Cancellation League Launch!

 

Courtesy Amadeus3000.

This is a cancellation league, not a success league. The contest begins Sunday, Aug. 25, 2024.

The number of rules has been reduced from previous years. Please read all of them.

Contestants may have up to five shows per semester, or 10 total for the full 2024-2025 broadcast year. These shows must air on either ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX or The CW and have a set premiere or return date in September, October or November (or January, February or March for winter semester picking).

The following shows are eligible for fall 2024:

New programming: Poppa's House, NCIS: Origins, Rescue: Hi-Surf*, Brilliant Minds, High Potential, St. Denis Medical*, Doctor Odyssey, Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage, Matlock and Happy's Place.

Returning programming: Tracker, The Equalizer, The Simpsons, Bob's Burgers, The Neighborhood, NCIS, 9-1-1: Lone Star, FBI: International, FBI: Most Wanted, Accused, Night Court, The Irrational, Abbott Elementary, Chicago Med, Chicago Fire, Chicago P.D., 9-1-1, Grey's Anatomy, Ghosts, Elsbeth, Law & Order, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Found*, S.W.A.T., Fire Country and Lopez vs. Lopez.

*This show has a full season order.

A fall roster cannot be changed until Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. On that day, contestants may make their midseason choices and drop one program from their existing roster. If a program is dropped, it cannot be replaced. The contestant forfeits all points or demerits accumulated from that program. Contestants will not have the option to drop any winter semester programming from their roster.

Cancellation-related points apply to a show's status on its network. For example, if a show is axed on NBC but gets moved to Peacock, it still counts as cancelled for the purpose of this game. However, if a show is bought by a different Big Five network, it's -1000 points.

If a new show is cancelled before airing, it’s 900 points. If it is cancelled after one airing, it’s 800 points. If it is cancelled after two airings, 700 points. This will continue to a minimum of 100 points.

If a new series isn’t renewed, and has finished its run without a prior cancellation announcement or removal from the schedule, it's worth 750 points. One and done points are only awarded to programs that premiere in the fall semester.

Points for the addition of five-nine episodes to an order are eligible for fall debuts and the points are only taken once. If a show’s back five-nine episodes are ordered between Aug. 25-Oct. 31, it’s -500 points. If the back five-nine episodes are ordered between Nov. 1-30, it’s -300 points. If the back five-nine are ordered from Dec. 1 onward, it’s -100 points.

If a show is renewed before May, it's -500 points. 

If a show is removed from the schedule, it's 500 points. 

If the showrunner is fired or departs the show for a non-death reason, it's 100 points.

If a lead or supporting actor is fired or departs the show for a non-death reason, it's 100 points.

If a show has episodes to burn off, whether on air or by streaming, it's worth 100 points per episode.

If the initial ratings of a premiering series are impressive, it's -100. If they're poor, it's +100.

If the Metacritic review grade of a new series is 26-50, it's 500 points.

If the Metacritic review grade of a new series is 51-75, it's 300 points.

If the Metacritic review grade of a new series is 76-100, it's 100 points.

If there is no Metacritic score by the time a new series has premiered, it's 500 points.

If a returning series is cancelled after its season has begun, it's worth 100 points per seasons aired.

The first contestant to clear his or her roster receives 500 points. The game will conclude no later than Sunday, May 25, 2025.

And so it begins. Ballots, questions, suggestions and appeals are welcomed.