uncertain fate have been swirling for months. Additionally, its spin-off 9-1-1: Lone Star has been renewed for a fifth season and will not be moving to a different network.
“It has been an honor to be the founding network of 9-1-1,” Fox said in a statement via Deadline about the showing leaving for ABC. “We are grateful to Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, and Tim Minear, together with Angela Bassett, Peter Krause, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Oliver Stark, Aisha Hinds, Kenneth Choi, Ryan Guzman, and the rest of the cast and crew, and 20th Television for delivering such an impactful series.”
“We wish them well after 9-1-1’s final Fox season concludes,” the network added. Created by Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, and Tim Minear, the series premiered in January 2018. The show follows the lives of Los Angeles first responders, including police officers, firefighters, and paramedics, as they work on various emergencies and crises.
Each episode of 9-1-1 typically features multiple storylines that intersect and connect in unexpected ways. The show explores the personal lives of the characters, as well as their professional responsibilities. The series has been praised for its diverse cast, thrilling action sequences, and emotional storylines.
The decision to cancel 9-1-1 was primarily driven by financial considerations for Fox. Despite being the network’s top-rated scripted series and most-watched show among adults aged 18 to 49, the cost of producing the high-end drama became increasingly unsustainable. Each episode reportedly cost between $9 million and $10 million.
The six-year-old series also boasts a star-studded cast featuring the likes of Oscar nominee Angela Bassett and Peter Krause, who require salaries to match their experience. Additionally, the storylines in 9-1-1 regularly involve major disasters that demand elaborate visual effects and stunts, further driving up production costs.
But the move should be relatively smooth for 9-1-1. Popular reality show American Idol enjoyed a 15-season run on Fox before being picked up by ABC in 2018. Additionally, this shift coincides with the end of Ryan Murphy’s overall deal with Netflix, leading to widespread speculation that he may return to his previous home at 20th Television.
Speaking about ABC’s new acquisition, President of Disney’s Television Group Craig Erwich expressed his excitement about housing the series. “Thanks to the creative drive of Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, and Tim Minear, as well as the talented cast, 9-1-1 has been one of the most defining and original dramas on network television over the last six seasons.”
Erwich added that ABC is honored to bring 9-1-1 to the esteemed group of series on the network. “It’s a privilege to keep 9-1-1 in the family with 20th Television producing, and we look forward to telling more heart-racing and uplifting stories about these beloved characters on our air.”
9-1-1 is one of many cancellation casualties at Fox. The axing of popular shows comes as the network focuses on its own scripted series. The company recently picked up HI-Surf, a new lifeguard drama from producer John Wells that is co-produced by Warner Bros. TV and Fox Entertainment. The network envisions the show as a potential franchise and has placed a series order.
HI-Surf is one of two new hour-long scripted series that Fox has already picked up, with the other being the medical drama Doc. Despite the cancellation of 9-1-1, Fox is still in business with 20th TV. The network recently gave two-season renewals to animated hits The Simpsons, Family Guy, and Bob’s Burgers.
These animated offerings have been Sunday night staples for decades and are integral to Fox’s brand. Furthermore, Fox Entertainment recently signed a new streaming deal with Hulu. It will be interesting to see how many other series get axed before the fall television season begins.
