Amazon ‘no ratings’ as four originals cut
July 29, 2019
Amazon has cancelled four of its original scripted series. Its Prime Video service will not offer new seasons of comedy-drama Patriot (which ran for two seasons) or comedy series Forever (which comprised of just one season).
Jennifer Salke, head of Amazon Studios, also revealed that The Romanoffs, from Mad Men’s Matthew Weiner, and Too Old To Die Young, would not be returning. Both shows ran for just one season.
Amazon has also announced that fantasy world Carnival Row – starring Orlando Bloom and Cara Delevingne (pictured) – has been commissioned for a second season before the first season has even debuted. The Expanse will also be returning for a fifth season. Additionally Amazon Studios has ordered a new international adventure series, The Banker’s Wife, based on the best-selling novel.
Salke, speaking at Amazon’s Television Critics Association press tour, said the streaming service will not follow Netflix’s lead in offering select ratings information for its high-performing shows.
“We know what the numbers are and we’ll single out shows that are overperforming, but we’ve yet to embrace a strategy as a company where we put out actual numbers,” said Salke.
Salke said that Amazon is primed to remain competitive amid the fast expanding SVoD arena by providing quality content that appeals to its international base of Amazon Prime subscribers.