TV Networks: How not to Cancel Shows

Of the top of my head, here's a list of TV shows that have been canceled mid-season this year:

Runaways, Studio 60, Black Donnellys, Six Degrees, DayBreak, Justice, Vanished, Kidnapped, Andy Barker PI, The Wedding Belles, Standoff.

That's quite a few shows, and that's not even all the shows that were canceled. Just the ones I remember the names of.

TV is changing, and viewership is changing. I'm starting to think that networks need to start changing, too.

Maybe the way we look at new tv shows need to change.

Maybe we need to go to the British or cable model of tv making.

What I mean is this: When a network decides to buy a television show, if there's any doubt to its success, they order a set number of episodes (9-13, with 9 being a good minimum) and airs them. If the show is seen to be doing well, they order a full season. If not, they don't renew.

This way, a show gets at least one complete storyline, and fewer angry viewers.

Angry viewers? Take The Black Donnellys on NBC. It's a highly serialized drama that was canceled in the middle of a story line. (In my opinion, it was canceled just before it started getting good.) The fate of that show is unknown; will it be out on DVD? will another network pick it up? (It is available online, but not everyone wants to watch TV on their computer monitor.)

As a result, many people have reservations about NBC.

If they were to air a complete story, many views anxiety would be eased.

This may not be the best option for some series. Brothers & Sisters on ABC really took of (quality wise) after Rob Lowe came on as Senator McAlister. And that was halfway through the series. But ABC was smart enough to see the potential in the show.

Bottom line: for some projects, a shorter run would be good to test the waters.