9-1-1 fans get disappointing update on show’s future amid ABC move
9-1-1 fans have received a disappointing update on the show’s future amid its move to ABC.
Following the announcement that Fox had cancelled 9-1-1, the show was swiftly picked up by ABC for a seventh season, while its spin-off series 9-1-1: Lone Star would continue to air on Fox.
While crossover episodes were possible when the franchise was at the same network, Fox’s president of scripted programming Michael Thorn has said a future crossover is “unlikely” now that 9-1-1 has moved to ABC (via Variety).
“As far as crossovers go, crossovers have always been really hard on the 9-1-1 franchise because they’re such an ambitious schedule,” Thorn said. “They weren’t able to do it every year when both shows were on our network anyways, so I’d say it’s extremely unlikely.”
Meanwhile, Fox boss Rob Wade explained the reasons behind 9-1-1‘s cancellation at the network, saying that his predecessor Charlie Collier made the decision to axe the show.
“Needless to say, you look at shows in two different ways. It’s first and foremost from the creative lens and how much we love to create, and the second thing is really the economics of that,” Wade explained.
“I think we felt moving forward into what is really a new era of television, the economics weren’t going to pan out for this show for us. The decision was made there that the business model wasn’t right for us, and that 20th would take the show back.”
After picking up the show, Disney and ABC boss Craig Erwich added: “It’s a privilege to keep 9-1-1 in the family with 20th Television producing, and we look forward to telling more heart-racing and uplifting stories about these beloved characters on our air.”
