In a shocking move, Prime Video has abruptly canceled two of its highly anticipated shows, 'Countdown' and 'Butterfly', after just one season. But what's even more surprising is the reason behind these decisions, especially considering the shows' impressive performance.
The Plot Twist: Despite 'Countdown' consistently ranking in the U.S. Top 10 on Prime Video, even weeks after its season finale, and both shows breaking into the Nielsen Top 10 for Streaming Originals, they were still axed. The reason? It all boiled down to global viewership for 'Countdown', a show that had been a stronger performer overall.
Over the past month and a half, Prime Video has been busy making renewal decisions for its new scripted series. The YA titles 'We Were Liars' and 'Overcompensating' were granted new seasons, while 'Motorheads' met its demise. And then came the crime/thriller dramas, where 'Ballard' was renewed, and 'Countdown' and 'Butterfly' were left in the dust.
But here's where it gets controversial: Amazon MGM Studios, the powerhouse behind these shows, remains in business with 'Countdown' star Jensen Ackles through his production company, Chaos Machine. Ackles also leads the upcoming 'The Boys' spinoff, 'Vought Rising', for Prime Video. So, was this decision purely business, or is there more to the story?
'Countdown', created by Derek Haas, follows LAPD detective Mark Meachum (Ackles) as he joins a secret task force to investigate the murder of a Homeland Security officer. The investigation leads to a chilling discovery and a race to save millions. The talented cast includes Eric Dane, Jessica Camacho, Violett Beane, Elliot Knight, and Uli Latukefu.
'Butterfly', co-created by Ken Woodruff, is a gripping spy thriller based on a graphic novel series. It delves into the life of David Jung (Daniel Dae Kim), a former US intelligence operative living in South Korea, who is forced to confront the repercussions of a past decision. Jung finds himself on the run from a sociopathic agent, Rebecca, and the sinister Caddis organization. The series boasts an impressive cast, including Kim Ji-hoon, Park Hae-soo, Kim Tae-hee, and Charles Parnell.
So, what's your take on these cancellations? Do you think global viewership should be the ultimate deciding factor? Share your thoughts below, and let's discuss the future of these promising shows and the impact of such decisions on the industry.
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