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.
