Has your favorite TV show been canceled after only 1 season, due to low ratings? Do you wish the network had given the show more time to become a hit? Do you feel that great TV shows are being tossed aside? Do you feel that TV networks could do a better job of listening to viewers? If so, you’re not alone.

The problem: Too often, in today’s ultra-competitive world of broadcast television, networks such as ABC, CBS, NBC, and FOX simply do not give a show enough time to develop the viewership and ratings they demand in order to justify renewal and a season 2. Many good shows only get 1 season, or less. What a shame that so many people are missing out on fantastic entertainment because of a system that is, well, less than perfect.

Many people lament the days when TV shows had at least 22 episodes per season. There was way more time for people to catch on and fall in love with a show. Now, we're lucky if there are 13 episodes. 

The sad irony: At the same time that the number of viewing options has increased a hundred-fold, with the multitude of networks and streaming platforms, the number of episodes has decreased. There's a lot of great Peak TV out there, but not a lot of each show. With network TV beholden to Nielsen ratings, it's a big problem. And it's getting worse!

The cruel truth: Many shows are simply not given a fair chance to succeed. Many people do not even hear about a show and begin watching it until it's been "on the air" for several weeks. And others begin watching weeks later, on-demand or on their DVR, only to then find out that their new favorite show has been canceled. For networks to have the expectation that a freshman show will be an immediate smash hit when put up against shows that have a 4, 5, or even 6 year head-start seems preposterous! Something is definitely wrong with this scenario! 

Massive effort: Have you ever thought about what goes into making your favorite TV series? Sometimes it takes years for creators and producers to put together all the elements of a show so it can get off the ground. Hundreds of members of the cast and crew may put their hearts and souls into working long hours to create what could very well end up being a work of art. Once it finally gets ordered by a network, it's up to that network to market and publicize the show to try to get as many viewers as possible. Due to any number of factors, viewership may not immediately materialize and a show can be, without warning, unceremoniously canceled. Not only are the cast and crew stunned, but hundreds of people related to the production are now out of work.

Wash, rinse, repeat: And let's not forget about the fans who came to love a show only to have it canceled without warning, sometimes with unresolved stories or cliff-hangers. Viewers are stunned, confused at how crazy it seems that their show was given a few short weeks, and then it's gone. When shows are canceled in a few short weeks, viewers feel they are not valued. Oftentimes, fans try to advocate to find a new home for their show, with varying degrees of success. Sometimes these campaigns can go on for months or even years. And the whole process starts again with the networks buying new shows to see if the public will watch this show more than the last show. It all feels like a glorified crapshoot. There are no winners in this scenario and I don't think the current strategy of broadcast networks makes sense for their own long-term health.

That's why we're asking ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, and others to consider these three requests in what we're calling:

The Television Viewer's Bill of Rights

#1 Give New Shows More Time To Succeed

It's vital that media companies recognize that the viewing public has many options now. Given this fragmentation of viewership, it may take time for a show to catch on.  If a network liked a show enough to invest in it and place an order, and if it is doing reasonably well, the network should make every effort to follow through with their investment and stick with it by renewing it for a second season. It's crucial that the long-term potential of a show be taken into account and to not have unrealistic expectations. By giving a show more than 13 episodes, this will go a long way toward helping develop the audience and to value and respect existing viewers.

#2 Consider Multiple Factors When Shows Are On The Bubble

When making programming decisions, networks should consider multiple factors, not only the Nielsen ratings. Many people do not watch their favorite shows live anymore. Outside of live sporting events, the days of "appointment television" are fading fast. Networks should develop better systems to track the popularity and potential of a show including delayed viewing metrics, social media engagement, fan outreach, and other factors.

#3 Listen To What Loyal Viewers And Fans Have To Say

Network viewership has been declining for several years and the time is now for media executives to seriously re-think what each and every viewer means to them. When looking at Nielsen ratings, it may sometimes be difficult to recognize that there are millions of individuals behind the ratings numbers. But, a show may have personal significance for each and every viewer. Viewers are individuals that want to feel they are respected and are taken seriously. In the near future, these formerly loyal viewers may not be as easy to replace. We're asking media companies to consider the wants and needs of loyal viewers and to make more of an effort to engage with viewers and fans. Taking this loyal viewership into account when making programming decisions just makes good business sense.

In conclusion

Join our campaign to encourage broadcast networks to A) Give more time and work with a show to help it succeed, B) Take into account additional factors when deciding which shows to renew and which to cancel, and C) Endeavor to respect every viewer as a valuable individual.

We believe these tenets will benefit everyone: the cast, the crew, the viewers, the advertisers, and, ultimately, even the broadcast media networks themselves.

Together, we can turn this into a movement that benefits all concerned and makes television entertainment even more enjoyable for everyone. Because it shouldn't only be about quantity; It should also be about quality. If you believe that quality scripted shows deserve a fairer shake on network television, please sign our petition.

Thank you!