Netflix’sThat ’90s Showwas canceled shortly after the premiere of its second season, though a new report indicates it may find new life elsewhere. The show served as asequel to the beloved comedyThat ’70s Show, focusing on Eric and Donna’s teenage daughter, Leia, as she forms her own friend group in her parents' hometown when visiting her grandparents for the summer. While not a smash hit,That ’90s Showwas generally well-received by critics and audiences alike, though season 2’s viewership drop led to its cancellation.
According toDeadline, the producers ofThat ’90s Showare reportedly looking to transition the show to a linear networkfollowing Netflix’s cancellation. In the past, cancelled Netflix originals have found difficulty when they’re trying to be picked up by other networks or streaming platforms, thus making cable and satellite television the most viable option for a revival of the sequel toThat ’70s Show.
What This Means For That ’90s Show
A Network Home Still Brings Its Own Challenges
In the past, Netflix cancellations have been frequently seen as a series' final nail in the coffin. However,That ’90s Showmight have a chance of joiningOne Day at a Timein beating the odds by finding a traditional broadcast or cable network that fits its audience. The main obstacles would be the elaborate ownership and licensing problems pertaining to Netflix Originals.
Why That ’90s Show Was Cancelled By Netflix
That ’90s Show has been canceled by Netflix, but despite the streaming service’s reason for scrapping the show, season 3 could still go on.
Since Netflix was the only company to produce and distribute the show, any prospective new home would have to deal with contractual limitations and figure outhow to market a program that was created with streaming in mind. The change might also make it harder to maintain the same level of artistic flexibility the series had when it was perhaps available on Netflix, which could be problematic since many viewers expressed how they thought the show was finally finding its place in theThat ’70s Showuniverse and humor.
However, ifThat ’90s Showsecures a new home, some concerns could arise regardingwhether the show will be able to retain its original castand creative team in the transition. With streaming-first shows, production timelines and cast availability are often aligned with the flexibility of the streaming model, and transitioning to a network could lead to complications in scheduling.
Our Take On The Future Of The Show
The Show Deserves A Chance To Wrap Up
Although no deals have been confirmed, producers are actively shopping the show, and the possibility of a switch to a new network might give viewers ofThat ’90s Showsomething to look forward toafter they were left disappointed following the series' cancellation earlier this month. As we wait for more news, one can only hope that the producers find the right network to house the show, and will allow them to at least wrap up the cliffhangers, or better yet, start fresh while they continue to explore ’90s culture through the lens of the residents in Point Place and the Formans.
That ’90s Show
Cast
That ’70s Show returns set two decades later with That ’90s Show, acting as a sequel but bringing back old cast favorites. Led by Red (Kurtwood Smith) and Kitty (Debra Jo Rupp) Forman, the new cast arrives as the next generation, with the daughter of Eric and Donna, Leia Forman, leading the charge. Spending the summer with her grandparents, Leia makes new friends and forges new bonds in Point Place, Wisconsin. That ’70s Show series regulars make cameos in the show to maintain that sense of familiarity, and the show adopts the conventions of the ’90s as expected. That ’90s Show first aired on Netflix with a total of ten episodes.
