Greenlit with "two seasons" then cancelled after "two seasons"

*neatoman* · 03-24-2026, 10:51 PM

OK, so Starfleet Academy is the first time I see this this happen with a live action show, but it happens a lot with animated shows, it gets greenlit for "two" before it even starts and then gets cancelled before the "second" season even starts.

Now... Is it even fair to say these types of shows even got a second season? I mean, officially yeah and maybe in a bean counter way they did but... If all the episodes were ordered from the start, was there ever really a "second" season? Because to me, it just seems like one long one with a brief hiatus.

*Andrew NDB* · 03-24-2026, 11:14 PM

Tomb Raider on Netflix is another example. Greenlit for 2 before anything premiered, quietly cancelled after the first.

I think you're going to see a lot less of it now, frankly. Especially something super costly like Academy at about 8-10 million an episode.

And what a waste. Imagine all the "real" Trek we could have gotten with all that.

*Roseangelo* · 03-24-2026, 11:35 PM

I am convinced Paramount digs deep into these 2-year commitments just to spite fans who are early naysayers of said project.

*Andrew NDB* · 03-25-2026, 12:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roseangelo

I am convinced Paramount digs deep into these 2-year commitments just to spite fans who are early naysayers of said project.

Well, so far all of these decisions are pre-Skydance taking over of Paramount. So we'll see.

member_removed · 03-25-2026, 07:50 PM

Same thing when Doctor Who went to Disney+
Order two seasons (well, two 9 ep seasons, 3 specials and a 5 episode spin off, which has yet to streamed by D+). Then cancelled.

Well not cancelled, but the BBC are looking for a new international home.

*CyberCubed* · 03-25-2026, 08:02 PM

A lot of cartoons are like this, some get greenlit with 3 seasons because that would be a solid chunk of episodes but also not too much in case the show winds up not being popular or something. Also 22 minute episodes is less investment than 45+ minute episodes of live-action shows.

*Andrew NDB* · 03-26-2026, 12:13 AM

Part of me is cynical about it, as almost all of these multi-season greenlit things (before even premiering) end up being woke stuff. As if it's to say they know deep down these things won't actually "survive" in any kind of normal ratings tallying... so better to get out as much as they can through the gate before the jig is up and all. "Get" who they can with it and move onto the next thing.

03-24-2026, 11:35 PM	#3
Roseangelo Emperor Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: California Posts: 9,120	I am convinced Paramount digs deep into these 2-year commitments just to spite fans who are early naysayers of said project. __________________ www.ninjapizza.net www.colorsbyrosemary.com

03-25-2026, 07:50 PM	#5
member_removed Hench Mutant Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Perth, Australia Posts: 499	Same thing when Doctor Who went to Disney+ Order two seasons (well, two 9 ep seasons, 3 specials and a 5 episode spin off, which has yet to streamed by D+). Then cancelled. Well not cancelled, but the BBC are looking for a new international home. __________________ You take the ugly one! No, you take the ugly one! I'll take the ugly one! Which one's the ugly one?

03-24-2026, 11:14 PM	#2
Andrew NDB Weed Whacker Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Auburn, WA Posts: 34,573	Tomb Raider on Netflix is another example. Greenlit for 2 before anything premiered, quietly cancelled after the first. I think you're going to see a lot less of it now, frankly. Especially something super costly like Academy at about 8-10 million an episode. And what a waste. Imagine all the "real" Trek we could have gotten with all that.

03-25-2026, 08:02 PM	#6
CyberCubed Overlord Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 43,887	A lot of cartoons are like this, some get greenlit with 3 seasons because that would be a solid chunk of episodes but also not too much in case the show winds up not being popular or something. Also 22 minute episodes is less investment than 45+ minute episodes of live-action shows.

03-26-2026, 12:13 AM	#7
Andrew NDB Weed Whacker Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Auburn, WA Posts: 34,573	Part of me is cynical about it, as almost all of these multi-season greenlit things (before even premiering) end up being woke stuff. As if it's to say they know deep down these things won't actually "survive" in any kind of normal ratings tallying... so better to get out as much as they can through the gate before the jig is up and all. "Get" who they can with it and move onto the next thing.