Heroes "tentatively" renewed for next season

[SuperT]

Hollywood Reporter is reporting that at this point Heroes will be renewed for season four:

NBC: 'Heroes' will return next fall

NBC plans to bring back “Heroes” for another season, said entertainment president Angela Bromstad.

The action-drama’s ratings decline has caused some media reports to speculate as to whether the show will return next fall. As part of Hollywood Reporter’s annual Q&As with the five broadcast network chiefs, Bromstad was asked if “Heroes” could be considered “on the bubble” for a renewal.

“No,” she said, and added that the network plans to order 18-20 episodes of the show for next season.

That's fewer hours than "Heroes" first or current third season (which each had orders of at least 23 episodes), with season two having been cut short due to the writers strike.

For all its headline-making audience erosion, “Heroes” is still tied with NBC's “The Office” as the network’s top-rated series among adults 18-49 this season.

Also being factored: NBC's pilot project “Day One,” about a group of survivors in the wake of a catastrophic global event. If the serialized “Day One” goes to series, having an established sci-fi drama like “Heroes” could help the new show in a few ways, including possibly airing as part of the same Monday night block.

"Day One' is a big event and we're looking at that to come into the 'Heroes' spot," Bromstad said. "It's right now being looked at as a 13-episode run -- something people could commit to and we could make a big splash with."

If “Day One” does launch in the “Heroes” time period, “One” would get the advantage of its strong sci-fi-established slot for a number of weeks. With a slightly shorter episode order, “Heroes” can then continue its usual pattern of airing with few breaks by virtue of debuting later in the season. A second potential home for “Day One" is on Sundays, she said, where quasi-futuristic “Kings” will premiere March 15.

Another point in “Heroes” favor is the show performs well internationally. Bromstad said she experienced the drama's global popularity first-hand in her previous NBC post, heading the network’s international efforts based in London.

"Every single place you go has heard about 'Heroes' -- whether you’re in China or Japan or Russia," she said. "And to me, that is global content."

The network has privately discussed setting a series end date for "Heroes," which would followed the creative model used with critical success by ABC's “Lost,” Sci Fi's ”Battlestar Galactica” and FX's “The Shield.” But even if NBC ever made such a move, Bromstad said, they wouldn't want to make next season the conclusion.

"Heroes" fans aren't entirely in the clear yet: a renewal isn’t a deal until it’s a deal. If the show took a sudden dire ratings turn, the network still has time to reevaluate this strategy. But barring something dramatic happening, NBC is not deterred by the current ratings and will bring back "Heroes" for a fourth round.

For the full Q&A with Bromstad, and with the entertainment chiefs for ABC, CBS, Fox and the CW, see Friday's The Hollywood Reporter.

http://www.thrfeed.com/2009/03/nbc-to-renew-heroes.html

I like that they are only thinking doing 18-20 episode for next season. I think a shorter season is a better idea.

 

[Gamma Ray]

How is this show getting renewed? Its been terrible.

 

[Dark Helmet]

Please let next season be the last

 

[Maximus One]

Damn dont people have better stuff to do than talking all kinds of negative **** all the time

 

[chesslover]

Nope

 

[FilmNerdJamie]

Apparently, NBC really likes being in last place.

 

[Mdizzle]

Damn dont people have better stuff to do than talking all kinds of negative **** all the time

Judging from the threads, you and I may be the last heroes fans left...I still love the show. I have faith that they can fix it!

I'm interested to hear more about this "Day One" show...

 

[carrrnuttt]

I can understand the vitriol against Heroes, as it is a lost beacon of hope that Superhero characters, whom this whole site is about, can not only be mainstream, but primetime. I can understand being angry about the directions the show has gone.

But to openly root for the show's cancellation?

If anything, you Negative Nancies should WANT the show to stay on, if only to serve as your whipping boy, and your constant (self-stylized) proof that you are somehow, THE definitive superhero fanatic, and that it's only your definition of how superheroes should act that matters. I'm pretty sure that's what some of you say to yourselves in the mirror, in between staring longingly at that rare-or-significant-issue comic that you have sealed away in plastic, never to be read again, and putting on your favorite Batman or Spiderman mask.

 

[Mdizzle]

^^ What he said. I'm very pleased the show is coming back, and I look forward to seeing more

 

[PLAS]

I can understand the vitriol against Heroes, as it is a lost beacon of hope that Superhero characters, whom this whole site is about, can not only be mainstream, but primetime. I can understand being angry about the directions the show has gone.

But to openly root for the show's cancellation?

If anything, you Negative Nancies should WANT the show to stay on, if only to serve as your whipping boy, and your constant (self-stylized) proof that you are somehow, THE definitive superhero fanatic, and that it's only your definition of how superheroes should act that matters. I'm pretty sure that's what some of you say to yourselves in the mirror, in between staring longingly at that rare-or-significant-issue comic that you have sealed away in plastic, never to be read again, and putting on your favorite Batman or Spiderman mask.

I applaud that

 

[Primal Slayer]

While the show isnt as good as it was during S1, it is still entertaining to watch. And Heroes is still bascially the 2nd highest rated tv show on the network so its not doing bad when you look at the network standards. Though I do hope they give them atleast 20 episodes for the season.

 

[fu manchu]

glad to read that it should be back for a forth season. volume 4 is turning good, imo, so looking forward to see what in the works for volume 5. And I think it would be a good idea to have a end date.

 

[Matt]

Interesting. Never the less, just because NBC puts in the order for 18-20 episodes does not mean they cannot shut it down whenever they please. NBC does not need to let them complete the order. My guess is, they will see if Fueller can turn things around, if not, let them complete volume 5 and then pull the plug. Also, my guess is Kring will be fired over the summer and Fueller will become the show runner.

 

[Matt]

Apparently, NBC really likes being in last place.

Well...yeah. Wasn't their putting Leno on Primetime where he will only attract 4 million or so viewers a concession that they cannot compete with CBS?

 

[aaron]

i think they'll end it after a five season that maybe consists of 13 eps like the second season.

 

[SuperT]

Also, my guess is Kring will be fired over the summer and Fueller will become the show runner.

God, we can only hope!

 

[aaron]

is kring that bad? haha

 

[SuperT]

He's not bad, he just doesn't know how to run a show properly.

 

[aaron]

this fueller dude does?

 

[Gilpesh]

He's not bad, he just doesn't know how to run a show properly.

He is that bad.

 

[inov8ve]

Im glad to hear this.

I think the writing in this volume is much improved. It's definitely headed in the right direction.

The rebel character brings back the mystery that has been missing since the first season.

 

[aaron]

so true. and i like the general storyline too.

 

[Matt]

Im glad to hear this.

I think the writing in this volume is much improved. It's definitely headed in the right direction.

The rebel character brings back the mystery that has been missing since the first season.

If Rebel's identity weren't the most obvious thing in TV history, you may have a point.

Keep in mind guys, The Sarah Connor Chronicles was renewed for next year last fall, now it is likely going to be canceled. Arrested Development was renewed for 2 seasons weeks before it's cancelation. A studio can pull the plug at any time. My guess is they will give Fueller until fall sweeps to put the show back together and then it will be canceled to give one of their newer shows that is struggling a better time slot and a better chance to gain an audience. The thing about serials, is that once they lose an audience, they very seldom get it back as it is hard to jump back into the ever continuing plot. I can't see this show recovering its viewers...so...I'm guessing it is gone before Volume 6.

 

[Mdizzle]

We'll see how long it lasts, but I'm sure it will go into next season. I mean, although we gripe about the show a lot, we've still got all the Hype tuning in, so that's like...6 more ppl, right?

 

[aaron]

of the people i know who watched the first season, i'd say like 75% still watch