I used to be proud of UK TV over USA TV as broadcasters over here have typically done shorter runs and been prepared to give them a series or two to attract a following. Where as in the States typically if the first half or first season tanks then the series gets canned.
Unfortunately, now it seems the BBC has adopted this cut-throat attitude to its own productions, don't get me wrong I understand the current economic climate and the Beebs budget cuts et al, but I mean
Outcasts has had one season which was looking pretty good, the last few episodes kicked into the long grass time slots and then the series axed after only 8 episodes.
This series had a lot of potential but rather than at least giving it a shorter second season to try and build on it's initial response they have just canned it. Someone in a letter to a TV mag made the comment about the budget spent on shows like Top Gear where they perform expensive idiotic stunts, go on expensive location shoots gets on-going support but good drama shows like outcasts and theDetective series Zen get axed.
Seems to make no sense to me, and it's not like the BBC is contrained by advertisers demanding enough viewing figures to recoup their sponsorships.
Go figure, I guess show makers will need to dumb down everything so there is no continuity or episodal arcs any more in case they get thrown out. I feel sorry for all these excellent writers seeing all their efforts getting wasted.