The run of VINYL is over.
No, not the records you just started getting back into collecting the last few years, but the HBO series, which, after landing a second season renewal from the cable network, won't be getting that sophomore go-'round after all. HBO has decided not to move forward with another season of the show, opting to put it on the shelf with all the other vinyl that had been collecting dust over the years, too – probably taking up residence next to Frampton Comes Alive when all is said and done.
In a released statement, HBO had the following to say:
After careful consideration, we have decided not to proceed with a second season of VINYL. Obviously, this was not an easy decision. We have enormous respect for the creative team and cast for their hard work and passion on this project.
HBO had high hopes for the show when it was first launched. How could they not? Terence Winter was on-board as showrunner and they had the added dazzle of Martin Scorsese and Mick Jagger involved on an executive producer level. But the show premiered with a disappointing 760,000 viewers in live-plus-same-day numbers and also carried a hefty price tag of about $100 million for the entire season ($30 million alone for the two-hour pilot). Needless to say, the cost far exceeded the benefits of the show. And with Winter recently departing, things didn't seem hopeful for the show's future. With the recent shakeup atop HBO's hierarchy, new programming head Casey Bloys has the freedom to proceed with his own vision for the cable network rather than trying to retool what didn't work from the last administration.
Farewell, VINYL. We hardly knew ye… No, really…? Very few people were watching. That was the problem.