Per Deadline, the HBCU-based drama “All American: Homecoming” has been canceled by The CW. The last season of the show will premiere on July 8th. In a quote obtained by Deadline, All American and All American: Homecoming executive producer/showrunner Nkechi Okoro Carroll spoke about the cancellation.
“I’m devastated to learn that All American: Homecoming will not be moving forward with more episodes and that this new season premiering in July will be our final one. However, I am so very grateful to have worked with this incredible cast and crew, led by Geffri Maya, to bring the authentic HBCU experience to your screens for the last three seasons. We made this show for the culture and thank our loyal audience and fans for taking this ride with us. We made this show so that our community, our kids (and their dreams), could be seen and celebrated every week and we are proud to say we accomplished that mission… Especially with this exciting final season which we can’t wait to show you all. So with a heavy but proud heart, I give one final shoutout to our favorite Bringston Lions!”
The CW issued a statement obtained by Deadline about the cancellation, saying, “We want to thank the cast, crew, producers, NK, Marqui and everybody at Berlanti Productions and Warner Bros. Television for their hard work and dedication in telling these important stories for three incredible seasons. The upcoming final season is the best yet and we cannot wait to share it with fans beginning on Monday, July 8.”
The cancellation has sparked outrage among fans of the show, with some even suggesting that the original series “All American” should have been axed instead of its spinoff. A post on HBCU Pulse’s Instagram announcing the cancellation saw hundreds of fans vent their frustration with The CW’s decision.
View this post on Instagram
@jus_asia posted, “@thecw y’all canceling the wrong shows like what??!”
@jurneeatlantis_ posted, “Take All-American instead!”
@bybeab posted, “But the original is renewed for a 7th season. This is ridiculous
@blisfully_zion asked, “So which network about to pick it up @bet y’all can put it on bet plus?”
@thats.mj took to the post to offer a nuanced criticism of the show and say that it could’ve improved with time, “not gone lie the show did need a bit of work but something that could’ve been fixed over time. Honestly they let the original run this long its no reason why they couldnt end the real one off with spencer and jordan going to the nfl and getting married and putting more money and time in to homecoming”
The backlash from fans of the program certainly shows that it had a fan base that was ready to see more of Simone’s journey as she navigated Bringston University and the social and academic experiences that HBCU life brings. But, per Deadline, The CW made their decision due to metrics that weren’t in the show’s favor.
“All American: Homecoming has been on shaky ground,” wrote Deadline co-editor-in-chief Nellie Andreeva. “While the series’ license fee was cut significantly last year to $500,000-$750,000 an episode, the CW has been pushing fees even lower this year. Popular among young demos, Homecoming draws fewer overall viewers, something the CW focuses on more as it is pushing to broaden its appeal beyond young adults.”
Andreeva also said in her piece, “Additionally, All American has an ongoing deal with Netflix, which would cover the newly picked up seventh season. Producer Warner Bros. TV made a separate deal for the existing seasons (1-3) of Homecoming, which would not cover a possible fourth season, sources said, making the economics of the series even more challenging.”
The show is set to have its third and final season premiere on July 8th, certainly a bittersweet moment for fans of the show.
The post Why HBCU Drama ‘All American: Homecoming’ is getting cancelled appeared first on ClutchPoints.
