As for Jericho, the cost per episode of Jericho was nearly $3 million for the short Season 2 according to figures I recall seeing before it aired. TSCC has a much smaller core cast and is likely much less expensive. And Jericho had no tie in with a major movie franchise either. Even when CBS tried to sell Jericho nobody was interested in it. Jerichos producers made a huge mistake by structuring Season 2 in such a way as to alienate many of its conservative viewers. TSCC doesnt get into politics at all – another plus for it.

Of course to see a Season 3 TSCC’s numbers will have to dramatically increase. I just hope they cut down on the “Terminator of the Week” plot device. It exposes the show to even bigger logic and plot holes than usual for a time travel dependent series. Its like theres some kind of time travel superhighway that getting mighty crowded. Why didnt Skynet just send all its Terminators back to 1984 as to increase the chances of success? No way Kyle could have beat them all – he died just killing one of them. Or they could have just sent more back before 1984 when Kyle wasnt around to save Sarah.

I still think it would have been better to base a Terminator series on the events of the resistance battle against Skynet in the events after Terminator 4.

I am kind of surprised at this news too and I hope it works out. I see the possible listing of Fox’s time schedule for the winter there but House isn’t mentioned. Does that stay on Tuesdays or something and what does that lead-in? I’m hoping wherever they put TSCC that it’ll do well and they’ll pick up another season. Honestly, if they do that, I can see the Terminator movie helping the show more than the show helping the movie. I think the movie (if it’s a success) is going to make a lot of new fans and they may be more interested in the show after the movie.

An amazing show, Summer Rocks!!!

Doubtful they’d get that spot, as they’ve already got “Fringe” penciled in there. They might just put it on Friday nights after “Bones.”

(Although this is probably not the place to discuss this) … I am sorry you feel that way. I think the show is still “getting started” in many ways and is still in the introductory phase of many of its story lines and characters. It is building nicely and now that they have a complete season the story and characters will get polished into a well-crafted story. Not unlike many other shows, I suppose.

fox is definitely in the business of making money.

I agree with this… And it isn’t by accident. The Terminator mythos is really interesting, a rich supply of stories. I just dont think TSCC is doing it justice. Dont get me wrong, I like the show, loved Season 1 and I keep watching because I just love the Terminator story… but I’ve been getting bored every episode this season. The show has disjointed story lines, random characters like that pregnant lady that have no importance, and I’m not even sure what the main characters’ motivation is anymore.

I think it has potential to be the best show on TV, but unfortunately it is turning out to be one of the worst. I wouldnt be surprised if it doesn’t come back next year.

Which it arguably does because of the lead in. IMO, it would not perform better in TSCCs slot. Fringe is just very fortunate, and of course they wont move it unless they think it can be as successful alone.

First, I’d like to say I’m quite happy with this news because right now, this is the best show currently airing in my opinion (until LOST returns or the characters on Heroes gain 50 IQ points). I think the reasoning for giving it the full order is because of the timeslot first. Despite this, Terminator outperformed Chuck in the 18-49 demo when it last aired (albeit slightly). The fact that Fox has not moved Terminator or Prison Break to another night tells me that they’re still somewhat satisfied with how they’re performing (of course I could be dead wrong here). The film could be the justification too, but I don’t think we can deduce that unless we see a direct tie in (with Christian Bale in a scene in the future). I doubt we’ll see that or a tie in in the film though, but it will be pretty cool to have a TV series and a film of the same franchise going simultaneously. Maybe the ratings will improve, but I doubt it’ll get the post AI timeslot.

Finally, Robert/Bill: I’m curious to see how you think 24 will perform considering it won’t have aired a new episode in well over a year by January. People here seem to think it’s guaranteed to do well, but I find myself seriously thinking it could have a drastic drop and go down hill, also considering the poor reception last season received. I am not a 24 fan and never have watched it, but do you have any thoughts/speculation on how you think it’ll fare?

But that’s not how advertising, marketing and promotion usually actually seem to work. For example, the audience for Heroes is disproportionately skewed for already knowing what iPods and iPhones are and even already owning them — but Apple still advertises.

How much does it really help the movie to have the series on the air? I doubt it’s truly significant, but I think of it in terms of the huge marketing budgets that some major motion pictures have had in the past. Some movies have marketing budgets that exceed even $50 million — that may be as much as it costs to make an entire season of TSCC. I have no idea what the marketing budget for Salvation is, but it’s not unthinkable to me that it would’ve been worth it to WB to sweeten the pot for Fox in a couple of ways:

1. discounts offered to Fox on production of the show. If they shave even $2 million off, it’s real money.

2. Huge ad buy for Terminator: Salvation ads on Fox — all Fox programs in May — not just TSCC.

Some of this does make me wonder, though, if something isn’t wrong with Dollhouse and/or 24. I recognize that Fox bought a new show, but still…

One thing I do not buy is that Fox gave a back nine order to tie in with the movie. Exactly how is that supposed to serve as a promotion? The fans of TSCC are almost certainly going to watch the movie, but they would whether or not the show aired in the spring. And so… How exactly does having the show on the air meaningfully impact ratings for the movie?

Really happy to hear this news. I was expecting the ax for weeks now with all the rumors and conjecture floating around.

While clearly some ad buys are made for specific shows, how much are just national ad ratings buys and and how much are specific shows isn’t something I know. My impression is that cancelling a show like TSCC wouldn’t be “costly” to Fox from an advertising perspective so long as it replaced it with something that performed as well in the demos TSCC targets (young men).

I have no idea whether/how Fringe may play into things….

Robert/Bill, something I haven’t seen you guys touch on is the fact that Fringe is also produced by Warner Brothers (at least that’s what it says on imdb). Think WB sweetened the deal on the Fringe cost as well? Trying to get more of their shows on the air they might offer some kind of added incentive on all their shows? In addition, a question, how far out do networks sell advertising? How many ads have they sold for Fringe and TSCC? TSCC had some really high dollar ads. If FOX canceled the show wouldn’t they have to return the money? How much would they lose in ads on repeats of say House? Anyway, obviously not a reason to keep a show on the air all by itself, but if FOX really is happy creatively with the show, and they have a forward plan for a new day for the show come January, it may make it easier for them to keep it. I mean with NBC’s numbers down I really think 24 is going to trounce Heroes.

Gorgon: Thanks for pointing out that I’m a person. I’m happy that I’m wrong as well. I’ve always said TSCC was a good show. I am trying to figure out why it was renewed from a business standpoint (and I don’t buy that it’s because it has ‘a small, loyal fanbase’ and ‘advertisers lover it’. What really is going on?

Robert: Don’t you know if you like the show, it should be renewed? If you don’t, cancel it! (Heh, I’ve been biased of this myself, so I don’t hold it against anyone).

I agree with Holly. Something is up…

That’s not what FOX is saying. They believe the network’s *overall* viewership goes up when AI is on. I still believe “Fringe” will follow AI come winter. Still, either huge vote of confidence for this show or tie-in with the movie coming out in May.

Irrespective of ratings, I consistently read that people/critics always regard TSCC as a well written, intelligent show worthy of more. That internet support is great to read! And from what this article says about how Fox views the show, it seems they are not naive either and know a good thing when they see it (at least in this case)

Yeah, I would like to know that too. I thaught it will be paired with 24, but since the TSCC will be back, and with all those shows (Fringe, 24, House, Bones, Dollhouse, AI, TSCC)… I just hope it’s not paired with TSCC again… god I hate this show. I don’t watch it but hate it, however, if they don’t pair it with TSCC I will not hate it anymore, hehe.

CHUCK