TV has been fundamentally changed by the advent of streaming. It’s not just that cable providers are scrambling to keep subscribers. The basic structure of shows is changing, and the economic models that once determined if something was a hit or not just aren’t relevant now. A show can start trending in its third season once audiences binge their way through earlier episodes. So why are so many streaming TV shows canceled after one season? And why are streamers so eager to make that call?
One of the latest TV shows canceled early was Y: The Last Man. If you’re like me, you may have been surprised to see Y: The Last Man launch without much fanfare. The comic book adaptation premiered exclusively on Hulu as an “FX on Hulu” original in September 2021. Weeks before its finale, though, showrunner Eliza Clark let fans know that FX had declined to renew it for season two via Twitter.