The move marks the network's exit from original scripted content.
May 30, 2017
It is being reported that WGN America has cancelled Underground, its last remaining scripted original, after two seasons. The move had been somewhat expected after the cable network axed its top-rated series Outsiders last month.
The move to clean house comes as a result of a recent decision by WGN America to focus on a more diverse programming strategy aimed at reaching a broader audience. What the means exactly, is not yet clear, though it is speculated that the cable network will shift to existing programming that is looking for a second outlet and shows with reduced licensing fees.
As for the future of Underground, word is that Sony Pictures Television has been actively looking to find it a new home. Their efforts have so far not yielded any results, with BET and OWN reportedly having already passed on it.
Set in 1857, Underground focused on a plantation in Georgia and a group of slaves who plan a daring 600-mile escape from their captors. While on the run they are helped by an abolitionist couple who operate a station on the Underground Railroad.
Nix
05/31/17 at 12:25pm
"* I'm with all of you who are done with WGN. *"
Well, yeah. They announced that their network is done making new dramas, that it's going into a different model of business. Repeats and probably reality or news. They tried and they failed, sadly, and now they're done trying.
"* Oh well for all of you out there always go to FX and AMC they never fail to give us great shows ! *"
..For now, there are those. Of course, with the TV market being so volatile, any network could hit the skids and be the next WGNA to jump out. (A&E also is quitting original scripted programming, Bates Motel was their last try.) AMC has been cruising on Walking Dead for years, it has other acclaimed shows it has managed to carry on but the only other major hit for the channel has been the Walking Dead spin-off. AMC gets red-carded all the time when cable companies try to drop channels, and has had to really fight to get deals with the streaming services. If you love shows on a network, you've got to support them best you can, because they're all potentially on the chopping block as the bubble gets bigger and bigger and bigger and bigger...
bub
05/31/17 at 09:50am
who "falls in love" with a television program??? Seriously? It's a show, get over it.
Kurt
05/31/17 at 09:29am
I'm with all of you who are done with WGN. I knew Underground was gone as soon as they pulled the Outsiders both great shows and lets not forget when they pulled Manhattan which was also great. Oh well for all of you out there always go to FX and AMC they never fail to give us great shows !
Mat
05/31/17 at 07:33am
If you don't like falling in love with something, only to have it taken from you for no good reason with absolutely no closure, watch it. If you hate feeling like that then avoid it like a plague. WGN has mastered the superpower known as ultimate cliffhanger bye bye.
azentropy
05/31/17 at 06:27am
Heard good things about the show and my parents liked it quite a bit. Never got around to watching it although it was on my "to binge" list. Not sure if I will now, did it at least end cleanly?
Raylan125
05/31/17 at 05:20am
"The move to clean house comes as a result of a recent decision by WGN America to focus on a more diverse programming strategy aimed at reaching a broader audience"
I think that means they want to go out of business
Sherry
05/31/17 at 04:49am
I quit watching WGN after they cancelled Salem.
Pope
05/30/17 at 11:20pm
No one's figured out that WGN gives shows just 2 seasons and that's it? Salem was an exception with 3 seasons.
Karina
05/30/17 at 06:25pm
I'm done with WGN. I don't care what they offer...EVER! Moving on....they had 2 original shows that people loved and they pulled the plug!
Nix
05/30/17 at 05:49pm
Yeah, it was a matter of time. WGNA has bowed out of original programming, a casualty of the Peak TV boom -- great shows on the network, but little caught on and even successes like Salem dissipated quickly. We'll see if Sony Pictures can get any takers, but they couldn't get a buyer for Outsiders and Underground was no better in ratings (and I assume would be more expensive to shoot, with that cast and the setting.) Good try, too bad it couldn't have worked out.
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