Will we hear about a New Season at Comic-Con

[Reply #40 on:]

I seriously doubt (90%) that we'll hear any positive news about Futurama at Comic-Con.  It can't possibly come back until Fall 2010 at the earliest, and I doubt that they'd rush to have a deal wrapped up so far in advance.

[Reply #41 on:]

I agree with speedracer (despite his name, hehe).  Fox has plenty of time to renew it, and they are certainly going to make use of it.

I suppose most of my assumptions are overcrowded by the fact that I want news soon.

[Reply #42 on:]

I agree with speedracer (despite his name, hehe).  Fox has plenty of time to renew it, and they are certainly going to make use of it.

I suppose most of my assumptions are overcrowded by the fact that I want news soon.

But then again anyone can renew it. Like Comedy Central for example

EDIT:Please turn green!!!
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/a150760/us-tv-show-status-2009-10-season.html

[Reply #43 on:]

Ads brought in about $20/1000 viewers in 2006, probably less than that now.  A million viewers for a half-hour show will bring in 1000 * $20 * 16 ads = $320K.  $300K is actually probably still an overestimate.

South Park is bringing in 2-3 MM viewers on Comedy Central, and no cable show seems to bring in more than 6MM viewers regularly. 

I think 4 million viewers would be a slightly optimistic estimate for new Futurama on Comedy Central, which would bring in $1.2 MM per episode.  That means that CC would probably be taking a loss on broadcasting Futurama and have to wait for the DVD sales to bring them in the black.

[Reply #44 on:]

But then again anyone can renew it. Like Comedy Central for example

EDIT:Please turn green!!!
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/a150760/us-tv-show-status-2009-10-season.html

Wait- "Supernanny" is getting renewed yet "House" isn't? What a load...

Well, if "Futurama" is on the list of exhibitors at Comic-Con, that sure is a good sign. That list won't be released to the public for a while, so we'll have to wait.

I remember reading somewhere that Fox and Comedy Central want to see more fan involvement before they greenlight a renewal. Has anybody been sending e-mails to either company, or at least signing any new petitions? I sure haven't had the time in the past 17-ish whatever months, and I'd kick myself in the butt if an email from me would've made a difference in Futurama's life.

[Reply #45 on:]

E-mail's and petitions signings might help but I'm pretty sure if you bought the DVD's and at least leave your T.V. on for the episodes/premier of the movies (a little unfair of FOX/CC to use the T.V. movie ratings since most dedicated fans bought the DVD's so why should they watch the broadcast) you've already sent them the biggest message you can (though admittedly write-in campaigns did save other shows).

[Reply #46 on:]

Leaving your TV on while Futurama airs isn't going to do anything unless you have a Nielsen box attached to it.

[Reply #47 on:]

Would you kindly explain how to figure out if a T.V. has a Nielsen Box in it/attached to it?

[Reply #48 on:]

But then again anyone can renew it. Like Comedy Central for example

EDIT:Please turn green!!!
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/a150760/us-tv-show-status-2009-10-season.html

Wait- "Supernanny" is getting renewed yet "House" isn't? What a load...

Well, if "Futurama" is on the list of exhibitors at Comic-Con, that sure is a good sign. That list won't be released to the public for a while, so we'll have to wait.

I remember reading somewhere that Fox and Comedy Central want to see more fan involvement before they greenlight a renewal. Has anybody been sending e-mails to either company, or at least signing any new petitions? I sure haven't had the time in the past 17-ish whatever months, and I'd kick myself in the butt if an email from me would've made a difference in Futurama's life.

Nope Supernanny is definately but they aren't sure about House (hence the orange)

[Reply #49 on:]

Digital Spy is a good site and all but it says Futurama in the US is shown on Fox (when strickly at the moment it's on Comedy Central even though the rights to the show are owned by Fox). It also says that Futurama is shown on FX here in the UK when that is completely not true, it's shown on Sky1 and Sky2 (and in the past Sky3).

[Reply #50 on:]

1.  As I understand it, Nielsen measures ratings by measuring the viewing habits of a select sample of the US population and extrapolating their figures to the rest of the country.  They set up Nielsen boxes (which record the TV's activity and transmit it back to Nielsen) in some homes and poll other homes.  Either way, you'll know if you're being measured by Nielsen because they'll have contacted you ahead of time.

2.  US-based TV sites such as this one are probably the most reliable sources of information about US shows.

3.  This can't be stressed enough -- buying the DVDs is by far the most effective way to convince Fox to bring back the show.  Here's an interesting post on recent save-our-show campaigns, and why they generally don't work unless accompanied by large amounts of cash.

[Reply #51 on:]

I'm pining for a new Futurama fix, the movies didn't really cut it so I hope they get one more chance with some new TV episodes...

[Reply #52 on:]

Wait- "Supernanny" is getting renewed yet "House" isn't? What a load...

Nope Supernanny is definately but they aren't sure about House (hence the orange)

WTF is up with that? There hasn't been an official confirmation yet, but the House crew has already started filming for season six and the lead actors signed for two more seasons last year (a mention abut it in Wikipedia). It's a 99% deal.

[Reply #53 on:]

Wait- "Supernanny" is getting renewed yet "House" isn't? What a load...

Nope Supernanny is definately but they aren't sure about House (hence the orange)

WTF is up with that? There hasn't been an official confirmation yet, but the House crew has already started filming for season six and the lead actors signed for two more seasons last year (a mention abut it in Wikipedia). It's a 99% deal.

Why not head over here and email the editor of that article?

EDIT Oh... Your... God!!
http://thefutoncritic.com/showatch.aspx?id=futurama

[Reply #54 on:]

EDIT Oh... Your... God!!
http://thefutoncritic.com/showatch.aspx?id=futurama

That listing can't possibly mean what we all want it to mean.  At least not right now.  For all I know, they could be counting the as-yet-unaired ITWGY as four "new episodes".

I remember way back that there was some article on canada.com that suggested that the movie episodes would air on Fox next season, but I'm skeptical of that as well (not that it wouldn't be good news).

[Reply #55 on:]

EDIT Oh... Your... God!!
http://thefutoncritic.com/showatch.aspx?id=futurama

That listing can't possibly mean what we all want it to mean.  At least not right now.

Yeah, this should probably be taken as wishful thinking, a misunderstanding or just a grain of salt.

* Svip eats salt.

It would not be the first time various rumours spread around something uncertain.  Futurama's status is certain in a mist, but we can all agree that its status is certainly not confirmed, and thus many people are willing to make their own conclusion based on the "evidence" available.

Because I am seeing a lot of different messages, and certainly our "Future of Futurama" article highlights these inconsistencies.  We even see them from the show runners.

[Reply #56 on:]

With all the millions Matt Groening has I don't know why he can't cut a deal with Fox where he pays a percentage of the cost in return for a higher precentage of the profits if it does well as it should...

[Reply #57 on:]

I don't even know how much money Matt Groening has. I'm sure he's well off (and ITWGY showed he can afford one of those simulated space flights) but I never imagined the guy owning a mansion.

[Reply #58 on:]

With all the millions Matt Groening has I don't know why he can't cut a deal with Fox where he pays a percentage of the cost in return for a higher precentage of the profits if it does well as it should...

This sort of deal would make more sense with CC, which may have a harder time supporting Futurama on its own than Fox.  I suspect that MG's net worth is a lot less than you think it is, though.

For Fox, the bigger issue may be opportunity cost.  They may be searching for the next American Idol/House/Family Guy and might therefore not be willing to commit a time slot to Futurama for the next couple seasons if they don't think Futurama has that sort of potential.  I'm not saying that that line of thinking is necessarily wise, but it's certainly plausible.

[Reply #59 on:]

Speedracer: That's what I've been saying for a while-

http://www.peelified.com/index.php?topic=17726.msg1032943#msg1032943

http://www.peelified.com/index.php?topic=17726.msg1033545#msg1033545

I guess nobody likes a Negative Nancy (thought for the record I am disappointingly optimistic (as in my hopes are probably raised too high)

[Reply #60 on:]

EDIT Oh... Your... God!!
http://thefutoncritic.com/showatch.aspx?id=futurama

This link from TFC seems to make it much clearer that Futurama's status as "returning next season" simply means that CC will air ITWGY sometime in the fall (or possibly the summer).

[Reply #61 on:]

Hmm, I dunno, speedracer.  Could also mean that they know there are only 4 episodes left, but dunno how many there will be in the next season.  If anything, their data is certainly ambiguous.

[Reply #62 on:]

My sarcasm detector just exploded.

[Reply #63 on:]

I agree with speedracer (despite his name, hehe).  Fox has plenty of time to renew it, and they are certainly going to make use of it.

I suppose most of my assumptions are overcrowded by the fact that I want news soon.

But then again anyone can renew it. Like Comedy Central for example

EDIT:Please turn green!!!
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/a150760/us-tv-show-status-2009-10-season.html

Oh I find this link and Svip gets creditited on TFP and TLZ 

[Reply #64 on:]

Oh I find this link and Svip gets creditited on TFP and TLZ 

Yeah, I feel sort of bad about that.  I just send TLZ the link, and apparently I was credited for it.  I never claimed credit, by the way.

[Reply #65 on:]

It's pretty dumb of TLZ to be getting everyone's hopes up for a new season when more reliable sources strongly indicate that the "new season" consists of the four episodes of ITWGY.

[Reply #66 on:]

It's pretty dumb of TLZ to be getting everyone's hopes up for a new season when more reliable sources strongly indicate that the "new season" consists of the four episodes of ITWGY.

That is not what Digital Spy is referring to.  It seems they are opening the possibilities for Futurama returning just like everyone else.  I still disagree that The Futon Critic think of the new season as the 4 episodes of the last film, they know that this film is going to air.  But I suppose it is ambiguous.

[Reply #67 on:]

If Digital Spy is referring to the possibility of new shows -- what information is Digital Spy basing their claim on, other than the super-super-super-tentative statements that Billy West/DXC/MG have made?

The folks at the US-based Futon Critic are very well-connected and are pretty big Futurama fans to boot -- if they had significant information about a possible renewal beyond what is already known, they'd have posted an article about it.

[Reply #68 on:]

If Digital Spy is referring to the possibility of new shows -- what information is Digital Spy basing their claim on, other than the super-super-super-tentative statements that Billy West/DXC/MG have made?

I never implied that Digital Spy's data was accurate.  I never made any objection to your claim that TLZ and TFP should not have jumped the gun, because I agree.  I just found the article interesting, because it sort of seems to indicate that apparently people are considering it dead... just yet.

The folks at the US-based Futon Critic are very well-connected and are pretty big Futurama fans to boot -- if they had significant information about a possible renewal beyond what is already known, they'd have posted an article about it.

Perhaps, but if they are pretty big Futurama fans, then they would not label the last film as a season of its own.

I rest my case.

[Reply #69 on:]

The folks at the US-based Futon Critic are very well-connected and are pretty big Futurama fans to boot -- if they had significant information about a possible renewal beyond what is already known, they'd have posted an article about it.

Perhaps, but if they are pretty big Futurama fans, then they would not label the last film as a season of its own.

They never called the four episodes of ITWGY a new season -- they merely state that the episodes will be aired in 2009-2010, since CC didn't see fit to air all of the movies in 2008-2009.  That's why I put "new season" in quotes a few posts above.

[Reply #70 on:]

They never called the four episodes of ITWGY a new season -- they merely state that the episodes will be aired in 2009-2010, since CC didn't see fit to air all of the movies in 2008-2009.  That's why I put "new season" in quotes a few posts above.

Then what exactly is this "new season" that has "yet to première"?  What part is BG part of then?

[Reply #71 on:]

Does it really strike you as that unreasonable that the information TFC has posted may be their way of stating that the episodes from season 5 (the movies) have spilled over into the next year, given CC's unorthodox scheduling?

[Reply #72 on:]

Does it really strike you as that unreasonable that the information TFC has posted may be their way of stating that the episodes from season 5 (the movies) have spilled over into the next year, given CC's unorthodox scheduling?

No.  But I wouldn't use the sense of when BG aired after its release as a measure either.

CC's airing may be unorthodox, but it is still more orthodox than Fox's.

[Reply #73 on:]

Just a point guys, that Futurama is in ORANGE which means WAITING TO HEAR. Well technically after production season 4 Futurama was not (according to Fox) cancelled but not renewed. I know that seems effectively the same thing but is it? For example a press release was sent out confirming that Pushing Daisies was CANCELLED. Now as far as I know the same has not happened at all for Futurama which must mean that it's a show on the bubble of returning, possibly at some point or left so all options can be considered. It was also probably done as a bargining tool by Fox for renewing The Simpsons with Matt Groening. It's probably the only reason it is on the Digital Spy list as NO ONE has flat out CANCELLED the show.

On a more downbeat note it would be very unlikely that we would hear anything this year (simply due to the time animating the show takes) or maybe even next year and that's if it's coming back at all.

On a more upbeat note with Sit Down, Shut Up bombing as much as it has done does open the door to surefire winners. Now Futurama may not be one of those TV ratings-wise (although a steady time slot and decent advertising of the show would help) surely the DVD sales later would be enough for Fox to think it's as safe a bet in animation they are going to get (except for The Simpsons and Family Guy).

Fox's upfronts for new shows are on Monday.

[Reply #74 on:]

Futurama is a bit more complex in what has to be resolved too. Which would be the initial release - DTV-DVDs, episodes, a movie, cable, network? I don't think there's a broadcast network show that releases a DVD of episodes first but that arrangement seems to work fine for a cable show. How about movie>cable>DVD>broadcast? It's not simply a matter of making more shows.

If Futurama does return to FOX wouldn't be the first program to have a new season(s) made for a network, then made a new season(s) for a second network, then return with a new season(s) for the original network?

[Reply #75 on:]

All I'm going to say is, if it doesn't come back as a series then the movies were a complete and utter pointless waste of time.  The only purpose I see to the movies at this point would be to possibly have it get renewed.

[Reply #76 on:]

Actually, I think the movies may have been a holding action; something along the lines of "let's test the waters, to see if there's still a base of support in case we do bring it back".  They sold well, and Fox made a lot of money on them, so hopefully the braindead suits will realize the value of bringing the show back. 

The big problems I see, besides the cost & logistics of making it for TV again, are 2 fold.  First, TV has changed significantly since 2001-2003.  All the networks are looking to put on "reality TV" programming because it's very low cost, has fast turn around (little storyboarding & editing) and is very profitable.  It's drivel, but what do they care; they're looking at the bottom line.  Second, there's potential scheduling conflicts with the main characters voiceover artists.  Example - Katy Sagal is committed to "Sons of Anarchy", which is shot on location far away from the studios where the voiceovers are done. 

I hope these issues can be worked through; I'd LOVE to see more Futurama on TV.  Let's keep our fingers crossed...

[Reply #77 on:]

i absolutely hope they announce it, and i've heard that billy west is pretty confident that it'll come back, so i'm going to have to go with a definite maybe.

it goes without saying that it would kick unspeakable amounts of ass for new episodes of futurama to start airing, though. so everyone needs to cross their fingers, hearts, jaws, whatever. cross every bone you have. it'll be worth the pain, damn it.

[Reply #78 on:]

They never called the four episodes of ITWGY a new season -- they merely state that the episodes will be aired in 2009-2010, since CC didn't see fit to air all of the movies in 2008-2009.  That's why I put "new season" in quotes a few posts above.

In very technical terms, the movies would all compromise the fifth season of Futurama (that's just off production number).

On a more upbeat note with Sit Down, Shut Up bombing as much as it has done does open the door to surefire winners. Now Futurama may not be one of those TV ratings-wise (although a steady time slot and decent advertising of the show would help) surely the DVD sales later would be enough for Fox to think it's as safe a bet in animation they are going to get (except for The Simpsons and Family Guy).

I'm not sure if "American Dad" is doing too good right now (though it is the better of two "evils" and it just got renewed), and "The Simpsons"'s ratings have taken a significant drop recently. Before, I believe only two or three years ago they yielded an average of 8 million viewers a night, and I think for episodes earlier in the series they yielded 11 million. Recently, in the past two seasons (mainly the season that just ended), "The Simpsons" is achieving record-low ratings with usually less than 6 million per premiere episode.

Notes
- After some more research on Wikipedia, other primetime powerhouses like "Desperate Housewives are to blame.
- The irony of it all is that "The Simpsons" may be the second highest-scoring episode of the night even during the periods which it receives the lowest ratings.

[Reply #79 on:]

If Futurama does come back, I seriously won't mind waiting another year for it.