Movies

Fox LOST 9-1-1?! You Won’t BELIEVE What Happened Next!

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The show titled “9-1-1” is an exceptional type of procedural drama, weaving tales around the brave individuals who work in emergency services, from call center operators to firefighters and police officers, who rush to answer these calls. Fans feared that this series might be lost forever. Airing on FOX since 2018, it didn’t take long for “9-1-1” to spawn a spinoff titled “9-1-1: Lone Star.” However, after six seasons of the original series, Fox chose to terminate the show and attempt to sell it to another network. Interestingly, they decided to keep the spinoff series in their programming lineup instead.

Networks choose to end series for several reasons: budget issues, disagreements during contract talks, poor viewership numbers, or to make space for shows they believe will be more successful. For instance, when Fox decided to cancel 9-1-1, they went on to approve another emergency responder drama. However, they’ve now also cancelled that series, indicating some challenging choices the network had to make.

Why Fox Canceled 9-1-1 In 2023

Cost Played A Large Part In The Cancellation

9-1-1’s cancellation by Fox wasn’t a hasty choice; instead, it was due to a significant financial factor that led them to sell the series to ABC.

In 2023, it became known that each episode of the show cost around $9 million to produce when it was announced the show’s cancellation. This high production cost resulted from featuring well-known actors and having to pay a licensing fee to Disney’s 20th Television, who own the series. Since Disney is also the parent company for both 20th Television and ABC, airing the series on ABC would have been more economical compared to them owning it.

Initially, when it came to Fox, the spinoff series “9-1-1: Lone Star” was somewhat more affordable to produce and broadcast, costing a few million dollars less than the original series. However, even this reduced cost might have become a burden for the network, as the termination of “9-1-1: Lone Star” was announced right before season 6 premiered in 2024.

Series creator Ryan Murphy cited financial reasons for the cancellation:

Regrettably, despite our fondness for ‘Lone Star,’ its finances proved problematic. Essentially, it was a Disney production airing on the Fox network, an arrangement that ultimately proved untenable. We gave it our best shot over a significant period, but it simply didn’t click as we had hoped.

Fox No Longer Has Any First-Responder Procedurals After Rescue HI-Surf’s Cancellation

First-Responder Procedurals Have Become Very Popular

When Fox decided to sell “9-1-1” to ABC, the network chose to retain “9-1-1: Lone Star,” possibly due to its lower production costs and the franchise’s strong popularity, even with its high overall cost. Moreover, they commissioned the series “Rescue HI-Surf,” which focuses on a unique type of emergency responder.

As a captivated movie critic, I find myself drawn to “Rescue HI-Surf,” a thrilling series that unfolds against the picturesque backdrop of Hawai’i’s North Shore of O’ahu. This gripping drama follows the lives and daring rescues of lifeguards and first responders who are the unsung heroes in this tropical paradise.

Reminiscent of beloved shows like “9-1-1” and the iconic “Baywatch” of the ’90s, this series masterfully combines high-stakes drama with the allure of a sun-kissed beach setting. The heart-pounding action and suspense make it an irresistible choice for audiences craving adrenaline-fueled entertainment.

In my humble opinion, “Rescue HI-Surf” would have been the ideal replacement for “9-1-1: Lone Star,” offering a compelling narrative that continues to explore the lives of first responders, but with a distinctly Hawaiian twist.

As a devoted fan, I’ve been hit hard by the news that Rescue HI-Surf might not return because of financial constraints and reduced viewership. It seems that many networks are brainstorming methods to create shows on a tighter budget. For instance, the CW is considering buying broadcast rights from other countries for their shows, which would reduce their own production costs significantly. Filming in Hawaii has become a costly endeavor for television networks, making it tougher for popular shows like Rescue HI-Surf to stay afloat.

As a devoted fan, I couldn’t help but notice the financial challenges faced by the captivating show “Rescue HI-Surf.” Initially projected to cost roughly $4 million per episode, it falls short compared to the hefty $9 million spent on an average episode of “9-1-1,” but still might have exceeded Fox’s anticipated budget. The ratings drop from a staggering 4 million viewers during the premiere to around 1.1 million regular viewers is indeed concerning. With a whopping 75% decrease in viewership, it’s no easy task to lure back such a significant portion of the audience for a potential new season.

Fox no longer plans to air any shows centered around first responders. These types of shows have gained significant attention due to their distinct narrative elements compared to crime or medical procedurals, and they usually offer a quicker pace. Originally, Fox had planned to revive the series Baywatch, which shares a similar concept with Rescue HI-Surf, but the reboot has been in development for an extended period, giving the impression that the newer show was going to replace it on Fox’s programming lineup.

Despite its cancellation on Fox, the show continues to thrive elsewhere.

9-1-1 Is Thriving On ABC

The Series Is Getting An ABC Spinoff

Even though I might not be favoring first responder procedurals as much these days, 9-1-1 has managed to carve out a comfortable niche for itself on ABC. Although its ratings have dipped slightly from season 8 to season 7, the series has maintained a steady viewership, with an average of approximately 4.5 million viewers per week, compared to 4.6 million during the last season that aired on Fox (TV By The Numbers 1, 2). Given its eighth season and network change following season six, the show’s retention is quite impressive.

As a devoted film enthusiast, I’m thrilled to share that ABC is demonstrating their confidence in the franchise. Despite the unfortunate cancellation of Lone Star by Fox, they’ve taken the bold step to greenlight another 9-1-1 spinoff series! The new show, titled 9-1-1: Nashville, will be set against the vibrant backdrop of Tennessee’s capital city. Chris O’Donnell from NCIS: Los Angeles and Jessica Capshaw from Grey’s Anatomy will grace our screens as part of this exciting cast.

9-1-1 Series Years On Air Network
9-1-1 2018-Present Fox, ABC
9-1-1: Lone Star 2020-2025 Fox
9-1-1: Nashville TBD ABC

The spinoff from ABC has not specified a release date as of now, however, it’s anticipated that it will make its debut during the 2025 television season, coinciding with season 9 of 9-1-1, which ABC confirmed in April of 2025.

Despite some key characters leaving the 9-1-1 series, it seems ABC is confident that the show can persist by blending new and familiar personas. Much like how a revolving cast has kept the medical drama Grey’s Anatomy engaging for more than two decades. In essence, Fox’s departure has paved the way for ABC to strengthen its lineup.

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2025-05-11 14:57

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