9-1-1 has been one of Fox’s highest-rated scripted shows, but the upcoming season 6 finale will be the last episode on the network as Fox has canceled the first-responder show. However, fans haven’t seen the last of the series, as 9-1-1 will move over to ABC next season.
“It has been an honor to be the founding network of 9-1-1 and we are grateful to Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk and Tim Minear, together with Angela Bassett, Peter Krause, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Oliver Stark, Aisha Hinds, Kenneth Choi, Ryan Guzman and the rest of the cast and crew, and 20th Television for delivering such an impactful series to Fox,” Fox said in a statement. “We wish them well after 9-1-1’s final Fox season concludes.” The move is said to be a financial one. While 9-1-1 is one of Fox’s most-watched series, it’s also their most expensive. With a large cast led by Angela Bassett and Peter Krause, the show costs over $9 million per episode and it’s just not feasible to keep it going. Fox also has to pay a licensing fee to Disney to air the series.
“Thanks to the creative drive of Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk and Tim Minear, as well as the talented cast, 9-1-1 has been one of the most defining and original dramas on network television over the last six seasons and we are honored to bring it to the esteemed group of series on ABC,” said Craig Erwich, president, Disney Television Group. “It’s a privilege to keep 9-1-1 in the family with 20th Television producing, and we look forward to telling more heart-racing and uplifting stories about these beloved characters on our air.“
Although Fox may have canceled 9-1-1, they had held onto the spinoff series. 9-1-1: Lone Star has been renewed for a fifth season on Fox. The spinoff, which stars Rob Lowe, Gina Torres, Jim Parrack, and more, is nearly as popular as the flagship series but comes with a lower licensing fee and costs several million less than 9-1-1. Fans can breathe easy, as the only real change will be that they’ll watch 9-1-1 on a different network next season.