End of consultation: The Good Doctor canceled after 7 seasons, ABC reveals why

ABC’s decision to cancel The Good Doctor, after seven successful seasons, marked a significant change in the channel’s programming strategy. Originally, ABC had even considered a spin-off called The Good Lawyer, confirming their interest in the universe of The Good Doctor.

However, in the face of changing economic and strategic imperatives, including strikes of screenwriters and actors (SAG-AFTRA and WGA) that disrupted the industry, the chain had to reconsider its options.

Additionally, ABC’s introduction of a fall schedule consisting solely of unscripted programming, due to the shortage of scripted productions during Hollywood’s work stoppages, illustrates this shift toward less expensive and potentially more profitable formats. in the short term.

Audiences in decline

Despite a strong start, The Good Doctor saw its audiences gradually decline over the seasons. This phenomenon is not uncommon in the television industry where viewers can get bored or be attracted by new things. In addition to the decline in interest, the production costs of the series continued to increase, which made its continuation financially risky for the channel, especially in a context where each programming decision must be justified by a return on clear investment.

Internal competition and the arrival of new content

ABC’s acquisition of the series 9-1-1 from FOX, which already enjoys a strong fan base, also played a role in reevaluating The Good Doctor’s place in the network’s schedule. . With shows like Grey’s Anatomy and its spin-offs continuing to perform, as well as the introduction of new, lower-cost series, The Good Doctor found itself in an increasingly precarious position.

Impact of new industry dynamics

It is clear that recent strikes and changes in viewer behavior have forced television networks to rethink their business models. The growing tendency to favor international co-productions or less expensive reality TV formats are witnesses of this change. For series like The Good Doctor, which require large budgets to produce and pay a talented cast, these changed market conditions represent a considerable challenge.

In summary, the cancellation of The Good Doctor was the result of several factors, including strategic changes at ABC, declining ratings, increased competition within the network, and a changing economic environment in the television industry. full mutation. These elements combined led to the ultimate decision to end the series after its seventh season.