Station 19: Could ABC’s Loss Wind Up Being Netflix’s Gain?
Charlie Mason
Editor
Oh, the irony: In its seventh season, Station 19 is, as the kids would say, fire. New showrunners Zoanne Clack and Peter Paige have done a superlative job of turning up the heat on the Grey’s Anatomy spinoff. So fans are understandably hot under the collar about the fact that before a single one of their episodes had even aired, ABC turned the hose on the first-responders drama, swinging the axe and displacing it from its regular Thursday timeslot. (Instead of kicking off the night, it now ends it at 10/9c.)
Diehards — yeah, me included — haven’t given up hope that the show will find a new home, maybe even at Netflix, where executive producer Shonda Rhimes has her development deal. Have there been discussions of relocating Station 19 to a streaming platform? “They don’t tell us anything,” Clack insists to TVLine. But she hastens to add that “we’ll happily go wherever it goes.”
Paige eagerly seconds that emotion. “We would happily, happily, happily do another season if there were an opportunity to do it,” he says.
Thus far, there have been no rumblings that Station 19 is even being shopped around. But it must be, right? In 2023, it had been ABC’s highest-rated, most-watched drama. (If it’s numbers have sunk this year — and they have — it’s only because its timeslot was given to Fox acquisition, 9-1-1.) And creatively, Station 19 in not just good shape, exciting shape. (Not for nothing, but halfway through this strikes-abbreviated, 10-episode Season 7, TVLine has already singled out Jaina Lee Ortiz and Jay Hayden for praise.)
What say you? If Station 19 were to move to Netflix or some other streaming platform, would you follow it? Hit the comments with your thoughts.
It’s safe to say that the cancellation is really caused by the acquiring of 9-1-1, right? I mean why would they want two fire shows on the same network, let alone the same night?
They’d never be (or have beeen) publicly honest about the reason for the cancelation.
Normally shows get canceled because of bad ratings, sometimes because of expenses. The ratings in this case were great, they invested in new sets before the cancelation.
The only obvious change that happened was the deal with Mr. M. and ABC’s saving of 911. So it’s probably safe to say, that there is a link.
In my opinion 2 fire shows can exist on the same network, especially if one of them stems from the same universe of their flagship show (Grey’s). They could have easily left 19 in its 8 PM spot and let 911 do their numbers on another night of the week.
The expense issue is directly related to actors’ contracts being up. Most of not all of the original cast members had the typical six or seven season contracts. For actors who joined during the run, some contracts may extend beyond this season but we don’t know. We also don’t know what kind of revenue they get from on demand, streaming services, international sales, and syndication. I’m guessing that DVD sales are now rounding errors compared to those other costs and revenues. How many do they really sell these days to libraries and through retailers? All we know are the ratings–broadcast ad sales account for less and less of shows’ revenues each year–and occasional stories here about actors signing on for additional seasons. Without the accounting, which Disney and Shondaland are not going to share, we don’t know if there was a viable way to profitably continue the show another season, the way Grey’s has chugged along, or not.
They had announced prior to the season 7 pickup that all actors were signed for several more seasons.
Exactly. This is the reality.
From a previously diehard Greys fan: Unfortunately Greys has had its day …. Station 19 deserves a chance to develop its characters and continuing storyline- in my opinion they arè pulling the wrong shoŵ :/
Your opinion respectfully isn’t in line with the reality of the business. Grey’s keep being somehow profitable, while Station19 never really was.
Grey’s Anatomy has broken a record as TV’s longest running medical drama. The ratings have eroded but it is still profitable—even with the huge cast. ABC is firmly behind it. I would imagine the goal is to reach the 500th episode mark at this point! They will not cancel it out of sheer respect at this juncture! I’m sticking with it until the very last episode.
I said the exact same thing! I lived Grey’s but it’s time has passed. Station is the better of the 2 and should stay on.
9-1-1 barely fights fires they mostly have wacky rescue cases and lots of soapy drama.
To be fair S19 also has lots of soapy storylines featured and not fires this season either but more than 9-1-1 for sure.
I watch both but prefer S19.
Station 19 needs too stay!!! I would very much like any streaming channel or NBC, CBS
even FOX. Please don’t cancel this show!!!
definitely
I will follow this program wherever it may go. I hope that it will get picked up. It deserves to. It is one of the best for inclusion, diversity. It covers so many different story lines, which is appreciated!!
If it would be available INTERNATIONALLY on a streaming platform I’d probably follow.
But I’m trying to be realistic: ABC seems to have zero interest in shopping the show around, so I try to accept that 19 is actually coming to an end. Even though it’s hard, especially considering it’s the last week of shooting.
I just hope, that Zoanne and Peter found a satisfying ending for all characters, an ending most fans will be able to live with.
I will follow til the end. Love the show!
It’s on Disney+ in Australia
Fear not, people over 45… reruns will inevitably will live forever on Ion (PAX TV… which had *much* more cache).
Of course I would follow, it would be great for the huge following from International fans to watch the show, legally( without getting up at 4 am). I still don’t understand why 19 was cancelled. The show is at its peak with brilliant writing, directing and acting. It would be a great misfortune not to pick up /renew this awesome show with a very active fanbase and a global audience. The stories arent finished and deserve more episodes of educating and inspiring its viewers as well as representation and of-course the fire action and drama.
It would be wonderful if they resurrected the Station 19 series and gave it continuity. The LGBTQ+ representation that this series dignifies among the people of this community. The psychology of each person is a lesson in each chapter. Please consider bringing it to your platform, we are many fans who follow this series.
No one can honestly say there’s lack of representation of LGBTQ+ in today’s media and scripted shows.
In a time when LGBTQ+ rights are being attacked, if not disappearing in some states, seeing established, beloved characters leave is disappointing.
Minorities of one kind or another, including LGBTQ+, are very much in vogue these days. Social pressure from many sources are responsible for that. However, that doesn’t make it the reason to watch. Good writing and acting are supposed to be what creates a watchable show. Many episodes fall short of the mark. In addition, the show is supposed to be about putting out fires and rescuing people from imminent death or injury. It’s now time to get back to it’s reason for being.
The Travis-Eli relationship is my main reason for watching. I liked Travis with Emmett, too. A love triangle would be especially good.
ABC should just reverse course on it like CBS did with S.W.A.T. They seem to be lacking for next season… Yes there is High Potential but let’s assume that goes Tuesdays…there is still Mondays at 10, Wednesdays at 10, and Thursdays if this does end for holes. Dr. Odyssey can fill one but would they really go unscripted for both the others, on top of all they already have? Especially with rumors Bachelor in Paradise might be done or taking a year off? I honestly feel like we’re missing puzzle pieces for their next season and renewing this would help out.
Of course if Station 19 goes anywhere I am going to follow it. I know me and so many fans are hoping and praying it gets saved by somebody. We are not going down quietly
I do agree that creatively, the show is better than ever. But I don’t mind that the show is ending this season. 7 years is a pretty long run by today’s standards. That’s one more season than fellow Shondaland alum HTGAWM, and as long as Scandal. I would much rather the show get to go out with a bang with a final, proper conclusion on ABC than risk potentially getting cancelled with a cliffhanger on a streamer like Netflix, which is quite typical unfortunately. I have a feeling we’ll see characters pop in from time to time thanks to the Grey’s connections.
7 years is NOTHING compared to 21 years.
Law & Order – SVU!
100% yes! We are not ready to say goodbye to Marina. We love all characters, but for me it’s the Marina relationship I’ll miss the most.
THIS!
There were moments, while watching, where I just wished for a proper 19-ending, but also wanted a Marina spin-off. Because, I’m greedy like that ;) and I really don’t want to lose these two.
I could see Ben and Carina going back to Grey-Sloane Memorial (with the occasional appearance from Maya), especially if some of Grey’s cast choose not to return next season. Amelia was brought over after Private Practice was cancelled due to her ties with other characters. Carina’s brother was killed, but she’s still got plenty of friends and colleagues over on Grey’s, as does Ben.
While this is all true, having Carina on Grey’s, with its already ginormous cast, wouldn’t, I fear, be actually satisfying, because she’d have even less screentime than on S19 and it seemed that Grey’s didn’t know what to do with the character in the past.
But if everything else (saving S19 / spin-off) falls through and Stefania on Grey’s would be all we could get, I’d even take these crumbs.
Carina. The character’s name is Carina.
And the (relation)ship name that Carina is a part of, together with Maya, is Marina!
If Marina is the Italian MD, threy can’t get rid of her fast enough. Her constant Latin explosions are so typical but intrusive and tiring.
Same 100%
I will buy Netflix’s most expensive package if they pick up Station 19
Of course I would follow it without a doubt. It’s a shame that ABC is getting rid of S19 and has pushed back its time slot to 10pm just to accommodate 911. I really hope another platform picks it up. LFG
Station 19 exists so firmly in the shadow of Grey’s Anatomy that I can’t really imagine the two shows ending up on different networks. At least not without some sort of major overhaul.
I don’t see that. Shondaland has done a terrible job with crossovers and such. Other than Carina mentioning work and Bailey-Ben, 19 could easily leave Grey’s universe.
The Bailey-Ben is the big problem, since the characters are married to one another and each is a major figure on their respective shows. And if Station follows the usual Netflix model of all episodes dropping at once, you can’t do the usual cross-overs or even having Ben pop into Grey’s to tallk about what’s been happening to him (like injuring his hand or whatever). I almost think they would have to either split the couple up (which makes no sense in terms of current plots) or have Ben make a decision to return to medicine full-time.
I’m not sure there’s much reason for Netflix to save this other than wanting to maybe doing a favor for Shona Rhimes. Is this even something Rhimes wants to do? She’s been mostly checked out on her ABC shows since Bridgerton became an international behemoth.
She probably doesn’t even care if it gets cancelled. That’s my opinion.
I would follow station19 where it goes. There is still stories to be told. This show has been my Thursday night for 7 years and I could go on forever watching them. Netflix bring it home!
Absolutely I love this show and would watch it anywhere
I would follow Station 19 to whatever platform or network they landed on. Luckily I am already a subscriber to Netlifix & Hulu, but would subscribe to any platform that picks this show up. I know many fans have said they would add a Netflix subscription if Station 19 were to be picked up.
Donde fuera Station19 iríamos todos …!!! Solo queremos que este gran show no que de truncado en una temporada 7 todavía tiene mucho por mostrar .
Would love to see this go to Netflix! There are so many more stories for this team. It is one of the most diverse casts and stories currently on TV, this needs to land somewhere. PLEASE! #savestation19
I would follow #station19 anywhere. It is true that the show is already in its 7th season (only 10 episodes) but the show gets better with each season like a good wine, not to mention that there is more to tell. It’s more than a series about firefighters, it’s a family, our family and I think it’s time for it to gain its independence and finally have all the publicity it deserves without being in the shadow of GA. #savestation19
Oh count me in, Station19 has so many more stories to tell. It would be a perfect fit for Netflix
This show is too good to lose, season 7 is on fire and still getting good ratings in the 10pm slot. No brainer for it to be picked up if ABC dont change their mind
I would gladly watch Station 19 on Netflix, is a great show with a passionate cast that goes above and beyond. Please pick up this show, it has a loyal fandom all over the world!!
Without thinking twice I would follow Station 19 wherever it goes, It’s a really amazing program and I won’t get tired of supporting it
Yess! I’m up for this, Netflix you have to save Station 19, please please please. Station 19 represents teamwork, bravery, and community. It portrays firefighters’ challenges and bonds, offering diverse representation and compelling storytelling. We sure as hell are going to follow this show, wherever it goes! Please make this happen!
Will definitely follow #Station19 wherever it goes. Be it on ABC, Netflix or any other platform. This show did not deserve to get cancelled on such a sudden notice with the shortest season.
Love Station 19